Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Clinical Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome among Female Students at Ibb University, Yemen: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

For millions of women of reproductive age, the body's internal chemical messaging system can become unbalanced, leading to a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome. This is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms that arise when the ovaries produce too much of certain hormones, often causing irregular periods, unwanted hair growth, acne, and difficulty maintaining a healthy weight. While doctors have long known that this condition runs in families and is linked to lifestyle factors like diet and stress, the full picture remains unclear, especially in parts of the world where conflict has disrupted daily life and healthcare. In places like Yemen, where years of war have strained medical resources and created immense psychological pressure, understanding how these external forces shape women's health is critical. Without clear data, it is difficult for communities to know how to support those suffering from these symptoms or to design effective ways to help them feel better.

To fill this gap, a team of researchers at Ibb University in Yemen set out to listen directly to the women living through these challenges. They focused on female university students, a group that represents a cross-section of young women navigating the pressures of higher education in a country facing severe humanitarian crises. The team did not rely on blood tests or clinical examinations, which are often unavailable in such settings. Instead, they asked 386 students to fill out a detailed questionnaire about their lives, their habits, and the physical symptoms they experienced. The questions covered everything from their family history and where they lived to how much stress they felt, how well they slept, and whether they had noticed specific signs of hormonal imbalance, such as hair loss, acne, or irregular periods. By gathering this self-reported information, the researchers aimed to map out which aspects of a student's life were most closely tied to the symptoms she faced.

The results painted a vivid picture of a population under significant strain. Among the students surveyed, hair loss was the most common complaint, affecting nearly seven out of ten participants. Acne was the next most frequent issue, followed by general hormonal disturbances, unwanted hair growth on the face and body, weight gain, and irregular menstrual cycles. What made the findings particularly striking was not just the high number of symptoms, but the surprising patterns that emerged when the researchers looked at the students' backgrounds. Usually, having a family member with this condition is considered a major risk factor, suggesting that a person is more likely to develop it. However, in this study, students who reported having a family history of the condition were actually less likely to suffer from severe symptoms like irregular periods, acne, or weight gain compared to those without such a history.

The researchers explained this counterintuitive result by suggesting that students with affected relatives likely possess a higher level of health awareness. Because they know someone in their family has struggled with these symptoms, they may be more attuned to their own bodies, more likely to seek help early, and more diligent about managing their lifestyle. It is as if knowing the warning signs in advance allows them to act before the problem becomes severe. In contrast, students without this family knowledge might not recognize the early signs or know how to manage them until the symptoms have already become widespread.

Beyond family history, the study highlighted how daily life and academic choices play a role. Students who reported having trouble sleeping were more likely to experience hormonal issues and hair loss, reinforcing the idea that rest is a crucial part of hormonal health. The type of college a student attended also mattered; those studying education were more likely to report irregular periods, while those in dentistry reported fewer issues. This suggests that the specific stresses and demands of different academic paths may influence the body's hormonal balance in different ways. Furthermore, students from lower-income families reported more hair loss, pointing to the heavy toll that financial hardship takes on physical well-being.

The study concludes that while the condition is widespread among these young women, the path to managing it is deeply connected to their environment and their awareness. The high rates of symptoms like hair loss and acne signal a significant, often overlooked burden on women in conflict zones. The findings suggest that simply treating the physical symptoms is not enough; addressing the root causes requires looking at how stress, sleep, and access to information shape health. By understanding that students who are more informed or have supportive family networks fare better, universities and health workers can focus on education and lifestyle support as powerful tools to help these women navigate their health challenges in difficult times.