Date of Award

Spring 5-31-2026

Document Type

Open Access Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Nursing

Advisor

Martin Lantieri

Director

Leonard von Morze

Subject Categories

Asian Studies | Diseases | Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Nursing | Public Health and Community Nursing

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects hormones in women, especially in their 20s and 30s. Symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, abnormal hair growth, acne, obesity, hyperpigmentation of the skin, cysts, skin tags, thinning hair, and infertility (Newin, 2023). While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, it is linked to insulin resistance, higher levels of androgens, and low-grade inflammation (Newin, 2023). In regards to complications, PCOS can increase risk for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm term, and C-section deliveries. In terms of treatment, there is no cure but early diagnosis is key to reducing symptoms (Newin, 2023). The prevalence of PCOS differs globally while being the most common cause of female infertility globally. Globally, PCOS affects 8% to 13% of reproductive-aged women and it affects 6% to 12% of women of reproductive age in the United States (Berg, 2025); on the other hand, the prevalence of PCOS in reproductive aged South Asian women is 25% to 29%, significantly higher than the prevalence globally with one in five women reporting they have the condition (Kiruba, 2024).

Comments

Free and open access to this work is made available to the UMass Boston community by ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. Those not on campus and those without a UMass Boston campus username and password may gain access to this work through Interlibrary Loan. If you have a UMass Boston campus username and password and would like to download this work from off-campus, click on the “Off-Campus Users” button.

Download

Share

COinS