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PCOD PCOS Symptoms Women's health

TOO MANY WOMEN WITH PCOS GO UNDIAGNOSED

TOO MANY WOMEN WITH PCOS GO UNDIAGNOSED

Being a woman is one of the greatest things in itself. The whole family is dependent on a woman. A woman’s life revolves around pleasing the family, whether in the role of daughter, wife or a mother. Throughout the life, a female body undergoes several changes and health issues. So it is very important for  a woman to be cautious about her health. Some disorders have symptoms and get diagnosed and treated, but some disorders have very small or no symptoms and can not be detected in the early stages and later it troubles a lot.

PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) is one of that type of disorder, a reproductive endocrinological disorder which gets started among the females at reproductive age. TOO MANY WOMEN WITH PCOS GO UNDIAGNOSED Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone levels. The ovaries may grow countless small heap of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release the eggs. The prevalence of PCOS is ranging from 2.2% to 26%. One in every 10 women in India has polycystic ovary syndrome and out of every 10 women diagnosed with PCOS, six are teenage girls. PCOS was first discovered as early as in 1935. However, even today there is a general lack of awareness regarding the condition in India and it often remains undetected for years. A study conducted by the department of endocrinology and metabolism, AIIMS, shows that about 20-25 percent of Indian women of childbearing age are suffering from PCOS. While 60 percent of women with PCOS are obese, 35-50 percent have a fatty liver. About 70 per cent have insulin resistance, 60-70 percent have a high level of androgen and 40-60 percent have glucose intolerance

Symptoms of PCOS:

Though in the early stages PCOS has very few or no symptoms, still there are some symptoms which clearly indicate the PCOS.

Irregular periods: The menstrual cycle is the regular natural change that occurs in the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible. The cycle is necessary for the production of ovocytes, and for the preparation of the uterus for pregnancy. Menstruation also called as periods. In PCOS, the formation of follicles in the ovary, complicates the ovulation.

Hair growth: Often women complain about the growth of their facial hair. They may undergo several facial and cosmetic therapies to get rid of it. But they are unaware of the fact that it is one of the symptom of PCOS. Female ovary secretes estrogen and progesterone that helps in the ovulation. It also secretes testosterone (Male Hormone) in small amount. In PCOS, the level of testosterone is elevated, which results in excessive growth of hair on the body. This condition also called as hirsutism.

Acne: In Pcos, the amount of androgen is increased. Androgens can increase the size of the oil producing glands on the skin, which can lead to increase in acne. Acne is common in adolescence, but young women with PCOS tend to have more severe acne.

Reduced fertility: PCOS prevents the ovulation. Due to which the release of the egg is not proper which creates problem in conceiving. Women can also have a greater risk of miscarriage.

 

Causes of PCOS:

Insulin resistance: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control the amount of sugar in the blood. It helps to move glucose from blood into cells, where it breaks down to produce energy. High levels of insulin causes the ovaries to produce too much testosterone, which interferes with the development of the follicles (the sacs in the ovaries where eggs develop) and prevents normal ovulation. Insulin resistance can also lead to weight gain, which can make PCOS symptoms worse.

Increased Androgens: Androgens are also called as male hormone. Female reproductive organ secrets male hormone in small amount. In PCOS, the amount of male hormone increases which subsequently declines the level of estrogen and progesterone which regulates the menstrual cycle

Low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) – a protein in the blood, which binds to testosterone and reduces the effect of testosterone. In PCOS, there is a steep reduction in the level of SHBG, due to which the efficacy of testosterone is elevated.

As we know that, there are very low or no early symptoms of PCOS, so most of the women do not notice or bother about it until it becomes severe. The symptoms of PCOS are sometimes equated to thyroid symptoms. TOO MANY WOMEN WITH PCOS GO UNDIAGNOSED. PCOS has a common overlooked negative aspect, mental health issues associated with the disorder. Depression, anxiety or even both are experienced in early adulthood. In addition to that, unwanted facial hair, excessive weight gain, and infertility can have a huge negative impact on self-esteem. So, by increasing awareness among women and clearing all the negative cliché about PCOS, we can prevent ourselves from PCOS.

http://www.thepcosnutritionist.com/resources/cause-of-pcos/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51154446_Prevalence_of_Polycystic_Ovarian_Syndrome_in_Indian_Adolescents

https://www.dailyo.in/variety/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-womens-health/story/1/16785.html

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110569016301510

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439

https://www.healthline.com/health/polycystic-ovary-disease#medical-treatments

https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/pcos/symptoms-causes

https://www.webmd.com/women/tc/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-topic-overview#1

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TOO MANY WOMEN WITH PCOS GO UNDIAGNOSED

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PCOD PCOS Women's health

10 EFFECTIVE EXERCISES FOR PCOS

PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is disease attached to lots of complications such as increased weight, irregular menstrual cycle, hirsutism, acne development, etc. Along with these bodily changes, psychological health is also affected due to decreased quality of life which develops depression, stress, diabetes, hypothyroidism, etc. In this article, we will explain 10 EFFECTIVE EXERCISES FOR PCOS and its benefits.

In such situations, it is better to choose options which could contribute to relieving stress and helps to diminish the outcomes of PCOS. One such option is “exercise”. Exercising does not cure PCOS but it helps to handle the major complications related to PCOS such as (but not limited to),

  • Weight gain
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Depression

Medication alone could not cure any disease completely; it needs the addition of compromises such as lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, etc. Exercising can help to make these compromises easier. Some females avoid doing any kind of exercise in day-to-day life but if this approach is adopted, then, it can give many healthy results in the body.

All the physical changes came out of exercise are completely visible in the body but it also helps to benefit the body in a psychological way. It is suggested that engaging in a moderate amount of physical exercise can help to improve mood and emotional state of a person which are solely required for a PCOS-affecting female.

