- By Bornika Das
- Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:37 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has quietly emerged as one of the most urgent health issues affecting young women in India, but its effects remain undetected until much later on in life. Defined by irregular menses, hormonal instability, acne, and weight changes, PCOS is much more than a reproductive disease - it is a long-term metabolic condition with severe implications. What is especially concerning about it is its increasing association with infertility, a problem experienced by most women who are not aware of the severity of the condition until they start trying to have a family. Specialists warn that PCOS may already be causing years of silent destruction of hormonal and reproductive health by the time that the condition is noticeable.
It is important to point out that the cause of this silent danger is usually much earlier than what most tend to believe - already in adolescence itself. Adolescent girls can show symptoms like irregular periods, hirsutism, or weight gain, but these are often brushed off as natural puberty changes. This ignorance and early lack of intervention let PCOS go unchecked, and infertility looms large later in life. In conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr Nidhi Tripathi, Fertility Specialist, Birla Fertility & IVF, Noida, shares that early treatment, by way of correction in lifestyle, medical advice, and awareness, is the solution to stopping the condition from quietly forming a woman's reproductive destiny.
How PCOS Affects Fertility
PCOS is a principal cause of anovulatory infertility. The condition disrupts ovulation through a cascade of hormonal changes – abnormal gonadotropin release, raised luteinizing hormone, excess androgens, and insulin resistance. Dr Nidhi Tripathi shares, “Together, these create what doctors describe as “follicular arrest,” where eggs begin to mature but fail to be released. Even if ovulation occurs, implantation can be compromised because of a less receptive endometrium.”
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National data underline the scale of the challenge. The IJMR study (2019) showed prevalence ranging from 3.7 per cent in Lucknow to 22.5 per cent in Mumbai, depending on diagnostic criteria and region. More recently, a BMC 2025 survey found that 17.4 per cent of Delhi college-going women had PCOS – one of the highest reported figures for this age group in India. These numbers highlight why so many young women present with infertility rooted in PCOS.
PCOS In Adolescent Girls (Image Credits: Canva)
Wider Health And Social Concerns
The consequences extend well beyond reproduction. PCOS is strongly linked with obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and psychological distress. Even lean women in India show high metabolic risk. Global evidence is equally concerning: a Frontiers in Endocrinology 2025 study reported a 56 per cent increase in cases among 10–24-year-olds since 1990, with the steepest rise in Asia, including India. Stress, dietary shifts, and sedentary habits are all contributing factors.
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PCOS-related infertility cannot be managed in isolation. A holistic approach that combines lifestyle intervention, timely diagnosis, medical treatment, and psychological support is essential. Recognising PCOS as both a reproductive and a metabolic condition allows healthcare systems to intervene early, reduce long-term complications, and improve fertility outcomes for young women.