Latest news with #PolycysticOvarianSyndrome
NDTV
5 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Why PCOS Isn't Just A 'Hormonal Issue', It Wrecks Your Mental Health Too
Keeping up with the ebb and flow of your hormones is already a challenge. Add a bit of stress and a poor lifestyle, and you have a cocktail of problems. One possible consequence is PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age, primarily causing irregular periods. For some, not having a period for a few months might seem like a relief until you know it's not good news. It can be worse when accompanied by weight gain, hair thinning, and unexplained fatigue. It's rarely just about missed periods. It's often the beginning of an internal war, with impacts that stretch far beyond physical problems - it affects your mental health too. Advertisement - Scroll to continue PCOS And Mental Health PCOS is a hormonal condition, but the weight of the condition is not just carried in the body but in the mind as well. While irregular periods are often the first red flag, many are unaware that mental health symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue, can also be signs of PCOS. Kanan Verma, a 21-year-old college student, thought something was going on in her body when she started noticing the subtle changes. Sometimes, it was a missed period, and other times, a sharp pain in her right leg that made her uncomfortable. She consulted a doctor, and the ultrasound revealed that she had PCOS. Kanan was 19 at that time. What followed was a wave of unexpected changes in her body and mental health, such as facial hair, mood swings, constant fatigue, and aching joints. 'I didn't feel like doing anything. I just felt sad all the time,' she recalls. 37-year-old corporate professional Namita Narula Gandhi was diagnosed with PCOS during a routine check-up for a UTI. While she was already battling burnout from work and her condition, Namita found herself spiraling deeper when she experienced an ectopic pregnancy post her marriage. "I felt like I lost the battle," she recalls. Editor and marketing professional, Rumela Sen was too young when she was first diagnosed with PCOS. She was asked to take medications to manage the symptoms, but consistency wasn't easy amid a new city, academic stress, and a disrupted lifestyle. What followed was stress and anxiety. 'I'd gone from XS (size Extra Small) to L (Large) and didn't pause to question why. I thought I was just stressed or overworked. There were times I would get anxious over the smallest things,' she says. In the years since her diagnosis, she lost a close family member and tested positive for the BRCA 2 gene - an inherited mutation linked to a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The lines between grief and chronic illnesses blurred, "I can't tell if PCOS impacted my mental health or if the grief did. But I know that stress makes PCOS worse and the corporate world doesn't exactly make stress optional.' The one thing common among all the women was the less talked about side-effects of PCOS - on mental health. Dr Payal Choudhary, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Rosewalk by Rainbow Hospital tells NDTV, "PCOS can significantly impact a person's mental health. Hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, and symptoms like acne, weight gain, and excessive hair growth can lead to low self-esteem and body image issues. Irregular periods and fertility concerns often cause emotional distress. Many women with PCOS experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and mood swings due to both physiological and psychological factors. The chronic nature of the condition adds to the emotional burden." How To Take Care Of Your Mental Health If You Have PCOS Eat A Healthy Diet: While there is limited data to support a specific diet that helps improve mental health in people with PCOS, studies have found that eating healthy can help you deal with anxiety, depression, and other mental effects of PCOS. A study published in the journal Nutrients found that eating a diet rich in vegetables and legumes, dairy products, and eggs, seems to have a positive effect on the mental health of women with PCOS. "Diet plays a crucial role in managing PCOS. Diets low in refined carbohydrates and sugars, and rich in fibre, lean proteins, and healthy fats can improve hormonal balance and support ovulation," recommends Dr Choudhary. This, in turn, may help you manage mental health symptoms as well. Exercise Regularly: A study published in the journal BMC Women's Health found that physical activity reduces the chances of depression in women with PCOS. Another study published in the journal Sports Medicine found that exercise may help improve the physical as well as mental well-being of women with PCOS. "Walking is one of the best exercises for managing PCOS. Combining it with strength training and flexibility exercises like yoga can offer more comprehensive results. The goal is consistency and enjoyment, making walking a great starting point. Overall, it's not the only exercise for PCOS, but it is a highly effective and sustainable choice for many," recommends Dr Choudhary. Try Complementary And Alternate Therapies: A strong support system and cognitive behavioural therapy may also help people with PCOS feel less anxious or stressed. "Mental health support is just as important as physical treatment in PCOS management, and early intervention with counseling, support groups, or therapy can greatly improve overall well-being," signs off Dr Choudhary. Share
