PCOS; Thief Of Womanhood

Dr Keya Shivadey
Specialist Gynaecologist
Aster Clinic, Business Bay

PCOS affects about 10 million women around the world and the
estimated number for Dubai is more than 50,000 for the current
period.
It is said that the number will grow at a compound annual growth rate
of 6.81% till 2030.

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NOTHING IN THE WORLD IS MORE DANGEROUS

THAN SINCERE IGNORANCE
- MARTIN LUTHER KING

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An Omnibus Survey deployed on PCOS &

Endometriosis Awareness conductedby
Aster Hospital & Clinics in association
withinternational internet-based market
research firm YouGov.
More than 1000 respondents both Male &
Female were surveyed, and it was found out
that the awareness about across
genders/income groups & geographies is
generally low.

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q1. How familiar are you with a health condition known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

I am not at all familiar with PCOS

47.86%

I am slightly familiar with PCOS

I am somewhat familiar with PCOS

23.25%

12.22%

I am moderately familiar with PCOS

8.32%

I am extremely familiar with PCOS

8.35%

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

Base: All (1003)

84% individuals are not confident enough about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
while males are higher in percentage as compared to females.
So, there is a need to educate individuals regarding PCOS disease.
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60.00%

The awareness levels are similar irrespective of the income level of

individuals. As, expected men are less aware than women regarding PCOS.

Gender

Income Group
7%

I am extremely familiar with PCOS

I am moderately familiar with PCOS

I am somewhat familiar with PCOS

Prefer not to say / Don't know

13%
6%

$5333 and Above

12%

$2666 to $5332

15%

52%

10%
9%

30%

46%

7%
7%

15%

28%

43%

11%

$1600 to $2665

27%

8%
7%
10%

24%

51%

22%

Below $1600

9%
10%
13%

34%

I am not at all familiar with PCOS

55%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

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5%

18%

7%

I am slightly familiar with PCOS

Male

10%
13%

Female

0%

10%

21%

20%

47%
30%

40%

50%

I am not at all familiar with PCOS

I am slightly familiar with PCOS

I am somewhat familiar with PCOS

I am moderately familiar with PCOS

I am extremely familiar with PCOS

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The awareness level are low across all age group while the
youngest one (18-24 years) are the most ignorant. So, we
need to focus more on our younger population who will make
a significant impact in future.
Age Group
60%

55%

52%

50%

44%

43%

43%

40%

28%

30%

26%
23%

22%
20%

19%
15%

10%

0%

10%
8%

18 to 24

8%

10%10%

25 to 29

I am not at all familiar with PCOS

I am moderately familiar with PCOS

12%
9%

9%

30 to 34

I am slightly familiar with PCOS

I am extremely familiar with PCOS

11%

14%

9% 9%

35 to 39

7%

4%

40+

I am somewhat familiar with PCOS

27 Recommendation The awareness campaign should be targeted more towards the younger age group.

Arab Expat and Asians will be required more focus about PCOS
as compared to all other nationality. While more than 80% of
population in each of the larger emirates are either unaware or
have
inadequate awareness about PCOS.
.
UAE Nationality
70%
60%

58%

54%

49%

50%
40%
30%

35%
30%

20%

25%

14%
11%
9%

10%

34%
30%
21%

14%
2%

0%

Emirati

12%
7%

11%10%
9%

6%

Arab Expat

18%

16%

Asian

4%

Westerner

I am not at all familiar with PCOS

I am slightly familiar with PCOS

I am moderately familiar with PCOS

I am extremely familiar with PCOS

20%

Other

0%

I am somewhat familiar with PCOS

UAE Emirates
57%

60%
50%

48%

49%

44%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

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26%
21%

24%

20%
14%

8% 9%

Abu Dhabi

12% 11%

11% 9% 9%

Dubai

Sharjah

I am not at all familiar with PCOS

I am slightly familiar with PCOS

I am moderately familiar with PCOS

I am extremely familiar with PCOS

8%

11%
3% 4%
Other Emirates

I am somewhat familiar with PCOS

75% of married with no children are either unaware or have

inadequate awareness about PCOS leading to infertility
Marital Status
4%
I am extremely familiar with PCOS

8%
7%

I am moderately familiar with PCOS

7%
8%

13%

11%
12%

21%

12%
12%
12%

I am somewhat familiar with PCOS

14%
I am slightly familiar with PCOS
19%

25%
28%

38%

I am not at all familiar with PCOS

0%

10%
Single

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20%

Married - with children

30%
Married - no children

40%
Other

51%
45%

54%
50%

60%

Whereas 45% of people are unaware about any complications which arises
due to PCOS mainly due to limited awareness and resources.
q2. As far as you are aware, which of the following are some of the other health complications
that arise because of PCOS?
26%

