Stanford Report, June 11, 2003
Depression, PCOS linked in study
Women who have a hormonal disorder called polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, are more likely to have depression than women without the disorder, said a study by medical center psychiatrist Natalie Rasgon, MD, PhD.
The study also shows women with PCOS are depressed not only because of the symptoms, which include infertility, but also because of the disease’s underlying biology. She said the findings have prompted her to further explore whether treating depression could help reproductive problems in PCOS patients.
The research, published in the May issue of the Journal of Affective Disorders, is the first study of the link between the syndrome and depression.
PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age, affecting up to 10 percent of premenopausal women. Women with PCOS secrete excess male hormones and don’t ovulate; they may have extra body hair, acne, obesity or baldness.
"The simple, logical explanation is that if a woman is overweight and balding, she would be depressed because of that," said Rasgon, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, but her research points to physiological links as well.
Rasgon and her colleagues are currently conducting ongoing research into the link between PCOS and depression on a larger group of women.
well, it's about bloody time they did some research! when i was diagnosed nearly two years ago, my gyn and internal medicine md were both involved in managing the differing aspects of my pcos. i questioned them about my chronic depression and anxiety; they both dismissed my concerns rather quickly. i'm not accusing them of being bad doctors, because they are good doctors who care about the well-being of their patients. but there is a definite trend in healthcare to either totally ignore or downplay the significance of mental health, especially when it comes to "female" disorders. they seem to think, "oh, get on these meds and lose some weight. laser the hair away. you'll be fine." it wasn't until i began seeing a therapist several months later that i was placed on anti-depressants and anxiolytics.
it is good to see that the mental health side of pcos is being explored.
Sometimes it's not just PCOS but the treatment that creates more problems. I have had a problem with depression and anxiety for many years. In the past year I was put on progesterone and in the 3 months that I took it I developed symptoms of prementrual dysphoric disorder. Added to the other medications that I was already taking (that I had finally been able to cut back on due to good therapy and lots of work) I had to add Zoloft. I am doing better now and have stopped the progesterone but when I was given it no one even mentioned to me that there might be some increase in my mental issues. It would be nice for studies to be done on patients with PCOS and also diagnosed with mental illness and how to treat both together.
Sometimes it's not just PCOS but the treatment that creates more problems. I have had a problem with depression and anxiety for many years. In the past year I was put on progesterone and in the 3 months that I took it I developed symptoms of prementrual dysphoric disorder. Added to the other medications that I was already taking (that I had finally been able to cut back on due to good therapy and lots of work) I had to add Zoloft. I am doing better now and have stopped the progesterone but when I was given it no one even mentioned to me that there might be some increase in my mental issues. It would be nice for studies to be done on patients with PCOS and also diagnosed with mental illness and how to treat both together.
I have also had a problem with depression and anxiety for years. I have been on Zoloft for almost 10 years now (wow, has it been that long????). The drug has definitely changed my brain chemistry, which kind of freaks me out. I'm just learning NOW after all this time that PCOS is linked to depression and anxiety, and my goal is to get off of the zoloft. I am following the Insulin Resistance Diet (it's only my first day, so wish me luck). I'm hoping that this helps me so I can get off the drugs!! If I only knew then what I know now!!
WOW! I always knew there was a connection. I have always thought that I was someone who had it together, but in recent years I've been feeling pretty blue. At first I thought I was just feeling sorry for myself, but then I realized that there was something going on. I have been feeling okay lately-guess it kinda comes and goes. So far I'm not on any meds for it, but I'm going to bring it up at my next appointment. Thanks ladies, for making me feel "normal"
I have also fought depression for the majority of my life. I was on zoloft about 8 years ago, but didn't stay on it. Ever since I have had fertility issues, my depression has increased dramatically. I am going to talk to my Dr. about getting on zoloft again.
At least I know I am not crazy...there is a reason for the depression!
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I suffered from depression for alot of years as well I guess that from the help of a wonderful husband and a jeal for life I have not taken an antidepressent for 2 years. I think a lot of things that I have told myself are that becasue of this disease we are not able to control why we can or cannot have children I dearly wish that I will be able to bear children but in my mind I have also told myself it is not my fault if it does not happen we are all unique in our own ways deppression is hard to overcome I wish all of you the very best!!! Tia
Wife to Victor baby due in November via adoption PCOS 1998 me-28 hubby-45
It's awesome that a lot of you feel the same way I do. Like Nyree, I also thought at first, I was just feeling sorry for myself. now that its been a while, I'm realizing that it's not just me feeling sorry- There's something deep within that's making me feel this way. I dont know exactly how willing I am to take another drug. I feel like I'm on enough already... I'm looking into other ways of dealing, but haven't got a clue where to even start...
Yet another similarity I am happy to have with people, it just proves once again that for all these years this junk wasn't "in my head".
Growing up, once puberty hit, or was supposed to hit...I had an eating disorder- bulemia, college comes around and I had to take Prozac for 3 years due to Aggitated Depression AND deal with my bulemia!
Having to go thru infertility treatments twice triggered both things again. Doctors kept telling me to "just diet and exercise". I was finally diagnosed with PCOS over a year ago- which felt like 20 years too late!
I think more and more research will show what this disorder actually does to women..
Kristi
WoW ! No one has ever told me that PCOS could be linked with my depression. I always heard the same as everyone else. Loose weight you'll be fine. What they can't see is we are all pulling our hair out to try to loose weight already.I even went as far one time that I ended up with anarexia. so now I am glad so many feel the same. And I am not as crazy as I once thought.
I am happy to hear that is wasn't just me... not happy that anyone else had to suffer too though... I feel like I was stable till adolescents when the hormones started kicking... then the anxiety and depression took over through high school and college I self medicating, everyone always assumed I was unstable due to the observable symptoms... but I knew it was more than that... I could rationalize sanity but couldn't feel it... now I am working on the psych and physical symptoms and am feeling better, anti depressants help too
It is such a relief to learn the cause of my mood issues! I had been diagnosed with everything from bi-polar to generalized anxiety disorder to depression before I was diagnosed with PCOS, and the doctor explained that PCOS was the culprit all along! I feel so much better now that I am taking care of the real problem.
i think i am depress because of pcos, and wish thier was a magic pill
infertily made me worst i don't feel like a women,,i am over weight , irregular periods, hair where its not suppose to be afraid it will get worst its terrible to live with this pcos and not being able to concieve ,,,,,,,,,,,this pcos is robbing me of a chance ot becoming a mother it drives me crazy,,not mention risk of having heart attack, etc ,,i can't believe that thiers not a lot out there to help get us better but the same things lose weight take metformin it doesn't work for me and i am depress for that reason,,,, not all the time but i get my days where i am and cry for no reason . god i wish thier was a magic pill to make it all go away i know thiers worst, worst things out there but in my case this is making me feel like a complete faliure,,,,,,as a women,,,,,,,,
although i'm not glad to see that so many women are suffering with PCOS AND depression it's nice not to be the only one. i'm eager to read more research about the connections between hormonal changes and mood. i've always sworn that my cycle (and later BCP) made my moods unbearable at times. i've been on lexapro for about 6 months and i would love to wean myself off (for many reasons, not the least of which being birth defects later on down the road).
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Depression, PCOS linked in study 
Depression and Anxiety 
i think i am depress because of pcos, and wish thier was a magic pill 