WHAT EXERCISE TARGETS IN PCOS-AFFECTING FEMALES?

The goals of doing exercise during PCOS are:

  • Managing insulin resistance – Helps to transfer glucose into cells to convert it into energy
  • Increasing muscle mass – Helps to metabolize glucose effectively inside body

By targeting these goals, exercise can contribute greatly to reducing complications arising from PCOS. But it is also suggested that the over-exercising should be avoided during PCOS as it can imbalance the hormonal profile.

Below are the 10 EFFECTIVE EXERCISES FOR PCOS which can be chosen specifically:

  1. Weight training

    • It is one of the 10 EFFECTIVE EXERCISES FOR PCOS. Weight training or strength training is highly beneficial in PCOS. This does not mean to carry heavy weights of dumbbells or barbells because muscle build-up is not the only target.
    • Weight training means to lose extra fat from the body. It helps to perform day-to-day activities easily. Some PCOS women are overweight which interferes in the treatment. Thus, for those women, this strength training becomes aim to lose extra weight to meet the targets of getting healthy.
  2. High-intensity interval training (HIIT)

  • This exercise is better for stress management in PCOS women. It is also clinically-proven for improving quality of life in those females. It helps to improve cardiovascular and metabolic profile of PCOS women.
  • HIIT also helps to improve the sensitivity of tissues towards insulin and prevents the development of insulin resistance.
  1. Low-intensity steady state cardio (LISS)

    • It is suggested that HIIT becomes more effective when it is combined with low impact steady state cardio. It involves performing a repetitive movement at a steady or moderate pace for a long time.
    • It helps to lower fasting insulin levels and fat mass in women. Steady-state cardio also helps to prevent physiological stress. Mental health professionals suggest outdoor steady-state cardio for improving mental health.
    • Thus, as the PCOS women highly get affected in the manner of mental health, outdoor steady-state cardio is really helpful.
  2. Swimming

    • Swimming is recommended by many doctors for maintaining a healthy body as it burns calories. For PCOS women too, swimming helps to maintain uterus health along with losing calories.
    • Managing weight in PCOS is a prime goal. Swimming can help lose weight in PCOS women and it also relieves the body & soul.
  3. Cycling

    • It is one of the 10 EFFECTIVE EXERCISES FOR PCOS. In PCOS, cycling helps to lose weight and also burns more calories by increasing glucose absorption by tissues. When this glucose enters the cells, it gets converted to energy which is used to perform more physical activities.
    • Cycling is otherwise very healthy and easy-to-do exercise for the body. It has benefitted persons of every age-group. Cycling also helps to build and maintain muscle of the legs & thighs.
  4. Zumba

    • Zumba is a kind of cardio. It helps to lose weight. It is regarded as one of the best exercises in PCOS.
    • It helps to lose weight in PCOS women by burning extra fat and calorie. Regularity in Zumba performance prevents the formation of lumps of fat. Engaging in Zumba exercise is entertaining for a person and thus, helps to prevent stress development, too.
  5. Walking

    • Walking is also one of the best exercises for women as it can be done anywhere and at any time. But it should be done regularly and increased with time.
    • It helps to calm the mind and body and balances the fat profile and hormonal profile of the body is performed daily. It has been observed that daily brisk walk for 30-50 minutes can help to prevent weight gain even if the dietary habits are not changed.
  6. Pilates

    • It is suggested by doctors that performing pilates can really help in PCOS. Uterus in PCOS needs to strengthen with gentle exercises such as pilates.
    • It also helps to bring down the stress levels, prevents depression and improves the hormonal imbalance.
    • Pilates exercise has been observed to remove toxins from the body which might be involved in acne formation and hair fall.
  7. Stretching exercise

    • It is always confusing whether to stretch or not in PCOS. Stretching is recommended to be carefully done as the bodily tissues become very sensitive in PCOS. It specifically helps to lose weight in PCOS by removing excessive fats.
    • Stretching helps to strengthen the tissues inside the body, if done smartly. Those stretches should be picked which could target a specific tissue inside the body and make it strong.
    • Always make sure to be gentle with the body during stretching and it is recommended not to bounce much. Warm the muscles before stretching as it will help to stretch easily.
  8. Yoga

    • It helps to relieve stress which is highly noticed in females affected with PCOS. By managing stress, hormonal imbalance in PCOS can be directly targeted due to the link between stress and hormones.
    • It also helps to promote weight loss. Weight gain is the major effect of PCOS. Thus, yoga contributes to stabilizing the mind and losing weight by burning calories.
    • Another contribution of yoga in improving the health of PCOS-affecting females is the incorporation of fertility. Infertility is the major outcome of PCOS. But yoga helps to inhibit infertility by maintaining hormonal balance in the brain through enhancing blood supply.
    • Some of those yoga asanas that help to provide relief in PCOS include Badhakonasana (butterfly pose), Supta Badhakonasana (reclining butterfly pose), Bharadvajasana (Bharadvaja’s twist), Bhuajangasana (cobra pose), Naukasana (boat pose), Dhanurasana (bow pose), Viparita shalabhasana (Superman pose), Balasana (child’s pose), Chakki achalasia (mill churning pose), Marjaryasana and Bitilasana (Cat and cow pose), etc.

These 10 EFFECTIVE EXERCISES FOR PCOS women can do wonders if adopted in day-to-day life because only medications can’t make a person healthy for a life time. Moreover, medications alone can cure your disease once but combining with exercise can benefit you more for ages.

