Women’s health needs a revolution, not a band-aid

For much too long, women’s health, particularly conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), has been poorly misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mishandled. The medical and wellness industries have treated women’s unique biology as an afterthought, often offering solutions that are either outdated, male-focused, or cosmetic only. I believe that it’s time to move beyond surface-level fixes and fundamentally transform how women are cared for.

PCOS is a women's health crisis, not just a hormone imbalance

PCOS is seen to affect one in five women in India, yet a staggering 70% of these women remain undiagnosed. Symptoms such as irregular periods, weight gain, acne, facial hair, and chronic fatigue are usually dismissed or treated in isolation rather than as part of a greater hormonal imbalance.

Most women end up visiting doctor after doctor over the years, with the average diagnosis taking over two years, in some cases even a decade.

Even when they are diagnosed, women are too often handed generic solutions: hormonal pills, protein powders, or vague advice to “just lose weight.” Such recommendations, while well-intentioned, rarely address the root cause of PCOS—insulin resistance, stress dysregulation, and chronic inflammation.

In some cases, women are pushed towards invasive treatments like In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), without first being offered lifestyle and medical guidance that might avoid fertility problems altogether. 

Why the status quo fails

The reality is that most supplements on the market are formulated based on information from male physiology, repackaged with little regard for women’s hormonal cycles or long-term well-being.

Consider biotin, for instance. Although the recommended daily allowance is only 40 mcg, many over-the-counter supplements contain up to 10,000 mcg. That’s 250 times the necessary amount, with no proven added benefit and potentially adverse effects.

Secondly, most of these products are loaded with synthetic vitamins, artificial sweeteners, and low-efficacy ingredients that are poorly absorbed by the female body. Rather than helping, they tend to make things worse, spiking cortisol, disrupting digestion, and causing more hormonal imbalance.

Solution: Science, structure, and support

What women truly require is a structured, evidence-based approach tailored to female physiology. Not trends, not quick-fixes. That entails using real-time clinical data, comprehensive diagnostic panels, and high-quality, bioavailable ingredients that support the body’s natural systems.

Accessible diagnostic options are critical. Women should have the ability to undergo thorough hormone and metabolic assessments from the comfort of their homes, without the stress of waiting in long clinic queues or unnecessary ultrasounds.

These diagnostic tools should lead to the accurate and timely PCOS identification, and be followed up with personalised and practical care plans, rooted in medical science.

Supplements that actually support women’s bodies

Rather than generic multivitamins or mega doses of trendy ingredients, women need supplements that specifically address their own unique biological needs. For example, Myo-inositol, Vitamin D, B12, and dietary folate have been clinically shown to support hormonal balance, regulate menstrual cycles, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce androgen levels.

But efficacy isn’t just about what goes into a supplement; it’s also about how well those nutrients are absorbed and incorporated into daily routines without causing further imbalance.

Empowerment through education and holistic guidance

A long-term solution to PCOS requires more than pills or powders; it calls for continuous support, including nutrition counselling, fitness routines tailored to hormonal health, mental well-being check-ins, and a sense of community for those navigating the same condition.

Education plays a vital role when women understand their bodies. They’re better equipped to advocate for themselves and make sustainable health decisions.

The revolution has already begun

The days of dismissive advice and one-size-fits-all treatments must end. Women deserve a model of care that reflects the complexity of their biology and the reality of their lives.

Real progress in women’s health will come from solutions built on empathy, research, and accountability—not band-aid treatments, but blueprints for lifelong wellness.

It’s time for a revolution, and this one is designed for her.

Shashwata Narain is the Co-founder and CEO of Veera Health