PCOS and anxiety: How are they linked and how to ensure emotional well-being?

In a nutshell

PCOS and anxiety are linked by a number of biological and psychological factors, including hormonal fluctuations, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, emotional response to physical symptoms, and syndrome-related stigma. According to studies, as many as 37% of women with PCOS have anxiety and 42% have depression, furthermore, just like PCOS affects your mental health, anxiety and depression caused by it also affect PCOS management, making it important to address both.

Some practical strategies that can be used for managing PCOS-related mental challenges include:

• Diet adjustments
• Exercising
• Supplement intake
• Stress-coping techniques and support system

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is linked to a variety of physical and hormonal symptoms, yet, the psychological aspects of this syndrome are often overlooked, although very common. PCOS depression and anxiety are commonly found in women with this syndrome but there are ways to manage them and ensure well-being.

Struggling to lose weight with PCOS? Take our quiz now to find a personalized solution just for you >

PCOS and Its Common Symptoms

PCOS is a rather prevalent condition among females of reproductive age. This condition affects female ovaries, stimulating the development of a large number of fluid-filled sacs called cysts on their outer edge. By affecting the structure of ovaries, PCOS actually hinders their work creating an imbalance of hormone production and increasing the level of androgens (female hormones) in women. The World Health Organization declares that this condition is diagnosed in about 8-13% of women in the world with up to 70% of cases being undiagnosed.

Disrupted work of the ovaries and hormonal imbalances caused by PCOS are typically associated with the following key symptoms:

• Unpredictable, prolonged, or absent periods
• Irregular ovulation
• Acne
• Excessive hair growth
• Hair thinning and male-pattern hair loss
• Weight gain

Additionally, PCOS is linked to higher odds of developing other health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and others.

The Link Between PCOS and Anxiety

Although the majority of symptoms related to PCOS are hormonal and physical, there is also a deep correlation between this syndrome and females’ mental health. It’s believed that PCOS mood swings are the primary emotional impact made by this condition. However, if you dig deeper, it turns out that mood swings are a mild manifestation of PCOS, whereas more serious mental challenges, such as anxiety and depression, are more profound consequences, which, however, aren’t at all rare.

A recent study has found a pretty high prevalence of PCOS depression (42%) and anxiety (37%). And if you’re wondering what’s the link between these conditions and PCOS, in reality, there are a number of both biological and psychological factors linking them:

1. Hormonal Fluctuations

As you already know, PCOS causes deep hormonal changes that elevate the level of male hormones in females, which is the first link between PCOS and anxiety. The thing is that androgens, such as testosterone, are shown to adjust your stress response. Studies reveal that high-anxious women tend to have higher testosterone levels (2.56 ng/dl) in contrast to low-anxiety females who have lower levels of this hormone (1.82 ng/dl). So testosterone boost is one reason.

Additionally, women with PCOS tend to have fluctuating female hormones (estrogen and progesterone), which also impact mental health. Studies reveal a high prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression in perimenopausal women, whose levels of estrogen and progesterone start changing naturally. A similar mechanism affects women with PCOS, who also experience hormonal fluctuations and cycle irregularity.

2. Insulin Resistance and Chronic Inflammation

Insulin resistance is a common complication found in females with PCOS due to unstable metabolic function and hence, inappropriate reaction to insulin in the body. A developed insulin resistance is proven to affect dopamine turnover in the brain, frequently leading to anxiety and depression.

As for inflammation, it’s also a physiological factor worth considering. A large number of cysts that PCOS women tend to have often cause ongoing low-key inflammation. A chronic inflammation, in turn, hinders the balance of core chemicals in the brain, such as pivotal neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, affecting one’s emotional wellness.

3. Emotional Response to Physical Changes

Getting to psychological factors causing PCOS depression anxiety, it’s important to mention the physical changes that can happen in women with this syndrome. Typical symptoms like weight gain, acne, hair thinning, hair loss, and excess hair can all affect your body image and hinder self-esteem. These changes can become a strong anxiety trigger.

Also, it’s important to remember the emotional strain that might be caused by cycle irregularity and, subsequently, issues in sexual life and fertility. These problems can greatly affect a woman’s self-esteem and cause even more anxiety.

