Emotion Regulation and Distress in Women with PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormone levels. Fluctuations in hormone levels and the concomitant physical changes can lead to depression, anxiety and also their level of emotional regulation.  The current study aims to find out the difference in the levels of depression, anxiety, stress and emotion regulation among women with PCOS from Kerala. The study also compared the sample with another group without PCOS. The study collected data using the emotion regulation questionnaire and the DASS or depression, anxiety and stress scale from 86 women, 43 with PCOS and 43 without PCOS. Results showed that women with PCOS were significantly higher in their levels of depression and anxiety than those without PCOS.  In their level of emotional regulation, those with PCOS were significantly lower than those without PCOS. The results also reflected the higher levels of anxiety in this young women sample, possibly due to the pandemic uncertainties.