NDTV
28-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
PCOS Affects Memory And Attention Span, Finds New Study. How To Deal With It
PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an endocrine disorder that affects one in five women, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This figure shows just how common this condition is among women. While those with PCOS are familiar with symptoms like irregular periods and weight gain, a new study has found that it may even affect how your brain works. PCOS May Affect Your Brain Function: Study The hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS is often evident in physical symptoms such as irregular periods, weight gain, excessive hair growth, acne, and infertility. However, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have found that it may impact your ability to focus and react too. The study, titled The Impact of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on Attention: An Empirical Investigation, was published in the journal, BioPsychosocial Medicine. What Led by Professor Azizuddin Khan and clinical psychologist and PhD scholar at IIT-B Maitreyi Redkar, the researchers compared two groups of women: 101 women with PCOS and 72 healthy women, who underwent the attention-based cognitive tests. It was found that PCOS can impair cognitive functions such as alertness and attention. The researchers discovered that women with PCOS were 56 percent slower than those without the condition. They were also found to make 7 percent more errors in focused attention tasks. Why PCOS Can Make It Harder To Focus Researchers at IIT Bombay linked mental fatigue associated with PCOS as a key factor affecting concentration. The condition may impact your memory and attention span, with severity depending on various individual factors. Professor Khan noted, "Its symptoms and severity vary depending on the hormonal profile, metabolic health, mental health, and socio-environmental conditions of the individual." NDTV spoke to Dr Tanveer Aujla, Senior Consultant, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Noida, about why PCOS makes it difficult to focus. "PCOS can affect a woman's attention span, and this can be because of hormonal imbalance. Women tend to have higher androgens and insulin resistance, which can impact brain function, and they will be unable to focus. Some may have difficulty focusing, experience forgetfulness, or even brain fog. PCOS can also lead to anxiety, stress, and low attention span," says Dr Aujla. What Is PCOS Or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines PCOS as a condition where "cysts (small sacs of fluid) develop on the ovaries". It can cause irregular periods, and may also lead to infertility. According to the CDC, insulin resistance is common in women with PCOS, which can even lead to Type 2 diabetes. The CDC states that some women with PCOS may develop more serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and stroke. It is important to manage the condition to avoid the consequences. How To Manage PCOS Symptoms And Improve Attention Span 1. Brain Games: Playing brain games can help you focus on attention and memory and improve response time and accuracy, according to the researchers of the study. 2. Reduce Stress: Stress can worsen PCOS symptoms, and in turn, affect focus. Practising relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga may help reduce stress and improve memory and attention span. 3. Exercise Regularly: Since PCOS is a lifestyle-related condition, physical activity is key to managing symptoms. As per a study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, women with PCOS should aim for: 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or, 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week. You can also do a combination of different activities after consulting your healthcare provider. 4. Eat A Healthy Diet: Nutrition plays a vital role in managing PCOS. According to John Hopkins Medicine, you should eat more Whole grains Fresh fruits Non-starchy vegetables such as leafy greens, tomatoes, cauliflower, etc. Omega-3 fatty acids, olive oils, fibre, and protein-rich foods. You should also avoid added sugars and refined carbs. 5. Manage Your Weight: While PCOS can make weight management challenging, maintaining a healthy weight through lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, is essential. A study published in BMC Endocrine Disorders highlights weight management is a good way to manage PCOS. 6. Improve Sleep Hygiene: Establishing a regular sleep schedule that includes going to bed and waking up at the same time may help. A study published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine found that good sleep is crucial for PCOS management. Symptoms of PCOS - and the best ways to manage them - can vary significantly from one person to another. It is always best to consult your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or daily routine.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
