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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.

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PCOS Women's health

PCOS and the Benefits of Yoga

 

If you have ever opened a magazine, turned on the television or stepped into a studio, you have probably seen pretzel-like women clad in body-hugging yoga pants performing poses that appear to defy human physiology. You have probably stared with both envy and admiration while silently cursing your PCOS body.

Fear not because we will be discussing why PCOS and yoga are the perfect combination and how you can get started anytime, anywhere from the comfort of your own home to a professional studio.

Whether you have been diagnosed with PCOS two months or twenty years ago, yoga is one of the most beneficial and complete forms of exercise that focuses on the mind, body, and spirit with added muscle and cardio building benefits.

Why Yoga and PCOS are the Perfect Marriage

Like Saturdays and sleeping in, yoga and PCOS were simply meant to be together.

The philosophy of yoga describes certain poses that stimulate energy systems within the body that may be lacking in women with PCOS. Such poses can help bring the body into balance. A 2012 study found that twelve weeks of a one hour a day holistic yoga program in adolescents with PCOS was significantly more beneficial than a conventional physical exercise program. The yoga program reduced anxiety symptoms, mFG scores for hirsutism, improved menstrual frequency, glucose, lipid and insulin values in addition to insulin resistance values.

Certain weight-bearing poses help build muscle which helps burn fat and combat insulin resistance – a critical component of PCOS management. More active yoga can also increase heart rate, providing a cardiovascular workout which promotes heart health and weight loss.

 

Beyond the Body


The Sanskrit root of the word yoga is yuj which means “to join” and is often defined as “to unite.”

Contrary to mindlessly running on a treadmill or pedaling a bicycle, yoga unites the body, mind, breath and spirit, increasing awareness and teaching the individual to become more accepting of capabilities and limitations which promotes confidence and self-care, habits that are great for longevity. Even the simple act of breathing intentionally through a physically demanding pose can teach people how to manage stress in everyday situations by breathing. In turn, a person can manage physiological responses to stress which further promotes more balanced hormones.

We won’t be touching on the spiritual side of yoga much in this post much but it’s worth mentioning that yoga teaches its participants to let go of everything outside the room and to center yourself and turn inward in a positive way.

Getting Started

In today’s modern world, there are a number of ways to get started doing yoga. We recommend finding a professional class with a certified instructor who is experienced and will take the time to teach you proper form and modify your poses based on your level of experience and fitness. There are many small studios that are less intimidating than a gym setting however, if you’re more comfortable getting started at home, there are many options for you as well.

Books, magazines, DVDs and YouTube videos are widely available for you to practice yoga safely at home. There is even a wealth of popular and useful yoga apps available for iOS and Android. If you find classes prohibitively expensive, a free or cheap app is a great alternative that can help get you started.

Figure 1 Source: topfitnessapps.com

The most popular are Yoga Studio, Pocket Yoga and Daily Yoga.

In the meantime, build your confidence and health with yoga and explore various types until you find the one you enjoy the most. There more than we can list here but the most common type is Hatha yoga among others like Vinyasa and Bikram or hot yoga.

We also recommend taking a high quality supplement. Furocyst, for example, is extracted from the Fenugreek seed without using chemicals and is rising in popularity as a beneficial supplement. Clinically proven safe and effective for managing PCOS, Furocyst is shown to reduce the size of ovarian cysts and improve insulin sensitivity. For more information, visit www.furocyst.com.

The statement and product mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 

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blog 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 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 body, which is known as the “hunger hormone”. Thus, 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 long-term management of body weight and in regulating appetite.

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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

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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 PCOS.

HOW TO MANAGE PCOS BY CONTROLLING LEPTIN?

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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

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  • Reducing weight by even a small amount can improve metabolic and reproductive outcomes in women with PCOS.
  • Weight loss can show improvement in both ovulation and insulin resistance.
  • Weight reduction can have a direct effect on hyper-androgenism 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

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  • 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

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  • 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 defence in the treatment of PCOS and fertility and in addressing the leptin, insulin relationships in PCOS, there are herbs that may assist with PCOS.

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One such herb is Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum grecum). This herb is reported to have 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.

Furoslim_rAnother 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 bloodstream.

