Comorbid Anxiety Risk and Mental Health Management Pathways in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent reproductive endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting a significant proportion of women of reproductive age worldwide. In addition to classic clinical presentations—such as menstrual irregularity, hyperandrogenic symptoms, ovulatory dysfunction, obesity, and insulin resistance—PCOS profoundly impacts patients' body image, emotional well-being, overall quality of life, and long-term disease management trajectories. Anxiety represents one of the most critical yet frequently overlooked psychological comorbidities associated with PCOS, often remaining insufficiently recognized in routine clinical care settings. This comprehensive review adopts a rigorous literature-based and theoretical analytical approach to systematically examine the clinical manifestations, underlying influencing factors, and optimal management pathways concerning comorbid anxiety risk in patients diagnosed with PCOS. The synthesized analysis indicates that PCOS-related anxiety is intricately shaped by a multitude of interacting variables. These include underlying endocrine and metabolic abnormalities, distressing visible clinical symptoms, chronic menstrual irregularity, intense fertility pressure, the exhausting burden of long-term self-management, insufficient social support networks, and pervasive disease misconceptions. Consequently, contemporary PCOS management paradigms must urgently evolve beyond a narrow, traditional reproductive and metabolic treatment model. A holistic, patient-centered mental health management pathway should be systematically established. This framework must incorporate routine psychological screening, precise anxiety risk stratification, targeted health education, integrated therapeutic interventions, robust multidisciplinary collaboration, and structured long-term follow-up protocols. Implementing such a comprehensive approach will significantly reduce anxiety risk, enhance treatment adherence, and ultimately promote the holistic physical and mental well-being of patients living with PCOS.