Association of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome with Stress and Life Satisfaction Among Young Female University Students

Abstract

Background: PCOS is a widespread endocrine disease in women of reproductive age, which is accompanied by severe metabolic and reproductive dysfunctions. In addition to its physical expression, it is also becoming known to have a psychological toll, such as stress and decreased satisfaction in life. Objective: The research paper aimed to examine the relation between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and perceived stress and life satisfaction in female university students. Methods: The cross-sectional design was used, and 400 students aged 18-25 years were used to gather the data through convenience sampling. Symptoms of PCOS were evaluated with the help of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire (PCOSQ), whereas stress and life satisfaction were measured with the help of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), respectively. Results: The descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analyses were performed. Findings showed that perceived stress (β = .34, p <.001) and life satisfaction (β = -.15, p <.05) had a significant relationship with PCOS symptoms. PCOS had a variance of 12% in the stress and 2% in life satisfaction. Conclusion: The results indicate the mental cost of PCOS in young women and emphasize the importance of a combined health intervention.