Thus, instead of using harmful medications which either have side effects or produce 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

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PCOD PCOS Women's health

Losing Weight is Hard, Especially with PCOS. Here’s How We Can Help

Let’s get one thing straight, we are not about portion control, counting calories, over exercising and restricting carbohydrates.

Seriously, we’re not about that life.

A diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome is a difficult one to hear especially when told that fundamental lifestyle changes are required. Fortunately, you definitely don’t need to throw your money at gym memberships, personal trainers, fancy yoga studios, and cookie-cutter low carb diet plans.

In this article we will cover a collection of tips we have compiled to help you start feeling your best and losing weight at the same time. PCOS is not necessarily a life sentence, a number of women have found a path to healing by adopting a moderate exercise routine as well as a high carb, low fat plant-based diet devoid of meat, dairy, eggs, oil and processed food.

If we have just added your primary food groups to the ‘no’ list, fear not. As a bonus, we have included a list of our favorite foods that promote weight loss, healthy blood glucose levels and prevent insulin resistance.

Eat Plants

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Dr. Neal Barnard, founding president of the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine, and his colleagues found in a comprehensive study that a low-fat, plant based whole food vegan lifestyle free of animal products and refined oils can help lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure. Dr. Barnard further reports that this lifestyle aids in weight loss especially for individuals struggling with type 2 diabetes, a common concern for women with PCOS.

Whole foods like beans, lentils, legumes, oats, and rice are healthful and delicious staples to have. Fruits and vegetables like apples, bananas, pears, mangos, blueberries, blackberries, dates, spinach, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and yams are also just a few of the healthiest foods a person can eat. When eaten daily and in abundance, these nutrient dense and antioxidant rich foods will change everything from your weight to the health of your skin and energy.

The variety of plant-based foods is astonishing. If you enjoy eating pizza, pasta and burgers, go ahead. There are plant-based pizzas loaded with tasty veggies, pastas made from rice, corn, peas and beets, and the best burgers you will ever taste made from beans, lentils, chickpeas, quinoa and so much more.

Mainstream media often curses some of these high-carb foods and recommends a diet rich in animal protein, especially for people struggling with PCOS. Unfortunately, you can’t trick your brain into wanting less food or fewer carbohydrates and women struggling with PCOS benefit immensely when foods like dairy, gluten, and soy are eliminated. These foods cause inflammation which can exacerbate symptoms of PCOS. By eating whole foods abundantly that are rich in carbohydrates, you will satisfy the cravings, flood your body with nutrients, feel amazing and lose weight.

No Oil

“From my lips to my hips, the fat you eat is the fat your wear,” said by Dr. McDougall, an American Physician and best-selling author.

The human body is incredibly efficient at storing fat. According to Dr. McDougall, the fats and oils found in both natural foods and added to foods, are among the leading causes of obesity.

If you cook with oil often, substituting with local, organic, fat-free oil, otherwise known as water, is incredibly easy.

Spice it up!

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Whole foods can be healthy and satisfying. Discover the spices you love and add them to your favorite dishes. In fact, many spices deliver some serious health benefits. For example, a study conducted by the US Agricultural Research Service found that type 2 diabetics who consumed just 1 gram of cinnamon per day experienced a 20% decrease in blood sugar.

Other spices that pack punch not just in taste but in health benefits include turmeric, ginger, sage, red pepper, and cumin.

Get Adequate Sleep

This is always on our list of top weight loss tips and it should be on yours too.

The average person needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for hormone balance and maintaining a healthy weight. In contrast, sleep deprivation can increase the production of certain hormones that increase feelings of hunger.

To get adequate sleep each night:

  • Establish a routine beginning at least one hour before you go to bed that doesn’t involve any electronic devices.
  • Keep your room as dark as possible. Even if you wear an eye mask, your body can sense light through your skin so try using black out curtains if necessary.
  • Try to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day

Stop Resting

Not to be confused with ‘stop sleeping,’ a rather contradictory topic.

We mean stop resting for a day or days at a time between workouts. You can lower the intensity with walking, swimming, yoga with help from a free app or streaming video, or deep stretching. Practice moving everyday instead of lounging around on the couch on days where you haven’t scheduled cardio or weight training.

Life Weight, Lose Weight

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Pay no attention to every time you have been told lifting weights will make you bulky and start building some fat-burning muscle. In fact, replacing ten pounds of fat with ten pounds of muscle can burn fifty more calories per day.