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10 EFFECTIVE EXERCISES FOR PCOS

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PCOD PCOS Women's health

10 Things Each Woman Faces Every Month during Her Periods

Menstruation is part of every woman’s life. It involves vaginal bleeding that happens every month. This menstruation cycle takes place only in case when pregnancy does not occur and the lining of the uterus sheds in the form of blood as well as tissue particles through the vagina. These are the top 10 Things Each Woman Faces Every Month during Her Periods

It takes one month for the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to build up again in the form of tissue full of blood which is required for the implantation and growth of fertilized egg to be developed into the baby. But, this uterus lining sheds off from the uterus when no pregnancy occurs during that one month. This is known as the menstrual cycle.   

 

The menstruation cycle or periods start at the age between 11-14 years and stops at the age after 50 years (known as menopause). Generally, menstruation (or vaginal bleeding) occurs for 3-6 days and the number of days of the cycle varies from woman to woman according to the thickness of uterus lining. 10 Things Each Woman Faces Every Month during Her Periods

Besides the bleeding for at least 3-6 days every month, women also face many other problems during menstrual cycle or periods. Generally, these 10 Things Each Woman Faces Every Month during Her Periods are different according to the body composition of every woman but broadly these following given problems are the same.

  1. MOOD SWINGS

Mood swings or unaccountable change of mood is the most common problem during periods. These include irritation from the surrounding environment, instant anger, depressive state, sadness leading to crying, oversensitivity to every reaction from others and nervousness.

They are the outcome of the estrogen fluctuations during menstruation. 10 Things Each Woman Faces Every Month during Her Periods

Prevention strategy: Mood swings could be prevented during periods by following:

  • Exercise can be very helpful for improving mood.
  • Small and frequent meals can contribute to preventing mood swings.
  • Avoid caffeine as much as possible as it can increase anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia.
  • Try stress management exercises. Select permanent stress management exercises every time you face mood swings involving extreme sadness and crying.
  1. MENSTRUAL PAIN

Menstrual pain (or dysmenorrhea) is the major problem faced by the maximum number of females during the menstruation cycle. The body parts affected due to pain during menstruation include legs, lower tummy (belly) back and inner thighs. Menstrual pain occurs because of muscle contraction in the uterus.

Prevention strategy: The menstrual pain can be minimized during periods by the following strategies:

  • Hot water bottle: Hot water bottle can provide extreme relief for the pain.
  • Caffeine-containing food products should be avoided.
  • Rest as much as possible.
  • Pain reliever medications are also suggested in some cases when the pain becomes unbearable. These medications should only be consumed after consultation and prescription by the doctor.
  1. IRREGULAR APPETITE

Some of the women also experience loss of appetite or extremely high appetite during their menstrual cycle. It has been observed that the fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen in the brain influence the capability of females to under eating as well as over consume food.

Prevention strategy: The irregular appetite during the menstrual cycle can be controlled by managing food intake. The food to be consumed for the whole day should be properly noted and consumed accordingly instead of craving for food. This will help manage irregularity in food intake as well as solve weight loss or weight gain problems.

  1. HEADACHE, NAUSEA & VOMITING

These three problems in the menstrual cycle are associated with each other. Headache is the most commonly observed problem in women during their periods. Headache is associated with menstrual pain, heavy bleeding or low bleeding and lesser food intake too. These problems give rise to extreme headache. When headache persists then it gives rise to vomiting and nausea.

The instant decrease in estrogen and progesterone just before periods triggers headache which is known as menstrual migraine. 10 Things Each Woman Faces Every Month during Her Periods

Prevention strategy: This condition can only be prevented by prescription pain-killer medicines. Such medicines can also provide relief from menstrual pain. These pain-killers medicines help you get sound sleep to avoid the feeling of nausea and vomiting.

  1. DISTURBED STOMACH FROM LOOSE MOTION

This problem is a part of premenstrual syndrome in the major female population. Some females experience loose motions 1-2 days before their periods every month.

During the monthly cycle, cells of the uterus lining produce prostaglandins to help form the lining. The excess of prostaglandins causes loose motion by stimulating the large intestines and bowels to contract and expel their contents.

Prevention strategy: There is no such prevention strategy for this. As the periods take place, the lining of the uterus starts shedding expelling the cells as well as prostaglandins, relieving the body from loose motions as well.

If excessive loose motions take place, then, the doctor can be consulted for this who will prescribe medicine for this problem.

  1. HEAVY BLEEDING

Heavy bleeding or menorrhagia during the menstrual period is also faced by some females. Bleeding during periods is considered as heavy if it is affecting normal life and causing severe problems such as extreme weakness and drop in hemoglobin. If you face the following problems, then, it is regarded as menorrhagia:

  • Regularly experience flooding, when blood leaks on to your clothes or bedclothes.
  • Clots are passed during bleeding.
  • Feel the requirement of double sanitary protection.
  • Feel restrictions in normal lifestyle due to heavy bleeding.
  1. BLOOD PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS

It is normal in the menstrual cycle that the blood pressure fluctuations take place. Females generally face high blood pressure as premenstrual syndrome and face a sudden drop in blood pressure during the menstruation. This pattern of fluctuating blood pressure is due to the fluctuations in the hormonal profile.

Generally, the fluctuation in blood pressure is harmless unless the female is already a patient of blood pressure.

Prevention strategy: Drinking more water and staying hydrated during menstruation may help normalize the blood pressure. For females who are already on a prescription for their blood pressure should regularly check their blood pressure and take their medicine regularly on time, otherwise, it can become dangerous.

  1. FATIGUE

Tiredness and fatigue are common problems of premenstrual syndrome. Sleep problems, menstrual pain, and other above-mentioned problems combine to cause tiredness and fatigue in the body.

