Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Spring 2026

Date of Submission

2026-07-12

Advisor

Dr. Saima Bint- E-Saif, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences

Committee

Dr. Ayesha Zia, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

PCOS, chronic stress, awareness, perceptions, thematic analysis, qualitative

Abstract

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic, hormonal condition which has reproductive, metabolic and psychological manifestations in women of reproductive age. Chronic stress is persistent and exists over an extended period. Research highlights the effect of chronic stress in PCOS development and progression via neuroendocrine and metabolic pathways. In light of the research on the contribution of chronic stress in PCOS, the current study explored the awareness and perceptions of women diagnosed with PCOS about the role of chronic stress on PCOS development and progression in their lived experience. Additionally, healthcare communication with women with PCOS about this role were also explored.

The study recruited 10 women from Pakistan, diagnosed with PCOS and conducted in-depth semi structured interviews with them. The analysis was done using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis and four main themes were found namely, the embodied and interconnected experience of chronic stress, healthcare system’s reductionist understanding of PCOS, making sense of PCOS origins and reclaiming control via self-management. Essentially, participants described mind-body experiences of living in chronic stress and exacerbation of PCOS symptoms during stressful periods of life. They had a bidirectional understanding of PCOS and chronic stress. This understanding was developed by self-directed research and lived experience in the absence of efficient and empathetic healthcare communication with the women. Importantly, participants used varied self-management approaches to mitigate the impact of stress on their PCOS symptoms.

These findings suggest that women by large understand the role of chronic stress in their PCOS via their lived experience and self-directed research because healthcare communication regarding it is inadequate or absent. This implies that healthcare professionals need to incorporate the pschosocial aspect of PCOS in their explanations and recommended treatment plans to patients. Consequently, stress education, psychosocial screening, empathetic communication, stress reduction interventions and support groups should be crucial components of PCOS treatment and management.

Pages

73

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