Media portrayals of PCOS in magazines emphasized personal responsibility, hard work, and successes and failures depending on individual health behaviors. Chronic illness was rarely mentioned but magazine articles focused on weight loss, dieting, and lifestyle changes. This "responsibility discourse" could promote stigma and incomplete understanding of PCOS.

Grand Valley State University

 Based on analysis of articles, titles, captions, and user comments in popular women's magazines, PCOS was characterized as:

• A  hinderance to women’s roles as wives and mothers

• A personal responsibility for management and failures

• A catalyst for advocacy

These themes contribute to the social construct of PCOS.

Characterizations of PCOS in Women’s Magazines

Sanchez, N., & Jones, H. (2016). “Less Than A Wife”: A Study of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Content in Teen and Women’s Digital Magazines. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(6). https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5417


"Less Than A Wife": A Study of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Content in Teen and Women's Digital Magazines

Fertility, the ability to start families, partner satisfaction, and impact on breastfeeding where common themes in magazines mentioning PCOS. This indicates a perception of PCOS as a hinderance to social roles and interpersonal satisfaction.

Themes of Social Roles and Fertility in PCOS Media

Themes of Personal Responsibility in PCOS Media

Sharing knowledge and personal experiences, promoting body acceptance, and creating dialogue are emerging sub themes in PCOS media. While the instances of advocacy were outnumbered by themes of personal responsibility and social roles in PCOS content, efforts to spread awareness is increasing in the media. 

Themes of Advocacy in PCOS Media

Researchers found a lack of content focused on the intersection of race and ethnicity in treating PCOS (even in publications like O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan En Español, and Vanidades), adolescents' experiences with PCOS, and economic and environmental barriers to managing symptoms. These gaps in representation contribute to inaccurate and harmful beliefs about PCOS.

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