Ever felt like your body didn’t get the memo? Your periods ghost you for months, your chin sprouts more hair than your brother’s, and no matter how “clean” you eat, the weighing scale acts like your enemy?

Welcome to PCOS: short for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting people with ovaries.

Here’s the science-y bit in simple words: Ovaries make higher-than-usual amounts of androgens (male hormones). That hormonal chaos can delay or completely skip ovulation. On top of that, the ovaries often develop small, fluid-filled sacs (misleadingly called “cysts”) that mess with cycles. The result? A ripple effect on everything from skin to weight to mood to fertility.

It’s not just a “period problem.” It’s a whole-body condition that barges into your metabolism, energy, and mental health. Basically, the nosy relatives of disorders — showing up everywhere you didn’t invite them.

How Common is PCOS?

Brace yourself: PCOS affects 8–13% of women globally. But in India, studies suggest the number is far higher: somewhere between 1 in 5 and 1 in 4 women of reproductive age. That’s millions of us.

And yet, so many are walking around undiagnosed. Why? Because instead of proper tests, too many doctors still say: “Lose some weight” or the classic “Shaadi kar lo, sab theek ho jayega.” (Spoiler: no, marriage doesn’t cure a hormonal disorder.)

Common Symptoms of PCOS

PCOS shows up differently for different people, but some of the most common and noticeable symptoms include:

• Irregular or absent periods: cycles that are longer than 35 days, unpredictable, or missing altogether.

• Weight gain & difficulty losing weight: often tied to insulin resistance.

• Insulin resistance & higher risk of type 2 diabetes: PCOS is strongly linked with metabolic issues.

• Excess hair growth (hirsutism): especially on the face, chest, or stomach.

• Acne and oily skin: caused by excess androgens.

• Thinning hair or hair loss: often at the crown of the head.

• Fertility struggles: due to irregular ovulation or lack of ovulation.

How PCOS Impacts Someone’s Life

Here’s the part that rarely makes it into medical brochures: PCOS doesn’t just change your hormones: it changes your everyday life.

• Energy drain: Constant fatigue, brain fog, and that feeling of being “tired but wired.”

• Mood swings & mental health: Anxiety, depression, irritability — hormones and the stress of managing them can take a toll.

• Body image battles: Hair where you don’t want it, acne that doesn’t listen to expensive creams, and weight changes that make shopping hell.

• Social pressure: In India, especially, fertility gets dragged into every conversation. Aunties don’t ask how you’re feeling; they ask when the babies are coming.

And yes, PCOS does affect your sexual health too — from libido to comfort.

The Overlooked Impacts of PCOS

When PCOS is mentioned, the headlines are usually weight gain, acne, and infertility. But that’s only half the story. Here’s the hidden fine print:

• Digestive drama: Constant bloating, IBS-like symptoms, gut issues.

• Sleep problems: PCOS increases the risk of sleep apnea and poor sleep quality, making you even more tired.

• Headaches & migraines: Because hormonal chaos loves messing with your brain too.

• Skin conditions: Dark, velvety patches (acanthosis nigricans), skin tags, inflammation.

• Chronic pain: Pelvic cramps, joint pain, unexplained aches.

• Healthcare fatigue: Running from doctor to doctor, being told it’s “all in your head,” or given birth control pills as a one-size-fits-all solution.

Basically, PCOS is not just a health condition; it’s a lifestyle thief if not managed well.

Why These Conversations Matter

PCOS isn’t niche. It isn’t just a “women’s issue.” It’s a public health problem with long-term risks: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and endometrial cancer. And yet awareness is painfully low.

Culturally, silence makes it worse. Body hair gets shamed, fertility is obsessively policed, and women are often dismissed or blamed for their symptoms (“Maybe you’re just lazy,” “Maybe you’re not disciplined enough with your diet”).

Talking openly about PCOS — the visible struggles and the invisible ones — is the first step toward breaking the stigma. Because if 1 in 4 women in India has it, PCOS is practically mainstream. We just don’t talk about it enough.

For those navigating PCOS-related challenges like discomfort during intimacy, incorporating supportive products such as sex toys and lube can improve sexual wellness and make intimate experiences more comfortable.

About the Author

Madhu (she/her) has been an avid reader of all things spicy since her childhood. She writes sassy blog posts and listicles now so that others may benefit from her wholly inappropriate, wholly informative tastes, too.