PCOD and hormonal issues. I still remember a young woman from Delhi who walked into my clinic after trying three different doctors, countless diets, and endless workouts. Her voice trembled as she said, “I’m doing everything right… Why is my body still not listening to me?”
Her reports showed what I now see almost every day—PCOD and hormonal issues.
I am a nutritionist with over 10 years of experience working closely with women across India. From metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to smaller towns, one pattern is impossible to ignore: PCOD and hormonal issues are no longer rare. They are becoming a common part of urban women’s lives.
This blog is written to help you understand how big this issue really is, why awareness matters, what myths are holding women back, and how healing is possible.
Table of Contents
How Big Is the Problem in India?
In urban cities, especially Delhi, lifestyle pressure is intense. Long work hours, irregular meals, constant stress, pollution, and poor sleep create the perfect environment for PCOD and hormonal issues to develop.
What research shows
According to a study supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 8–22% of Indian women of reproductive age suffer from PCOD, with significantly higher prevalence in urban areas.
https://journals.lww.com/indjem/fulltext/2018/22060/prevalence_of_polycystic_ovary_syndrome.3.aspx
How this supports the conclusion:
The study compared urban and semi-urban populations and linked sedentary lifestyle, dietary changes, and stress to rising PCOD prevalence—confirming that PCOD and hormonal issues are largely urban-driven.
Why Cities Like Delhi Are High-Risk Zones
Urban living silently disrupts hormonal balance. Women often normalise exhaustion, irregular periods, acne, and weight gain without realising these are signs of PCOD and hormonal issues.
Common urban triggers include:
Skipped breakfasts and late-night dinners
High intake of ultra-processed foods
Chronic mental stress and cortisol overload
Reduced physical activity despite “busy” schedules
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has repeatedly highlighted lifestyle-driven metabolic and hormonal disorders as a major public health concern in South Asia.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
How this supports the conclusion:
WHO data explains how sedentary behaviour and metabolic dysfunction directly affect insulin and hormone regulation—core mechanisms behind PCOD and hormonal issues.
The Awareness Gap: Why So Many Women Are Undiagnosed
One of the biggest challenges with PCOD and hormonal issues in India is a lack of awareness. Many women are told that irregular periods are “normal” or that symptoms will “fix themselves after marriage.”
This delay in diagnosis often leads to:
Worsening insulin resistance
Increased fertility struggles
Long-term metabolic disorders
Research published on PubMed by Indian clinicians highlights that late diagnosis is common due to social stigma and misinformation.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30805687/
How this supports the conclusion:
The study focuses on delayed diagnosis in adolescents and young women, showing how a lack of awareness accelerates PCOD and hormonal issues over time.
Common Myths That Make Things Worse
Let’s break some myths that prevent healing:
Myth: PCOD only affects overweight women
Truth: Lean women also suffer from PCOD and hormonal issues, often going undiagnosed longer.Myth: Birth control pills cure PCOD
Truth: Pills may manage symptoms, but do not address root causes.Myth: Marriage or pregnancy will fix hormones
Truth: Hormonal imbalance requires lifestyle and nutritional correction.
The Endocrine Society’s clinical guidelines clearly state that lifestyle intervention is the first-line approach for PCOD management.
https://www.endocrine.org/clinical-practice-guidelines/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
How this supports the conclusion:
These guidelines are based on long-term clinical data showing improved outcomes when lifestyle is prioritised in PCOD and hormonal issues.
The Emotional Side No One Talks About
Beyond physical symptoms, PCOD and hormonal issues deeply affect mental health. Anxiety, low self-esteem, body image struggles, and fertility fears are extremely common.
A peer-reviewed study linked with researchers from NIMHANS found significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression among women with PCOD.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30055788/
How this supports the conclusion:
Validated psychological assessments in the study confirm that PCOD and hormonal issues affect both emotional and physical health.
How Can This Be Solved?
Healing PCOD and hormonal issues requires addressing the root causes, not just symptoms. From my decade of experience, sustainable improvement comes from:
Balanced, blood-sugar-friendly nutrition
Stress and cortisol regulation
Adequate sleep and circadian rhythm repair
Gentle, consistent physical activity
Personalised guidance, not generic diets
Scientific reviews from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirm that insulin sensitivity improves significantly with lifestyle-focused interventions.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5301909/
How MyFemily by Nutritionist Saloni Helps
I started MyFemily by Nutritionist Saloni because Indian women deserve clarity, compassion, and science-backed support. Every woman’s body is different, and so is her journey with PCOD and hormonal issues.
At MyFemily, we focus on:
Personalised nutrition plans
Root-cause hormonal healing
Emotional support and education
Sustainable habits for long-term balance
When we treat PCOD and hormonal issues as signals instead of failures, healing becomes possible.
A Final Word
India is facing a silent but serious hormonal health crisis. PCOD and hormonal issues are not just medical conditions—they reflect how our lifestyles, stress levels, and self-care systems need change.
If you see yourself in this story, know this:
You are not broken. Your body is asking for support.
And with the right guidance, it can heal.