Does polycystic ovary syndrome affect self-confidence and happiness? - Article summary and study findings

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw

This study examines how polycystic ovary syndrome relates to quality of life and self-confidence in women diagnosed with PCOS, a chronic endocrine condition affecting both physical and psychological well-being. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected with the PCOSQ-50 and Female Self-Confidence Scale and analyzed via descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression. Results show no significant effects from sociodemographic or gynecologic characteristics, while PCOS-related quality of life positively correlates with self-confidence; lower quality of life corresponds to lower self-confidence. Psychological distress, body image dissatisfaction, and infertility concerns contribute to reduced self-confidence.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Summary

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Diagnostic criteria and prevalence

Psychological dimensions and self-esteem

Methods

Study setting and participants

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Data collection instruments

ORIGINAL ARTICLE [https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.20251064](https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.20251064) Does polycystic ovary syndrome affect self-confidence and happiness? Nurseli Soylu Erener1 , İpek Turhan2 , Evrim Bayraktar1* SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between quality of life and self-confidence in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, a chronic endocrine disorder that affects both physical and psychological well-being. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted with women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Data were collected using the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Quality of Life-50 Scale (PCOSQ-50) and the Female Self-Confidence Scale. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between quality of life and self-confidence levels. RESULTS: The findings indicated that sociodemographic and gynecologic characteristics did not significantly affect the quality of life or selfconfidence levels of the participants. However, a significant positive correlation was observed between polycystic ovary syndrome-related quality of life and self-confidence (p>0 . 05) . Women with lower quality of life scores reported significantly lower levels of self-confidence. Psychological distress, body image dissatisfaction, and infertility concerns were found to be key contributing factors to decreased self-confidence. CONCLUSION: Polycystic ovary syndrome negatively impacts women’s psychological well-being and self-confidence, in addition to its physical symptoms. Integrating psychological support into polycystic ovary syndrome treatment may help to improve quality of life and promote emotional resilience. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for comprehensive care of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. KEYWORDS: Polycystic ovary syndrome. Quality of life. Happiness. INTRODUCTION Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders affecting women of reproductive age. Under the Rotterdam criteria, a diagnosis is confirmed when at least two of the following clinical or diagnostic features are present: oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology identified through ultrasonography1 . The condition is estimated to affect approximately 15–20% of women worldwide 1 . Beyond its well-documented metabolic and physiological implications—such as insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease—PCOS is also closely linked to a range of psychological and emotional difficulties2. Physical manifestations, including hirsutism, acne, and androgenic alopecia, may compromise body image and diminish self-esteem in affected women3. Furthermore, obesity can impose challenges in social engagement and family dynamics, ultimately leading to decreased life satisfaction4. Self-esteem is widely recognized as a core determinant of psychological well-being. In women with PCOS, diminished self-esteem may be accompanied by persistent feelings of unhappiness and worthlessness5. Against this backdrop, the present study seeks to explore the association between self-esteem and happiness levels among women diagnosed with PCOS. METHODS This study is a descriptive study. Data were collected from all volunteer women who applied to the University Health Practice and Research Center Gynecology Outpatient Clinic and met the inclusion criteria. Since the population of the study was unknown, the study sample consisted of all women who came 1 Erciyes University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing – Kayseri, Turkey. 2 Kayseri City Hospital – Kayseri, Turkey. *[Corresponding author: ealbayrak@erciyes.edu.tr](Corresponding author: ealbayrak@erciyes.edu.tr), [evrim_albayrak@hotmail.com](evrim_albayrak@hotmail.com) [Conflicts of interest: the auth

FAQs

What was the study’s main objective?

To examine the relationship between quality of life and self-confidence in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.

How were the data collected and analyzed?

A cross-sectional study collected data using the PCOSQ-50 and the Female Self-Confidence Scale, then applied descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses to evaluate associations.

Did sociodemographic or gynecologic characteristics affect the outcomes?

No. The findings indicated that sociodemographic and gynecologic characteristics did not significantly affect participants’ quality of life or self-confidence levels.

Which factors were linked to decreased self-confidence?

Psychological distress, body image dissatisfaction, and infertility concerns were identified as key contributing factors to decreased self-confidence.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw