Emotional and psychosexual well‐being is influenced by ethnicity and birthplace in women and individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome in the UK and India

Abstract

Objective To assess the association of ethnicity and birthplace on emotional and psychosexual well‐being in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design Cross‐sectional study. Setting Community recruitment via social media campaigns. Population Women with PCOS completing an online questionnaire in September–October 2020 (UK) and May–June 2021 (India). Methods The survey has five components, with a baseline information and sociodemographic section followed by four validated questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI); Beliefs About Obese Persons Scale (BAOP); and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Main outcome measures We used adjusted linear and logistic regression models, adjusting for age, education, marital status and parity, to evaluate the impact of ethnicity and birthplace on questionnaire scores and outcomes (anxiety and/or depression, HADS ≥ 11; body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), BICI ≥ 72). Results A total of 1008 women with PCOS were included. Women of non‐white ethnicity (613/1008) reported higher rates of depression (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.41–2.73) and lower BDD (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.41–0.79) than white women (395/1008). Women born in India (453/1008) had higher anxiety (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.00–2.46) and depression (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.52–3.18) but lower BDD rates (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.29–0.61) than women born in the UK (437/1008). All sexual domains, excluding desire, scored lower for non‐white women and women born in India. Conclusions Non‐white women and women born in India reported higher emotional and sexual dysfunction, whereas white women and women born in the UK reported higher body image concerns and weight stigma. Ethnicity and birthplace need to be considered for tailored, multidisciplinary care.

Concerns and expectations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome vary across age and ethnicity: findings from PCOS Pearls Study

“…The hallmarks of PCOS include hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation and polycystic ovarian morphology. It is also associated with cardio-metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes ( 3 ), psychological disorders ( 4 ) and increased cancer risk ( 5 , 6 ). The disease is multifactorial, and its complex pathophysiology involves multiple pathways ( 7 ).…”

Self-esteem and body image satisfaction in women with PCOS in the Middle East: Cross-sectional social media study

“…However, with the tremendous reach social media holds, the low response rate can be overcome with marketing strategies and strategic sharing of the questionnaire to an interested target audience. Lastly, since the Middle Eastern region is known to host a large expatriate community, and given that previous data suggest emotional and psychosexual well-being being significantly influenced by ethnicity and birthplace of women with PCOS [ 50 ], an additional limitation of the study is its lack of assessment of ethnicity or birthplace of participants. Future work will aim at including this variable in all analyses and adjusting for it to discern any differences.…”

The role of meditation and mindfulness in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: a scoping review

“…Despite this multifaceted nature, the psychological, emotional, and social aspects associated with PCOS often receive inadequate attention in clinical practice, leaving many adolescents and women dissatisfied with the prevailing standard of care ( 3 – 6 ). Consequently, women with PCOS seek personalised healthcare that can address their specific health concerns, especially focusing on psychological and emotional well-being and resilience ( 7 – 10 ).…”