ABSTRACT:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic metabolic and reproductive endocrine disorder with no known cure and remains the leading global cause of female infertility. Indian women experience disproportionately high rates of PCOS, yet its social and cultural dimensions remain understudied. Existing research indicates that the etiology of PCOS is multifactorial, shaped by interrelated epigenetic, environmental, and lifestyle influences. Supported by a Fulbright-Nehru Open Research Grant and conducted in collaboration with Delhi University, this qualitative study examines how women diagnosed with PCOS conceptualize health, balance, and illness within their broader social, cultural, economic, and political contexts. Two primary research questions guided the inquiry: (1) Which lifestyle and behavioral changes have contributed most significantly to the rising prevalence of PCOS in India? and (2) How does the cultural emphasis on menstrual regularity shape women’s embodied experiences and influence their ability to participate fully in public, professional, and domestic spheres? Over ten months, surveys and semi-structured interviews were administered to women receiving treatment at six public and private outpatient clinics in Delhi, each led by gynecologists or endocrinologists specializing in PCOS management. Findings indicate that middle- and upper-class working women who consume refined flour as a dietary staple demonstrate the highest susceptibility to PCOS, suggesting a link between urban food environments, time-compressed work routines, and metabolic stress. The simultaneous rapid expansion of India’s IVF industry points to an increasing dependence on assisted reproductive technologies rather than addressing PCOS as a primary cause of infertility. This trend underscores a critical policy and public-health gap. The study highlights the urgent need for culturally grounded nutrition interventions, expanded women’s health education, and community-based PCOS awareness initiatives that move beyond fertility-centric frameworks to support long-term metabolic well-being.