LIVED EXPERIENCES OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS WITH POLY CYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME – A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Background: Adolescent girls with Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are often exposed to multiple physical and psychological challenges. Present qualitative research aimed at exploring the experiences of girls with PCOS. Use of qualitative approach helps in better understanding of significant process experienced by them. The st Methodology: udy was conducted among 10 adolescent girls with Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome, in the Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Out- Patient Department in a tertiary care hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. An unstructured interview schedule was used for collecting socio demographic data, clinical data and to explore the lived experience of adolescent girls with poly cystic ovary syndrome. Seven main themes Results: and twenty three subthemes were extracted. The themes identified were;- 1)Aspects related to treatment (Subthemes- duration of taking treatment, reason for seeking treatment, feelings at the time of treatment, alternative system of therapies and ignorance about disease), 2)Physical dilemmas related to PCOS (Subthemes- body weight, facial hair growth, irregular menstruation, hair fall and associated problems), 3)Intrinsic experiences related to PCOS (Subthemes- anger, tension, worries and non-compliance to medication), 4) Pretense of society (Subthemes- relation with family, relation with friends, relation with physician, experience of friends and academic performance), 5)Nutritional habits related to PCOS (Subtheme-type of food), 6)Concern about long term sequels (Subthemes- fertility concern and diabetes mellitus) and 7)Concern about regular check up (Subtheme- feelings of humiliation). Findings of the research indicated that the adolescent girls h Conclusion: aving PCOS are facing multiple psychological issues (related to diagnosis, treatment, and complications of disease) affecting their overall health. Recognition of the mental health needs of adolescent girls and improvement of their quality of life can be optimized only through the exploration of their experiences with PCOS.