4. PCOS-Related Stigma and Psychological Burden

Finally, one of the crucial psychosocial aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome is the stigma that’s still present out there. Being an invisible but chronic condition, PCOS can set a significant psychological burden on women. Being diagnosed with this syndrome can cause many massive concerns, including those about one’s appearance, reproductive health, and others.

These challenges plus the stigma and a lack of awareness about PCOS can intensify women’s mental health challenges and add more stress on a daily basis.

The Impact of PCOS Depression Anxiety on PCOS Management

So does PCOS cause anxiety? As you now know, the answer is “yes,” PCOS can cause anxiety and depression through a number of biological and psychological factors. And while the impact of PCOS-related emotional distress on the overall quality of life is pretty clear, what about the effects it can have on your condition?

Before we share with you practical tips on managing PCOS anxiety, let’s review the possible impacts it can have on your PCOS treatment to justify the importance of supporting your mental wellness:

• Impact on lifestyle - Lifestyle adjustments, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, are important in PCOS management because they help target deep symptoms of PCOS, such as hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance. Anxiety and depression, in turn, can greatly impact your daily lifestyle choices. Namely, they can cause stress-eating which can worsen your PCOS symptoms.
• Impact on reproductive health - While PCOS can cause cycle irregularity on its own, added stress and anxiety can worsen the situation. It’s proven that high levels of stress affect hormonal balance and female reproductive health.

These effects of anxiety on your PCOS management efforts can create a vicious circle when one condition worsens the other lap by lap. That’s why addressing mental challenges is no less important than managing your PCOS symptoms.

Practical Strategies for Addressing PCOS Mood Swings and Anxiety

1. Diet Adjustment

First of all, females with PCOS need to stick to a well-balanced and nutritious diet. It’s crucial for balancing hormones, regulating the cycle, managing insulin resistance, and maintaining overall health. And it's also pivotal for mental well-being.

Unhealthy and ultra-processed foods have been shown to have a bidirectional link with mental disorders. That is, eating unhealthily can increase the likelihood of getting anxiety and vice versa. Thus, in order to support your mental health, you need a rich diet with veggies, fat, protein, and other crucial nutrients.

2. Regular Exercise

It has been said many times that getting on the move helps improve a variety of conditions, both physical and mental. In terms of PCOS management, regular exercise can help balance hormones and improve insulin sensitivity.

In terms of mental health, physical activity is shown to pump up the production of crucial neurotransmitters (such as endorphins) in the brain. It also helps minimize daily stress and reduce its negative impacts on your body and mind. So all in all, regular exercise can greatly improve your mood, while also enhancing body image and self-esteem, which is also important for well-being.

3. Supplements and Natural Remedies

Natural remedies are rather popular in PCOS management as a whole. Women with this syndrome are often recommended to take different supplements, such as inositol, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and others to manage their symptoms and support overall health. Additionally, they are often suggested to try natural remedies such as ashwagandha, which is also known for hormone and cycle-regulating properties.

The same solutions are shown to benefit people with anxiety and depression disorders. By consuming the right supplements and natural remedies, you can receive tangible stress relief.

4. Stress-Coping Techniques and Support System

Finally, speaking of anxiety and PCOS management, it’s impossible to overlook common stress-coping techniques. Activities aimed at relaxation, such as meditation, yoga, breathing, and others have shown their efficacy in regulating daily stress and helping reduce anxiety. These techniques will also come in handy in the case of PCOS and panic attacks, which require instant action for relief. So be sure to explore different techniques and find what works for you.

Additionally, don’t disregard the importance of having a firm support system consisting of family, friends, healthcare providers, and support groups. Although many women with PCOS find it hard to talk about their condition and related symptoms, this can eventually lead to a sense of isolation and hopelessness. That’s why it is important to stay open about your challenges and build your own support system.

Conclusion

PCOS and anxiety are closely related and have a bidirectional link. That is, women with PCOS are rather prone to developing mental problems like anxiety, depression, and others. And while the presence of PCOS affects your mental well-being, your mental well-being also affects PCOS and your management efforts.

After reading this guide, you should have a better understanding of the connection between PCOS and anxiety. Use the tips we shared here to prevent mental challenges and address them appropriately!