The hormonal disorder no one talks about — until it’s too late.
Often misunderstood and frequently dismissed, PCOS is now being diagnosed at alarming rates in urban Indian women. What used to be rare and mostly detected in the late 30s is now common among women as young as 16.
What Is PCOS ?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal imbalance that affects how a woman’s ovaries function. It causes irregular periods, excessive androgen (male hormone) levels, and often leads to small cysts on the ovaries. But here’s the twist: you don’t need to have all three symptoms to have PCOS.
The Growing Numbers
A 2022 Indian Journal of Endocrinology study found that 1 in 5 Indian women suffer from PCOS.
The majority of these cases are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 29.
Urban women are more likely to be affected due to sedentary lifestyles and environmental stressors.
Why It’s Hitting Women in Their 20s
1. The Sedentary Hustle Culture
From back-to-back Zoom calls to long hours spent hunched over screens, many Gen Z and millennial women are leading sedentary lives — often with irregular sleep and eating patterns. These factors contribute to insulin resistance, which plays a major role in PCOS development.
2. Diet High in Processed Foods
Instant noodles, sugary coffees, and delivery food have become survival kits for young adults. Unfortunately, these can spike insulin levels, disrupt hormones, and trigger PCOS symptoms like acne and irregular periods.
3. Hormonal Disruptors in Environment
Microplastics, synthetic hormones in meat and dairy, and even certain skincare products contain endocrine disruptors that mess with natural hormone production.
4. Increased Awareness = More Diagnoses
The silver lining? More women are now getting tested earlier due to social media awareness, better gynaecological access, and less stigma — which partially explains the spike in diagnoses.
The Not-So-Obvious Symptoms
PCOS is often invisible until it’s not. Here are the common signs women in their 20s might overlook:
Irregular or missed periods
Severe acne or oily skin
Thinning hair or male-pattern hair growth
Unexplained weight gain, especially around the waist
Mood swings, depression, or anxiety
Trouble losing weight despite effort
Difficulty conceiving later on
Why Early Detection Matters
Unchecked PCOS doesn’t just affect fertility — it increases the risk of:
Type 2 diabetes
Hypertension
Sleep apnea
Endometrial cancer
Heart disease
Can PCOS Be Cured? Not Yet — But It Can Be Managed
There’s no one-size-fits-all cure for PCOS, but it can absolutely be controlled with lifestyle tweaks and medical support:
1. Regular Exercise
Even 30 minutes of walking, yoga, or strength training can help balance insulin levels.
2. Balanced Diet
Focus on low-glycemic index foods: whole grains, leafy vegetables, healthy fats, and lean protein.
3. Quality Sleep
Sleep deprivation worsens hormonal imbalance — aim for 7–8 hours.
4. Medical Guidance
Gynaecologists may recommend birth control pills, metformin, or inositol supplements depending on your symptoms.
For decades, periods and fertility issues were taboo — especially in Indian households. But Gen Z women are breaking the silence. They’re sharing their PCOS journeys on Instagram, attending hormone health webinars, and challenging toxic beauty norms like hairlessness and “perfect skin.”
The rise of PCOS among young women is not just a medical concern — it’s a cultural wake-up call.
It’s time we moved beyond hush-hush conversations and addressed PCOS for what it is: a lifestyle-linked hormonal condition that affects both physical and mental wellbeing.