PCOS could lead to decreased alertness and longer reaction times: study
A recent study revealed that hormonal imbalance associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) could lead to decreased alertness and longer reaction times, likely to compromise attention-based tasks in affected women. The task-based tests suggest that PCOS impacts women's focused and divided attention, decreasing the speed of response by about 56% and accuracy by about 10%. The study explores the effect of PCOS on attention, as attention is the 'precursor for all vital cognitive processing—receiving, understanding, and making sense of the information' and divided attention helps to 'handle and respond to multiple tasks'. The study authored by Maitreyi Redkar and Azizuddin Khan at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) assessed the impact of PCOS on focused and divided attention. The findings highlight that decreased accuracy in divided attention tasks may influence working memory, which hinders holding the information temporarily, making daily activities such as keeping track of directions challenging. 'Despite the variability in PCOS symptoms and their severity, the impairments in the core cognitive abilities of attention and processing speed seem to be prevalent across women,' adds Prof. Khan. Inferences of the study 101 women with PCOS and 72 healthy women participated in the study and underwent the attention tasks. Before the test, the hormonal levels of all the women were assessed before the study. Women with PCOS showed over a 50% slower response and made about 10% more errors than the healthy ones in the focused attention test. Similarly, PCOS women performed about 20% slowly, with 3% extra errors in the divided attention task, as per the study. Among the two types of attention, PCOS women performed poorer in focused attention. Along with elevated androgen levels, the participants with PCOS had insulin resistance that is linked to attention. The study also pointed out that insulin resistance causes poor glucose metabolism and affects brain cell (neuron) activity, leading to poor performance in focused attention tasks. Mental fatigue linked to PCOS, such as anxiety and frustration, makes divided attention tasks more challenging. How was the study conducted? For conducting the study, the researchers used two tests- the Flanker Task and the Posner Cueing Task- While the Flanker Task assesses the participant's ability to avoid distracting stimuli while focusing only on the important information, the Posner Cueing task evaluates how quickly the participants focus on the correct spot and how efficiently they shift their focus from the wrong one. The test included a task, focusing on the centre of the screen (central fixation point) with two boxes on either side. The participants will receive a cue, such as an arrow or a flash, followed by a target stimulus in one of the boxes. The participants should quickly press the corresponding arrow key. 'In this task, the participants are instructed to focus on a target stimulus (usually an arrow or a letter) that appears in the middle of a row while ignoring the distracting stimulus on either side (the 'flankers'). For example, if the participant is shown '→→→→→', the middle arrow is easy to identify. However, if they are shown'←←→←←', the surrounding arrows point the other way, making it harder to concentrate and respond accurately,' adds Prof. Khan. The task-based tests drew inferences that women with PCOS are slower to react and more easily distracted than their healthy counterparts. 'The cognitive experiments are specifically designed to capture the subtle millisecond-level differences in how individuals respond to critical stimuli. These minute delays reveal significant impairments in attention, which may impact our real-life functioning,' said Prof. Khan. The findings emphasise the need to understand PCOS as a complex medical condition that not only affects physical health but also cognitive health.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
More than just irregular periods: How PCOS affects fertility and why it's easier to manage than you think
Many women in India believe irregular periods are just how their body works – something that will 'get better with time'. For years, they live with unpredictable menstrual cycles, sudden acne, unexplained weight gain or thick facial hair. Some might even know that this is due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ( PCOS ) but don't realise its actual impact till they try to conceive and start facing issues. PCOS affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and 70-80% of those women face fertility challenges due to hormonal imbalances. Clearly, it is one of the most prevalent hormonal disorders in women but also heavily misdiagnosed. The connection between PCOS and fertility PCOS impact ovulation – release of an egg from the ovary – in multiple ways. At the root of PCOS is a hormonal imbalance , often driven by insulin resistance and increased visceral fat. This metabolic disruption leads to higher levels of insulin and androgens (male hormones), both of which