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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

Categories
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
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
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

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

library_basic_006_img_002

 

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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PCOD PCOS Women's health

Does PCOS affect Pregnancy ??

Women with PCOS are at higher risk for certain problems or complications during pregnancy.The main question is how does PCOS affect pregnancy?

In addition, infants born to mothers with PCOS are at higher risk of spending time in the neonatal intensive care unit or dying before, during, or right after birth. Complications of pregnancy associated with PCOS, such as preeclampsia, could be a reason for these risks. Also, conditions common to PCOS like metabolic syndrome and increased androgens may increase the risks affecting infants. Now, how actual PCOS affect Pregnancy?

Pregnancy complications related to PCOS include:

  • Miscarriage or early loss of pregnancy –

Women with PCOS are three times as likely to miscarry in the early months of pregnancy as are women without PCOS. Some research shows that insulin senstizers may reduce the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women with PCOS. However, other studies have not confirmed that insulin sensitizers reduce miscarriage risk, so more research needs to be done.

  • Gestational diabetes –

This is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. It is treatable and, if controlled, does not cause significant problems for the mother or fetus. In most cases, the condition goes away after the baby is born. Babies whose mothers have gestational diabetes can be very large (resulting in the need for cesarean, or C-section [surgical], delivery), have low blood sugar, and have trouble breathing. Women with gestational diabetes, as well as their children, are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes later in life.

  • Preeclampsia –

Preeclampsia, a sudden increase in blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy, can affect the mother’s kidneys, liver, and brain. If left untreated, preeclampsia can turn into eclampsia. Eclampsia can cause organ damage, seizures, and even death. Currently, the primary treatment for the condition is to deliver the baby, even preterm if necessary. Pregnant women with preeclampsia may require a C-section delivery, which can carry additional risks for both mother and baby.

  • Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure –

This condition is due to an increase in blood pressure that may occur in the second half of pregnancy. If not treated, it can lead to preeclampsia. This type of high blood pressure can also affect delivery of the baby.

  • Preterm birth –

Infants are considered “preterm” if they are delivered before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm infants are at risk for many health problems, both right after birth and later in life, and some of these problems can be serious.

  • Cesarean or C-section delivery –

Pregnant women with PCOS are more likely to have C-sections because of the pregnancy complications associated with PCOS, such as pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. Because C-section delivery is a surgical procedure, recovery can take longer than recovery from vaginal birth and can carry risks for both the mother and infant.

Researchers are studying whether treatment with insulin-sensitizing drugs such as insulin sensitizers can prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy problems in women with PCOS.

If you have PCOS and get pregnant, work with your health care provider to promote a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

Does PCOS affect Pregnancy ??

Sources:

  1. Ehrmann. D. A. (2005). Polycystic ovary syndrome.New England Journal of Medicine, 352, 1223–1236.
  2. Boomsma, C. M., Fauser, B. C., & Macklon, N. S. (2008). Pregnancy complications in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Seminars in Reproductive Medicine 26, 72−84.
  3. ACOG. (2011a).High blood pressure during pregnancy. Washington, DC. Retrieved December 22, 2011, from here (PDF – 202 KB)
  4. Schildkraut, J. M., Schwingl, P. J., Bastos, E., Evanoff, A., & Hughes, C. (1996). Epithelial ovarian cancer risk among women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Obstetrics and Gynecology, 88, 554–559.

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Does PCOS affect Pregnancy ??

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