Anxiety, quality of life, eating behaviors, and sexual life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: This study aimed to reveal the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on quality of life, anxiety, eating behavior, and sexual functions, and the relationships or interactions of these factors with each other. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in women diagnosed with PCOS. Sexually active 54 participants (28 with PCOS + 26 control) aged 22–35 years applying to the gynecology outpatient clinics due to menstrual irregularities were included in the study. The diagnosis of PCOS was made according to the Rotterdam 2003 criteria. Participants filled out data collection forms, including the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Short-Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, and the Female Sexual Function Index. Laboratory findings were obtained from the hospital’s electronic patient registry. Results: The PCOS group’s BMI (29.6±7.1) was significantly higher than the control group (24.7±3.9), (p=0.004)). The PCOS group scores were significantly lower than the control group regarding the physical functionality (p=0.006), role limitations due to emotional problems (p=0.002), energy/fatigue (p=0.015), and emotional well-being (p=0.025) items of the short-form health survey. In addition, BAI score was higher (p=0.001), and female sexual function index total score was lower (p=0.036) in the PCOS group. There were significant correlations between luteinizing hormone (LH) and role limitations due to emotional problems (r=0.547, p=0.003), uncontrolled eating (r=0.415, p=0.028), emotional eating (r=0.413, p=0.029), and body mass index (r=0.487, p=0.009). Conclusion: PCOS can cause anxiety, decreased quality of life, and increased anxiety, but it does not affect eating disorders. LH levels should be taken into account for weight control in women with PCOS. Women with menstrual irregularities need support concerning anxiety, even if they do not have PCOS.