Missing Periods and Neglected Body Fluctuations can be Alarming, Is it PCOS?

A missed period not always indicates pregnancy, but can also be alarming for numerous health issues including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women tend to forget their period dates and keep ignoring changes in their body, without knowing the cause. But this can lead to having serious concerns regarding reproductive health.

PCOS is a chronic condition that affects around a million females. It mostly leads to symptoms including struggles for losing weight, irregular periods or no period for a longer time, unusual hair growth in unfavorable areas, and mood swings including depression and anxiety. For a better understanding, PCOS is a hormonal disorder between females of reproductive stage. Women with PCOS may suffer through uncommon or extended menstrual periods. It also leads to an increase in the levels of male hormone that is androgen in the body.

Though the precise cause of PCOS is still unidentified. However, several types of research show that the ovaries may produce frequent small collections of fluid also known as follicles and fail to release eggs regularly. Furthermore, there are certainly other factors that can also be responsible for PCOS in women. Following are some of these factors-

• Increased level of insulin-

Insulin is the body’s primary energy supply. It is a hormone secreted by pancreas that assists cells to utilize sugar. The insulin can be resisted by the cells which can lead to increase blood sugar levels, and as a result, the production of insulin may increase in the body. This would further lead to a surge in the level of androgen, causing trouble for ovulation.

• Chronic low-grade inflammation-

It has emerged as a key contributor to the pathogenesis of PCOS. According to several types of research, women with PCOS have chronic low-grade inflammation that arouses polycystic ovaries to produce androgens. Furthermore, it also leads to problems related with heart as well as blood vessels.

• Heredity-

Also, certain researches states that genes can also affect hormone levels and insulin resistance, which may be responsible for causing the syndrome.

• Secretion of androgen-

In some women, ovaries produce abnormally high levels of androgen, which causes hirsutism and acne.

Treatments and medications-

PCOS treatment majorly focuses on managing individual concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne, or obesity. The treatment prioritizes change in lifestyle. Doctors mostly recommend ways for an active lifestyle including weight loss, low-calorie and healthy diet, and moderate exercises. Certain studies show that weight loss can improve this chronic condition. Secondary, regulating your menstrual cycle can positively help to decrease the impacts of PCOS. Mostly, a combination of birth control pills and progestin therapies is recommended to maintain hormonal balance including estrogen and progestin. Hormonal medications also enhance the chances of ovulation, therefore, minimizing the impacts of PCOS.

The busy & unhealthy lifestyle and ignorance towards self-health has increased the number of patients all across the world. The rise in the chronic condition is also increasing the demand for treatment. According to a report published by Allied Market Research reveals that the polycystic ovarian syndrome treatment market is projected to reach $4,184 million by 2026. Furthermore, factors such as a rise in the prevalence of PCOS, surge in the number of pipeline drugs, and an increase in healthcare expenditure worldwide drive the growth of the industry. Though several treatments are yet under development, however, further research and development processes and a higher number of unmet needs for treatments are anticipated to bring a number of opportunities in the near future.

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