Performing exercises like squats and push-ups are also effective at building muscle and burning fat.

Love Yourself

No more fad diets, no more feeling guilty about sleeping in and no more hating yourself for eating. Losing weight, especially for people who have PCOS, is about long-term health. Quick fix low calorie, low carb diets and over exercising do not promote sustainable weight loss, long-term health and, most importantly, self love.

Love yourself enough to want to take care of your body. Your health is the priority and the physique you want is worth the wait.

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We also recommend taking a high quality supplement. Furocyst, for example, is extracted from the Fenugreek seed without using chemicals and is rising in popularity as a beneficial supplement. Clinically proven safe and effective for managing PCOS, Furocyst is shown to reduce the size of ovarian cysts and improve insulin sensitivity. For more information, visit www.furocyst.com

The statement and product mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

or more,

Call : +91 9915002390

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Losing Weight is Hard, Especially with PCOS. Here’s How We Can Help

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PCOD PCOS Women's health

HEALTH BENEFITS OF FENUGREEK

Fenugreek (Methi) is an herb used for medicinal purposes from many years in India and North Africa. Its leaves & seeds contain bioactive components. Its leaves provide 49 calories and contain 89% water, 6% carbohydrates, 4% protein, and less than 1% fat, with calcium. Its seeds are rich sources of protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, iron, and several other dietary minerals. you will get to know about the health benefits of fenugreek. (http://ninindia.org/dietaryguidelinesforninwebsite.pdf)

Availability (regions)

Fenugreek is majorly available in Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Argentina, Egypt, France, Spain, Turkey, Morocco, and China. The Indian states which majorly produce fenugreek are Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Punjab.

(http://www.spiceflair.com/fenugreek/)

Nutritional Value of Fenugreek

It contains a wide variety of beneficial nutrients, including iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper, as well as vitamin B6, protein, and dietary fiber. Fenugreek also contains a number of powerful phytonutrients, including choline, trigonelline, yamogenin, gitogenin, diosgenin, tigogenin, and neotigogens.

(https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/fenugreek.html)

Health Benefits

Fenugreek is rich in bioactive components such as saponins, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, etc. These bioactive components contribute to various health benefits

  • Fenugreek & Management of Type-2 Diabetes: It has been proved by many clinical & non-clinical studies that fenugreek helps in lowering blood glucose levels in diabetic individuals. The bio-active component of fenugreek (Saponins & 4-hydroxy isoleucine) is reported to increase the release of insulin from the cells (beta cells) so that sugar levels in the blood can be normalized.
  • One of the published studies of innovative research product FENFUROTM reported a significant change in blood glucose levels, decrease in HbA1c levels, fasting plasma glucose levels, PP plasma glucose levels and increase in C-peptide levels as compared to Placebo group. The fenfuro-treated group also showed a reduction in concomitant anti-diabetic therapy.
  • Regular intake of FENFURO can control the blood sugar level effectively. Fenfuro is a first of its kind, safe nutraceutical derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process. Through its unique scientific process, FENFURO concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.
  • Fenugreek Lipid lowering activity: Fenugreek has hypocholesterolemic effect ie. cholesterol-lowering effect, which is due to the action of fibers & saponins of fenugreek on the hepatic cholesterol. These components increase the thermogenetic process (conversion of cholesterol to energy with the help of heat) of the lipids inside the cells. Many reports have shown that fenugreek was effective in lowering total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body. Animal studies also suggest that when rats were fed with hypercholesterolemic diet then, fenugreek prevented the rise in serum cholesterol levels.
  • Fenugreek Antioxidant activity: The bioactive components (flavonoids & polyphenols) present in fenugreek contribute to its antioxidant activity. It blocks the chain reaction formed by free radicals. This activity of fenugreek helps in protecting the body from oxidative damage.
  • Fenugreek Anti-inflammatory activity: It has been demonstrated by animal studies that fenugreek has anti-inflammatory activity also. Fenugreek showed the beneficial effect of inhibiting inflammatory responses in many animal studies. It helps with inflammation within the body such as mouth ulcers, bronchitis, tuberculosis, chronic coughs, kidney ailments, etc.
  • Fenugreek Testosterone booster: Fenugreek is claimed to boost testosterone levels in men by inhibiting 5-α-reductase (an enzyme which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone). It is thus helpful in improving libido, energy, strength, and well-being.
  • Fenugreek Joint pain relieving: Fenugreek is reported to cure joint pain, particularly from arthritis. This beneficial effect is due to its antioxidant & anti-inflammatory property. It has been reported that fenugreek mimics estrogen which is known to inhibit conditions like arthritis. It inhibits inflammation by activating those pathways which counteract the effect of autoimmune disorders.
  • Decrease in dysmenorrhea by Fenugreek: Clinical study data suggest that prescription of fenugreek seed powder during menstruation can reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea. Fenugreek helps in the reduction in pain, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, and lack of energy during the menstrual cycle. Fenugreek helps to balance hormones which are responsible for menstruation.
  • Fenugreek in PCOS: Recently fenugreek is reported to prevent polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It has been reported that fenugreek seed extract is capable to reduce cyst size in the ovaries and prevent the formation of new cysts. It is also reported to reduce the ovarian volume. The clinical data suggest that fenugreek was effective in maintaining the regular menstrual cycle. For more information please visit www.furocyst.com

