In September, amid PCOS awareness month, a concerning reality emerges: academic pressure may unknowingly contribute to a silent health crisis among young girls. It starts in classrooms but often leads to gynaecologists’ offices, where ultrasound scans reveal ovarian cysts, resulting in a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
(For top health news of the day, subscribe to our newsletter Health Matters)
As a doctor who had recently graduated, I found myself in such an office, confronting this condition, rooted in a high-stress, self-care-deprived lifestyle imposed by my demanding environment. Alongside recommendations for lifestyle changes—like a high-protein diet, daily exercise, and stress reduction—I was told, that my health issue stemmed from my less-than-ideal lifestyle during 15 of my 28 years, enforced by relentless academic pressure.
This narrative echoes through countless young women’s lives in India, raising a pivotal question: Is our competitive education…