Prevention strategy: Tiredness and fatigue will remain until your period prolongs. It can be reduced to some extent by the following strategies:

  • Keep your energy levels up by eating sufficient and nutritious food.
  • Drink water to keep yourself hydrated instead of drinking coffee or juices.
  • Avoid the consumption of alcohol.
  • Exercise regularly such as brisk walking to provide energy to your body.
  1. TROUBLE SLEEPING & CONCENTRATING

Trouble to sleep is most commonly observed in those women who experience extreme menstrual pain, irregular appetite, an increase in body temperature during periods. It also interferes with your power to concentrate well for conducting day-to-day activities. 10 Things Each Woman Faces Every Month during Her Periods

Prevention strategy: The sleeping disturbance and concentration problem can be resolved by the following strategies:

  • Take a warm bath before going to sleep. It can help to control menstrual pain as well as make it easy to sleep well.
  • Avoid eating just before sleeping as it will not help you to sleep on time.
  • Mind and body relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and yoga help you get sound sleep by relaxing your body and mind during periods.
  • Avoid sleeping in the afternoon or evening.
  1. BLOATED AND PAINFUL BREAST

Bloated and painful breasts are the sign of the premenstrual syndrome. The pain is usually severe just before the menstrual cycle and reduces periodically as the days of the menstrual cycle ends.

Hormonal levels are the reason behind breast pain and extreme fluctuations can worsen breast pain.

Prevention strategy: It is recommended that the breast pain diminishes as the menstrual day’s end. If the pain persists even after periods, then, you should consult the doctor.

Consult your health care provider if you have big changes during your cycle. They may be the signs of other problems that should be treated. If you experience irregularity in the menstrual cycle, then, the above-given problems can worsen. In that case, it is better to consume herbal medications which will also be safe under this problem.

One such herb is Furocyst® made from fenugreek seeds, which is even clinically-proven to help maintain regularity in the menstrual cycle. Furocyst named fenugreek seed extract-based supplement is clinically proven to safely maintain the regularity in the menstrual cycle to get relief from menstrual problems.

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10 Things Each Woman Faces Every Month during Her Periods

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PCOD PCOS Symptoms Women's health

New PCOS treatment fully reverses the symptoms of PCOS

New PCOS treatment fully reverses the symptoms of PCOS: Of the PCOS affected women that received the treatment, 94% reported positively.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women. Reportedly, around 10 per cent of the women are affected with PCOS. Women with PCOS have various symptoms, which may be cosmetic, such as acne, facial hair and pigmentation, gynecological such as irregular periods, infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, or endocrinological such as obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes. PCOS is not a disease but a syndrome of multiple symptoms and signs and every woman might not have all the possible symptoms.

Till now there is no comprehensive treatment for the management of PCOS (Mind you, PCOS is not curable, whatever anyone says!). Doctors generally give a concoction of birth control pills, advice on lifestyle changes, diet plans, diabetes medications and as a last resort, surgery.

New PCOS treatment fully reverses the symptoms of PCOS: The symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) usually become apparent in your teens or early twenties. Not all women with PCOS have all of the symptoms. Each symptom can vary from mild to severe. In many women, the only symptoms are menstrual problems or a failure to conceive.

Common symptoms of PCOS include:

  • Irregular periods or complete lack of periods
  • Difficulty getting pregnant (because of irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate), recurrent miscarriage
  •  Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) – usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks
  •  Weight problems – being overweight, rapid weight gain, difficulty losing weight
  • Thinning hair and hair loss from the head
  •  Oily skin or acne
  • Depression and mood changes
  •  Multiple, small cysts in the ovaries

New PCOS treatment fully reverses the symptoms of PCOS: Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.

Chemical Resources is a pioneer in innovative and natural dietary supplements. It has 13 patents for various innovations and the products have been clinically evaluated for safety and efficacy.
Furocyst is one such dietary supplement from Chemical Resources for management of PCOS. Furocyst is an innovative product (extracted and
developed through a novel & innovative U.S. patented process) involving separations of active ingredients from the natural plant without affecting chemical properties of the active fractions.

It has been clinically evaluated to prove its safety and efficacy.
Efficacy conclusions
➲ Fenugreek seed extract caused significant reduction in the ovary volume.
➲ 46% of the study population showed reduction in the cyst size.
➲ 36% of the study population showed complete dissolution of the cysts.
➲ 12% of the patients got pregnant.
➲ 71% of the patients reported regular menstrual cycle on completion of the
treatment.
➲ Overall 94% of the patients reported positively or got benefited from the fenugreek extract dosing.

Safety conclusions
➲ Keeping hematological and biochemical results in view, investigational product was safe for consumption.
➲ No significant change in liver function tests was observed.
➲ No significant change in renal function tests was observed.

Mechanism of Action of Furocyst:
➲ Increase insulin sensitizing activity & peripheral utilization of insulin thus correcting increased androgen hormones, which are responsible for PCOS.
➲ Bring down the Hypercholesterolemia.

Furocyst is a one of its kind product, which offers a comprehensive solution for management of PCOS. It is a natural plant-based product and thus, has no known side effects, unlike other existing available options for PCOS.

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New PCOS treatment fully reverses the symptoms of PCOS

Categories
joint pain Men's health PCOD PCOS Symptoms Women's health

STRUGGLING WITH JOINT PAIN IN PCOS

Are you STRUGGLING WITH JOINT PAIN IN PCOS? POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME is one of the most common diseases among women of childbearing age and cause of infertility. There are over 5 million affected women in the US and 105 million worldwide who are suffering from PCOS.

Another disease i.e. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS is a chronic progressive disease causing inflammation in the joints.

It has been found that PCOS also gives rise to this rheumatoid arthritis in women. Joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) generally develop in old age due to the weakening of the immune system of the body. But it has been confirmed by scientific studies that women with PCOS having irregular menses or a truncated menstrual history (e.g., early menopause) have an increased risk of RA.

