Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine
disorder affecting women in their reproductive years. This condition has
various clinical impacts, including reproductive and metabolic issues,
psychological effects, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Women with
PCOS often experience a reduced quality of life and mental health challenges
due to physical symptoms such as infertility and irregular menstrual cycles.
Additionally, alterations in physical appearance like obesity, hair loss, and acne,
as well as changes in sexual behavior and increased levels of anxiety and
depression, further diminish their quality of life and mental well-being. The
societal expectations associated with gender roles can exacerbate the negative
impact of poor body image, stemming from obesity, acne, and hirsutism.
Consequently, these women require comprehensive support from healthcare systems
to address the various dimensions of their condition.
One of the significant clinical outcomes of PCOS in women
includes various physical and psychological concerns. These concerns,
manifesting as cognitive processes, often involve repetitive thoughts and
images, themes of anxiety, possible stressful situations, and potentially
severe outcomes. Treatments for these worries related to PCOS can be
categorized into complementary and pharmaceutical approaches.
Non-pharmaceutical methods to mitigate these worries include relaxation
techniques, adopting mindfulness, engaging in enjoyable activities, and
learning to manage these concerns.
Despite the efficacy of existing interventions, such as
hormone treatments for the physical manifestations of PCOS, significant gaps
remain in managing its psychological effects. Traditional psychological
interventions like Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are well-documented;
however, less attention has been given to non-pharmacological, personalized
interventions that could significantly improve mental health outcomes.
Furthermore, while these interventions, such as mindful breathing and positive
affirmations, are noted for their benefits, their specific application and
efficacy in women with PCOS require further exploration, especially in
non-clinical settings.
The study aimed to evaluate an intervention designed to
improve the quality of life and reduce body image concerns among women with
PCOS.
This research utilized a pre-test and post-test design with
experimental and control groups. The intervention focused on improving quality
of life and reducing body image concerns through mindful breathing and positive
affirmations. The study involved 20 women with PCOS, randomly assigned to
either an experimental group that received the intervention or a control group
that did not. Evaluations were conducted before and after the 6-week
intervention period.
Pre- and post-test comparisons revealed significant
improvements in physical health, psychological state, social relationships, and
body image perceptions in the experimental group. The experimental group’s mean
scores differed significantly from the control group’s, affirming the
intervention’s positive effects.
In summary, the findings from this pilot study offer
compelling evidence that mindful breathing and positive affirmations are
effective in enhancing body image and quality of life for women with PCOS. The
significant improvements observed across various domains highlight the
potential of such interventions to enhance psychological and physical
well-being. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive,
evidence-based approaches to addressing the multifaceted nature of body image
and quality of life issues in women with PCOS.
Source: Yukti and Rathore / Indian Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynecology Research 2025;12(2):249–257