References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26516311

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HEALTH BENEFITS OF FENUGREEK

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PCOD PCOS Uncategorized Women's health

ARE YOU A WOMAN WITH PCOS & BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the commonest endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. For the diagnosis of this syndrome the Rotterdam Criteria is used. According to this criterion, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is diagnosed in the presence of at least two of three criteria:

  • Menstrual disorders or amenorrhoea with chronic lack of ovulation
  • Clinical and/or biochemical features of hyperandrogenism
  • The presence of polycystic ovaries in ultrasonography after the exclusion of other endocrine disorders

Prevalence: In the United States, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders of reproductive-age women, with a prevalence of 4-12%. Up to 10% women are diagnosed with PCOS. In some European studies, the prevalence of PCOS has been reported to be 6.5-8%.

PCOS is a disease, which is associated with many complications such as obesity, diabetes, thyroid, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, etc. Bipolar disorder is one of the diseases associated with PCOS. It is not clear whether PCOS generates bipolar disorder or vice-versa but its occurrence is common in PCOS-affecting females.

Bipolar disorder 1

This disease is characterized by the occurrence of the periods of mania and depression. They are divided into:

  • Bipolar disorder I (full-blown mania and major depression),
  • Bipolar disorder II (hypomania and episodes of major depression)
  • Unspecified bipolar disorder (bipolar symptoms that do not meet criteria I or II)

Prevalence: During an epidemiological study, it was found the prevalence of bipolar disorder is very less. 1% of the population is found to be prevalent with bipolar disorder I, 1.1% with bipolar disorder II & 2.4% with bipolar disorder III. The overall prevalence of the bipolar disorder is 4.4% in US population. Bipolar disorder II has the highest persistence (73.2%), with Bipolar disorder I (63.3%) following second and bipolar sub-threshold third (59.5%).

Relation between PCOS & bipolar disorder

PCOS & bipolar disorder are reported to be linked to each other. It has been found from the clinical studies that women with bipolar disorder are at higher risk of PCOS and vice-versa. In a clinical study on 110 women with PCOS, it was reported that 88 women were suffering from bipolar disease also.

3Both PCOS and bipolar disorder show increased levels of stress and high cortisol. This could be due to a dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is responsible for stress response. Cortisol is released to handle stress. Then the body is supposed to calm itself down when the stressor no longer exists. When there is a problem with this cycle, like there is in bipolar disorder and PCOS, the cortisol sticks around. High cortisol levels can lead to many cognitive problems and depressive symptoms. The hormone imbalance could also lead to hyperandrogenism in PCOS.

Multiple studies have shown a link between PCOS and the drug valproic acid/valproate, which is an anticonvulsant, used to treat bipolar disorder as a mood stabilizer & epilepsy. One study showed that 43% of the women receiving valproate for epilepsy had polycystic ovaries. In bipolar disorder, one study found that 47% of patients taking valproate had PCOS compared to the 13% of patients who were not.

