PCOS is a very frustrating condition in women that can affect theirfertility, health, and emotional well-being. It is not surprising that having PCOS can affect your relationships withyour partner, family, and friends as well.
Here are some factors that can affect your relationships if you have PCOS and what you can do about it.
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Self-Esteem Issues
Besides causing reproductive changes like irregular periods and difficulty conceiving, PCOS can cause a number of distressing dermatological symptoms such as acne, boils, hirsutism, irregular hair growth or hair loss, and skin tags.It is also associated with weight gain and associated endocrine problems such as diabetes.These changes to your physical appearance can lower your self-esteem and make you feel uncomfortable in your body. You may also experience mood disorders such as anxiety anddepression, which can affect your self-esteem as well.
Remember that your family and friends love you for who you are, not because your face is clear or hair perfect. After all, you don’t love your best friend for that reason, right? Respect yourself, and trust that your loved ones love you as much as you love them. If this becomes a chronic problem, try seeing a mental health professional so you can work through any negative thoughts you may have.
Weight Changes
Many women with PCOS have a hard timelosing weight.If you’ve been struggling to lose any PCOS-related weight you might have gained, you may feel resentful of friends who are slimmer or don’t have to monitor their weight. Many women report feeling like they are constantly comparing themselves to their skinnier friends or are embarrassed about their excess weight.
If your weight is an issue, consult with aregistered dietitianwho has experience in treating women with PCOS for guidance on lifestyle changes. Even without weight loss, women with PCOS can improve their lives and optimize their health.
Infertility and Intimacy
Infertility, or difficulty getting pregnant, can dramatically affect a couple’s relationship.Opening your private sexual life to medical professionals can really hamper your intimacy as well. Even being told when to have sex and when to abstain eliminates the spontaneity and fun that comes with being a couple. It’s not uncommon for couples to fight during this time, especially given the financial and emotional strain of fertility treatment. If you feel like your infertility is your fault, know that infertility is common and nothing to feel ashamed about.
If you feel that having PCOS is severely affecting your relationships with others, it may be time to check in with an individual psychotherapist or couples’ counselor for some help figuring it out.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sekhon AK, Zergham AS, Tserenpil G, Mebasher A, Malik BH.The association between polycystic ovary syndrome and its dermatological manifestations.Cureus. 2020;12(2):e6855. doi:10.7759/cureus.6855Barber TM, Franks S.Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Endocrinol. 2021;95(4):531-541. doi:10.1111/cen.14421Cooney LG, Lee I, Sammel MD, Dokras A.High prevalence of moderate and severe depressive and anxiety symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod. 2017;32(5):1075-1091. doi:10.1093/humrep/dex044Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton P, et al.Predictors of lifestyle intervention attrition or weight loss success in women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are overweight or obese.Nutrients. 2019;11(3):492. doi:10.3390/nu11030492Gruszka W, Owczarek AJ, Glinianowicz M, Bąk-Sosnowska M, Chudek J, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M.Perception of body size and body dissatisfaction in adults.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):1159. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-04706-6Stanhiser J, Steiner AZ.Psychosocial aspects of fertility and assisted reproductive technology.Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018;45(3):563-574. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2018.04.006
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sekhon AK, Zergham AS, Tserenpil G, Mebasher A, Malik BH.The association between polycystic ovary syndrome and its dermatological manifestations.Cureus. 2020;12(2):e6855. doi:10.7759/cureus.6855Barber TM, Franks S.Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Endocrinol. 2021;95(4):531-541. doi:10.1111/cen.14421Cooney LG, Lee I, Sammel MD, Dokras A.High prevalence of moderate and severe depressive and anxiety symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod. 2017;32(5):1075-1091. doi:10.1093/humrep/dex044Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton P, et al.Predictors of lifestyle intervention attrition or weight loss success in women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are overweight or obese.Nutrients. 2019;11(3):492. doi:10.3390/nu11030492Gruszka W, Owczarek AJ, Glinianowicz M, Bąk-Sosnowska M, Chudek J, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M.Perception of body size and body dissatisfaction in adults.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):1159. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-04706-6Stanhiser J, Steiner AZ.Psychosocial aspects of fertility and assisted reproductive technology.Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018;45(3):563-574. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2018.04.006
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sekhon AK, Zergham AS, Tserenpil G, Mebasher A, Malik BH.The association between polycystic ovary syndrome and its dermatological manifestations.Cureus. 2020;12(2):e6855. doi:10.7759/cureus.6855Barber TM, Franks S.Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Endocrinol. 2021;95(4):531-541. doi:10.1111/cen.14421Cooney LG, Lee I, Sammel MD, Dokras A.High prevalence of moderate and severe depressive and anxiety symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod. 2017;32(5):1075-1091. doi:10.1093/humrep/dex044Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton P, et al.Predictors of lifestyle intervention attrition or weight loss success in women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are overweight or obese.Nutrients. 2019;11(3):492. doi:10.3390/nu11030492Gruszka W, Owczarek AJ, Glinianowicz M, Bąk-Sosnowska M, Chudek J, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M.Perception of body size and body dissatisfaction in adults.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):1159. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-04706-6Stanhiser J, Steiner AZ.Psychosocial aspects of fertility and assisted reproductive technology.Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018;45(3):563-574. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2018.04.006
Sekhon AK, Zergham AS, Tserenpil G, Mebasher A, Malik BH.The association between polycystic ovary syndrome and its dermatological manifestations.Cureus. 2020;12(2):e6855. doi:10.7759/cureus.6855
Barber TM, Franks S.Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Endocrinol. 2021;95(4):531-541. doi:10.1111/cen.14421
Cooney LG, Lee I, Sammel MD, Dokras A.High prevalence of moderate and severe depressive and anxiety symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod. 2017;32(5):1075-1091. doi:10.1093/humrep/dex044
Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton P, et al.Predictors of lifestyle intervention attrition or weight loss success in women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are overweight or obese.Nutrients. 2019;11(3):492. doi:10.3390/nu11030492
Gruszka W, Owczarek AJ, Glinianowicz M, Bąk-Sosnowska M, Chudek J, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M.Perception of body size and body dissatisfaction in adults.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):1159. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-04706-6
Stanhiser J, Steiner AZ.Psychosocial aspects of fertility and assisted reproductive technology.Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018;45(3):563-574. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2018.04.006
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