Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Social Media Content: An Evaluation Through YouTube Videos and Instagram Reels Content

Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a serious health condition, affecting 5-10% of women of reproductive age, and is associated with obesity, irregular periods, infertility, and hirsutism.PCOS may significantly impact quality of life and requires accurate information for proper management.Social media has become an important source where many women seek health information.This study evaluated YouTube and Instagram reels content related to PCOS.The search terms "PCOS," "PCOS and menstrual irregularity," and "PCOS and hair growth" were used.Identified content was assessed for quality, educational value, and number of views.The aim was to determine whether these platforms provide reliable, high-quality educational information about PCOS.Methods: Content was categorized into four groups according who created it: physicians; healthcare institutions; nonphysician healthcare professionals; and personal accounts.For each YouTube and Instagram video, the following variables were recorded: duration, resolution, likes, comments, upload date, Global Quality score (GQS), modified DISCERN (mDISCERN), and engagement rate.This categorization allowed comparisons between professional and non-professional content producers.Results: Content created by physicians and healthcare institutions demonstrated significantly higher GQS and mDISCERN scores than that produced by other groups.Physicians reached smaller audiences but generated higher engagement, while personal accounts attracted more views and interactions overall.These findings highlight the dual nature of social media as both a valuable source of information and a potential channel for misinformation. Conclusion:Content from physicians and healthcare institutions was more accurate and reliable, whereas personal accounts gained greater popularity.This study demonstrated that popularity does not necessarily reflect quality.Medical information on social media should prioritize accuracy and reliability in order to genuinely benefit users and reduce the risk of misinformation.