Lucy was only 14 when she learnt she may develop fertility problems. It was distressing news for someone who went to see her GP about irregular periods.

Her doctor said she might have a hormonal condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and she should drop five kilograms - despite then being 52 kilograms and 172 centimetres tall - to "pre-empt" weight gain, a symptom.

"It was quite a dramatic thing to tell someone so young that they may be infertile and to lose weight, which would have made me underweight," Lucy, now 24, said.

"Two years later I had tests and I do have PCOS but I'm not showing the symptoms like excess hair or extra weight so, while it has been a negative experience, right now I'm not letting it affect me."