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PCOS Women's health

POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS) AND HAIR LOSS

One of the most common endocrine disorders, affecting women in India is the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). A study reported that 10% of women of child bearing age are affected with PCOS in recent years. 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. POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME AND HAIR LOSS

Among the many mentioned symptoms of PCOS, Hair Loss or ALOPECIA is one foremost problem, which the women face. Research has shown that 67% of all women who suffer from alopecia or hair loss also have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Hormonal imbalance is one of the major symptoms, which women suffering from PCOS have to deal with. Many women have heightened levels of androgens or testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of these hormones in women with PCOS cause hair loss, specifically DHT. In excess, androgens, specifically DHT latch onto hair follicles and begin to affect the hair, eventually to the point of hair loss. DHT also causes the follicle to stop producing new hair; essentially a DHT clogged follicle is the result. This is called androgenic alopecia.

Given below are the points that can be very effective in combating Alopecia caused by PCOS.

Following proper PCOS diet and Exercise: (Best way to get rid of PCOS using herbal remedies) (Lifestyle modifications as a natural treatment for PCOS) Eating lots of green vegetables, healthy fats and balancing carbohydrates and proteins are the backbones of PCOS nutrition. Also one needs to keep a check on the weight gain as it has been observed that weight control improves many aspects of PCOS. A weight reduction of even a few percent has clinical benefits. All women with PCOS should be encouraged to follow a healthy diet and to engage in regular exercise.

 

Stress Management: Keeping stress levels to the minimum is highly recommended for women with PCOS. Chronic levels of cortisol, the stress hormone are just not what someone with PCOS symptoms needs. Following a healthy diet and exercise plan can work wonders. Meditation and yoga is very helpful to beat stress.

Sleep well: Sleep is regulated by two hormones, melatonin and serotonin. When they are disrupted by lack of sleep, this affects other hormones and makes them go haywire. Eating regularly will keep your insulin levels balanced and keep your hormones from being affected by drops and highs.

Hair Care: A well-crafted hair care regimen is highly recommended in PCOS. Avoid hair color, bleach and hair styling products. Also constant pulling hair back up and hairstyles that aggravate the scalp should be avoided. While washing hair, it should be made sure that the scalp is completely cleansed up to remove DHT residue.

Natural Supplements: One should ensure the intake of vitamin B, magnesium, zinc and biotin. Also 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). It has been clinically evaluated for efficacy and safety and has been shown to be completely safe for consumption with a 94% success rate.

Get Thyroid Checked: Many women with PCOS have hypothyroid (low thyroid) issues and the side effects include thinning hair and hair loss.

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POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS) AND HAIR LOSS

Categories
PCOS Women's health

Best Treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS)

In India, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women. Reportedly, around 10 percent of the women in India are affected by 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 for Treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS).

Lifestyle changes: (Lifestyle modifications as a natural treatment for PCOS)

It has been observed that weight control improves many aspects of PCOS. The cycles become more regular, androgen levels are reduced, lipid and glucose metabolism improves, and spontaneous pregnancy may follow. Weight reduction of even a few percents has clinical benefits. This is because visceral fat is metabolically more active, and weight loss of a few percents is associated with significant loss of visceral fat. On the basis of these observations, weight management by dieting and exercise is recommended to all women with PCOS.

Contraceptives/ birth control pills: (TO USE OR NOT TO USE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES FOR POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) MANAGEMENT)

In PCOS, ovulation does not occur regularly, which prevents the rise and fall of progesterone hormone, which is responsible for causing a woman’s period. Instead, the uterine lining is not shed and is exposed to estrogen for a longer period of time causing it to grow much thicker than normal. Over time, lack of exposure to progesterone may cause endometrial hyperplasia, which in rare cases can lead to endometrial cancer. Taking the oral contraceptives (birth control pills) regulates the menstrual cycle by providing the progesterone that body needs, causing the uterine lining to be shed frequently and reducing the risk of endometrial hyperplasia. They contain various combinations and strengths of the hormones estrogen and progestin. But the effects of contraceptive pills vanish once the patient stops the intake of these pills.

