Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is a chronic hormonal disorder that affects 1 in 10 women and people with ovaries of reproductive age in the UK, yet it is rarely talked about and research into the condition is sparse. With no cure and characterised by an irregular menstrual cycle and high testosterone levels, those with PCOS often quietly suffer with hidden symptoms that can flare up due to external factors such as stress and anxiety.

Now combine living with PCOS with the aim of building a successful career in chemical research as a woman… being a woman in STEM provides its own challenges without the unpredictability of a hormonal disorder thrown into the mix. As a chemist, you observe, hypothesise and analyse patterns but PCOS doesn’t follow a tried and tested scientific procedure. I became 1 in 10 in 2022 when I was diagnosed with the condition in the final year of my undergraduate degree in Chemistry after a 4-year battle of trying to get answers. But receiving a diagnosis didn’t bring the sense of closure I had hoped for — instead, it opened the door to a whole new set of questions about treatment, long-term health, and how to manage daily life with something that has no simple fix. Learning to live with PCOS meant navigating unpredictable symptoms, adjusting routines, and trying to balance my health alongside the demands of academic life.

By 2025, during the second year of my PhD here at Lancaster University, managing the condition had become especially difficult. Whilst I looked physically well, I felt like my body was constantly working against me – the chronic fatigue that wouldn’t go away after over 12 hours of sleep and leaving me feeling like I’ve just climbed Everest with no rest. Couple that with brain fog that makes simple calculations feel like you’re doing hardcore calculus, and physical symptoms are a recipe for a chronic PCOS flare.

Furthermore, the hormonal fluctuations associated with the condition increase the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The stigma about being perceived as ‘lazy’ or ‘boring’ when all you want to do is conduct experiments and participate in social events without feeling like you’re dragging your body through quicksand is a mental toll that can often be hidden under the curtain of smiles and laughter. These mental symptoms can exacerbate the physical symptoms and, if we’re talking in scientific terms, can shift one’s natural equilibrium into an unbalanced state. This is one of the things that happened to me last year, and I had to put my PhD and career in STEM on hold for 3 months to rebalance the equilibrium so neither one of the physical or mental symptoms were favoured. PCOS doesn’t stop just because there is lab work to be done or data to analyse – instead it’s silently dealing with decreased energy, brain fog, low self-esteem and anxieties associated with balancing a full-time degree and trying not to trigger a flare-up.

With 10% of women and people with ovaries suffering from PCOS and an estimated 70% of affected people worldwide still undiagnosed, I believe that there needs to be more research and awareness. More inclusive policies could also be put in place to support those with women’s health issues, such as PCOS and endometriosis, which is another painful condition that affects around 190 million women and AFAB people globally. 72% of women with PCOS have reported that the quality of their work has been affected, whilst 50% of women have missed work due to their symptoms. Furthermore, nearly 52% of women have felt that PCOS has held them back in their careers.

To reduce these statistics, universities and employers could introduce individual plans that include flexible deadlines and relaxed attendance policies for medical appointments and painful episodes, as well as provide mandatory training sessions for staff on how these conditions can affect attendance, concentration and energy levels. Raising awareness by starting conversations, doing research, however small, in any spare time and listening to those who have PCOS could also be valuable methods in making those with the condition feel heard. Additionally, having easy access to free menstrual products (an initiative that the Chemistry Department here at Lancaster University has already introduced) will decrease the financial worry that can be associated with irregular cycles. Counselling and resources on nutrition may also be useful in managing symptoms, as research implies that reducing stress and anxiety, as well as eating healthier, can help make living with PCOS more bearable. Finally, peer support groups in local communities where those with PCOS can meet, share experiences, tips and encouragement so living with the condition feels less isolating.

Although PCOS brings significant challenges, living with a chronic hormonal condition can also shape perspectives in ways that extend beyond health. It can foster a quiet resilience - the kind that helps you keep going when an experiment fails yet again or when the data refuses to behave as expected. It can also cultivate determination, patience, and a deeper awareness of systems that are not always designed with women’s health in mind. These experiences don’t just shape how you manage a condition; they can influence how you move through a career in STEM and even inspire efforts to push for meaningful change.

At the same time, there is no doubt that far more funding and research dedicated to PCOS and other women’s health conditions are urgently needed. Greater investment in education and awareness is essential to better support those managing ongoing symptoms. With stronger research, more open conversation, and practical institutional support, living with polycystic ovarian syndrome can become more manageable and, hopefully, one day, far less common than it is today.

Related Blogs

• 

  STEMMing the Leaky Pipeline: widening participation in Chemistry through the Elements of Success programme

• 

  STEMMing the Leaky Pipeline: Maximising impact and minimising burden in public engagement

• 

  STEMMing the Leaky Pipeline: A “Pride in Science” special

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.