PCOS and Depression

Sunday November 15, 2009

While it is easy to get caught up in doctor's visits,
hair removal treatments and the physical aspects of life with PCOS, women need to remember to take care of their mental health too. A recent study in Fertility and Sterility found that women with PCOS have a higher risk of depression then women without the disease. The increased health risks (diabetes, endometrial cancer, cardiac issues) in addition to embarrassing physical symptoms make it easy to become overwhelmed, lonely and depressed.

So, take care of your emotional health as well. Make time to do something special just for you. Pick up that book you've been dying to read, or call a girlfriend to go out for lunch. Go shopping and buy something new. Get a manicure. Just find the time to do something just to treat yourself every day. Finding a support group or psychologist can be helpful as well, if you feel that you need some extra support.

For more information:

Find a PCOS Support Group

Depression Screening Quiz

Depression

_{Source:

Hollinrake, Elizabeth, et al. "Increased risk of depressive disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome." Fertility and Sterility 87. 6 (June 2007) : 1369 - 76.}