More Than Hormones: Why Women with PCOS Need Real Friends, Not Just Followers

Have you ever felt like you were one cry away from asking for help, but you stopped yourself because… ayaw mong makaabala?

You didn’t want to bother your friends. You didn’t want them to pity you. And you definitely didn’t want to be the subject of some backroom chismis. You look around and realize, people are so busy with their lives.

Some are chasing careers, others building families.

Meanwhile, you’re silently screaming, hoping someone might notice you’re not okay—but they don’t. Because these days, “friendships” mostly live on Facebook or TikTok.
They see your stories, your posts, your carefully curated feed, but they don’t really see you.

Nakakamiss, no?

Yung mga simpleng bonding moments na kahit pancit canton lang ang ulam, basta magkakasama, masaya na. Those moments when presence was more valuable than perfection.

But things changed. We grew up, life happened, and somehow, that genuine connection turned into reactions, likes, and comments.

Digital Connection, Emotional Isolation

Social media has created an illusion of closeness.

We’re connected to hundreds—even thousands—of people, but when real problems hit, we often feel more alone than ever. And when you live with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), that isolation can become even more intense.
Because PCOS isn’t just about irregular periods or hormonal acne—it’s an everyday struggle that affects us physically, emotionally, and mentally.

And sadly, most people don’t really understand what we go through.

Living with PCOS Is More Than a Physical Battle

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH, 2023), women with PCOS are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience depression and anxiety than women without it.
Why? Because the struggle isn’t just skin-deep.

We deal with:

Unwanted weight gain we didn’t ask for.
Acne and excessive facial or body hair that messes with our self-confidence.
Hair loss that makes us feel less feminine.
Mood swings na minsan pati tayo, hindi natin maintindihan ang sarili natin.
And the looming fear of infertility, a heartbreak that many don’t even know we carry silently.

Every doctor’s visit, every lab test, every failed diet, every insensitive comment about our body, every unspoken fear—lahat ‘yan ay binubuhat natin araw-araw. Add to that the financial pressure of treatments, supplements, and therapies that are often too expensive.

You start to question: “Hanggang kailan ako lalaban mag-isa?”

Mental Health and PCOS: A Silent Connection

Hormonal imbalance doesn’t just affect our body—it messes with our mind, too.

High levels of testosterone and cortisol (the stress hormone) affect our mood and mental clarity. That’s why some days, we’re irritable. Some days, we’re overly emotional.
And some days… we just want to disappear. As someone who was diagnosed with severe depression in 2023, I know this too well.

There were days I didn’t want to wake up. Days when even brushing my hair felt like a battle. And nights I cried quietly because I didn’t know how to explain the sadness I felt.

But little by little, I learned to hold on to what God has given me—my breath, my faith, and the strength that I didn’t know I had.

Why Emotional Support Matters More Than Ever

To those reading this who don’t have PCOS, please understand:
We’re not being dramatic.
We’re not lazy.
We’re not overreacting.

We’re fighting a silent battle every single day, and sometimes all we need is for someone to say, “I’m here. I care.”

And to my fellow Ka-PCOS, let me tell you this:
You are seen, you are loved, and your pain is valid.

You are not alone in this.

You are a warrior.
You are strong, even when you feel weak.
You are enough, even when society tries to tell you otherwise.

What You Can Do Right Now

If you’re struggling, please don’t isolate yourself.
Even if it’s just one person—reach out. Talk. Breathe. Cry if you need to.
There is no shame in asking for help.

If you know someone with PCOS, check in on her.
A simple “How are you?” can go a long way.
Let her know she matters. Let her know she’s not alone.

And most importantly, let’s bring back the kind of friendship that listens, that uplifts, and that stays.
Because real connection? That’s what we’re all truly longing for.

💖 If this touched your heart, please share this post.
You never know who’s silently hurting right now.
Let’s remind one another that healing starts with connection.

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PCOS Millennials