Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is often discussed in terms of hormones, fertility, and metabolism. What receives far less attention is the role of chronic stress and how deeply it impacts both the body and the mind for individuals living with PCOS. Stress is not just something you feel. It is something your body experiences repeatedly, sometimes for years. When stress becomes chronic, it affects the nervous system, hormone regulation, inflammation, blood sugar balance, mood, and s

One of the most frustrating parts of living with PCOS is hearing conflicting information. One person struggles with weight and insulin resistance. Another has irregular periods but no metabolic concerns. Someone else was diagnosed only after fertility challenges. All of these experiences can be PCOS. PCOS is not a single presentation. It is a spectrum. Understanding PCOS phenotypes can help explain why symptoms vary so widely and why comparison often leads to confusion, self-

PCOS Is More Than a Reproductive Condition Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is often discussed only in the context of fertility. Many people are first introduced to PCOS when periods are irregular or pregnancy is difficult. While fertility can be impacted, PCOS is not just a reproductive disorder. PCOS is a complex endocrine, metabolic, and mental health condition that affects the entire body and nervous system. Hormones, blood sugar regulation, energy level

The Rise of Shame Culture and Why It Matters Shame culture is not new, but it has become louder, more pervasive, and more socially acceptable, especially online. I see it in comment sections, in therapy rooms, in medical offices, and increasingly in spaces that are supposed to be supportive. Shame often disguises itself as advice, truth telling, or “just being honest.” It can be subtle, unintentional, and deeply harmful. I hear it in phrases like, “I don’t understand how some

Living with PCOS often feels like being initiated into a club you never asked to join. A sisterhood or rather a Cyst-erhood of people quietly carrying symptoms, fears, shame, and exhaustion that others rarely see or take seriously. If you are reading this, you already know that PCOS touches almost every layer of your life. It is not just irregular periods or cysts or symptoms that show up on lab work. It affects your body, your identity, your relationships, your mental health

When you live with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), it isn’t just a diagnosis, it’s a lived experience that impacts body, mind, and spirit. The graphic above lists many of the challenges that people with PCOS may face depression, anxiety, sleep issues, weight gain, infertility, disordered eating, insulin resistance, and more. For me, PCOS isn’t just something I read about in textbooks, it’s something I navigate every single day. PCOS can feel like carrying a hidden weight. S