Patient Characteristics Associated With Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Reduced Body Appreciation in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
October 2025
in “
Human Reproduction
”
Studysummary This study found that in women with PCOS, anxiety was linked to factors like alopecia and obesity, while depression was related to unemployment and alopecia, and body appreciation was lower with conditions like hirsutism and acne. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study analyzed 982 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to identify characteristics associated with anxiety, depression, and body appreciation. It found that 37% of participants experienced anxiety and 17.4% experienced depression. Alopecia was significantly linked to higher anxiety and depression levels. Other factors such as obesity, younger age, and a history of anxiety or depression were also associated with increased anxiety symptoms. Depression was more prevalent among unemployed participants and those with a history of depression. Reduced body appreciation was linked to hirsutism, acne, alopecia, obesity, and a history of anxiety or depression. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health in women with PCOS and suggests that healthcare providers should recognize these risk factors to offer targeted mental health support.
