Tag: Treatment of PCOS

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PCOS Women's health

Symptoms of PCOS

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR PCOS

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symptoms of PCOS

 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder in women causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts in the ovaries. Causes of PCOS are not clear but may be due to genetic and environmental factors. 

Between 5% and 10% of women between 15 and 44 have PCOS. The incidence of PCOS is very common. But PCOS can happen at any age after puberty.

Women of all races and ethnicities are at risk of PCOS. The risk of PCOS may be higher if one is obese or if they have a mother, sister, or aunt with PCOS.

Some of the common PCOS symptoms are irregular menses, acne, prolonged menstruation, hirsutism (excessive hair in unwanted areas) and obesity among others. These PCOS symptoms are mostly physical. But PCOS symptoms can also be psychological like depression, difficulty in conceiving, etc. 

Irregular periods are one of the most common symptom of PCOS and can be taken as the 1st signs of PCOS.

Most women face difficulty in getting pregnant with PCOS but by managing PCOS pregnancy symptoms, women might be able to conceive naturally and give birth to a healthy baby.

PCOS pregnancy symptoms are similar to normal pregnancy and a test to ascertain can be taken after a missed period.

 

It is very important to ascertain PCOS signs and symptoms in a timely fashion so that any further complications can be avoided and these can be managed effectively. 

PCOS symptoms that are common:

  • irregular menses
  • excess androgen levels
  • sleep apnea
  • high stress levels
  • high blood pressure
  • skin tags
  • infertility
  • acne, oily skin, and dandruff
  • high cholesterol and triglycerides
    acanthosis nigricans, or dark patches of skin
  • fatigue
  • female pattern balding
  • insulin resistance
  • type 2 diabetes
  • pelvic pain
  • depression and anxiety
  • weight management difficulties including weight gain or difficulty losing weight
    excessive facial and body hair growth, known as hirsutism 
  • decreased libido

Some complications that can be a result of PCOS are:

  • Infertility
  • Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
  • Miscarriage or premature birth
  • A severe liver inflammation caused by fat accumulation in the liver
  • Metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels that significantly increase your risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
  • Sleep apnea
  • Depression, anxiety and eating disorders
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer)

Thus, it is very important to consult a doctor as soon as you have the 1st signs of PCOS so that necessary steps can be taken to curb the complications of PCOS and for its effective management.  

There is no single test to determine PCOS but range from physical exam, pelvic exam, pelvic ultrasound to blood tests.

Common PCOS treatment methods include birth control pills to regularize periods, medication to control blood glucose levels, statins to control high cholesterol, hormones to improve fertility as well as procedures to remove excessive body hair. 

There is no comprehensive PCOS treatment available in the market as of now. The available PCOS treatment focuses on different aspects of PCOS and is not free of side effects. 

Furocyst® is a patented and clinically evaluated, plant-based, natural comprehensive PCOS treatment. It is a pure fenugreek seeds extract and has no known side effects. It helps in reducing the ovary volume, decreasing cyst size, regularizing the periods and helps in regulating the blood glucose levels. 

 

There is no PCOS cure as of now. PCOS can be managed and not reversed. 

The best way to manage PCOS and its symptoms is through lifestyle modifications- healthy diet and regular exercise. 

Even losing 10% of the body weight can make a great difference in your menstrual period and ovulation.

symptoms of PCOS

 

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

STRUGGLING WITH JOINT PAIN IN PCOS

STRUGGLING WITH JOINT PAIN IN PCOS

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

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

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

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

HOW PCOS AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS LINKED?

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

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

SYMPTOMS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

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

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

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

DIAGNOSIS

 

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

Physical examination

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

Blood tests

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

Imaging tests

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

 COMPLICATIONS OF RA

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

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Meal planning 

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

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

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

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

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

Exercise

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

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

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

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

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

  • Jogging, especially on paved roads
  • Heavyweight lifting

Balancing hormones 

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

Medication

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

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

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

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

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

REFERENCES

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STRUGGLING WITH JOINT PAIN IN PCOS

Categories
PCOD PCOS Symptoms Women's health

PCOS: Risk of Development of Diabetes

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

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Risk of Development of Diabetes