Diabetes medications:

Insulin sensitizers are generally used to treat type 2 diabetes. It affects the way insulin controls blood glucose (sugar) and lowers testosterone production. It slows the growth of abnormal hair and after a few months of use, may help ovulation to return. But about 25% of the women using insulin sensitizers have reported experiencing abdominal discomfort, cramps, nausea, and diarrhea.

Surgery:

“Ovarian drilling” is a surgery that may increase the chance of ovulation. It’s sometimes used when a woman does not respond to fertility medicines. This surgery can lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation. But these effects may only last a few months. This treatment doesn’t help with the loss of scalp hair or increased hair growth on other parts of the body.

FUROCYST is an innovative product with a proved efficacy of 94% in PCOS management. Furocyst is a comprehensive single-herb 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 the management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). It regulates the LH/FSH ratio as reported in various studies conducted on PCOS patients. Because of a decreased level of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) relative to LH, the ovarian granulosa cells cannot aromatize the androgens to estrogens, which leads to decreased estrogen levels and consequent anovulation. It also lowers testosterone production, thus normalizes symptoms of acne, irregular menstrual cycles & slows the growth of abnormal hair. It works by blocking the effects of “male hormones” such as testosterone and suppresses the production of these hormones by the ovaries. In a clinical study conducted, FUROCYST was reported to have no side effects and is thus, completely safe for consumption.

Categories
PCOS Women's health

Lifestyle modification as a natural treatment for PCOS

In India, Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women. Reportedly, around 10 per cent of women in India are affected with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). In recent years, it has become evident that beyond a reproductive or cosmetic problem, PCOS represents a metabolic risk. Many women with PCOS have hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, lipid abnormalities, obesity, or any combination of these and looking for natural treatment for PCOS. Even those patients who are seen for infertility “only” need to be screened for these metabolic risk factors, and they require counseling regarding this risk and its management.

How to cure PCOD naturally

It has been observed that weight control improves many aspects of PCOS. The cycles become more regular, androgen levels are reduced, lipid and glucose metabolism improves, and spontaneous pregnancy may follow. A weight reduction of even a few percent has clinical benefits. This is because visceral fat is metabolically more active, and weight loss of a few percent is associated with significant loss of visceral fat. On the basis of these observations, weight management by dieting and exercise is recommended to all women with PCOS. All women with PCOS should be encouraged to follow a healthy diet and to engage in regular exercise. Their chance to achieve a pregnancy will improve and the risks during pregnancy will be reduced. A healthier lifestyle will also reduce their long-term risks for diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

 

Sustainable weight loss through dietary modification and exercise along with regular intake of 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).
A healthy diet can work wonders to combat PCOS . The diet should have an increased level of soybeans, lentils, linseeds and chickpeas as these contain natural phytoestrogens, which help balance hormone levels in the body. Also ensuring to eat plenty of essential fatty acids such as fish, nuts and seeds help manage blood sugar levels. Also the diet should have high levels of fiber. Fiber promotes bowel movements so that excess hormones are excreted more efficiently; it helps manage blood sugar levels and encourages elimination of toxic waste products. Fiber can be found in whole grains and vegetables and fruits. Drinking plenty of water also helps as water aids in proper functioning of various body parts and also ensures daily bowel movements helping to flush out old toxins and hormones from the body.

Apart from this one should avoid all sugar and white refined carbohydrates as they imbalance blood sugar levels, aggravating symptoms of insulin resistance. Also trans and hydrogenated fats (e.g. in margarine and found in many processed foods) should be avoided as these damage cell membranes in turn causing a whole range of health imbalances. Intake of caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.