Women with bipolar disorder are almost twice as likely to have irregular menstrual cycles, than healthy controls. While medications can cause irregularities, irregular periods often occur before a patient is even diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

BIPOLAR DISORDER QUESTIONNAIRE FOR WOMEN WITH PCOS

The following given questionnaire is helpful to screen women with bipolar disorder:

Positive screening for bipolar disorder on the basis of following scores:

  • YES to 7 or more than 13 points in Question 1
  • YES to Question 2
  • MODERATE PROBLEM” or “SERIOUS PROBLEM” to Question 3

These symptoms can only be treated if regular therapy for PCOS is administered to the suffering females.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To know more, click on the link –

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/stress/

REFERENCES

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PCOD PCOS Women's health

REDUCING THE RISK OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER IN PCOS

ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

Female uterus contains a lining known as endometrium that contains tissue full of blood vessels. Under healthy condition, this endometrium lining is built up (by cell multiplication) for up to one month for probable pregnancy. If there is no possibility of pregnancy, then, after one month of cycle, this lining full of tissues breaks down as menses.

Under diseased condition, the cells of the endometrium lining begin to grow out of control, causing endometrial cancer. The cancer is staged according to where the cancer cells are found, from Stage I being completely within the uterus to Stage IV, where cancer has spread beyond the boundaries of the pelvis.

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SYMPTOMS OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

Unusual vaginal bleeding: About 90% of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer have abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as a change in their periods or bleeding between periods or after menopause. This symptom can also occur with some non-cancerous conditions, but it is important to have a doctor look into any irregular bleeding.

Vaginal discharge: Non-bloody vaginal discharge may also be a sign of endometrial cancer. Your doctor should check out any abnormal discharge.

Pelvic pain & Weight loss: Pain in the pelvis along with unintentional weight loss can also be a symptom of endometrial cancer. These symptoms are more common in later stages of the disease.

HOW PCOS INCREASE THE RISK OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER?

2Women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) are reported to be at a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer. It has been seen in many females that the PCOS suffering females are three times more prone to endometrial cancer as compared to normal females. But it is also clear that it’s not mandatory for a PCOS female to develop endometrial cancer. Whenever PCOS is at extreme levels, then, it might cause endometrial cancer.

PCOS is associated with irregularity in the hormonal balance, which produces cyst(s) in the ovaries of the females. During healthy condition, shedding of endometrium lining is inhibited only during pregnancy. But in PCOS, irregular hormones also do not allow the endometrium lining to break down during menses. This irregularity of hormones involves very lesser quantity of progesterone (causes shedding of endometrium in menses) & higher amount of estrogen (causes ovulation). Thus, endometrium lining grows to a much thicker level than normal due to deficiency of progesterone. This condition leads to pre-cancerous situation called endometrial hyperplasia. If this condition is left untreated, it develops to endometrial cancer.

MANAGEMENT OF PCOS-GENERATED ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

The endometrial cancer can be managed in two ways as given below:

  • Reduce the risk of development of endometrial cancer
  • Treat the developed endometrial cancer

It is up to the stage of the cancer in the patient through which the treatment strategy can be opted. It there is only a risk of development of the cancer, but it has not developed yet, then, first option can be chosen. If the cancer has already developed in PCOS suffering female, then, second option can be chosen. Following treatment strategies have been given accordingly.

REDUCE THE RISK OF DEVELOPMENT OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

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  • PCOS treatment: When you know that the PCOS is the obvious reason for the risk of developing endometrial cancer, then, it should be treated first. If left untreated, hormone levels will remain abnormal and affect your whole body and your cancer risk.

PCOS is generally treated with the help of oral contraceptives. These medications are prescribed by doctor. Oral contraceptives containing progesterone-only pills are best to reduce endometrial cancer risk. But these do not come with their side effects.

PCOS can also be managed with the help of a clinically proven dietary supplement in the form of fenugreek seed extract i.e. Furocyst. It has been proven to be safe & effective for the management of PCOS. It has been clinically evaluated and patented and has no known side effects.

  • Healthy body weight: Most of the women with PCOS are obese or overweight. Obesity or overweight contributes highly to the development & progression of PCOS. Obesity is also known to be one of the risk factors of endometrial cancer because it also increases estrogen levels in the body.

Regular exercise and sticking to a healthy diet can lose excess weight and minimize the endometrial cancer risk.

  • Regular examinations: 4If you already know you are at a greater risk for endometrial cancer because of your PCOS, it’s important to keep an eye on the early signs of cancer. Thus, it is a big requirement for regular –
  • Pap smears: Tests for the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix (opening of the uterus).
  • Pelvic exam: Examination of vulva and internal reproductive organs including cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina.

