1 in 5 Indian women have PCOS, yet many mistake its signs for mood swings or weight gain, says doctor

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, quietly affects a huge number of women, but most people barely talk about it. In India, roughly one in five womenhave it, yet it often goes undiagnosed for years. That’s partly because the signs aren’t obvious to begin with. Weight gain, mood swings, irregular periods, fatigue, these are things many women chalk up to stress, lifestyle, or just “getting older.” But in reality, they could be early signals of PCOS, quietly disrupting hormones and metabolism.The tricky thing is that PCOS doesn’t look the same in everyone. Some women notice sudden weight gain, especially around the belly. Some struggle with stubborn acne or hair growth in places they never expected. Others experience cycles that are irregular or painfully heavy. And the mental side can’t be ignored either. Anxiety, irritability, or feeling low can all be part of it. But here’s the catch: most of us don’t immediately think of PCOS when these things start. We think we’re tired, overworked, or just moody. And so, diagnosis gets delayed.Part of the problem is awareness. PCOS is still not talked about enough. Schools rarely educate girls about it. Families may dismiss early symptoms as “puberty issues” or “normal weight changes.” Many women themselves don’t realise that mood swings, acne, or irregular cycles could indicate a hormonal imbalance. PCOS may be common, but ignorance doesn’t have to be. If a woman notices changes that feel unusual, it’s worth checking in with a doctor. And the more we speak openly about it, the more we make space for early care, understanding, and real change. “Many women have polycystic ovary syndrome but people often don't understand what its symptoms mean. Many people think these changes are just because of lifestyle, stress and normal hormonal changes because they affect weight, mood, skin and menstrual cycles,” Dr. Nidhi Rajotia, Sr. Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Artemis Hospitals told TOI Health. The expert shares the common signs that women mistake for weight gain and mood swings. PCOS can make the body less sensitive to insulin, a hormone that helps keep blood sugar levels stable. When insulin doesn't work right, the body stores more fat, especially around the stomach. A lot of women think they are gaining weight because they eat too much and don't exercise enough. But with PCOS you can gain weight even if your lifestyle hasn't changed. This kind of weight gain is hard to lose and doesn't respond well to regular dieting.Mood swings in PCOS are frequently associated with hormonal imbalance rather than emotional instability. People sometimes think that this is just stress or normal emotional ups and downs but it can make them irritable, anxious, or suddenly sad.A lot of women don't pay attention to their irregular periods because they think it's because of stress or gaining weight. But PCOS often messes up the monthly cycle because the body doesn't ovulate on a regular basis. It's not normal to have very long cycles, very heavy flow, or months without a period. These things often mean that your hormones are out of balance.PCOS raises the levels of male hormones in the body which can cause acne, especially on the back, chin and jawline. Some people think it's just acne in adults or a skin problem. But if your breakouts are painful, stubborn and unusually bad it could be a sign of PCOS.A lot of women think they're losing hair because they're stressed but PCOS related hair loss is caused by too much androgen. It makes men lose hair, especially near the front or crown of the head.Some people notice more hair growth on their face, chin, chest and stomach and think it's just hormones changing. But hirsutism is one of the most obvious signs that people with PCOS have too many male hormones in their bodies.It’s common to believe that being exhausted all the time is just part of living a fast paced life yet one of the main reasons PCOS can cause a person suffering from it to feel fatigued constantly is through an imbalance in hormones as well as an inability to produce insulin effectively.“If you are able to identify the signs of PCOS early on and receive assistance from a doctor you will be better equipped to manage PCOS and to live a healthier life long term,” urges Dr. Nidhi Rajotia.