Investigating the Association Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

This study explored the awareness, knowledge, and healthcare barriers related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) among 362 college-aged individuals at the University of Central Florida. It found significant sex differences in PCOS awareness, with females being more knowledgeable than males, while overall awareness of IIH was low across all participants. More than half of the female participants reported barriers to healthcare access, such as anxiety, lack of insurance, and scheduling difficulties. The study also found that IIH risk symptoms were associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, whereas PCOS symptom severity had minimal association with mental health outcomes. These results emphasize the need for better healthcare education, early symptom recognition, and integrated health strategies to improve detection and intervention for these conditions among young adults.