Categories
PCOS Women's health

TO USE OR NOT TO USE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES FOR POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME MANAGEMENT

In India, Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women. Reportedly, around 10 per cent of women in India are affected with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (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.POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME MANAGEMENT

In PCOS, ovulation does not occur regularly, which prevents the rise and fall of progesterone hormone which is responsible for causing a woman’s period. Instead, the uterine lining is not shed and is exposed to estrogen for a longer period of time causing it to grow much thicker than normal. This can cause heavy and erratic bleeding. However, this is not a true period because ovulation has not occurred. Over time, lack of exposure to progesterone may cause endometrial hyperplasia which in rare cases can lead to endometrial cancer. Taking the oral contraceptives (birth control pills) regulates the menstrual cycle by providing the progesterone that body needs, causing the uterine lining to be shed frequently and reducing the risk of endometrial hyperplasia.

In a nutshell, oral contraceptives (birth control pills) release hormones into the body to create a highly regular menstrual cycle without ovulation. They contain various combinations and strengths of the hormones estrogen and progestin. Since irregular periods are the most common symptom of PCOS, taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills) is a way to force the body into a regular cycle. As a result of this hormonal influence, using oral contraceptives (birth control pills) helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce excessive hair growth and acne.

Oral contraceptive though, is not a definite treatment of PCOS. For most women the effect vanishes soon after the pill is stopped. There have been clinicians who have noticed that taking oral contraceptives can also lead to PCOS. (http://www.larabriden.com/treatment-for-4-types-of-pcos-treat-the-cause/)

 

But FUROCYST, a U.S. patented research-based innovative and clinically proven product, is effective in the POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME MANAGEMENT . It is completely plant-based and is an advanced form of Ayurveda, merging nature and science. It regulates the LH/FSH ratio as reported in various studies conducted on PCOS patients. Because of a decreased level of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) relative to Luteinizing Hormone (LH), the ovarian granulosa cells cannot aromatize the androgens to estrogens, which leads to decreased estrogen levels and consequently leads to an ovulation. It also lowers testosterone production, thus normalizes symptoms of acne, irregular menstrual cycles & slows the growth of abnormal hair. It works by blocking the effects of “male hormones” such as testosterone and suppresses production of these hormones by the ovaries. As per the clinical evaluation conducted on patients, Furocyst is a completely safe product with no side effects.

Categories
PCOS Women's health

PCOS Weight Gain Causes and Treatments

Most women in some point have to contend with PCOS and weight gain problem. But for women with PCOS, losing weight can become a constant struggle.

PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder in women of childbearing age and can lead to issues with fertility. Women who have PCOS have higher levels of male hormones and are also less sensitive to insulin or are “insulin-resistant.” Many are overweight or obese. As a result, these women can be at a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, and uterine cancer.

If you have PCOS, certain lifestyle changes can help you shed pounds and reduce the disease’s severity.

PCOS makes it more difficult for the body to use the hormone insulin, which normally helps convert sugars and starches from foods into energy. This condition — called insulin resistance — can cause insulin and sugar — glucose — to build up in the bloodstream.

High insulin levels increase the production of male hormones called androgens. High androgen levels lead to symptoms such as body hair growth, acne, irregular periods — and weight gain. Because the weight gain is triggered by male hormones, it is typically in the abdomen. That is where men tend to carry weight. So, instead of having a pear shape, women with PCOS have more of an apple shape.

Abdominal fat is the most dangerous kind of fat. That’s because it is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and other health conditions.

What are the risks associated with PCOS-related weight gain?

No matter what the cause, weight gain can be detrimental to your health. Women with PCOS are more likely to develop many of the problems associated with weight gain and insulin resistance, including:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Sleep apnea
  • Infertility
  • Endometrial cancer

Many of these conditions can lead to heart disease. In fact, women with PCOS are four to seven times more likely to have a heart attack than women of the same age without the condition.

Experts think weight gain also helps trigger PCOS symptoms, such as menstrual abnormalities and acne.

