Have your periods suddenly become unpredictable? Are you gaining weight despite trying to eat well, feeling unusually tired, noticing more acne or hair growth, or simply feeling that your body isn’t behaving the way it used to?

You are certainly not alone.

PCOD/PCOS and thyroid disorders are increasingly being diagnosed among women, and many women are now encountering these terms much earlier in life. PCOS affects an estimated 10–13% of women of reproductive age worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, while an Indian multi-city study found hypothyroidism in about 10.95% of adults, with women affected substantially more often than men.

But there is an important distinction: these conditions aren’t simply caused by “eating junk food” or “using your phone too much.”

Genes, hormones, metabolism, stress, sleep, physical activity, nutrition, environmental influences, and underlying medical conditions can all play a role.

So why does it feel as though PCOD and thyroid problems are everywhere today? And how much of it is actually lifestyle-related?

Dr. Deepa Aggarwal, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Om Global Hospital, Faridabad, explains the bigger picture.

What Are PCOD and Thyroid Disorders?

Before discussing why they’re increasing, let’s make the conditions easy to understand.

What is PCOD/PCOS?

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a hormonal and metabolic condition that can affect ovulation, periods, androgen levels, and fertility.

Women with PCOS may experience irregular periods, acne, increased facial or body hair, difficulty with ovulation, weight-related concerns, or difficulty conceiving. However, not every woman with PCOS has every symptom.

PCOD is commonly used in everyday conversation in India, although doctors may use PCOS when referring to the medically defined syndrome.

What is a thyroid disorder?

A thyroid disorder occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much or too little thyroid hormone.

The thyroid is a small gland in your neck, but think of it as one of the body’s speed controllers. Its hormones influence metabolism, energy, temperature regulation, heart function, and several other body processes.

When thyroid hormone levels are abnormal, women may notice fatigue, weight changes, menstrual irregularities, mood changes, or other symptoms.

And because reproductive hormones and thyroid hormones interact with several systems in the body, thyroid problems can affect menstrual and reproductive health too.

Why Are PCOD and Thyroid Problems Increasing?

The first thing to understand is that there probably isn’t one single culprit.

Instead, modern women are living in an environment where several risk factors can overlap.

1. We Move Less Than We Used To

Lower daily physical activity can contribute to metabolic problems that are associated with PCOS and other chronic health conditions.

Think about your average day: sitting at a desk, commuting by car, working on a laptop, ordering food online, watching television, and using your phone.

You might still exercise for 30 minutes, but the other 12 hours of the day can be remarkably sedentary.

For women with PCOS, lifestyle management—including physical activity and healthy eating—is recommended to support metabolic health, body composition, and overall quality of life.

This doesn’t mean you need an extreme workout routine.

Walking regularly, strength training, dancing, cycling, yoga, or any sustainable form of movement can be a useful part of a healthy lifestyle.

2. Our Diets Have Become More Convenient—and More Processed

Frequent intake of highly processed foods, sugary drinks, excess calories, and low-fibre meals can make maintaining metabolic health more difficult.

Modern life rewards convenience. A quick packaged snack is easier than preparing a balanced meal. A sugary drink takes seconds. Food delivery is available around the clock.

The problem isn’t one pizza or one dessert.

It’s the overall pattern.

A balanced diet built around vegetables, fruits, whole grains, adequate protein, healthy fats, and minimally processed foods is generally more supportive of long-term health than a diet dominated by ultra-processed foods.

And importantly, PCOS is not simply a “weight problem.” Women of different body sizes can have PCOS.

3. Chronic Stress Is Becoming Part of Everyday Life

Long-term stress can influence sleep, eating patterns, physical activity, and hormonal regulation.

Work deadlines, exams, relationship pressures, financial worries, caregiving, social expectations—the list can be long.

Your body doesn’t necessarily distinguish between “I’m stressed about an exam” and “I’m dealing with a major crisis.” Persistent stress can affect behaviours and physiological systems that influence overall health.

This doesn’t mean stress directly causes every case of PCOS or thyroid disease.

Rather, stress can become one piece of a much bigger health picture.

4. Sleep Is Often the First Thing We Sacrifice

Poor or insufficient sleep can make healthy eating, weight management, stress regulation, and daily physical activity harder.

Late-night scrolling, irregular work schedules, studying until dawn, or simply trying to fit too much into a day can gradually shift your sleep routine.

And when you’re exhausted, reaching for a sugary snack or skipping your morning walk can feel much easier.

That creates a cycle: poor sleep → low energy → less activity → disrupted routines → more stress.

Breaking that cycle doesn’t require perfection. Even creating a more consistent bedtime and reducing late-night screen exposure can be a useful starting point.

