Social Anxiety and Psychological Distress among Women with PCOS: A Phenomenological Study of Punjab, Pakistan

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. Symptoms included irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain, hirsutism, acne, and infertility. Despite the physical symptoms, PCOS is a stigmatizing condition that causes social anxiety, depression, low motivation, and mood instability. Quantitative literature highlights the anxiety and depression in women with PCOS, while limited studies explore their lived experiences with the socio-cultural context. This study explores the phenomenological investigation of social anxiety and psychological distress among women diagnosed with PCOS in Gujrat, Gujranwala, and Sialkot cities, Punjab, Pakistan. Twenty-six women were recruited through purposive sampling. Semi-Structure interviews were conducted in government & private hospitals and gynecological clinics. Thematic analysis was adopted for data analysis, and NVivo 15 software was used to identify themes. Six main theme were revealed; fear of judgment and social avoidance, stress in social relationships, societal stigma and blaming, anxiety about future life, low motivation, and mood instability and irritation. Findings revealed that social anxiety is due to the visible symptoms, cultural expectations of beauty standards and gender roles. Integration of mental health services with PCOS treatment is recommended to address the psychological needs.