Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Borderline Personality Disorder: 3 Case Reports and Scientific Review of Literature

Taral R Sharma

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common form of endocrine disorder in premenopausal women. (Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is also a common endocrine disorder affecting about 6% of women of reproductive age, characterized by gynecologic and endocrine symptoms, including chronic anovulation, infertility, and hyperandrogenism. The clinical spectrum of PCOS encompasses hirsutism, acne and male pattern alopecia, the sequelae of hyperandrogenism, and infertility as a result of ovulatory disturbance. There are many features of PCOS that might predispose to impaired quality of life (QoL), including infertility, cosmetic effects of hyperandrogenism, weight gain and obesity and long-term health implications. It is studied that the clinical features and health implications of PCOS are likely to lead to loss of self-esteem and poor body image, developing into decreased QoL and psychological morbidity. Ching at al. also found that a significantly poorer QoL in women with PCOS compared with age-matched population norms, both in the general and in the overweight and obese Australian female population, particularly in psychological health rather than physical functioning. We present three cases of PCOS with comorbid borderline personality disorder. We also found that they were diagnosed with PCOS many years prior to borderline personality disorder, which resulted into multiple acute psychiatric hospitalizations, poor quality of life and eventually functional disability. If diagnosed early, patient's PCOS can have better quality of life and improved outcome. Clinicians who treat women with PCOS should be mindful of the psychological as well as the physical consequences of the condition. We recommend that patients with PCOS should be routinely screened for borderline personality disorder. With respect to psychosocial support, a positive, respectful and empathic attitude will help to understand the women's worries and needs associated with the diagnosis of PCOS.