Physical changes can lead to poorer mental health

It’s easy to see how a combination of physical changes and social stigma can lead to low self-esteem in the PCOS community.

“PCOS includes many symptoms that affect how women feel about their body,” explains Goodwin. “These symptoms include weight gain, acne, facial and body hair, hair loss and fertility challenges. These symptoms all contribute to higher levels of body dissatisfaction – and research shows that this is a risk factor for developing disordered eating.”

In addition, the seeming inability to lose weight despite restrictive eating patterns can lead to feelings of failure, which can make binge eating more likely.

“Binging leads to feelings of guilt and self-loathing, prompting further restriction and then further binging,” warns Goodwin. “But the reality is that it isn’t anyone’s fault – if you’re on a blood sugar rollercoaster, no amount of willpower can stop the blood sugar crash that leads to another binge.

When someone is already suffering from low self-esteem and body image (both of which are risk factors for developing eating disorders), these feelings just perpetuate the seemingly never-ending cycle of bingeing and restricting.

PCOS and eating disorders: why women with insulin resistance are more at risk of poor mental health