Not long ago, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) was rarely a part of health conversations in Bangladesh. Older generations, especially in rural areas, often lived with symptoms like irregular periods or weight fluctuations in silence, attributing them to natural bodily quirks or fate.
Seeking medical help was uncommon due to the stigma around reproductive health. Today, however, PCOS is emerging as one of the most pressing but still under-discussed health challenges for young women. Doctors are reporting a striking surge. Teenage girls and women in their early twenties are increasingly being diagnosed with PCOS.
“Most of the women we see with PCOS are teenagers, though there are older women as well,” says Dr Rabeka Jahan, a gynaecologist working at the Mymensingh Medical College. “The rise is partly due to the increase in awareness and detection, but there is also a real increase in cases compared to before.”
According to the gynaecologist, the modern urban lifestyle is one of the main reasons behind this surge. “Sedentary habits, poor diets, irregular sleep, increased stress levels- all play a major role here,” she explains. Long hours of sitting in classrooms, offices or behind screens combined with easy access to processed food and unhealthy sugary drinks have created an environment where hormonal imbalances thrive.
Stress, irregular sleep and pollution are also playing a role here. Unlike previous generations, women today often have less physical activity and more calorie-dense diets, which may explain the rise of PCOS at younger ages.
“I had irregular periods for years, but I thought it was just stress from exams,” says Karima (pseudo name), a 20-year-old university student. “Then came the weight gain and acne. All of it was scary to me. I started to feel like there was something wrong with me.” When she finally visited a doctor, she was told she had PCOS.
PCOS is mainly caused by a hormonal imbalance, often involving higher levels of androgens (male hormones) and insulin resistance. Symptoms vary but commonly include irregular or absent periods, acne, weight gain, excessive hair growth and thinning scalp hair. Some women also notice darkened skin patches or struggle to lose weight despite effort.
Beyond these visible symptoms, there are more serious long-term health risks associated with PCOS. If left unmanaged, it can lead to infertility, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even complications during pregnancy. Mental health struggles add another layer to it, with many women reporting anxiety, depression and body image issues because of the disorder.
The good news is that PCOS is manageable. While there is no specific ‘cure’, a combination of medical treatment and lifestyle changes can help control the symptoms and reduce the risks of PCOS.
“Medication is sometimes necessary, but lifestyle changes are crucial,” says Dr Rabeka. Regular exercises such as brisk walking, cycling or strength training help improve insulin sensitivity and balance hormones. A diet rich in whole foods, vegetables, lean proteins and reduced refined sugar can significantly ease symptoms. Even modest weight loss in overweight women has been shown to restore menstrual regularity and improve fertility outcomes.
Stress management and adequate sleep are also equally important. Yoga, mindfulness practices and structured routines can also help reduce the hormonal disruptions triggered by chronic stress.
“I was really scared at first but knowing what it actually was helped me a lot. I’ve started exercising and eating better, and slowly I feel a difference,” added Karima.
For some women, medical treatments such as hormonal contraceptives, fertility drugs or insulin-sensitising medications may also be recommended by doctors. Perhaps the biggest shift needed is cultural. For too long, reproductive health has been treated as a stigma or a matter of shame in our country. This silence prevents young women from seeking help until complications arise.
We must normalise conversations about PCOS in schools, workplaces and families. The government must also take steps to raise awareness about PCOS in the rural areas. Both our individual efforts and the efforts from the government can go a long way toward protecting women’s health in our country.
As the physician emphasises, “The earlier you know, the sooner you can act. With awareness, early detection and proactive care, PCOS can be managed by our younger generation.”
The rise of PCOS may be a symptom of modern times, but how we respond will determine whether it becomes a lifelong problem or a manageable challenge for the women of our country.
