Why Psychodynamic Therapy Can Support Women Navigating a PCOS Diagnosis
How Childhood Experiences Can Shape Women’s Emotional and Reproductive Health
Imagine the weight of carrying the echoes of childhood experiences into adulthood, where they quietly shape your moods, your sense of self, and even your body’s rhythms. As a psychodynamic therapist, I believe that examining the experiences of your formative childhood years can help you better understand your present day thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Recent research is uncovering how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are intertwined in ways that affect both mental and physical health. I believe this is a huge knowledge gap in the field and this information, along with various understudied female health conditions, need to be considered in the psychotherapeutic treatment of women.
Why Early Life Matters
Adverse childhood experiences such as neglect, abuse, or household instability are not just painful memories. These experiences can create patterns in the brain and body that make women more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and mood shifts ultimately tied to the menstrual cycle. Studies show that women with four or more ACEs are more likely to experience severe premenstrual mood symptoms (PMS), even if they’ve never been diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
For women with PCOS, the connection is even more striking. Research has indicated that PCOS is not only characterized by irregular periods, hormonal imbalances, and sometimes metabolic issues it also coexists with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Adverse childhood experiences appear to be a strong predictor here too, suggesting that early trauma can leave imprints not just on the mind but also on hormonal and reproductive health.
The Emotional Weight of Irregular Cycles
PCOS often brings irregular or absent periods, which has an impact on overall quality of life. Women with anovulatory cycles, or a cycle where an egg is not released due to a disruption in the normal signals that trigger ovulation, report more stress, depression, and lower sexual satisfaction. Many women have describe feeling “less feminine” or “not normal,” struggling with identity and self-esteem . For women trying to conceive, the frustration and anger of a delayed diagnosis and infertility struggles can be overwhelming.
Why This Matters
From a psychodynamic perspective, these findings highlight the deep connection between past experiences, current emotions, and physical health. Early trauma can shape the body’s hormonal rhythms, which in turn influence mood, identity, and quality of life. Recognizing this connection is crucial for both mental health and reproductive care.
Supporting women means more than treating symptoms—it means listening to their stories, understanding the layers of history and biology, and offering interventions that honor both mind and body. Early mental health support, screening for adverse childhood experiences, and compassionate care for reproductive health can make a lasting difference, helping women feel seen, understood, and empowered.
If you have or think you may have PCOS, connecting with an informed psychotherapist can be critical in your overall health journey. Fill out a contact form for a free 15 minute consultation.
Citations:
Phimphasone‑Brady, P., Ross, K. V., Zhang, A. Z., Sehrt, M., McKenney, K. M., & Lebin, L. G. (2024). Mental Health Across the Menstrual Cycle in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Insights and Implications. Current Psychiatry Reports, 26(11), 553–562. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-024-01529-w