In reverse, the inflammation originated from rheumatoid arthritis worsens the condition of PCOS because somehow, the chronic low-grade inflammation from RA has been linked to insulin resistance. If the insulin levels are higher than they should be, the ovaries start to produce too much testosterone, which makes PCOS even worse.

HOW PCOS AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS LINKED?

The immune system is influenced by signals from the female reproductive hormones. It seems that the levels of hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, as well as changes in these levels, can promote autoimmunity. “Autoimmunity” is a condition whereby the immune system (which normally wards off foreign invaders of the body, such as infections) turns and attacks the body’s own tissues, such as skin, joints, liver, lungs, etc. Autoimmune diseases typically feature inflammation of various tissues of the body. 

It is known that hormones play a major role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. It is also known that PCOS is that syndrome which involves the imbalance of the reproductive hormones. Disturbance in these hormones such as progesterone & estrogen gives rise to rheumatoid arthritis. STRUGGLING WITH JOINT PAIN IN PCOS

SYMPTOMS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

  • Tender, warm, swollen joints
  • Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity
  • Fatigue, fever and weight loss

Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect the smaller joints first – particularly the joints that attach fingers to the hands and toes to the feet.

As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders. In most cases, symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of your body.

DIAGNOSIS

 

STRUGGLING WITH JOINT PAIN IN PCOS: Rheumatoid arthritis in PCOS can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages because the early signs and symptoms mimic those of many other diseases. There is no one blood test or physical finding to confirm the diagnosis.

Physical examination

During the physical exam, the doctor will check the joints for swelling, redness, and warmth. The doctor may also check the reflexes and muscle strength.

Blood tests

People with rheumatoid arthritis often have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, or SED rate) or C-reactive protein (CRP), which may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. Other common blood tests look for rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies.

Imaging tests

The doctor may recommend X-rays to help track the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in the joints over time. MRI and ultrasound tests can help the doctor judge the severity of the disease in the body.

 COMPLICATIONS OF RA

  • Lung disease
  • Heart problems
  • Nerve damage
  • Osteoporosis
  • Eye complications such as dry eye syndrome

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Meal planning 

There are many foods that can help to reduce inflammation originated from RA inside the body. Eating a wide variety of whole foods is the key to reduce inflammation. The plant-based foods rich in vitamins and nutrients that target inflammation include:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Beans
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Whole grains

Some foods are extremely beneficial to reduce inflammation. Often, fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, which combat inflammation. Antioxidants are found in very colorful foods, such as berries, and dark and leafy greens and this help support the immune system.

Eating inflammatory foods should be avoided. Some of these foods include:

  • Deep-fried foods
  • Processed food
  • Red meat
  • Sugary drinks
  • Refined grains, such as those found in white bread

Exercise

Being active is one of the best things you can do for yourself, even if you have rheumatoid arthritis. You just have to know how to work within your limits because too much exercising involving stress on the joints can be harmful.

Fitness as a regular part of life provides many benefits for PCOS as well as RA patients such as:

  • Less pain from rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Stronger bones. This is important because RA can thin your bones, especially if you take
  • You’ll move better and have more energy.
  • It’s good for your heart and all your other muscles.
  • It helps to lose body weight in obese women
  • It helps to control diabetes

STRUGGLING WITH JOINT PAIN IN PCOS: Exercises such as low-impact activities, like walking, swimming, bicycling, or using an elliptical machine could be beneficial to manage rheumatoid arthritis. Any of these will get the heart pumping.

Be careful about activities that put a lot of stress on a joint, or are “high-impact,” such as:

  • Jogging, especially on paved roads
  • Heavyweight lifting

Balancing hormones 

Maintaining normal levels of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone appear to have a protective effect against both RA and PCOS. The medications given in the following section can be effective at balancing hormones.

Medication

Managing inflammation is a key component to living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This chronic condition results in the immune system attacking the joints, causing inflammation and pain.

Medications used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include NSAIDs, DMARDs, TNF α-inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, T-cell activation inhibitors, B-cell depleters, JAK inhibitors, immunosuppressants, and steroids.

The contraceptive pill may be recommended to induce regular periods, or periods may be induced using an intermittent course of progestogen tablets (which are usually given every three to four months but can be given monthly).

A medication called clomifene is usually the first treatment recommended for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant. Clomifene encourages the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation).

Clinically proven herbal remedy for PCOS including fenugreek seeds extract (Furocyst) can also be prescribed due to its great effectiveness in the PCOS patients.

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STRUGGLING WITH JOINT PAIN IN PCOS

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PCOD PCOS Symptoms Women's health

PCOS: Risk of Development of Diabetes

Risk of Development of Diabetes: POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)

It is a condition in which hormonal imbalance in females causes the cyst formation in the ovaries. It is categorized as a major cause of infertility in females.

CYST FORMATION IN OVARIES

Ovaries in females have follicles, which are tiny, fluid-filled sacs that hold the eggs. In normal condition, when an egg gets completely matured, the follicle releases the egg so that it can travel to the uterus for fertilization.

But in women with PCOS, immature follicles bunch together to form large cysts or lumps and the eggs mature within the bunched follicles, but the follicles don’t break open to release them.

As a result, women with PCOS often don’t have menstrual periods or only have periods on occasion. Because the eggs are not released, most have trouble getting pregnant.

CONSEQUENCES OF PCOS

PCOS is a complex disease with long-term consequences. Women with PCOS have to face number of metabolic and other implications. These women are at increased risk of developing:

  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Hypertension
  • Dyslipidemia
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Breast cancer

CONNECTION TO DIABETES 

It is reported that any woman suffering from PCOS is at an increased risk of diabetes. Thus, sometimes diabetes becomes one of the diagnosis parameter of PCOS.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in women with PCOS is 7 times higher than other women. This Risk of Development of Diabetes increases to a much higher extent if the women are suffering from obesity too.

