Beyond Weight Gain: The Silent Battles of PCOS, PCOD & Thyroid Disorders

When we talk about PCOS, PCOD, and thyroid disorders, the conversation is almost always about weight gain. But is that really the only battle? What about the exhaustion that makes getting through a normal day feel impossible? The mood swings that damage relationships? The infertility that turns into a silent grief, hidden behind forced smiles at family gatherings?

Millions of women in India suffer from these conditions, yet their struggles remain largely misunderstood or ignored. The symptoms that affect their daily lives the most—chronic fatigue, emotional distress, hair loss, fertility issues, and severe hormonal imbalances—rarely get the attention they deserve.

“You Just Need to Be More Active” – The Fatigue That No One Sees

There is a difference between feeling tired and feeling drained to the point where even lifting a cup of tea feels exhausting. Women with thyroid imbalances and PCOS experience a type of fatigue that no amount of sleep can fix. It affects concentration, productivity, and mental clarity.

Yet, it is dismissed.

“You’re just lazy.”

“Maybe you need to exercise more.”

The truth is, this exhaustion is a biological response to a condition that slows metabolism and affects energy production. It is not a matter of willpower—it is a real, medically proven struggle.

“Why Is Your Hair Falling So Much?”

Hair loss is often associated with aging, but for many women with hormonal disorders, it starts in their twenties or even earlier. Every shower, every comb stroke, every pillow covered in strands of hair becomes a reminder that something is wrong.

“Maybe it’s your shampoo.”

“Try oiling your hair more.”

 But it is not about external care. It is about internal imbalance. When androgen levels rise in PCOS, hair starts thinning at the roots. When thyroid function declines, hair becomes brittle and lifeless. These are medical conditions, yet they are treated like mere beauty concerns, leaving many women feeling unseen and unheard.

“When Are You Giving Us the Good News?”

In India, marriage and motherhood are deeply connected. For women struggling with PCOS and thyroid dysfunction, conception can be difficult—sometimes impossible without intervention. But society does not see the internal struggle. They see a woman who has been married for years and has no children.

The pressure mounts with each passing year.

“Are you even trying?”

“Maybe you should see a doctor.”

“It must be your diet.”

But behind those words are sleepless nights, countless medical appointments, and an emotional rollercoaster that only she truly understands. Infertility is not just a physical condition—it is an emotional wound that deepens with every insensitive remark.

“Why Are You So Moody Lately?”

Women with PCOS and thyroid disorders often experience intense mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Hormonal fluctuations affect serotonin levels, making emotions unpredictable.

“You’re overreacting.”

“You used to be so calm.”

What many do not realize is that these disorders impact brain chemistry. It is not just stress. It is a medical condition affecting mental health—one that often goes undiagnosed because women are expected to “manage” their emotions rather than seek help.

Despite affecting millions, PCOS, PCOD, and thyroid disorders remain underdiagnosed, misunderstood, and stigmatized. Many women are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told to just lose weight. Their struggles with mental health, identity, and relationships are seen as secondary, when in reality, they define daily life.

Why is it that so many women suffer in silence? Why is there so little awareness about the symptoms beyond weight gain? Why do we focus on treating what is visible, while ignoring what truly disrupts lives?

It’s time to ask better questions. It’s time to listen!