People with polycystic ovary syndrome may be at higher risk of suicide: study

"Polycystic ovaries is a really bad diagnosis," Diane Francoeur, CEO of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC), told Global News.

People with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an increased risk for suicide attempts, with young adults particularly vulnerable, according to a recent study.

The research, published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that those with PCOS had an 8.47-fold higher risk for suicide attempts than women without the condition.

“These findings emphasize the importance of clinician vigilance in monitoring the mental well-being and suicide risk of patients diagnosed with PCOS,” the authors of the study stated.

PCOS is one of the most prevalent reproductive endocrine disorders affecting around 10 per cent of women in their reproductive years, according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

It’s caused by a hormone imbalance that can affect ovulation as well as cause problems with periods as well as infertility. It may also cause acne, weight gain, and hair growth on the face or body.

If left untreated, PCOS can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease, according to the CMAJ.

The Taiwan researcher behind the study wanted to also look at the suicide risk in people with PCOS. To find this, a team of researchers examined data from the Taiwanese nationwide database from 1997 to 2012. The group included more than 18,000 females aged 12 to 64 years old diagnosed with PCOS with no history of suicide attempts before enrolment.

After considering variables such as psychiatric disorders, additional health issues and demographic factors, the researchers discovered that individuals with PCOS faced a greater risk of suicide attempts compared to women who did not have the condition but shared similar traits.