In women with PCOS, insulin resistance is the reason behind type 2 diabetes. The disturbed hormonal levels in PCOS interfere in the functioning of β-cells in pancreas. When β-cells get disturbed, they produce impaired amount of insulin which leads to insulin resistance. During insulin resistance, insulin does not work the way it should be. The insulin becomes unable to attach itself upon the insulin receptor site on cells. Due to this, the transfer of blood sugar from blood stream to cell is inhibited. Thus, sugar levels in the blood rises and causes type 2 diabetes.

High insulin levels in blood also reduce the fat breakdown and thus, fat starts to accumulate in the storage units/cells. This causes high cholesterol levels in the body and thus, obesity. This gives rise to more complex form of PCOS.

OUTCOMES OF DIABETES IN PCOS

If diabetes develops in PCOS suffering females, they give rise to following conditions:

  • Hyperandrogenism
  • Reproductive disorders
  • Acne
  • Hirsutism

These complications worsen the condition of PCOS.

TREATMENT STRATEGIES

It has been reported that fenugreek is an effective remedy to treat PCOS patients. It is clinically proven safe and effective in the management of PCOS. It has been observed that Furocyst (fenugreek seed extract) significantly reduced the cyst size, showed complete dissolution of the cysts and reported regular menstrual cycle on completion of the treatment. It also increased insulin sensitizing activity & peripheral utilization of insulin thus helped to manage PCOS.

Regular exercise can reduce the Risk of Development of Diabetes. It is important for keeping the body healthy, especially when it comes to fighting obesity and type 2 diabetes and it has been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with PCOS. Exercise also helps the body to burn excess blood sugar and makes the cells more sensitive to insulin, allowing the body to use insulin more effectively.

A balanced diet that provides whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats and plenty of fruits and vegetables is a key to reduce the risk of diabetes and manage weight in PCOS females.

Insulin resistance plays a key role in the pathophysiology of this syndrome and thus, use of oral anti-diabetic drugs becomes important. The majority of studies have shown the reduction in the symptoms such as hyperandrogenism and cycle irregularities following the use of oral anti-diabetic drugs.

Women with PCOS are also treated with birth control pills, which helps to regulate menstruation and clear acne.

Women with PCOS have been shown to have higher levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in their blood. AGEs are compounds formed when glucose binds with proteins, and are believed to contribute to certain degenerative diseases and aging. One small studyhas found that lowering dietary AGEs reduce insulin levels in women with PCOS.

Other treatment strategies include:

  • Androgen-blocking medications
  • Topical anti-hair-growth medications
  • Other excess hair treatments
  • Treatments for hair loss
  • Acne treatments
  • Removal of other skin problems

REFERENCES

Click here

Risk of Development of Diabetes

Categories
PCOD PCOS Women's health

AUTOIMMUNITY: COULD IT BE ASSOCIATED WITH PCOS?

The immune system exists in almost all complex life forms. The main function of the immune system is to defend the body from germs and other foreign invaders.  It produces antibodies to fight off such invaders. Any such substance that triggers an immune response in this way is referred to as an antigen. For the immune system to function appropriately, it must be able to distinguish cells that are internally formed substances from those that are non-self or foreign.

An autoimmune disease develops when the immune system, which defends body against disease, decides the body’s own cells as foreign. As a result, the immune system attacks body’s own cells. Autoimmunity is classified as organ specific and non-organ specific autoimmunity.

Depending on the type, an autoimmune disease can affect one or many different types of body tissue(s). It can also cause abnormal organ growth and changes in organ function. In this way, autoimmunity is also related to the Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome.

HOW TO KNOW IF THE BODY HAS AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE?

 

The following tests are helpful to diagnose an autoimmune disease:

Autoantibody test: Any of several tests that look for specific antibodies to your own tissues

Antinuclear antibody test: A type of autoantibody test that looks for antinuclear antibodies, which attack the nuclei of cells in your body

Complete blood count: Measures the number of red and white cells in your blood; when your immune system is actively fighting something, these numbers will vary from the normal

C-reactive protein (CRP): Elevated CRP is an indication of inflammation throughout your body

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: This test indirectly measures how much inflammation is in your body

AUTOIMMUNITY: HOW IS IT RELATED TO PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder affecting females. It is a common cause of menstrual irregularities and infertility during reproductive age. Genetic and hormonal factors play crucial role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Low level of progesterone in PCOS causes overstimulation of immune system that produces more estrogen which leads to various autoantibodies. Different autoantibodies have been documented in PCOS, for example, anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-thyroid, anti-spermatic, anti-SM, anti-histone, anti-carbonic anhydrase, anti-ovarian, and anti-islet cell antibodies. There is an association between PCOS and autoimmune diseases such as ANA and anti-TPO that have been documented in systemic lupus erythematosus and Hashimoto thyroiditis, respectively, and it is suspected that there are autoantibodies that might affect the long term clinical management of these patients.

Insulin resistance, obesity and androgens as potential source of autoimmunity in PCOS.

PCOS is essentially a hormonal disorder and is worsened by insulin resistance (inability of cells to detect insulin) and hyperandrogenism (increase in male hormone). Researchers have reported many insertions, deletion and substitutions of genes in PCOS. They suggested that insulin resistance can affect sexual function unfavorably and may even cause PCOS.

The pathophysiologic linkage between PCOS and diabetes has been declared as autoimmune phenomenon. Insulin is provided from outside in this case as the treatment of type I diabetes which may contribute to the development of PCOS in the patients. Non-physiologically administered insulin can potentially stimulate the production of androgens by ovaries.

