I Thought PCOD Was Just About Missed Periods — I Was Wrong

A few years ago, I started noticing small changes in my body. My skin was breaking out more, I felt exhausted even after sleeping, and my periods became slightly irregular. Like many women, I ignored it—assuming it was just stress or normal hormonal shifts. What I didn’t know then was that these could be early signs of PCOD.

Polycystic Ovarian Disease is surprisingly common among Indian women, but we don’t talk about it enough. And when we do, it’s often reduced to “weight gain” or “missed periods.” The truth is, it runs much deeper. I came across this Instagram post that made me pause—it listed symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, and hair thinning. Here’s the link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMvD9Z2RS6V/

Digging deeper, I found a post on LinkedIn that changed how I view prevention. It explained how managing insulin resistance, sleep, and even emotional well-being is just as important—if not more—than losing weight. That felt like a more human, realistic approach. Link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/askdocdoc_pcod-prevention-is-more-than-weight-loss-activity-7356330368691568644-yyvG?

I also read a Twitter thread that debunked the myth that PCOD only affects overweight women. That’s one of the most harmful misconceptions out there. Link: https://twitter.com/AskDoctors24/status/1950564614556500148

Another post on Threads emphasized paying attention to early signs like cravings, poor sleep, or mood dips. Sometimes it’s the little things that speak the loudest. Here’s that post: https://www.threads.com/@askdocdoc/post/DMvD9NyOw82

I didn’t try to “fix everything overnight.” I started with food—making slow but consistent changes. I found a Pinterest board full of PCOD-friendly meal ideas, which helped when I felt overwhelmed: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/928445279436608503

Later, I read a Facebook post by someone who reversed many symptoms with regular walks and small dietary shifts. Her journey gave me hope. Here’s the post: https://www.facebook.com/122099392514743210/posts/122135217752743210

And if you're looking for a full guide written specifically for Indian women, this one from AskDocDoc really helped me connect the dots and take control: https://askdocdoc.com/articles/773-prevention-of-pcod-a-complete-guide-for-indian-women

Bottom line? PCOD isn’t something to fear—it’s something we need to understand better. The earlier we listen to our bodies and take small steps, the easier it is to manage. You don’t need to wait until it gets worse.