Abstract
This research explored the lived experiences of millennial working women
diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), focusing on how the condition
influences their self-esteem, body image, and professional identity. Employing a
qualitative research design, the study utilized phenomenology to capture the narratives of
participants and applied Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to generate
insights.
Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, ten (10) themes emerged:
Balancing Professional and Physical Vulnerabilities; Reconfiguring Womanhood against
Cultural Ideals; Professional Feedback as a Shaper of Self-worth; Impact of Stigma on
Interpersonal Communication; Self-care as a Proactive Evaluation of Worth; Negotiating
Career
Ambition and Health-based Self-regard; Navigating Judgment and
Misunderstanding; Evolution from Self-depreciation to Self-acceptance; Moments of Pride
in Mastery over Chronic Illness; and Social Comparison and the Reframing of Self-esteem.
These themes revealed the complex interplay between cultural expectations, workplace
dynamics, and personal resilience in shaping women’s self-perception. The study
culminated in the development of a proposed program, Empowered Balance: A Holistic
Psychological Support Program for Millennial Working Women with PCOS.
Recommendations were drawn from the findings to address participants’
psychosocial needs, offering practical strategies for empowerment, emotional well-being,
and workplace inclusivity. By amplifying the voices of women navigating PCOS, this
research contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersection between reproductive
health and self-esteem, while advocating for compassionate, gender-sensitive frameworks
that promote destigmatization, self-advocacy, and equitable support in both personal and
professional domains.
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