She Felt Like Crying
The mirror does not tell lies.
Ritwika looked at herself again.
Her favourite dress had become tight. Her face looked rounder than before. She gently touched her chin. There they were again—those few coarse hairs that had slowly appeared over the last year.
She sighed.
She had never imagined this would happen to her.
Her periods had become irregular. Sometimes they came after six weeks, sometimes after three months. She kept telling herself it was probably because of university stress. It would settle on its own.
It never did.
Her mother noticed the changes too. Sometimes she looked at Ritwika with concern, but chose not to say anything. She did not want to hurt her daughter's feelings.
At university, her friends noticed as well.
No one made fun of her.
No one asked questions.
Sometimes silence can be louder than words.
One afternoon, while they were walking back after class, Malobika quietly said,
"I had something similar."
Ritwika looked at her.
"I saw a gynaecologist."
"What did she say?"
"She thought it could be PCOS. She advised some blood tests and an ultrasound."
"Did you do them?"
Malobika smiled awkwardly.
"No... I got busy. I thought it wasn't important."
The conversation stayed in Ritwika's mind for weeks.
One morning, after another missed period, she finally booked an appointment with a doctor.
A few blood tests and an ultrasound later, the answer came.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
The diagnosis did not surprise her.
What surprised her was something else.
"I don't eat much junk food," she said.
"I hardly drink sugary drinks."
"So... why me?"
The doctor smiled kindly.
"Many women ask the same question."
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Why Did Ritwika Develop PCOS?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women of reproductive age. It is much more common than many people realise.
Common symptoms include:
- Irregular or absent periods.
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
- Acne.
- Excess facial or body hair.
- Difficulty becoming pregnant.
If left untreated, PCOS may increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, infertility and other long-term health problems.
Many women believe they developed PCOS because they "ate too much sugar" or "did something wrong." In reality, PCOS is a complex condition influenced by genetics, hormones and insulin resistance. It is not simply caused by poor eating habits.
The good news is that PCOS can usually be managed very effectively.
Healthy eating, regular physical activity, weight management, adequate sleep and stress management form the foundation of treatment. Some women may also benefit from medication, depending on their symptoms and future pregnancy plans.
The earlier PCOS is recognised, the sooner treatment can begin. Early intervention not only improves symptoms but also reduces the risk of future complications.
Take-home message
Irregular periods, unwanted facial hair and unexplained weight gain should never be ignored. They do not always mean PCOS, but they deserve proper medical assessment. Early diagnosis can make a significant difference to long-term health.
Sydney Doctor Clinic, Kolkata provides evidence-based care for PCOS, weight management, lifestyle medicine and preventive healthcare. Our approach combines healthy lifestyle modification with medical treatment when clinically indicated.
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