Episode #138: Mind Matters: Exploring PCOS and Mental Health

Welcome back to the PCOS Repair Podcast! If you’ve been listening for a while, you know that nourishment can have a tremendous impact on PCOS health, movement can make a significant difference in a PCOS-friendly lifestyle, and mindset plays a crucial role in making progress on your PCOS healing journey. But equally important—if not more so—is our mental health when it comes to PCOS.

Today, I’m excited to share a research article that delves into the psychological intricacies of PCOS, shedding light on often-overlooked aspects that significantly impact the lives of those with PCOS. The article we’ll be reviewing is titled “The Invisible Struggle: The Psychological Aspects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome,” conducted and written by Deepika Diwani and published on December 30, 2023.

The Overlooked Psychological Struggles of PCOS

While the physical symptoms of PCOS are often the primary focus in clinical settings, the psychosocial impact—the connection between our internal mental health and how we respond to external factors—is just as critical. Despite playing a pivotal role in our well-being, this aspect of PCOS is often overlooked.

This “invisible struggle” involves coping with social misconceptions and stigma. The article describes these experiences in rather negative terms—facing stigmatization and navigating negativity—but the reality is that many of us don’t even share that we have PCOS, and when we do, people often don’t understand it.

Many are familiar with common health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, but unless they or someone close to them has PCOS, they likely have little grasp of how deeply it affects multiple areas of life.

Even when people know something about PCOS, they may still be insensitive—whether intentional or not. For example, if you mention struggling with infertility, some people might say, “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” and then immediately shift to talking about their own pregnancy or how challenging it is to raise kids. That can feel isolating and frustrating.

Because of this, even if others don’t understand what we’re going through, it’s important that we do. Being aware of our own emotional responses to PCOS and how they affect us is essential for managing our mental well-being.

Understanding the Connection Between PCOS and Mental Health

This research article aims to help professionals better understand the internal struggles of women with PCOS. As a clinical study, it focuses on data rather than emotions, but it’s still encouraging to see this topic gaining attention.

One key takeaway is that PCOS and mental health are closely linked. Many assume that the emotional burden of PCOS is caused by its physical symptoms—fertility issues, irregular periods, weight gain, acne, and hair-related symptoms. And while those do contribute to anxiety and depression, the hormonal imbalances of PCOS themselves also increase the risk of mental health issues—even before any physical symptoms appear.

This creates a vicious cycle:

• As hormonal imbalances worsen, they increase the risk of depression and anxiety.
• As mental health declines, it becomes harder to make lifestyle changes to improve PCOS symptoms.
• As PCOS symptoms persist, it reinforces feelings of frustration and hopelessness.

Breaking this cycle isn’t easy, but recognizing it is the first step. If you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s not your fault—and you deserve support. That support can come from healthcare providers, family, friends, coaches, and self-care strategies.

The key is to be patient and gentle with yourself. Healing doesn’t happen overnight. But small, consistent steps—like improving sleep, reducing stress, and prioritizing self-care—can slowly shift things in a positive direction.

The Diagnostic Challenges of PCOS

Like many research articles, this one begins with a review of what PCOS is. It explains that PCOS is diagnosed when a patient meets at least two of the following three criteria:

1. Hyperandrogenism – This can be confirmed through blood tests (high testosterone or LH) or physical symptoms(facial hair, male-pattern hair loss, acne).
2. Ovulatory Dysfunction – Typically indicated by irregular periods.
3. Polycystic Ovaries on Ultrasound – The presence of multiple small follicles on the ovaries.

PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women, affecting approximately 7% of female patients. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but research suggests it results from a complex interaction between genetics and environment.

One of the most frustrating aspects of PCOS is the difficulty in getting diagnosed. Despite its prevalence, many women struggle for years before receiving a proper diagnosis. This is partly because PCOS has many different presentations:

• Some women with PCOS are very thin.
• Some only experience irregular periods without other symptoms.
• Others have severe hair growth, acne, or weight gain.

Because of this wide variation, many healthcare providers overlook or misdiagnose PCOS. In reality, diagnosing PCOS isn’t that complicated—it just requires basic lab work and a thorough medical history.

Recommendations for Improving PCOS Awareness

The research article provides several recommendations for addressing these challenges:

1. Public Awareness Campaigns – Increasing general knowledge about PCOS and dismantling stigma.
2. Healthcare Provider Education – Ensuring doctors understand both the physical and emotional aspects of PCOS.
3. Advocacy for Accurate Media Representation – Encouraging media portrayals that reflect the complexity of PCOS, rather than oversimplifying it.
4. Empowering Individuals Through Knowledge – Helping women understand their condition so they can advocate for themselves.

Taking Ownership of Your PCOS Journey

While I fully support efforts to improve public awareness, medical education, and media representation, I also believe in focusing on what we can control.

At the end of the day, society’s understanding of PCOS is outside of our control—but our own health is within our control.

• If you’re struggling, I’m so glad you’re here. I hope this podcast gives you the knowledge and tools to better understand your body.
• There is a lot of misinformation out there. When I started learning about PCOS over 10 years ago, there was almost no information available. Now, there’s too much—and much of it is confusing or misleading.
• The goal of this podcast is to help you filter through the noise and focus on what truly matters—understanding your unique body and making realistic lifestyle adjustments that work for you.

Final Thoughts

PCOS isn’t just about nutrition and exercise—our mental health matters too. Take a moment to check in with yourself. How are you really feeling? What small step can you take today to support your mental well-being?

As I wrap up, I challenge you to do at least one thing this week to support your mental health. It could be:

• Getting some fresh air
• Taking a mental break from social media
• Enjoying a few minutes of sunshine
• Prioritizing better sleep

Little things add up over time, and they can make a huge difference.

I’ll link the research article in the show notes in case you want to read more. And if you have any thoughts or questions, I’d love to hear from you over on Instagram @nourishedtohealthy.

Make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast.

Until next time—take care, be kind to yourself, and bye for now!