TREAT THE DEVELOPED ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

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If a female is diagnosed with endometrial cancer along with PCOS, it is very important to talk with a specialist as soon as possible. A number of treatments are available and only a specialist can help determine the best option. The option can be one of the following:

  • Surgery: Surgery is the main treatment for most of the women with endometrial cancer. It is carried out according to the stage of this cancer. If the cancer is limited only to the uterus then, the doctors opt for hysterectomy e. removing uterus from the body. If the cancer has spread to other organs such as fallopian tube, ovaries, part of vagina, etc, then, they may need to be removed as well.
    • For any of these procedures, general anesthesia is used so the patient is asleep or sedated during the operation.
    • The doctor may feel that chemotherapy or radiation treatment is necessary as well to prevent cancer from spreading.
    • The patient is recovered after surgery by staying in the hospital for 5-7 days. Complete recovery takes 4-6 weeks.
    • The only disadvantage of this surgery is infertility (not being able to start or maintain a pregnancy).
  • Radiation: This type of therapy involves killing the cancer cells by exposing them to high-energy radiation. It can be done in two ways:
    • Either from a machine (sends the radiation through the body towards the cancer cells)
    • Or internally with seeds, needles or catheters which are placed directly in contact with cancer.
    • With one radiation machine strategy, the device is usually left in place for about 1 to 4 days. The patient needs to stay immobile to keep the radiation sources from moving during treatment and so she is usually kept in the hospital overnight.
    • Another radiation machine strategy is a bit intense. Each dose takes a very short time (usually less than an hour) and the patient can go home the same day.
  • Chemotherapy: When this type of treatment is opted, special chemicals are introduced into the body, either by mouth or intravenously, which directly kill the cancer cells. These chemicals enter the bloodstream and reach throughout the body, making this treatment potentially useful for cancer that has spread beyond the endometrium.
    • Combination chemotherapy sometimes works better in treating cancer than one drug alone. Combination chemotherapy sometimes works better in treating cancer than one chemical/drug alone.
    • Chemo is often given in cycles e. a period of treatment, followed by a rest period. The chemo chemicals/drugs may be given on one or more days in each cycle.
    • These chemicals kill cancer cells but can also damage some normal cells. This produces side effects including nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, mouth or vaginal sores and hair loss.
    • Most of the side effects of chemotherapy stop when the treatment is over, but some can last a long time.
  • Hormone therapy: If cancer responds to hormonal stimulation, there are medications, which can help block the hormone from interacting with cancer. This can help prevent further growth of cancer. Hormone treatment for endometrial cancer includes:
    • Progesterone: Slows the growth of endometrial cancer cells.
    • Tamoxifen: Prevent the circulation of estrogen hormone. Also prevents estrogen from nourishing the cancer cells.
    • Luteinizing hormone agonist: It switches off the estrogen production by the ovaries in women who are premenopausal. They are injected every 1-3 months.
    • Aromatize inhibitors: Even after the ovaries are removed (or are not functioning); estrogen is still made in the fat tissue. This becomes the body’s main source of estrogen. Drugs called aromatase inhibitors can stop this estrogen from being formed and lower estrogen levels even further.

YOU QUERIES TO DOCTOR AFTER TREATMENT

When the treatment has been completed, following questions should be asked by the patient to the doctor for satisfactory completion of treatment as well as for future health:6

  • Are there any limits on what I can do?
  • What symptoms should I watch for?
  • What kind of exercise should I do now?
  • What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
  • How often will I need to have follow-up exams and imaging tests?
  • Will I need any blood tests?
  • How will I know if the cancer has come back? What should I watch for?
  • What will my options be if the cancer comes back?
  • When can I resume my usual activities at work and/or around the house?

For more info visit https://furocyst.com or

Call : +91 9915002390

Click here for more

REDUCING THE RISK OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER IN PCOS

Categories
PCOD PCOS Women's health

PCOS MIGHT BE ATTACKING YOUR LIVER TOO

NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD) is a very common disorder to be associated with PCOS (poly cystic ovary syndrome). NAFLD is the accumulation of excess fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. The most common form of NAFLD is a non-serious condition called fatty liver. A small group of people with NAFLD may have a more serious condition named non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In NASH, fat accumulation is associated with liver cell inflammation and different degrees of scarring. NASH is a potentially serious condition that may lead to severe liver scarring and cirrhosis.

