The Silent Struggles of Girls with PCOD/PCOS

“Why Am I Always Tired?”

 

Living in a Body That Feels Foreign

You wake up dreading the mirror. The reflection stares back with tired eyes, skin riddled with stubborn acne and strands of hair resting on your pillow. You’ve been gaining weight rapidly, despite barely eating junk. Periods? They’re either nowhere to be found or come knocking with unbearable pain.

Teachers tell you to “focus more,” friends tease your sudden weight gain and your parents suspect you’re just stressed. But deep inside, you know something’s off. Your body feels like it’s revolting, emotionally, physically, hormonally.

This is the silent cry of thousands of teenage girls navigating the maze of PCOD and PCOS. With hormonal imbalances at their root, these conditions not only affect physical health but deeply scar confidence, emotional wellbeing and future fertility.

Know the Opponent

While often used interchangeably, PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) are distinct conditions:

• PCOD involves the release of immature or partially mature eggs from the ovaries, which can turn into cysts. It’s more common and often manageable with lifestyle changes.
• PCOS is a more severe hormonal disorder where multiple cysts form due to hormonal imbalance. It’s linked with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, infertility and increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Scientific Insights:

• PCOS affects 9.13% of adolescent girls in India. (Joshi et al., 2014)
• Up to 80% of teens with PCOS show insulin resistance.

Emotional, Physical & Social Turmoil

1. Emotional and Mental Health

• Girls report feeling isolated, anxious or depressed.
• Mood swings and body dysmorphia often go unrecognized.
• Increased risk of eating disorders, self-harm and social withdrawal.

2. Physical Symptoms

• Persistent acne resistant to regular treatment.
• Male-pattern hair growth (face, chest) or hair thinning.
• Unpredictable, painful periods.

3. Social Stigma and Bullying

• Being called “hairy,” “chubby” or “lazy.”
• Teased for having visible facial hair or weight changes.
• Missing classes or social events due to low energy or painful cramps.

Mental Health Stat:

• Girls with PCOS are 3x more likely to develop anxiety and 2.5x more likely to experience depression (Rasgon et al., 2003)

The Biology

PCOS and PCOD begin with hormonal chaos:

• Androgens or male hormones, are overproduced.
• This prevents ovulation and causes multiple cysts in the ovaries.
• Disrupted ovulation → irregular or absent periods.
• Insulin resistance is common, leading to weight gain and further hormone imbalance.

This creates a vicious cycle that many girls unknowingly live with for years.

Source: Mayo Clinic & NIH Reports on PCOS.

What Happens When You Ignore the Signs?

Short-Term Effects:

• Period irregularity, bloating, weight changes.
• Poor focus, low confidence, exhaustion.

Long-Term Effects:

• Infertility, Type 2 diabetes, endometrial cancer.
• Chronic fatigue, hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

Story Time:

“Priya, 16, was gaining weight and suffering from horrible acne. Everyone thought it was just teenage blues. But when she was diagnosed with PCOS at 18, she had already developed insulin resistance and anxiety. Early diagnosis could have saved her two years of mental turmoil.”

Stat: 50 to 70% of PCOS cases in India remain undiagnosed until complications occur. (Fernandes et al., 2021)

How Parents & Schools Can Help

• Integrate reproductive and hormonal health in school health curriculum.
• Conduct annual check-ups that include hormonal panels.
• Create safe spaces where girls can talk about menstrual issues.

For Parents:

• Don’t dismiss the signs as “just teenage issues.”
• Consult doctors early.
• Normalize therapy and emotional support.

For Schools:

• Train teachers to be sensitive to hormonal and mental health concerns.
• Include gynecological camps or tie-ups with local hospitals.

What You Can Do?

Medical Support:

• Early consultation with gynecologists or endocrinologists.
• Get a proper diagnosis: hormone levels, insulin test, pelvic ultrasound.

Lifestyle Changes:

• Diet: Low-glycemic foods, avoid processed sugars, high-fiber intake.
• Exercise: Yoga, strength training, daily movement.
• Mental Health: Therapy, journaling, support groups.

Apps That Help:

• Flo, My Calendar, Clue to track periods and symptoms.

Why Address This Now?

Each passing year without a diagnosis increases risks. Early teenage years are the perfect window for awareness, prevention and habit formation.

Delaying attention means watching young girls struggle with preventable complications.

If you notice signs, act. Don’t wait.

It’s Time to Talk

PCOD and PCOS are not just about missing periods. They are about missed opportunities, to empower, to educate and to prevent years of suffering.

Talking about it, educating schools and being sensitive at home can transform a young girl’s life. Together, let’s create a society where these symptoms are not ignored, but understood and addressed.

Led by a Renowned Obstetric Specialist

At Mulberry Women’s Hospital, your care is led by a dedicated obstetric team committed to safe and personalized maternity care:

Dr. Swathi Thaduri

• MBBS, DNB, MRCOG (UK), Infertility & Laparoscopic Specialist
• Over a decade of experience with high-risk pregnancies