Faathimah Khan: New Research Highlights Psychological Challenges of PCOS
Faathimah Khan, PhD Researcher at Durban University of Technology, shared a post on LinkedIn about a paper published in Archives of Women’s Mental Health:
“I’m grateful to share that our paper,
‘The Lived Experiences of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its Psychological Challenges: A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis,’
has now been published online in Archives of Women’s Mental Health.
PCOS affects a significant number of women worldwide. Persistent symptoms such as excess hair growth, irregular menstruation, and weight changes, alongside concerns about infertility, can profoundly shape mental health, self-image, relationships, and quality of life. Women with PCOS experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and body image dissatisfaction, yet these lived experiences are not always centred in research.
This review synthesises qualitative research from across the world to amplify women’s voices, exploring mental health challenges, emotional well-being, psychosocial impacts, and sociocultural differences in how PCOS is experienced.
If you work in women’s health, mental health, endocrinology, or primary care, I’d welcome your thoughts.”
Title: The lived experiences of women with polycystic ovary syndrome and its psychological challenges: A systematic review and meta-synthesis
Authors: Faathimah Khan, Nalini Govender, Sara Bibi Mitha, Yasmeen Thandar
Read the full article.

Stay updated on all scientific advances in the field of fertility with Fertility News.
-
Oct 29, 2026, 16:22Aysha O’Connor: One of the Hardest Parts of My Own Fertility Journey Was Loneliness…
-
Oct 29, 2026, 16:15Chaithra S K: Preimplantation Genetic Testing Still Requires an Embryo Biopsy
-
Oct 29, 2026, 16:11Filipina Woman’s Journey of Strength, Hope, and Finding Balance While Living with PCOS – PCOS Millennials
-
Oct 29, 2026, 15:58Eric Lameignere: Can DNA Fragmentation in Cumulus Cells Predict ICSI Outcomes?
-
Oct 29, 2026, 15:50Saadat Hassan: Sperm Function Testing – Can Advanced Diagnostics Guide IVF and ICSI Selection?
-
Oct 29, 2026, 15:34Sara Spiro: Celebrating the Stories Members Have Trusted With at Maven Clinic – Here Is Mine
-
Oct 29, 2026, 15:31Dina Ibrahem: 0 Motility, 1 Critical Decision
-
Oct 29, 2026, 15:28AI and Automation in Fertility and Genomics: Pipeline or Pipe Dream? – ARCS
-
Oct 29, 2026, 15:26Michael Schindler: Large Networks or Small Centers – Who Delivers Better Care?
