KARACHI: One in every four couples in Pakistan today is struggling with infertility, a major cause of which is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) that affects around 52 per cent of women of reproductive age in the country.

The information was shared by leading gynaecologists at an awareness session organised on Monday by the PCOS, Adolescent and Reproductive Health Society of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Society and PharmEvo, a local pharmaceutical company.

According to experts, PCOS has silently become the most common cause of hormonal imbalance, infertility and miscarriage among Pakistani women.

Dr Zubaida Masood, a senior gynaecologist, said: “PCOS is not only preventing women from conceiving, but in many cases, even if they do, the chances of miscarriage are high.”

Experts say PCOS is a common cause of infertility and miscarriage

She attributed the high prevalence of PCOS to cousin marriages — which increase the risk of inherited genetic disorders — as well as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

“Quacks are further worsening the situation by prescribing unregulated drugs that are causing ovarian and uterine cancers in desperate women,” she added.

In her keynote address, Prof Jeanne Conry — President of the International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics and former President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — said PCOS is not just a reproductive condition but a serious endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting a woman’s physical and psychological wellbeing.

She pointed out that PCOS often remains undiagnosed for years in unmarried girls due to the stigma surrounding menstruation and reproductive health, while married women typically discover it only when facing difficulties conceiving.

“We are witnessing a silent epidemic that threatens an entire generation of women, if we do not act now,” Dr Conry warned.

Experts said Pakistan’s high prevalence of consanguineous marriages increases the risk of inherited hormonal disorders, but the crisis is being exacerbated by rising obesity — with nearly 80pc of Pakistani adult women classified as overweight or obese.

These conditions, they said, increase insulin resistance — a core mechanism in PCOS — which leads to irregular menstruation, facial hair, acne, hair thinning and cysts on the ovaries, along with anxiety and depression, contributing to low self-esteem.

Dr Conry said early diagnosis and lifestyle changes can reverse much of the damage. “Even a 5 to 10 per cent reduction in weight can help restore hormonal balance and fertility,” she noted.

Dr Hani W. Fawzi, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at South Tyneside NHS, UK, and a global trainer in emergency obstetric care, stressed the need for patient-centred care in managing PCOS.

He noted that “PCOS is a chronic condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach involving dietitians, mental health professionals, endocrinologists, and gynaecologists.”

Dr Fawzi emphasised that beyond medication, personalised lifestyle interventions tailored to the cultural and social realities in Pakistan could significantly improve outcomes.

“Women should be empowered with knowledge about their condition, and counselling should be a core part of PCOS management to address the emotional toll it takes,” he said.

The event was also addressed by senior gynaecologists Dr Shaheen Zafar, Dr Razia Korejo, Dr Yasmeen Nauman and Dr Saima Zubair.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2025