Losing weight not only can help reduce your risks and make you look better — it can also make you feel better. When you have PCOS, shedding just 10% of your body weight can bring your periods back to normal. It can also help relieve some of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Weight loss can improve insulin sensitivity. That will reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other PCOS complications.

To lose weight, start with a visit to your doctor. The doctor will weigh you and check your waist size and body mass index. Body mass index is also called BMI, and it is the ratio of your height to your weight.

What can I do to lose weight if I have polycystic ovary syndrome? continued…

Your doctor may also prescribe medication. Several medications are approved for PCOS, including birth control pills and anti-androgen medications. The anti-androgen medications block the effects of male hormones. A few medications are used specifically to promote weight loss in women with PCOS. These include:

  • Insulin sensitizers. It is a diabetes drug that helps the body use insulin more efficiently. It also reduces testosterone production. Some research has found that it can help obese women with PCOS lose weight.
  • Thiazolidinediones. These should be used with contraception. The drugs pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) also help the body use insulin. In studies, these drugs improved insulin resistance. But their effect on body weight is unclear. All patients using Avandia must review and fully understand the cardiovascular risks. Research has found that Flutamide (Eulexin), an anti-androgen drug, helps obese women with PCOS lose weight. It also improves their blood sugar levels.

In addition to taking medication, adding healthy habits into your lifestyle can help you keep your weight under control:

  • Eat a high-fiber, low-sugar diet. Load up on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid processed and fatty foods to keep your blood sugar levels in check. If you’re having trouble eating healthy on your own, talk to your doctor or a dietitian.
  • Eat four to six small meals throughout the day, rather than three large meals. This will help control your blood sugar levels.
  • Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day on most, if not all, days of the week.
  • Work with your doctor to track your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
  • If you smoke, get involved in a program that can help you quit.
Categories
PCOD PCOS Women's health

Early Detection of Insulin Resistance Can Solve PCOS Puzzle

Do you wonder what is causing your PCOS? If you could just identify what is causing it, possibly you could remove the cause and this disease would go away. Or at least be much easier to manage.

For the majority of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, a primary cause of symptoms is the presence of a medical condition called “insulin resistance”. Insulin resistance simply means your cells are “resistant” to or are under-responding to the hormone insulin. Therefore, insulin cannot efficiently tell the cells to store blood sugar or perform a multitude of other tasks. The result is that the entire body is thrown into a state of imbalance and distress, leading to weight gain, belly fat, ovulation problems, mood disorders, and skin and hair issues.

But here’s the tricky part. Not everyone with PCOS also has insulin resistance — or do they? It’s estimated that somewhere between 50%-80% of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome have insulin resistance. But why is there such a wide variation in these estimates? And how do you know if you have it?

It may be that part of the problem is in how insulin resistance is defined and how it is measured and diagnosed. We won’t go into the weeds on this complex issue but let’s cover a couple of high points.

It’s important to know whether you have insulin resistance because if it’s left unidentified and untreated, the long-term consequences could be disastrous. You could end up with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s or any other degenerative disease.

As a first step, a doctor can get a pretty good idea of insulin resistance by looking at you, your medical history and some simple blood test results. For example, if you have a lot of abdominal fat, darkened skin patches, high blood fats and high blood sugar levels, and a family history of diabetes, one might presume you have insulin resistance. But that’s a presumption. It would be nice if you could make health decisions based on more than just a presumption.

So a next step might be to run some additional lab tests, such as an oral glucose tolerance test, hemoglobin A1C or fasting glucose and fasting insulin. Each of these tests provide useful data points but cannot give you the complete picture you need in order to know whether or not you are developing insulin resistance.

A few very enterprising health practitioners might order additional lab tests, such as a 24-hour urine test for estrogens, progesterone, androgens (male hormones) and 5-alpha hormone enzyme activity. If you have PCOS with suspected insulin resistance, this test may show a pattern of high estrogens and androgens, low progesterone and high 5-alpha reductase enzyme.