Obesity which is common in PCOS patients further increases the risk of insulin resistance which in turn causes hyperandrogenism and risk of developing PCOS. This further leads to autoimmunity.

AUTOANTIBODIES IN AUTOIMMUNITY DISEASES

An autoantibody is an antibody which is produced by the immune system that is directed against one or more of the individual’s own cells. Many autoimmune diseases are caused by such autoantibodies.

Autoantibodies play a nonpathological role i.e. they may help the body to destroy cancers and to eliminate waste products.

As told above, the immune system is able to recognize and ignore the body’s own healthy proteins, cells, and tissues, and to not overreact to non-threatening substances in the environment, such as foods. Sometimes, the immune system ceases to recognize one or more of the body’s normal constituents as “self,” leading to production of pathological autoantibodies. These autoantibodies attack the body’s own healthy cells, tissues, and/or organs, causing inflammation and damage. Thus, their action leads to the development of autoimmunity diseases.

AUTOANTIBODIES INVOLVED IN PCOS

  •        Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA)

  •        Anti-Thyroid Antibody

Researchers have suggested strong association of anti-thyroid antibodies with PCOS. According to them, autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is three times more common in PCOS as compared to non-PCOS women of reproductive age. They observed strong association of infertility, miscarriages, and disturbed thyroid profile in pregnant females. Both hypo- and hyperthyroidism can lead to increased rate of miscarriages, fetal death, and late cognitive development of off springs.

  •         Anti-Islet Cell Antibody

Islet cell autoantibodies are produced when beta cells of pancreas are damaged and they can bind to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), protein tyrosine phosphatase, islet antigen-2 (IA-2), insulin, and zinc transporter (ZNT8) and lead to further destruction of islet cells of pancreas. These anti-islet cell antibodies have been reported in large population of PCOS patients.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

The only management strategy associated with PCOS autoimmune disorder to control the pathogenesis of PCOS. This can be done as following:

Regular exercise: To make body free from other complications associated with PCOS.

Control body weight: To lessen the progress in PCOS as increase in body weight is a contributing factor towards PCOS.

Control blood sugar: As the insulin resistance is highly involved in PCOS progression, it is highly recommended that blood sugar levels should be maintained.

Oral contraceptive pills: To induce fertility and regularity in menstrual cycle.

Herbal medication: Consumption of herbal medication such as Furocyst (fenugreek seed extract) to manage all PCOS symptoms and cyst size as well as cyst number, to induce fertility, to induce regularity in menstrual cycle at once.

REFERENCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4871972/

http://www.medicina-interna.ro/articol.php?articol=635

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0029784400006852

http://www.healthline.com/health/autoimmune-disorders#overview1

http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Autoimmunity.aspx

Categories
PCOD PCOS Women's health

HOW “SATIETY HORMONE – LEPTIN” IS LINKED TO PCOS?

PCOS is a disorder involving multiple cysts in the ovaries of women, which originates from hormonal imbalance inside the body. Among these hormones (testosterone, LH & FSH), one hormone is Leptin, which is also known as “satiety hormone”.
Leptin is made by adipose cells (fat cells) that help to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger. It works along with the hormone ghrelin inside the body, which is known as the “hunger hormone”. Thus, know how satiety hormone leptin is linked to PCOS and your fat cells produce hormones. This is one reason why women who have a lot of fat often have hormonal problems. Leptin signals the hypothalamus gland in the brain when fat cells are full. The hypothalamus uses this information to maintain energy balance in the body. Leptin is intimately involved in the long-term management of body weight and in regulating appetite.

                                                  
In obesity, a decreased sensitivity to leptin takes place increasing serum leptin levels. This results in an inability to detect satiety despite of high energy stores. This situation increases body fat and thus, raises body weight.

LINK BETWEEN PCOS AND THIS SATIETY HORMONE – LEPTIN

PCOS is characterized by chronic anovulation, hyper-androgenemia, insulin resistance and a high incidence of obesity. These features are often linked to leptin and its receptor. Leptin, the product from the obesity gene (ob gene), correlates positively with BMI but also has variation during the menstrual cycle. Leptin levels peak in the luteal phase of the cycle, correlating with maximum progesterone. These changes suggest a direct physiological role for leptin in regulating ovarian function. Disruption of such an effect could play a role in menstrual irregularities generally observed in both obese and under-nourished women and may offer a pathophysiological mechanism in women with how satiety hormone leptin is linked to PCOS

HOW TO MANAGE PCOS BY CONTROLLING LEPTIN?

Leptin is influenced by diet, genetics, gender, amount of fat weight and a substantial number of other hormones. You can improve your leptin balance by switching to a healthier diet, and getting more exercise.

Weight loss

can show improvement in both ovulation and insulin resistance.

can have a direct effect on hyperandrogenism and the resultant hirsutism by increasing the function of SHBG concentration, which binds to testosterone.

  •  Long-term weight loss

  • is the goal and needs to focus on a change of lifestyle rather than a restrictive diet plan.
  • Increase quality protein in your diet. High protein diets have shown good results in both insulin-resistant and PCOS women. Protein can improve satiety and have a regulating effect on blood sugar levels.
  • Increase vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds
  • Increase good fats (avocados, coconut oil, olive oil)
  • Consume plenty of water (8 glasses per day)
  • Limit foods high in sugar (e.g. cakes, pastries, soft drinks) and processed foods
  • Limit high fructose foods as these have been shown to increase leptin levels.

Exercise

  •  Exercise appears to have a powerful influence on neurotransmitter and hormone levels.
  • Exercise and movement in general have a positive effect on leptin and insulin sensitivity.
  •  Exercise allows leptin to work properly, thereby reducing weight gain.
  •  Simply starting with a walking program with intervals should kick-start leptin switch into the proper mode. As this hormone begins operating more efficiently, energy and appetite are better regulated, making good health easier than ever to achieve.