interfere with normal ovulation and menstrual cycles. Without routine ovulation, it becomes harder to predict fertile windows or conceive naturally. The hormonal disturbances due to PCOS can also have consequences on egg quality and maturation. All of this makes it more difficult to conceive naturally. And if pregnancy does happen, women with PCOS are at slightly increased risk for complications such as miscarriage, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure. But prompt treatment and ongoing monitoring can minimise these risks immensely. The symptoms of PCOS aren't merely cosmetic or emotional concerns – they are your body's signals informing you of a hormonal imbalance. PCOS may also creep up on metabolic health and long-term cardiovascular well-being. Why early awareness is a game-changer Being aware of your reproductive health and fertility in your 20s and early 30s helps you plan better and make informed decisions at the right time. Early tests like AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) to determine ovarian reserve, Antral Follicle Count (AFC) by ultrasound and insulin and testosterone levels can provide valuable information for timely action. Managing PCOS is easier than you think The good news about PCOS is that it is one of the most manageable reproductive conditions, especially when identified early, and approached with the right support. Here's what works 1. Even a 5-10% weight loss restores ovulation 2. Hormonal control is provided by a low-glycemic index diet 3. Exercise and sleep are foundational as both reduce insulin resistance 4. Mental health support is crucial, as PCOS is often linked with anxiety and low mood 5. For women trying to conceive, ovulation induction medications, folic acid supplements, IUI, or IVF can significantly improve chances, especially when supported by a personalised treatment plan. The real power? Knowledge + action PCOS may feel complex but it's not a permanent roadblock to your dreams, especially if you don't ignore the signs early on and consult in a timely manner. It's important that reproductive health be treated as a regular focus to improve life instead of an emergency when planning a family and things aren't working out. Reproductive health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being. Authored by: Dr Rakhi Goyal, Fertility Specialist, Birla Fertility & IVF, Chandigarh The link between PCOS and insulin resistance One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
News18
09-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Expert-Approved Healthy PCOS-Friendly Breakfasts That Don't Compromise On Taste
Last Updated: While lifestyle changes play a key role in managing PCOS, a well-balanced and nutrient-rich diet is equally essential. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an increasingly common hormonal disorder affecting women globally, including a significant number in India. Characterised by hormonal imbalances, PCOS can impact various aspects of a woman's health – from metabolism and fertility to mood and energy levels. While lifestyle changes play a key role in managing the condition, a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet is equally essential. Incorporating wholesome foods like almonds into your daily routine, especially at breakfast, can provide steady energy, support hormonal balance, and enhance overall well-being, making them a smart, simple addition to any PCOS-friendly meal plan. Ritika Samaddar, Regional Head of Dietetics at Max Healthcare, New Delhi, suggests quick and healthy breakfasts that are PCOS-friendly and perfect for busy mornings. Eating a diet that strikes a balance between flavour and nutrition is a game-changer when it comes to dealing with PCOS. Here are some nutritious and easy-to-prepare breakfast recipes that can help you manage PCOS much more effectively. Almond and Oat Milk Breakfast Smoothie A delicious blend of oats and almonds – rich in 15 essential nutrients, this smoothie packs essential nutrients, healthy fats, protein, and dietary fibre. The combination helps maintain steady blood sugar levels and provides lasting morning energy. A tablespoon of mixed seeds adds an extra boost of nutrition. Swapping regular milk for almond milk not only makes it lighter but also supports weight management and insulin regulation. A simple, wholesome choice to nourish your body! Easy Quinoa Upma Quick Almond Flour Pancakes These soft and fluffy almond flour pancakes are not just tasty but also healthier than regular pancakes. They have fewer carbs, which helps keep blood sugar levels steady. Almond flour is naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for those with gluten sensitivities or anyone following a gluten-free diet. This can be especially helpful for women with PCOS who may have trouble with gluten. Healthy Moong Dal Chilla Its low glycaemic index aids in blood sugar regulation, and the addition of vegetables such as bell peppers, spinach, and grated carrots enriches the meal with vital vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Instead of using typical mint chutney, try pairing the chilla with almond yoghurt for a unique twist. This will offer a creamy texture and even more almond goodness. First Published:
