Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathic disorder affecting adolescents and women of reproductive age. Due to physiological changes, concerns about physical appearance, and societal pressure from infertility, these women are at risk of developing depression and anxiety. As a result, the link between PCOS, anxiety, and depression may have an effect on women’s quality of life. The aim of the present study was to assess the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms among women with PCOS.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism and Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Women with PCOS were enrolled in this study. A total of 200 data was collected from PCOS women. The severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms was measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Ethical clearance was taken from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of BSMMU.
Results: The study found that around 60% of respondents were aged between 18-27 years and they were residing in the urban area. Most respondents (50.5%) graduated and around 53% were unmarried. Around 90% of respondents had irregular bleeding and 72% said they had hormonal problems. In clinical features of PCOS around 89% and 59% complaint about hirsutism and acne respectively. The prevalence of the depressive symptoms had found severe among 33% of PCOS women and 30% had moderate depression. Anxiety symptoms were reported as extremely severe among 73.5% of women and 14.5% had severe anxiety. Around 47% of respondents had severe stress and 40% had moderate stress.
Conclusion: The overall prevalence of anxiety and stress symptoms was higher in women with PCOS. Clinicians should be aware of the high risk of developing anxiety or depression or stress symptoms among these women and screen them regularly for the presence of said symptoms. Appropriate pharmacological treatment alongside proper psychotherapeutics and psychosocial support should be included in the treatment plan.