Infertility
18%

Abnormal uterine bleeding

18%

Depression and anxiety

13%

Type 2 diabetes

12%

High blood pressure

12%

Metabolic syndrome

10%

Cholesterol and lipid abnormalities

Cancer of the uterine lining, caused by exposure to
continuous high levels of estrogen

9%
7%

Sleep apnea
Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood
pressure

5%
4%

Liver inflammation

8%

Other

45%

I am not aware of any complication

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Recommendation - Along with raising awareness we want women

diagnosed with PCOS to know and grow to love their bodies. We hope
30that these efforts will help provide patients with clear information and
support for treating PCOS, educational resources and outreach.

70%

80%

90% 100%

Male counterparts are less aware. So, there is a need to educate male
population such that they can support the female counterpart in their
well-being.

Gender
60%

50%

50%

41%
40%

35%
26%

30%
20%
10%

27%

19%
14%

13%

16%
13%
12%
10%

16%
9%

12%
9%

0%

Male

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Female

15%
6%

8%
6%

7%
4%

4%5%

9%
5%

Awareness level of specific complication are low

irrespective of the income level.
43%

Incom e Group

60%

52% 51%

50%
40%

41
%

30%
20%
10%
0%

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Below $1600

$1600 to $2665

$5333 and Above

Prefer not to say / Don't know

$2666 to $5332

44%

One of the most important aspect to cure any disease in the early stage
are the symptoms associated with these disease. And, it has been seen
that more than 82% of the population of UAE doesnt have enough
knowledge about the symptoms associated with PCOS.
q3. Which, if any of the symptoms associated with PCOS?
37%

Irregular menstrual periods

32%

Cysts on the ovaries

28%

Infertility

24%

Weight gain or obesity

Increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach,
back, thumbs, or toes

18%
15%

Pelvic pain
Acne, oily skin, or dandruff

13%

Anxiety or depression

13%
10%

Baldness or thinning hair

Patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
that are thick and dark brown or black
Skin tags excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck
area

8%
5%
4%

Other

38%

I am not aware of any symptom

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Awareness should be around the symptoms so that early detection can be

ensured.

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90% 100%

As expected male population has very little knowledge about PCOS

symptoms

Gender
70%

62%

60%
50%

49%
42%

40%
30% 25%
20%
10%

46%

40%
31%

23%

22%

16%

11%

26%
9%

23%
8%

19%
9%

0%

Male

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Female

15%
7%

21%
13%
6%

8%
4%

5%
2%

Irrespective of the income level people are less about about symptoms

Incom e Group
50% 46%
44%
43%
42%
45%
40%
39%
39%
37%
37%
36%
40%34%
34%
34%
33%
32%
35%
30%
28%
27% 25%
27%
27%
30%
23%
23% 21%
23% 22%
22%
22%
20%
25%
20% 18%
17%
16% 16%
20%
14%
13% 11% 13%
11%
11%
11%
11% 11%
11%
15%
10%
10%
9%
9%
9%
8%
7%
7% 9%9%
6%
6%5% 4%
10%
5%
4%6% 6%
3%
2%
1%
5%
0%

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Below $1600

$1600 to $2665

$5333 and Above

Prefer not to say / Don't know

$2666 to $5332

Westerner have better knowledge about these symptoms than any other
nationalities. So, there is need to focus more on Asian and Arab Expat.
UAE Nationality
80%
70%
67%
66%
70%
60%
50% 42%
42%
41%
41%
40%
39%
38%
38%
37%
36%
34%
40%
33%
32%
31% 29%
30%
29%
29%
27%
26%
25%
24%
24%
23%
30%
21%
21%
20%
19% 20%
19%
17%
17%
16%
16%
15%
14% 15%
14% 11%
14%
14%
13%
20%
11%
11%
10%
8%
7%
6%5% 6%
5% 5% 5% 3%
5%
4%
4%
4%
3%
10%
0%
0%
0%
0%

Emirati

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Arab Expat

Asian

Westerner

Other

Dubai has slightly better awareness still overall awareness among all
emirates are generally low.

Various Em irates
45%

42%

41%

39%
37%
35%

40%

38%
38%
35%
35%
35% 34%
30%
30%
30%
30%
25%
20%

28%
28%

27%
24%

22%
20%
19%
17%

18%

15%

12%

10%

7%
6%
5%4%
5%
3%
3%
2%
2%

5%
0%

Abu Dhabi

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18%
15%
15%
15%
13%
12% 13%
12%
12%
11%
11%
11%11% 10%11%
9%
8%
8%
7%
7%

Dubai

Sharjah

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