What if the weight gain, acne, and irregular periods weren’t your fault? For millions of women, they’re signs of PCOS—a condition still buried under myths. One gynaecologist shared what most patients don’t know, and wish they did. Her clinic sees it daily. One story stood out.
The Case of Ananya – Not Just a Hormone Problem
Ananya was 24. Tired all the time. Her face broke out even though she never skipped skincare. Her periods? Missing for three months. Again.
She walked into Dr. Mehra’s clinic in Delhi. She had tried yoga, skipped carbs, and drank “PCOS teas” from Instagram. Nothing helped. She thought she was lazy.
Dr. Mehra didn’t rush. An ultrasound confirmed what she suspected—multiple cysts in her ovaries. Bloodwork showed insulin resistance, high androgen levels, and borderline thyroid issues.
But it wasn’t just physical.
“Every time I look in the mirror, I feel disgusted,” Ananya said. She had been told to eat less, work harder, stress less. No one had told her the truth.
What Doctors Want You to Know
● PCOS is a syndrome, not a one-size diagnosis: Not every woman has cysts. Some just have hormone imbalances.
● It’s not caused by ‘bad lifestyle’ alone: Genes, insulin resistance, inflammation—all play a part. Diet helps. But it doesn’t fix everything.
● Weight is a symptom, not the cause: Many gain weight because of PCOS. Not the other way around.
● Skipping periods isn’t normal: Irregular cycles can signal hormone disruption. Left untreated, this may affect fertility later.
● Mental health matters: Anxiety, depression, and body image issues are common. Yet rarely talked about.
Management, Not Miracle Cures
There is no "cure." But symptoms can be managed.
Doctors usually suggest:
● A balanced low-GI diet
● Regular movement, not extreme workouts
● Stress management, even basic breathing exercises
● Birth control or metformin, depending on the case
● Sleep. Real, restful sleep.
For Ananya, the shift came slowly. She stopped crash dieting. She started therapy.
Her periods returned in four months.
The Real Talk
Dr. Mehra says most patients walk in ashamed. They think they’ve failed. But it’s the system that
failed them—by not educating them.
PCOS isn’t rare. It’s just rarely understood. “It’s not your fault,” she tells every patient. And
that’s the truth they all needed to hear.