Categories
PCOD PCOS Women's health

What are the main Causes of PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is of clinical and public health importance as its prevalence is very high among women of reproductive age. Polycystic ovaries contain a large number of cysts. These cysts are under-developed sacs in which eggs develop. Often in PCOS, these sacs are unable to release an egg, meaning ovulation doesn’t take place.

PCOS has significant and diverse implications like;

  • Reproductive implications – infertility, hyperandrogenism, hirsutism
  • Metabolic implications – insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and adverse cardiovascular risk profile
  • Psychological implications – increased anxiety, depression

Prevalence of PCOS

  • The exact prevalence of PCOS is not known as the syndrome is not defined precisely. The estimated prevalence in women of reproductive age is 5-10%. Under the new criteria (Rotterdam-2003), the prevalence among the general female population will raise up to 10%. The prevalence of PCOS in a study conducted at Govt. Medical College, Kerala was reported to be 15% (95% CI: 13.4–17.2%) on the basis of the Rotterdam criteria. The reported prevalence of PCOS in various geographic regions ranges between 2.2% and 26%., et al. prospectively studied 460 girls aged 15-18 years from a residential college in Andhra Pradesh, South India. The authors reported a prevalence of PCOS in 9.13% of Indian adolescents. Studies in first-degree relatives of patients, who have the polycystic ovarian disease have shown that 24% of mothers and 32% of sisters, were affected, suggesting a major genetic association.
  • A study from Spain reported a 28.3% prevalence rate of PCOS among 113 overweight or obese women who were referred to an endocrinology clinic for weight loss, compared with a previously reported population prevalence of 6.5%, suggesting that the prevalence of PCOS might be markedly increased in obese.
  • In Southern China, the prevalence was 2.4% among 915 women recruited through the offer of a free medical examination.
  • In an Iranian study conducted during 2008 among women aged 18–45 years, the reported prevalence was 14.6% (95% CI, 12.3–16.9%). The prevalence of PCOS using the Rotterdam criteria was reported to be 17.8% among 978 women who were recruited in a retrospective birth cohort study in South Australia. In another community study conducted in Sri Lanka on 3,030 women aged 15–39 years, the prevalence was found to be 6.3% (95%; CI: 5.9–6.8%) for the period 2005-2006. A higher prevalence of PCOS (46.8%) was reported among girls aged 13–18 years with euthyroid chronic lymphocyte thyroiditis in a case-control study conducted in New Delhi.

 

What are the Main Causes of PCOS?

The exact cause of PCOS is not known, but various factors are expected to play a role in causing PCOS:

  • Heredity – PCOS is passed on to the next generations. There is a possibility of PCOS to be linked with certain genes.

Insulin resistance – Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control the amount of sugar in the blood. It helps move glucose from the blood into cells, where it is broken down to produce energy.

Insulin resistance means the body’s tissues are resistant to the effects of insulin. The body, therefore, has to produce extra insulin to compensate.

High levels of insulin cause the ovaries to produce too much testosterone hormone, 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 because having excess fat causes the body to produce even more insulin.

 

  • Low-grade inflammation – Your body’s white blood cells produce substances to fight infection in a response called inflammation. Research has shown that women with PCOS have low-grade inflammation and that this type of low-grade inflammation stimulates polycystic ovaries to produce androgens.

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Furocyst- An effective treatment of PCOS

Furocyst improves insulin sensitivity and, in turn, may regulate circulating androgen levels. It improves insulin-mediated glucose disposal in women with PCOS. Furocyst improved menstrual period in the study subjects and might be regulating the effect of insulin on ovarian androgen biosynthesis, theca cell proliferation, and endometrial growth. It might be regulating ovarian androgen production leading to disappearance or decrease in size and number of cysts.

The increase in LH/FSH ratio has been reported in various studies conducted on PCOD patients. Because of a decreased level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) relative to LH, the ovarian granulosa cells cannot aromatize the androgens to estrogens, which lead to decreased estrogen levels and consequent anovulation.

Furocyst is effective and safe for the management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in women.

