How Hormonal Imbalance PCOS Affects Women’s Well-being

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a common hormonal disorder that affects around 5 per cent of women. It happens when a woman’s ovaries make too much of the male hormone, testosterone. This condition can cause various issues such as trouble getting pregnant, irregular periods, too much hair growth, acne, and being overweight. Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, an obstetrician, explains how PCOS can also affect women’s mental health.

PCOS can make women feel stressed out and frustrated. Many women with PCOS also feel sad and down. They might feel their heart racing a lot, which doesn’t happen as much in women without PCOS. 34 per cent of women with PCOS feel depressed, while only 18% of women who don’t have it feel that way. Also, about 45 per cent of women with PCOS feel their heart racing, compared to just 18 per cent of women without it. Hence, PCOS can affect both your body and your mind.

Symptoms of PCOS include weight gain, acne, infertility, low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. And women affected by PCOS face more stress problems than others. This creates a major setback in their efforts to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

How to treat PCOS problems?

If women with PCOS have mood swings or feel worried a lot, they should see a doctor for help. Many therapies can help with anxiety and panic attacks.

Researchers looked at how food and exercise can change how women with PCOS feel. They found that exercising often and eating less can help reduce heart racing and feeling sad.

In general, living an active and healthy life can improve mental well-being. Studies show that women with PCOS who exercise for at least 150 minutes a week have fewer issues with heart racing and feeling down.

Similarly, drugs like metformin, which help the body use insulin better, can make women with PCOS feel less sad. Metformin also helps to lower heart racing. Also, taking omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, either alone or with vitamin D, might help women with PCOS feel less agitated and less sad.

Women with PCOS can also try things like meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga to calm their fast-beating hearts. Acupuncture might also help them feel less anxious.