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PCOS in India, I still remember a 19-year-old girl, her eyes filled with confusion and fear. Her periods had disappeared for months, acne refused to settle, and weight gain felt completely out of her control. In a soft voice, she said, “Didi, I have PCOS… but no one in my family understands what it means.
That moment stayed with me. It is also one of the reasons I started MyFemily by Nutritionist Saloni.
I am a nutritionist with over ten years of experience working exclusively in women’s health. Across cities, age groups, and lifestyles, one condition keeps appearing again and again: PCOS in India.
This blog is not meant to alarm you. It is meant to explain what is happening, why it is happening, and how we know this from credible research so women can make informed decisions
.A Growing Reality We Can No Longer Ignore
When I began my practice, PCOS was often labelled as “rare” or something that affected only overweight women. Today, that belief is scientifically outdated. PCOS in India is now seen among teenagers, college students, working professionals, and even new mothers who appear fit and active.
What the research says
A population-based study supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research and published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism reported a high prevalence of PCOS among urban Indian women, with estimates ranging between 9% and 22% depending on diagnostic criteria.
Direct article (full text):
https://journals.lww.com/indjem/fulltext/2018/22060/prevalence_of_polycystic_ovary_syndrome.3.aspx
How does this support the conclusion?
The study compared women across urban settings and identified lifestyle factors—diet, physical inactivity, and metabolic markers—as common links. This directly supports the conclusion that PCOS in India is not isolated, but widespread and increasing, particularly in urban populations.
What Exactly Is PCOS—and Why Is It Rising?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal and metabolic condition involving insulin resistance, excess androgens, and irregular ovulation. But in real-life practice, the rise of PCOS in India cannot be explained by biology alone.
In my consultations, common patterns emerge:
- Skipped meals or extreme dieting
- Late nights and disrupted sleep
- Chronic stress is normalised as “hustle”
- Ultra-processed, high-sugar foods are replacing traditional diets
What the global evidence says
The World Health Organisation has identified lifestyle-driven metabolic disorders as a major public health concern, particularly in South Asian populations, where insulin resistance develops earlier.
WHO obesity & metabolic risk fact sheet:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
How does this support the conclusion
WHO data links sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and metabolic dysfunction. Since insulin resistance is a core driver of PCOS, this evidence explains why lifestyle change directly contributes to the rise of PCOS in India.
Stress: The Silent Hormone Disruptor
Stress is one of the most underestimated factors in women’s hormonal health. Emotional pressure, long work hours, social expectations, and poor recovery elevate cortisol levels. Cortisol interferes with insulin signalling and ovarian hormone balance.
In PCOS in India, stress plays a disproportionate role because women often manage careers, homes, and caregiving roles simultaneously.
What the research says
A 2022 review published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia examined how chronic stress and circadian rhythm disruption worsen metabolic and endocrine disorders, including PCOS.
Direct article:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606522000131
How does this support the conclusion?
The paper explains that stress-induced hormonal disruption worsens insulin resistance and ovarian dysfunction—key mechanisms in PCOS. This directly validates the link between chronic stress and worsening PCOS symptoms.
Why Young Girls Are Being Diagnosed Earlier
One of the most concerning shifts I have witnessed is the age of diagnosis. Girls as young as 13–15 are now being diagnosed with PCOS in India.
Contributing factors include:
- High junk-food intake
- Screen addiction
- Inadequate sleep
- Academic pressure
What Indian research shows
Research involving clinicians from AIIMS Delhi, published on PubMed, highlights a rise in adolescent PCOS cases, linking early lifestyle exposure to hormonal dysregulation.
Direct PubMed article:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30805687/
How does this support the conclusion?
The study focuses on adolescents and explains how early insulin resistance and lifestyle stressors lead to earlier onset of PCOS—supporting the claim that this is no longer an adult-only condition.
The Emotional Cost No One Talks About
Beyond physical symptoms, PCOS in India deeply affects mental health. Many women struggle with body image concerns, anxiety, depression, fertility fears, and societal pressure related to marriage and motherhood.
What mental health research confirms
A peer-reviewed study associated with researchers from NIMHANS found significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression among women diagnosed with PCOS.
Direct PubMed article:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30055788/
How does this support the conclusion?
The study used validated psychological scales, confirming that PCOS impacts mental well-being—not just reproductive health—supporting the need for holistic care.
Are We Treating Symptoms Instead of the Root Cause?
Many women come to me after years of short-term solutions—birth control pills, crash diets, or excessive exercise. While these may suppress symptoms, they rarely address root causes.
What clinical guidelines recommend
The Endocrine Society’s clinical guidelines clearly state that lifestyle modification is the first-line treatment for PCOS, before medication.
Direct guideline page:
https://www.endocrine.org/clinical-practice-guidelines/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
How does this support the conclusion
These guidelines are based on long-term outcome studies showing improved ovulation, insulin sensitivity, and symptom reduction through lifestyle-first approaches.
Why I Started MyFemily.com
I created MyFemily.com because Indian women deserve clarity—not fear or confusion. They deserve guidance that is science-backed, culturally relevant, and emotionally supportive.
When we talk about PCOS in India, we are not talking about a single disorder. We are talking about a signal—one that tells us our lifestyles, stress levels, and self-care systems need healing.
So, Is India Ready?
Medically, awareness is improving.
Socially, conversations are beginning.
Emotionally, we still have work to do.
But awareness is always the first step. If you are a woman struggling silently, remember this:
You are not broken. Your body is communicating with you—and it deserves to be heard.