Reduce stress

 Reducing stress will also help directly with PCOS and fertility. Stress stimulates the release of cortisol (steroid hormone released in response to stress) from the hypothalmic-pituitary axis. The ‘stress’ hormone cortisol promotes central obesity and insulin resistance and these are the two main concerns for increases in leptin levels.
 Stress exacerbates the vicious cycle of PCOS by promoting both androgen overproduction in the ovaries and also increasing cravings for carbohydrates, which can contribute to obesity.

Herbal treatment

Even as the above lifestyle factors should be the first line of defense in the treatment of PCOS and fertility and in addressing the leptin, insulin relationships in PCOS, there are herbs that may assist with PCOS.
One such herb is Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum grecum). This herb is reported to have a direct effect on PCOS. Furocyst™ is a supplement completely based on fenugreek seed extract. It is clinically proven to manage hormonal imbalances in PCOS and inducing fertility. As it is based on fenugreek, it does not have any side effect, which is also proved during the clinical study.
Another supplement to curb those hunger pangs in Furoslim. It’s an Irvingia Gabonensis (African Mango) seed extract. Irvingia Gabonensis is the molecule to improve the sensitivity of leptin, which is the main cause of obesity. It not only reverses leptin resistance, but also facilitates the breakdown of body fat by reducing an enzyme (glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) that enables glucose to be stored as triglyceride in adipocytes. Irvingia Gabonensis also increases the insulin-sensitizing hormone adiponectin and inhibits the digestive enzyme amylase that allows ingested carbohydrates to be broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream and get cured from how satiety hormone leptin is linked to pcos.
Thus, instead of using harmful medications which either have side effects or produce a temporary effect, it is better to choose lifestyle modifications, dietary changes and herbal supplements such as Furocyst™ to manage PCOS naturally and devoid of any side effect.

REFERENCES

  •   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3728861/
    • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4855959/
    • https://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog/pcos/leptin-resistance-pcos-risk/
    • http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=s0365-05962005000400011&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en
    • http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/466573_2
    • http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/news121.html
    • http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/weight-loss-hormones.html
    • https://natural-fertility-prescription.com/leptin-resistance-pcos/
    • http://www.naturalnews.com/031459_leptin_insulin.html
Categories
PCOD PCOS Women's health

Still Struggling with your PCOS? Try Alternative PCOS Treatment and Exercises

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Call : +91 9915002390

Still Struggling with your PCOS? Try Alternative PCOS Treatment and Exercises

Categories
PCOD PCOS Women's health

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Hirsutism

Hirsutism is the excessive hairiness on women on those parts of the body where hair normally is absent or minimal, such as beard or chest hair. It refers to a male pattern of body hair (androgenic hair) and it is therefore primarily of cosmetic and psychological concern. In 90% of the cases of Hirsutism, the women are tested positive for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Hirsutism.

PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women. Reportedly, around 5- 10 per cent of women in India are affected with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). One of the primary issues with PCOS is that the insulin producing cells are over responsive and create too much insulin, causing Hyperinsulinemia. The increase in insulin causes the ovaries to produce too much of testosterone, excess androgens cause ovarian cysts, acne and male pattern hair growth. Androgen acts on the growth phase of hair cycle, causing the hair to go from vellus hair (the light, thin hair that covers the body) to terminal hair (thick, dark hair). There are a variety of treatments available to treat hirsutism.

Hormonal Treatment

Birth control pills are the most commonly suggested hormonal treatment for hirsutism. Birth control pills work by decreasing the production of androgens or male hormones, by the ovaries. Anti-androgen medicines are also prescribed to treat hirsutism because it directly blocks the effects of androgens in hair follicles. But most important, these medications are prescribed to women who are not pregnant, nor planning to become pregnant. In patients who have an “overactive” adrenal gland, low doses of steroids may be prescribed to suppress their activity. Women taking steroids may experience dizziness during the day or have difficulty falling asleep. These drugs may have serious side effects, including weight gain, thinning of the skin and bones, and decreased defense against infection.

Hormone treatment generally prevents new terminal hairs from developing and may slow the growth rate of existing hairs. Generally about six months of hormone therapy is required before the rate of hair growth decreases significantly. It is usually not possible to cure the hormonal problem that causes hirsutism, ongoing medical treatment is required to manage it. Hirsutism will frequently return if medical treatment is stopped.

Hair Removal

There are many temporary and permanent hair-removing techniques that are used by the women experiencing Hirutism. Plucking, waxing, shaving and using of epilators are among the most common solutions for temporary hair removal.
There are two types of permanent hair removal methods: electrolysis and laser treatment.

Electrolysis uses a very fine needle, which is inserted into the hair follicle. A mild electric current is sent through the needle to permanently destroy the hair follicle’s ability to produce hair. Since follicles are treated one at a time, it is impractical to use electrolysis to treat very large areas of the body. Laser treatments may be used on large areas of the body, although their long term effectiveness is not as well documented as electrolysis. During laser hair treatment, a beam of light is passed through the skin to the hair follicle to destroy it. Both methods of hair reduction are moderately painful, depending on the area of skin being treated, and multiple treatments are usually required.

Eat Right

Eating plenty of foods that contain vitamin B, chromium and magnesium – may help prevent and treat hirsutism. One should avoid intake of fats and taking high calorie food in the evening. Regular intake of dietary supplement like FUROCYST can give positive results in PCOS management. FUROCYST is an innovative product (extracted and developed through a novel & innovative U.S. patented process) involving separations of active ingredients from the natural plant without affecting chemical properties of the active fractions. No chemicals are used. It is a natural and promising dietary supplement effective for management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) with proved safety and an efficacy rate of 94%.

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