Insulin Resistance, Hyperandrogenism, and Their Associated Symptoms as Precipitating Factors for Depression in Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The 2021 study "Insulin Resistance, Hyperandrogenism, and Its Associated Symptoms Are the Precipitating Factors for Depression in Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome" links insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and their associated symptoms to depression in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). The research suggests that managing these conditions could potentially alleviate depressive symptoms in women with PCOS. Depression in women with PCOS is considered multifactorial, with contributing factors including inflammation of the hypothalamus, insulin resistance, and clinical features associated with hyperandrogenism. Lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes and weight loss, along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), have been shown to be effective in managing PCOS-induced depression. The paper calls for future research to focus on conducting more Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) with a large number of patients to understand the exact mechanism of depression in PCOS.