Categories
PCOD PCOS Women's health

Home remedies for irregular periods

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Irregular menstruation is a common problem among young women.

Below picture from Sofy club explains about different types of menstrual irregularities

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There could be many reasons for irregular periods. Hormonal imbalance to unbalanced diet, stress or lack of sleep, any of these can be the culprits. One such condition is Poly cystic Ovary Disease (PCOD). The hormone imbalances of PCOD can interfere with monthly ovulation, causing missed menstrual periods and leading to infertility. Because PCOD involves insulin resistance, women with PCOD have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. So don’t ignore “Irregular periods” and get yourself tested for PCOD. If you have PCOD, then adopt a healthy lifestyle; exercise, have a balanced diet and take nutraceuticals to combat PCOD naturally. Furocyst, an effective nutraceuticals has proven efficacy for treating PCOD/PCOS.

For other reasons of irregular menstrual cycle, try the following home remedies for irregular periods:

  1. Hog on fruits and veggies: Fruits and veggies provide you the essential nutrients to regulated menses.
  2. Fennel seeds: Soak two teaspoons of fennel seeds in a glass of water overnight. Strain the water next morning and drink it. It is an effective remedy for irregular periods.
  3. Papaya: Simple and best remedy to get rid of this problem
  4. Ginger –honey: Some raw ginger with honey provides a calming effect on the problem of irregular menses.
  5. Avoid aerated drinks, alcohol and other caffeinated beverages. They interfere with the normal functioning of the body.
  6. Coriander seeds: Boil a teaspoon of coriander seeds in two cups of water till it is reduced to one cup. Drink it thrice a day to ensure regular menstrual cycle.
Categories
PCOD PCOS Women's health

Solution to PCOS Problem -Insulin Resistance Easy solution to PCOS problem? What it could be?

Early Detection of Insulin Resistance Could be easy Solution to PCOS problems !

Do you wonder what is causing your PCOS?

If you could just identify what is causing it, possibly you could remove the cause and this disease would go away. Or at least be much easier to manage.

For the majority of women with poly-cystic ovary syndrome, a primary cause of symptoms is the presence of a medical condition called “insulin resistance”. Insulin resistance simply means your cells are “resistant” to or are under-responding to the hormone insulin. Therefore, insulin cannot efficiently tell the cells to store blood sugar or perform a multitude of other tasks. The result is that the entire body is thrown into a state of imbalance and distress, leading to weight gain, belly fat, ovulation problems, mood disorders, and skin and hair issues.

But here’s the tricky part. Not everyone with PCOS also has insulin resistance — or do they? It’s estimated that somewhere between 50%-80% of women with poly-cystic ovarian syndrome have insulin resistance. But why is there such a wide variation in these estimates? And how do you know if you have it?

It may be that part of the problem is in how insulin resistance is defined and how it is measured and diagnosed. We won’t go into the weeds on this complex issue but let’s cover a couple of high points.

It’s important to know whether you have insulin resistance because if it’s left unidentified and untreated, the long-term consequences could be disastrous. You could end up with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s or any other degenerative disease.

 

As a first step –

  • A doctor can get a pretty good idea of insulin resistance by looking at you, your medical history and some simple blood test results. For example, if you have a lot of abdominal fat, darkened skin patches, high blood fats and high blood sugar levels, and a family history of diabetes, one might presume you have insulin resistance. But that’s a presumption. It would be nice if you could make health decisions based on more than just a presumption.

Second step –

  • It might be to run some additional lab tests, such as an oral glucose tolerance test, hemoglobin A 1C or fasting glucose and fasting insulin. Each of these tests provide useful data points but cannot give you the complete picture you need in order to know whether or not you are developing insulin resistance.

A few very enterprising health practitioners might order additional lab tests, such as a 24-hour urine test for estrogen’s, progesterone, androgen’s (male hormones) and 5-alpha hormone enzyme activity. If you have PCOS with suspected insulin resistance, this test may show a pattern of high estrogen’s and androgen’s, low progesterone and high 5-alpha reductase enzyme.