5. Weight and Metabolic Health Matter—but They’re Not the Whole Story

Excess body weight can worsen insulin resistance and metabolic risk in some women with PCOS, but PCOS can occur at any body weight.

Insulin is the hormone that helps your body manage blood sugar. When the body becomes less responsive to insulin, the pancreas may produce more of it.

In some women with PCOS, insulin resistance and higher insulin levels can interact with ovarian hormone production and contribute to irregular ovulation.

That’s why treating PCOS shouldn’t mean simply saying, “Lose weight.”

A better question is:

How can we improve this woman’s overall metabolic and reproductive health?

Why Are Thyroid Disorders Common in Women?

Thyroid disorders have multiple causes, and lifestyle alone cannot explain their increasing diagnosis.

Autoimmune conditions, genetics, age, pregnancy-related changes, certain medications, iodine status, and other medical factors can contribute.

Women are also disproportionately affected by hypothyroidism. An Indian epidemiological study found hypothyroidism was significantly more common in females than males.

So if you’re experiencing persistent fatigue, unexplained weight changes, feeling unusually cold, constipation, dry skin, hair changes, or menstrual irregularities, don’t automatically assume it’s stress or PCOD.

A simple medical evaluation may be appropriate.

Can PCOD and Thyroid Problems Happen Together?

Yes, a woman can have both PCOS and a thyroid disorder.

This is one reason self-diagnosis can become confusing.

For example, irregular periods and weight changes can occur with PCOS. They can also occur with thyroid dysfunction. Fatigue may have many possible causes.

Instead of trying to decide which condition you have based on social-media symptom lists, a gynecologist can look at the whole pattern.

What should you do if your periods become irregular?

• Track your cycle: Note the first day of each period and how long your cycles last.
• Watch for patterns: Record acne, excess hair growth, unusual bleeding, weight changes, fatigue, or other symptoms.
• Review your lifestyle: Consider sleep, stress, exercise, nutrition, and recent weight changes.
• Don’t self-medicate: Avoid taking hormones or thyroid medication without medical advice.
• Get evaluated: Persistent or significant changes deserve professional assessment.

Meet the Expert: Dr. Deepa Aggarwal

Dr. Deepa Aggarwal is an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Om Global Hospital, Faridabad, where gynecological care forms an important part of the hospital’s services.

Her approach to women’s health is centred around understanding the individual patient rather than treating one isolated symptom.

That’s particularly important with conditions such as PCOD and thyroid disorders. There is no universal “PCOD diet,” no one-size-fits-all exercise plan, and no single treatment that works for every woman.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Why am I getting PCOD even though I don’t eat junk food?”

PCOS has multiple contributing factors, including genetics, hormones, and metabolic factors, so eating junk food is not a requirement for developing it. A healthy lifestyle can support overall health, but it cannot completely eliminate genetic or biological risk.

“Can stress cause PCOD?”

Stress alone is not considered the sole cause of PCOS, but chronic stress can affect sleep, eating, activity, and hormonal health. If your periods have changed significantly, it’s better to investigate rather than assume stress is the only explanation.

“Can thyroid problems cause irregular periods?”

Yes, thyroid dysfunction can affect menstrual patterns and reproductive health. If irregular periods occur alongside symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, or temperature sensitivity, your doctor may consider thyroid testing.

“Is PCOD completely curable?”

PCOS is generally considered a chronic condition that can be managed rather than permanently cured. Symptoms and metabolic risks can often be improved with individualized lifestyle measures and appropriate medical treatment.

“Can PCOD and thyroid happen together?”

Yes, a woman can have both PCOS and a thyroid disorder. Because some symptoms overlap, proper clinical evaluation is more reliable than trying to identify the condition yourself.

“When should I see a gynecologist for irregular periods?”

You should consider a gynecological consultation when your periods repeatedly become irregular, disappear, become unusually heavy, or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms. Early evaluation can help identify hormonal, metabolic, thyroid, or reproductive causes.

Next Steps: Don’t Ignore What Your Body Keeps Repeating

One irregular period may not mean something is wrong.

But if your body keeps sending the same signals—irregular periods, unexplained weight changes, acne, excess hair growth, fatigue, difficulty conceiving, or other persistent symptoms—it’s worth listening to.

You don’t need to completely overhaul your life overnight. You need the right diagnosis, realistic advice, and a plan you can actually follow.

Call Om Global Hospital: +91 96679 31822

Visit Om Global Hospital

Dr. Deepa Aggarwal Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Om Global Hospital
Plot No. 400, Opp. Huda Market, Sector 7, Faridabad, Haryana 121006
Phone: +91 96679 31822
Email: omglobalhospital1@gmail.com