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Self-esteem and body image satisfaction in women with PCOS in the Middle East: Cross-sectional social media study
Zainab Alkheyr1, Mariam Murad1, Priya Das1
1Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain.
Background:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age, associated with increased incidence of emotional disorders, anxiety and depression.
Objective:
The aim was of this study was to investigate whether those women reporting PCOS differed to women without PCOS in measures of psychological well-being including body-image satisfaction and self-esteem across a Middle Eastern population.
Materials And Methods:
An online survey link of 21 questions was shared and distributed across social media platforms (Instagram and WhatsApp). The main outcome measured was levels of self-esteem and body image satisfaction in association with symptoms experienced by the participants.
Results:
12,199 female subjects completed the survey of whom 3,329 respondents (27.3%) self-reported a diagnosis of PCOS. PCOS respondents felt less attractive compared to non-PCOS respondents (73.9% vs 80.5%, p<0.0001). More respondents with PCOS reported avoidance of their reflection in the mirror (61.7% vs 49.8%, p<0.001) and avoidance of social interactions (22.3% vs 32.3%, p<0.0001). More PCOS respondents wanted to lose weight (75.2% vs 68.5%, p<0.001) with increasing weight being associated with being less attractive (p<0.001). Fewer PCOS respondents felt satisfied/confident compared non-PCOS respondents (38.6% vs 50.7%, p<0.001).
Conclusion:
PCOS respondents reported significantly lower measures of self-esteem and body image satisfaction compared to non-PCOS respondents in this population.
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