Categories
PCOD PCOS Women's health

Are You Suffering from Irregular Periods?

Menstrual cycle disorders can cause a woman’s periods to be absent or infrequent. Although some women do not mind missing their menstrual period, these changes should always be discussed with a healthcare provider because they can signal underlying medical conditions and potentially have long-term health consequences. A woman who is Suffering from Irregular Periods i.e misses more than three menstrual periods (either consecutively or over the course of a year) should see a healthcare provider.

Amenorrhea Amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstrual periods, and is classified as either:

Primary (when menstrual periods have not started by age 15)

Secondary (when menstrual periods are absent for more than three to six months in a woman who previously had periods)

OligomenorrheaOligomenorrhea is the medical term for infrequent menstrual periods (fewer than six to eight periods per year).

The causes, evaluation, and treatment of amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea are similar and will be discussed together.

CAUSES OF IRREGULAR PERIODS

The brain (including the hypothalamus and pituitary gland), ovaries, and uterus normally follow a sequence of events once per month that helps to prepare the body for pregnancy. Two hormones, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH), are made by the pituitary gland. Two other hormones, progesterone, and estrogen are made by the ovaries.

Menstrual cycle disorders can result from conditions that affect the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, uterus, cervix, or vagina.

Primary amenorrheaSome of the more common causes of primary amenorrhea include the following:

Conditions that are present at birth, but may not be noticed until puberty. These conditions include genetic or chromosomal abnormalities and abnormalities of the reproductive organs (e.g, if the uterus is not present or developed abnormally).

All of the conditions that lead to secondary amenorrhea can also cause primary amenorrhea.

Secondary amenorrheaPregnancy is the most common of secondary amenorrhea. Other common causes include the following:

Ovarian conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and ovarian insufficiency (early menopause).

Hypothalamic Amenorrhea. This occurs when the hypothalamus slows or stops releasing GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone), a hormone that influences when a woman has a menstrual period.

Hypothalamic amenorrhea is associated with low body weight (defined as weighing 10 percent below ideal body weight), a low percentage of body fat, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervous, emotional stress, strenuous exercise, and some medical conditions or illnesses. However, in some cases, there is no obvious explanation for hypothalamic amenorrhea.

Prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors are another common cause of secondary amenorrhea.

OligomenorrheaMany of the conditions that cause primary or secondary amenorrhea can also cause a woman to ovulate irregularly). However, most women who develop infrequent periods have polycystic ovary syndrome.

EVALUATION OF IRREGULAR PERIODS

The evaluation of amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea includes a complete medical history and physical examination.

HistoryThere are often clues about the cause of amenorrhea in a woman’s personal and family medical history. A woman should mention if she had any health problems during infancy or childhood, when her first period started (if there was the first period) and how frequently periods have occurred since. If known, the woman should also mention if there is any family history of Suffering from Irregular Periods

Other important points include Suffering from Irregular Periods are the presence of discharge from the breasts, hot flashes, adult acne, facial or chest hair, and headaches or impaired vision. The clinician will also ask about any medications, herbs, and vitamins used, recent stress, recent gynecologic procedures, changes in weight, diet, or exercise patterns, and illnesses.

Physical examinationDuring the physical examination, the provider will examine the face, neck, breasts, and abdomen. A pelvic examination will also be performed.

TestingDepending upon the individual, the clinician may order blood tests. Because pregnancy is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea, a pregnancy test is usually recommended for women whose menstrual periods have stopped. Blood tests to measure hormone levels will also be ordered.

In selected cases, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test may be done to determine if there are hypothalamic or pituitary gland abnormalities in the brain. Occasionally, these causes Suffering from Irregular Periods in women with a suspected chromosomal abnormality, a chromosome analysis may be recommended. A pelvic ultrasound may be recommended to identify abnormalities of the uterus, cervix, and vagina.

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