Families need to understand that PCOS is a medical condition, not a failure of womanhood or a curse on marriage prospects. Doctors must screen for anxiety and depression alongside hormone imbalances. Faith healers cannot replace evidence-based medicine.
Dr Iqra Nazir
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, was once seen as an adult health issue, but across Kashmir today, it is spreading rapidly among teenage girls and young women. Behind closed doors, a silent battle is being fought. Young girls are dealing with weight gain, acne, facial hair, irregular periods, and a deeper, hidden wound of shame and social stigma. A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research led by SKIMS found that 35.3 per cent of Kashmiri women aged 15 to 40 meet the criteria for PCOS, a figure far higher than the national average. A separate University of Kashmir study put the number at over 30 per cent among young women, identifying sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, and hormonal imbalances as key drivers.
The physical symptoms are only part of the struggle. A senior social work scholar who spent two months at Sub District Hospital Hazratbal, focusing on girls aged 15 to 20, found that families often perceive PCOS not as a medical condition but as a threat to marriage prospects. Once a girl is diagnosed, many parents turn to faith healers or “Peers” for quick solutions, delaying proper treatment. The scholar observed that stigma, family anxiety over fertility, and rigid beauty standards often crush young girls more than the condition itself. Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal accompany the physical changes, forming a cycle of silent suffering. Yet these girls remain largely invisible. Many keep missed periods a secret for months, fearing people will think something is wrong with their womanhood. Some stop taking photographs and avoid going out with friends.
Gynaecologists across the valley confirm the trend. A doctor at a government medical college in north Kashmir says every second or third woman he sees now has PCOS. He recalls a young student who ignored irregular periods for two years, assuming it was stress, and was surprised to learn it was PCOS. In another case, a woman in her thirties was labelled infertile by her community. Tests revealed severe PCOS with insulin resistance. Doctors called it neglect. After diet changes, stress management, and medication, she was able to conceive. Beyond individual suffering, PCOS is also creating a larger demographic challenge. Nearly 50,000 women in Kashmir have crossed the conventional marriageable age. The National Family Health Survey shows the fertility rate has fallen to 1.4, well below the replacement level of 2.1. Without timely awareness and care, the valley faces long-term social and economic pressure.
What needs to be done?
Awareness campaigns must begin in schools, where young girls learn to recognise early signs such as irregular periods, sudden weight gain, and persistent acne. Teachers and parents should be trained to spot these symptoms and respond with care, not panic. Families need to understand that PCOS is a medical condition, not a failure of womanhood or a curse on marriage prospects. Doctors must go beyond prescribing pills and start screening for anxiety and depression alongside hormone imbalances, offering mental health support as part of routine care. Faith healers and Peers cannot replace evidence-based medicine; proper diagnosis and lifestyle management remain the only proven path. Society as a whole must allow young women to speak openly without fear of judgment or shame. PCOS is not curable, but it is highly manageable with the right lifestyle changes, medical guidance, and emotional support. The hidden struggle must be brought into the light, and no girl should ever suffer alone in silence again.
The writer is an Academic Researcher, Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir
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