NAFLD is highly prevalent in PCOS affecting females. It has been seen that 15% to 55% of women with PCOS are diagnosed with NAFLD. The liver isn’t meant to store fat. Its role is to serve as the detoxifying organ for the body filtering out harmful substances. Thus, when PCOS starts to contribute in accumulating fat inside liver then, the condition of the female worsens.

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NAFLD is a silent condition. Most women with PCOS won’t know that they have it until getting blood results. Having fatty liver or NAFLD increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. If not treated, NAFLD can progress to more advanced stages of liver damage such as NASH & liver cirrhosis.

DIAGNOSIS

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  • Diagnosis by blood test named as “Liver function test” (LFT) including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) & aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
  • Confirmation by ultrasound of the liver or liver biopsy

HOW PCOS CAUSES NAFLD

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Insulin resistance and obesity in PCOS causes NAFLD in women. Insulin resistance in adipose tissue results in accelerated lipolysis, causing an increased flow of free fatty acids to the liver, thus favoring hepatic fat accumulation. Visceral adipose tissue by increased free fatty acid flow to the liver seems to be an important regulator of fatty liver.

ASSOCIATED FACTORS WORSENING NAFLD IN PCOS

There are some factors which contribute in worsening the condition of NAFLD in women with PCOS. These are:

 

  • Excess abdominal weight
  • Insulin resistance5
  • Elevated androgens (testosterones)
  • Hightriglycerides
  • High LDL cholesterol level
  • Low HDL cholesterol level
  • Inactive lifestyle
  • Obstructive sleep apnea

TREATMENT

Therapeutic interventions primarily target the risk factors for NAFLD – obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. Curing these risk factors might automatically prevent the development of NAFLD in PCOS females.

Dietary modification 6

Fat, sugar, and excessive intake of processed foods are the main nutrition contributors to fatty liver disease. Consumption of trans-fats, fats typically found in processed and fast food, is linked with insulin resistance, inflammation and increased triglycerides. Fructose is also linked to worsening insulin resistance and inflammation which is found in corn syrup, juice and other flavored beverages.

Keeping trans-fats, sugar and processed foods out of the diet will improve the condition of the liver. Liver can remain healthy by eating a healthy diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, beans and legumes, fish and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Lose Weight

7Weight loss is effective for treating fatty liver disease as it can improve insulin resistance, triglycerides and visceral fat. An inactive lifestyle is one of the contributing factors to NAFLD. Engaging in regular physical activity consisting of aerobic and resistance training, can decrease fatty liver even if weight loss isn’t achieved.

Participants who engaged in 30 to 60 minutes of exercise two to three times each week saw significant reductions in liver fat.

Thus diet, weight loss and exercise are the cornerstone of treatment and may be combined with insulin-sensitizers.

Fish Oil

8Omega-3 fatty acids like the ones found in cold water fish such as salmon, tuna and trout are effective at reducing triglycerides, inflammation and insulin in women with PCOS. In a clinical study, women with PCOS who supplemented their diets with 4 grams of fish oil for 8 weeks saw a significant decrease in liver fat and triglycerides.

Supplement with Vitamin E

9Women with PCOS have been shown to have higher levels of oxidative stress than women without PCOS. Oxidative stress is a contributing factor to diseases like NAFLD. Antioxidants work to fight oxidative stress and have been suggested in the treatment of NAFLD. Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, is commonly recommended to those with NAFLD.

Fenugreek

10Fenugreek has been clinically shown to be effective in the treatment of PCOS and its complications. Fenugreek seeds extract-based product – Furocyst has shown to improve the condition of PCOS. It is a patented and clinically evaluated product proven safe and effective with patients in PCOS. Fenugreek is also reported to be a good antioxidant to fight against oxidative stress. It may be able to manage NAFLD in PCOS suffering females.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in women with PCOS is common and serious, but can easily be reversed with diet and lifestyle changes!

For more info visit https://furocyst.com or

Call : +91 9915002390

Click here for more

PCOS MIGHT BE ATTACKING YOUR LIVER TOO

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