Women's Perspectives Regarding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) After Their Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study in Pakistan

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome affects approximately 8%-13% of women during their reproductive age, and receiving a diagnosis can deeply affect their emotional well-being and personal choices. This study explores how women's experiences after their diagnosis and examines the influence of diagnosis on their psychological well-being and lifestyle decisions. Design: This Qualitative descriptive study engaged 40 pre-menopausal women between the ages of 18-45, recruited from the District Headquarter Hospital, Haripur, Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted both in-person and telephonically, for flexibility and depth in data collection. Thematic Analysis was carried out using NVivo Software to identify the patterns and key insights. Results: The majority of participants had irregular menstrual cycles (73%), hirsutism (80%), and weight gain (78%). The challenges faced by women with PCOS were categorized into four key themes: (1) Preliminary Assessment, (2) Psychosocial Impact of Being Diagnosed with PCOS, (3) Health Concerns, and (4) Impact on Life Decisions. This study showed that women with PCOS encounter multiple difficulties; however, they believed that parental and spousal support could help them cope with the syndrome. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of timely diagnosis, emotional support, and receiving proper education about PCOS diagnosis and management.