Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age, occurring in 8-13 % of women. It affects physical health, mental health, and quality of life, from the onset of symptoms to menopause. Purpose: The aim of this diploma work is to present how polycystic ovary syndrome affects the quality of life of women. Methods: In the thesis, we used a descriptive method of work, with a review of domestic and foreign literature. The literature review was carried out in the online portal DikUL (Digital Library of the University of Ljubljana), in the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), ScienceDirect and CINAHL, and Google Scholar, in the period from December 2022 to April 2023. We searched for literature in English and Slovenian, using the following keywords: polycystic ovary syndrome/sindrom policističnih jajčnikov, polycystic ovary syndrome AND quality of life/sindrom policističnih jajčnikov IN kakovost življenja, polycystic ovary syndrome AND nursing/sindrom policističnih jajčnikov IN zdravstvena nega. Results: 14 articles were included in the detailed analysis. The results show that women with polycystic ovary syndrome generally have a rather low quality of life score. Hirsutism has the greatest impact on quality of life, followed by weight, depression, infertility, menstrual disorders, and acne. The nurse plays significant role in the process of diagnosis and treatment, as the implementation of nursing interventions includes health-educational work, prevention of complications, counseling of a healthy lifestyle, encouraging and offering psychological support. Discussion and conclusion: Polycystic ovary syndrome have a major impact on women’s quality of life. Problems with hirsutism and weight can make women feel less feminine. All together can lead to stress, which leads to deterioration of ovulation and worsening of the symptoms of the syndrome. Infertility also causes them additional worry, as they receive pressure from society to have children. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome also complain that they receive too little information about course of the disease, its consequences and treatment. The nurse has an extremely significant role to play in raising awareness about prevention and health promotion.
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