Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder among women of reproductive age that causes them to have enlarged ovaries and ultimately hormonal imbalances. Australian-based fitness blogger Tina-Marie Beznec showcased one of the symptoms of PCOS by shaving her face to raise awareness for the endocrine system disorder.

After losing nearly 90 pounds from a condition that put her at risk for excessive weight gain, Beznec decided to help others struggling with PCOS. She also suffers with other troublesome symptoms such as depression, anxiety, infertility, weight gain, hormonal imbalances, bloating, abdominal pains, acne, cysts, and increased risk of cancer in addition to the facial hair. Beznec has struggled with this her whole life, but shared the photos of her shaving not only to raise awareness for PCOS, but also to bring reassurance to others who are suffering through the same condition.

"Do you know how unfeminine this can make a woman feel?” Beznec wrote on Facebook. “I've always been super self conscious about it, but really just have to put this out there because I want [to] create more awareness around this syndrome and how much it can impact someone’s life, especially if they don’t know they have it.”

Most of the symptoms are caused by the overproduction of the male hormone androgen, but the reason for the unbalance is still unknown, making the condition only manageable and not curable. Many also suffer from excessive weight gain and low fertility. According to the Office on Women’s Health, the best ways to treat symptoms is by limiting processed foods, added sugars, add in more whole-grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats into your diet, and control menstrual cycles while reducing the male hormone levels with birth control pills.

By combining weight loss with excessive and birth control, women suffering from PCOS may increase their chances of getting pregnant. Read here.

Beznec added: “I’m just an average women battling what one out of 20 other woman battle everyday! I may be hairy like a man but I’m still a queen.”

Even though the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, experts have found early diagnosis along with weight loss may reduce the risk of other diseases associated with the condition. As Beznec pointed out, the key is to recognize symptoms early on in order to address them before they worsen. Your doctor will look to see if you have irregular periods, excessive levels of androgen, and polycystic ovaries, which are small fluid-filled sacs that surround the eggs.

"If you think you may have Polycystic ovary syndrome please don't be afraid to reach out and seek medical advice,” she wrote. “It's a hard battle but the sooner you get diagnosed, the sooner you can manage your symptoms.”