New Delhi – Indian doctors are raising alarms over a sharp increase in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) diagnoses โamong young women, particularly in metropolitan areas. โฃExperts emphasize the needโ for greater awareness, earlyโค screening, and comprehensive โtreatment approaches to address what theyโฃ describeโ as โฃa growing public health challenge.Dr. Gudesar โnoted that treatment for PCOS is individualized, โstating, “Treatment is always โtailored to โthe individual — since not all โwomen with PCOS need medical therapy. Inโ many cases, lifestyle modification alone can be transformative, while medications are used only when specific symptoms, suchโค as infertility, irregular cycles, or excess hair growth, needโข to be addressed.”
Dr. Swapnil Agrahari, a gynaecologist at Silverstreak Multispeciality Hospital, highlighted the โฃneed for a multi-faceted approach. โข”PCOS needs a multi-pronged approach –โค medical โcare alongsideโ lifestyle changes like exercise, diet, and stress management. It should be seen not just as a reproductiveโ disorder โbut asโ aโฃ chronic condition โขwith wide-ranging health impacts.”
Experts also point to the significant mental health toll PCOSโค can โคtake, contributing to anxiety, depression, and โขsocialโ stress, issues compounded by stigma surrounding women’s reproductive healthโข in India, which delays both conversation and diagnosis.
dr. Astha dayal, Directorโ of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at CK Birla Hospital in Gurgaon, has observed โขa marked increase in cases. “As a gynaecologist practising in Gurugram, โI see PCOS rising sharply among young women, especially in metrosโข due to stress, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles.”
The rising prevalence ofโ PCOS is particularly concerning given India’s existingโ burden of non-communicable diseases like โdiabetes and hypertension. Doctors and advocates are calling for nationwide screening programsโ and integrated treatment plans addressing theโข physical, emotional, and lifestyle aspects of โthe disorder.
“Early awareness andโฃ lifestyle changes — not just medication — are key to preventing long-term complications and protecting women’s health,” Dr. Dayal added. Experts are urging women to seek timely medical advice, โฃchallenge the stigma surrounding reproductive โฃhealth, and prioritize preventative measures.