Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects up to 13% of women globally - but in the Middle East and North Africa, research suggests the numbers may be even higher, with some Gulf studies estimating rates as high as 18% among women of reproductive age. Despite that, awareness remains low and stigma remains high.
It’s not just the irregular periods or the acne. It’s the unspoken shame around infertility, the body image issues, the conflicting advice, and the cultural pressure to "stay quiet" about reproductive health. But that silence is slowly being broken - and the message is clear: PCOS is treatable, manageable, and not something to be ashamed of.
Dr Jasmin Malek, a women’s health and hormone therapy expert at Euromed Clinic Dubai, says the signs are often misunderstood - especially in this region. “PCOS typically presents with irregular or absent periods, acne, excess facial or body hair (hirsutism), weight gain, and sometimes difficulties with fertility,” she explains. “But what often gets overlooked, especially in the MENA region, is the impact of PCOS on mood, fatigue, and insulin resistance. Many women normalise symptoms such as irregular cycles or hair growth due to familial patterns, so they don’t always seek help early.”
In a culture where discussing periods or fertility openly is still taboo, those delays in diagnosis can spiral. “There is still a stigma in many parts of the MENA region when it comes to discussing reproductive health,” Dr Malek adds. “PCOS is often linked to fertility, so many women feel pressure to remain silent, fearing judgment or assumptions about their ability to conceive. This delays diagnosis and can limit access to timely support.”
And fertility - while a sensitive subject - is one of the most misunderstood parts of the diagnosis. “The fertility conversation is often front and centre because of the cultural importance placed on childbearing,” Dr Malek says. “Unfortunately, this can lead to fear and distress. The truth is, while PCOS may make conception more difficult due to irregular ovulation, it’s very manageable with the right guidance and treatment. Many women with PCOS go on to have healthy pregnancies, some even without any medical intervention.”
Instead of fear, what women need is access to facts, tools, and support. That support isn’t just about fancy hormone clinics or private healthcare, either. Both Dr Malek and Dr Manjari Rao, a Classic Homeopath at The Hundred Wellness Centre Dubai, agree that consistent, simple lifestyle changes can transform symptoms - even if you’re starting small.
“For those without access to specialised care, simple, consistent lifestyle changes can have a big impact,” Dr Malek says. “A diet rich in whole foods, low in processed sugar and refined carbs, combined with regular exercise such as walking, strength training, or yoga, helps to regulate insulin and hormone levels. Even small shifts, including a 5–10% weight loss in those with higher BMI, can help restore regular cycles and improve symptoms significantly.”
She adds: “Together with berberine, myoinositol and green tea three times a day, my ladies achieve great results.” These natural supports can play a powerful role in regulating hormones and improving symptoms - especially when paired with simple lifestyle shifts like reducing processed sugar, adding movement, and managing stress through sleep or breathwork.
Dr Rao also leans into the importance of nutrition and natural support. “Daily lifestyle changes include eating good-quality fats as they form the raw material for synthesising good quality hormones,” she explains. “Some examples include eggs, avocados, sesame seeds, butter, ghee, olive oil and coconut. Good fats improve the gut lining and that is one of the keys to having good hormone function.”
PCOS isn’t just a hormonal disorder - it wears on you emotionally, too. The physical symptoms like facial hair growth, acne, weight gain, and hair thinning can quietly chip away at confidence. Fatigue and irregular periods add to the daily stress, and many women are left managing the mental toll in silence. People take for granted what it’s like to not have to constantly check for facial hair regrowth or feel emotional whiplash when your period finally shows up after months of waiting. It’s not vanity - it’s about feeling at home in your own body.
And when you research it online, you can quickly spiral into feeling like you're not enough. The overwhelming flood of information, often steeped in fear, tells you that your fertility is at risk - and suddenly, teenagers are being made to worry about infertility when they’re still children themselves. It’s a heavy burden, one that adds unnecessary stress to an already difficult journey.
“PCOS is a medical condition - it’s not your fault, and you’re not alone,” says Dr Malek. “Working with a therapist or support group familiar with hormonal health can be transformative. Reframing PCOS as something manageable and treatable, rather than something that defines you, can really help shift the emotional burden.”
Dr Rao agrees: “Do not compare your PCOS with anybody else’s PCOS. The cyst in the ovaries may not always cause disease. You can still manage your daily life, including being able to fall pregnant. And if you are purpose-driven, you are likely to produce feel-good hormones such as oxytocin and endorphins which will help reduce the impact of dysregulated hormones.”
Her holistic take includes alternative treatments too: “I would recommend avoiding painkillers during period pain and instead try to take homeopathic cell salt, which is rich in magnesium phosphate. Magnesium is a very important component of all hormones. Additionally, remember, birth control pills do not cure PCOS - so one must always look at alternatives such as Homoeopathy to derive long-term regularising of menstrual cycles. This, coupled with a good diet and moderate exercise, and you will feel and look better.”
So, what would both experts want women in the region to hear most?
“Listening to their bodies and advocating for themselves,” says Dr Malek. “Too often, symptoms are brushed aside or normalised. Empowerment through education and action is key.” Dr Rao agrees: “Supplying the body with the right tools - rather than just suppressing symptoms - is what will help women feel better long term.”
And if you’re a young woman unsure about whether to get checked or feeling too ashamed to speak up? “Don’t wait,” says Dr Malek. “The earlier you seek support, the better. You are not broken, and you are not alone. A diagnosis doesn’t define your future - it empowers you with information to take control of your health.”
