The current landscape of mental health challenges in women with PCOS

A narrative review

Bibliographic Data

ID21629282
AuthorsFaathimah Khan (0009-0002-6148-2405), Nalini Govender (0000-0002-4047-6340), Yasmeen Thandar (0000-0003-4169-2296)
Year2025
Volume44
Issue6
Pages4679-4691
Publication date2025-03-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCurrent Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1046-1310 • E-ISSN: 1936-4733
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s12144-025-07435-5
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited57

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) research is dominated by the clinical perspective, whilst the psychological experiences of women with PCOS remain less understood. This narrative review explores mental health challenges of women with PCOS, encompassing common psychiatric disorders, emotional challenges, and psychosocial challenges. An online search of published literature was conducted via PubMed and Google Scholar using the terms “polycystic ovary syndrome”, “mental health”, “psychological”, “emotional” and “psychosocial”. Only articles that were directly applicable to mental health, emotional and psychosocial challenges were reviewed. Women with PCOS face increased risks of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, alongside emotional burdens such as stress and social isolation, which stem from the syndrome’s symptoms and societal stigma. Psychosocial challenges, including body image dissatisfaction and social functioning difficulties, further exacerbate these issues. These findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive PCOS management that includes regular mental health screenings and addresses the complex interplay of psychological factors, emphasizing the importance of further research to deepen understanding and improve care strategies

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