Effects of adverse childhood experiences on polycystic ovary syndrome and psychiatric symptoms: A population-based, cross-sectional study

Effects of adverse childhood experiences on polycystic ovary syndrome and psychiatric symptoms: A population-based, cross-sectional study | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 12 May 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Effects of adverse childhood experiences on polycystic ovary syndrome and psychiatric symptoms: A population-based, cross-sectional study Authors : Phoutdavone Phimphasone-Brady 0000-0002-1284-8274 [email protected] , Rachel L. Johnson [email protected] , Alexander Z. Zhang [email protected] , Madeleine Sehrt [email protected] , Kathryn M. McKenney [email protected] , Kaitlin V. Ross [email protected] , Maya Joshi Delity [email protected] , Lindsay R. Standeven [email protected] , Mary Sammel [email protected] , and C. Neill Epperson [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/authorea.15003236/v1 Under Review BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Peer review timeline 12 views 4 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Objective: To examine synergistic effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on mental and behavioral health outcomes in a population-based sample. Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Setting: United States. Population or Sample: A total of 1602 participants with and without self-identified symptoms of PCOS. Methods: ACEs and PCOS status were primary explanatory variables. Linear regressions tested the interactive effects of ACEs and PCOS on outcomes. Main Outcome Measures: Mental and behavioral health symptoms, quality of life outcomes, body mass index (BMI), and menstrual history. Results: Participants with PCOS (n = 907) reported significantly higher symptoms of depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and perceived stress and lower quality of life scores, greater sleep disturbances, and menstrual dysfunction (ps < 0.001-0.03). Over half of participants reported high ACEs (2+), with significantly higher mean ACE scores in participants with PCOS (M = 2.9, SD = 2.5 vs no PCOS, M = 2.5, SD = 2.3, p < 0.001). ACExPCOS interactions were non-significant, except for the outcomes energy/fatigue (B = -14.13, 95% CI -17.33, -10.93 vs -9.8, 95% CI -12.65, -6.95, p = 0.046) and social functioning (B = -17.11, 95% CI-21.13, -13.08 vs -11.64, 95% CI -15.23, -8.05, p = 0.045) which were more pronounced in the non-PCOS group with high ACEs. Conclusions: PCOS or high ACEs increase vulnerability for several psychiatric disorders and menstrual dysfunction. ACEs and their potential negative effect should be considered on PCOS symptomatology and treatments for associated psychiatric disorders. Supplementary Material File (supplemental materials_bjog_5.6.2026.docx) supplemental materials_bjog_5.6.2026 Download 65.81 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 12 May 2026 Peer review timeline Under Review BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 12 May 2026 Review Complete 12 May 2026 Submission Checks Completed Keywords SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS ADENOMYOSIS: DIAGNOSIS ADENOMYOSIS: DRUG TREATMENT ADENOMYOSIS: SURGERY CANCER: TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASE CONTRACEPTION: EPIDEMIOLOGY CONTRACEPTION: METHODS DELIVERY: ASSISTED VAGINAL DELIVERY: BIRTH TRAUMA DELIVERY: BREECH DELIVERY: CAESAREAN SECTION DELIVERY: PERINEAL CARE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES DIAGNOSTIC META-ANALYSIS REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCE: POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME PSYCHIATRY PSYCHOLOGY ADENOMYOSIS: BASIC SCIENCE SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS ADENOMYOSIS: DIAGNOSIS ADENOMYOSIS: DRUG TREATMENT ADENOMYOSIS: SURGERY CANCER: TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASE CONTRACEPTION: EPIDEMIOLOGY CONTRACEPTION: METHODS DELIVERY: ASSISTED VAGINAL DELIVERY: BIRTH TRAUMA DELIVERY: BREECH DELIVERY: CAESAREAN SECTION DELIVERY: PERINEAL CARE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES DIAGNOSTIC META-ANALYSIS Authors Affiliations Phoutdavone Phimphasone-Brady 0000-0002-1284-8274 [email protected] University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, United States, 80045-2570 View all articles by this author Rachel L. Johnson [email protected] University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, United States, 80045-2570 View all articles by this author Alexander Z. Zhang [email protected] University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, United States, 80045-2570 View all articles by this author Madeleine Sehrt [email protected] University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, United States, 80045-2570 View all articles by this author Kathryn M. McKenney [email protected] University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, United States, 80045-2570 View all articles by this author Kaitlin V. Ross [email protected] University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, United States, 80045-2570 View all articles by this author Maya Joshi Delity [email protected] University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, United States, 80045-2570 View all articles by this author Lindsay R. Standeven [email protected] University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, United States, 80045-2570 View all articles by this author Mary Sammel [email protected] View all articles by this author C. Neill Epperson [email protected] University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, United States, 80045-2570 View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 12 views 4 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Phoutdavone Phimphasone-Brady, Rachel L. Johnson, Alexander Z. Zhang, et al. 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