Is PCOS a disability: A comprehensive review from the medical, legal, and social perspectives

In a nutshell

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and chronic hormonal condition affecting 7-10% of females in their reproductive years. Despite its chronic nature and diverse symptoms, PCOS doesn’t always have a straightforward interpretation as a disability. It can be considered a disability in certain legislations, such as in the USA, or when considered alongside other chronic conditions that might arise from it, such as diabetes, depression, and others.

PCOS is a common health condition in females of reproductive age that can cause certain unpleasant symptoms and discomfort. Although there are multiple treatments and remedies that can ease symptoms and improve your quality of life, there is no cure for this syndrome. So does PCOS qualify for disability then?

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PCOS and its common symptoms

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder affecting women of childbearing age. According to different figures, it’s found in 7-10% of females, though many cases flow undiagnosed, which means that the number of women with PCOS might be significantly higher.

Some of the most common issues associated with PCOS include an excess of androgens (male hormones), which is found in roughly 60-80% of women with this syndrome, and insulin resistance, which may further stimulate androgen overproduction. As a result, females with this condition can experience a range of symptoms, including:

• Irregular or prolonged periods
• Excess hair on different areas of the body and face
• Acne
• Uncontrolled weight gain
• Male-pattern hair loss
• And others

Given the fact that the manifestation and severity of symptoms can vary greatly from one woman to another and the availability of different management options, living with PCOS can be comfortable. Yet, many women are wondering - is PCOS a disability?

Understanding disability: The general perspective

In order to answer the question - “Is PCOS considered a disability,” it’s important to define the term “disability” in the first place. To do this, let’s look at the two most comprehensive definitions:

• World Health Organization (WHO) - People who have disabilities have poorer health, die earlier, and face more limitations in everyday functioning.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - A person with a disability is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that applies substantial limitations on one or more major life activities.

Basically, people can qualify for a disability having very varying health conditions. Some of the primary criteria healthcare providers are looking at include:

• The type of impairment
• Severity of condition
• Chronicity
• Impact and limitations on daily life
• Social inclusion

Does PCOS count as a disability?

As you already see, the universal definitions of disability are pretty vague. The disability evaluation is typically individual and is conducted through multiple mediums. That is, in order to say can you get disability for ovarian cysts, it’s important to look at the matter from several different perspectives.

The legal perspective

The tricky part about getting a disability is that laws and policies of different countries don’t usually list specific conditions and define them as disabilities. Instead, they determine a generalized disability picture that considers related limiting factors, such as frequent hospitalization, interference with education and employment, limitations in daily functioning, the inability to financially support yourself and your family, etc. To get an individual decision, one must undergo a disability panel with personalized assessment.

If we look at studies, women with PCOS do face various limitations in their everyday lives. They tend to have poorer work ability at midlife (46+) and demonstrate a 25% higher risk for both disability and unemployment days. That is, females with this syndrome may require special accommodations, such as flexible schedules, medical leaves, and hospitalizations, which may mean a qualification for disability under the disability rights laws.

The social perspective

Social perception and inclusion also play important roles in defining disabilities as they can create additional barriers for already vulnerable persons. Though it may not be as broadly recognized and known, the growing body of knowledge suggests that PCOS is potentially very stigmatizing not because of the condition itself but due to a number of adverse effects it has particularly on a female’s appearance. Symptoms like obesity, hirsutism, menstrual irregularities, and hair loss are stigmatizing, which can mean a lack of inclusivity in society.

On the other hand, the big problem with women’s health issues is a less serious societal attitude toward such conditions. The invisibility of PCOS symptoms greatly impacts how people see this syndrome. Coping with not serious perception and stigmatization can be incredibly hard, making women with PCOS more likely to have depression and social anxiety.

The medical perspective

PCOS is a complex endocrine disorder that affects many areas of a woman’s life. It’s associated with multiple symptoms and is one of the most common causes of infertility. Another thing worth noting in relation to this syndrome is that it extends far beyond gynecological concerns. Namely, it also affects metabolic and psychological health and can lead to other significant health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, depression, and many others. 

The symptoms of PCOS can get quite severe in some females. For example, persistent pains and fatigue can cause substantial limitations in their daily functioning. Additionally, the mental challenges associated with this syndrome, such as depression, anxiety, and body image issues, can also become a huge stumbling point in your everyday functioning. And let’s not forget about the chronicity of this condition, which makes it even harder.

Conclusion: Can you get disability for PCOS?

As you already know, PCOS is a common hormonal issue that can have multiple symptoms. The chronic nature of this syndrome, as well as its ability to lead to other medical issues, can significantly impair an individual's ability to engage in substantial gainful activity.

But is PCOS considered a disability?

The truth is that answering this question can be rather complicated due to a lack of classification of such women’s health issues in global acts.

In the US, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may qualify you for a disability if you have PCOS if your condition applies significant limitations to everyday life. Some females with severe symptoms and limitations may also be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

On the other hand, some legislations, such as in the UK, may not always provide a straightforward interpretation of PCOS as a disability. In this case, polycystic ovary syndrome alone may not make you qualify for a disability. However, considered along with other severe conditions it can trigger, it still might be considered a disability.

Given the existing vagueness and ignorance of this matter, we clearly need better recognition and advocacy for PCOS to support women with this syndrome.