Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine female disorder, with a dominant genetic association. The prevalence of PCOS in South Asian women, especially in Pakistani women, is much higher (52%) as compared to the white population (20 – 25% in the UK. Pakistani women experience PCOS due to excessive societal stress, unhealthy diet, and unawareness. With a lack of awareness, many women and girls facing PCOS are never diagnosed, leading to infertility and irregular periods.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that occurs in the ovaries due to higher production levels of hormones called androgens. Unfortunately, like diabetes, PCOS has a stronger connection to genetics. If you have a mother or sister with PCOS, you are more likely to have it. As a result, people with PCOS experience irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain, female infertility, acne, and thinning of hair.
People with PCOS have a prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Due to the complexity of overlapping symptoms and multifactorial attributes, PCOS is often difficult to diagnose. With the rise of the rate of PCOS in Pakistan, Agha Khan University Hospital researched that individuals with PCOS face multiple social and stress-induced issues.
As a South Asian country, Pakistani women carry the burden of family values, gender roles, and personality complexity, causing diseases like PCOS. The disease is not only affecting women with hormonal changes, but has become a danger to generations and the reproduction rate.
Look around yourself, are you the one becoming reason of stress for the women associated with you? As a society, we must empower and take care of women; instead, we ask them to carry the burden of emotions, honor, and social values. At the same time, our men strip women of respect and valor of women!
Be aware of health concerns that your partner, daughter, mother, or sister might be facing!
