Underdiagnosed and undertreated conditions put women’s health at risk

KANIKA SINGH RATHORE,

Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source

polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that affects ovulation, menstruation, and fertility. About one in 10 Canadian women,

Different from ovarian cysts, PCOS is associated with infertility, pregnancy complications. heart disease And quality of life is generally reduced, and yet less than half of those affected are aware that they have it.

This under-recognition and under-diagnosis is a significant problem, as a recent Canadian study shows that these women are 20 to 40 percent more likely to experience negative health outcomes, including high blood pressure, during their lifetime than the general population (high blood pressure, kidney diseaseGastrointestinal diseases, eating disorders, depression and anxiety.

risk of heart disease

Canadian researchers also found obesitydyslipidemia (abnormal levels of fat in your blood) and type 2 diabetes It is two to three times more common in women with PCOS. And most importantly, cardiovascular diseaseWhich causes heart failure and stroke, the likelihood was not only 30 to 50 percent higher, but it also occurred three to four years earlier than average in women with PCOS.

cardiovascular disease It is the leading cause of death worldwide, so when PCOS symptoms are ignored and untreated, women’s health is at risk.

high cost

There is undoubtedly a personal cost, physically and mentally, to individual women, and living with PCOS can also be a significant financial, health-care and work-life burden for many women, disproportionately affecting those in lower socio-economic groups.

An international survey suggests that it may take several months and even years for women to be diagnosed

An international survey suggests that it may take several months and even years for women to be diagnosed ,getty images,

These experiences are further complicated by the failure of the system to properly diagnose and manage their symptoms. Women report doctors ignoring or dismissing their concerns, not believing them, and struggling to make a diagnosis. In fact, a large international survey reported that it may take several months and even years for women to be diagnosed.

ALSO READ  Sean Dyche unhappy with 'willful-cheating' Nottingham Forest in Fulham defeat

Common PCOS Symptoms

PCOS symptoms can vary from woman to woman, but it is important to discuss the possibility of PCOS with your doctor, as careful management and/or treatment can help protect against the development of more serious related health problems. Common symptoms include:

  • irregular periods
  • Excess hair on the body, called hirsutism (dark hair usually on the face, arms, chest, or abdomen)
  • Hair thinning or loss (such as excess hair on the body due to high levels of male hormones or androgens)
  • acne and/or oily skin
  • weight gain

Management and Treatment of PCOS

Despite PCOS being diagnosed nearly a century ago, there is no single test to confirm whether a woman has it, and there is no cure. If your doctor suspects you may have PCOS, they may order blood tests to check your hormone levels and an ultrasound to check your ovaries.

Unlike ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that develop on or inside the ovaries and can be painful, polycystic ovaries are enlarged, containing multiple follicles that can be seen on ultrasound.

If your doctor suspects you may have PCOS, they may order a blood test.

If your doctor suspects you may have PCOS, they may order a blood test. ,Getty/iStock,

If PCOS is diagnosed, further testing for cholesterol and glucose levels is likely for management. heart disease And risk of diabetes.

Researchers also suggest ways women with PCOS can help manage their condition, including:

  • eating a healthy diet
  • exercising regularly (including strength training with weights)
  • Get at least seven hours of sleep every night
  • reducing stress (work-life balance; deep breathing exercises)
  • Relaxing in your favorite way (e.g. yoga, meditation and mindfulness, hobbies)
ALSO READ  All the travel vaccinations you should consider before traveling abroad

PCOS research is ongoing

Despite current problems, improvement is possible, and in recent years there have been sustained efforts – all over the world – to advocate for women with the condition and invest in PCOS research.

About the authors

Jamie Benham is an endocrinologist and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

Pauline McDonagh Hull is a PhD candidate in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary.

Robin Vettese is a Research Assistant (Community Scholar) in the Department of Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

This article is republished from Conversation Under Creative Commons license. read the original article,

In 2023, an international PCOS guideline is headed AustraliaHas been published. It recommends an individualized approach to PCOS treatment, including lifestyle changes (for example, healthy eating and exercise), medical management to treat symptoms, and regular checkups to provide support and screen for associated complications.

In Canada, the province of alberta Recently a much-needed clinical pathway to identify, treat, and advocate for PCOS has been launched that can be more widely adopted.

At the University of Calgary, Dr. Jamie Benham, one of the authors of this story, leads EMBRACE (Endocrine, Metabolic and Reproductive Advancement), a new women’s health research laboratory, where a team of clinical researchers is focusing on reproductive disorders across a woman’s entire life cycle, including PCOS and gestational diabetes.

This work supporting patients’ PCOS care includes an ongoing online needs-assessment survey and focus groups starting later this year to inform the development of a co-designed patient tool to support PCOS management.

Researchers may suggest ways that women with PCOS can help manage their condition

Researchers may suggest ways that women with PCOS can help manage their condition ,getty images,

patient engagement

With such a great demand for answers, the EMBRACE team works closely with the PCOS Patient Advisory Council, chaired by Robin Wettes, another author of this story, to uncover the complex relationship between hormones and health, promote screening, find solutions, and provide answers. Importantly, the lab’s research questions come directly from the clinic’s patients, and the answers the lab gets are fed back to those patients and then shared more widely.

ALSO READ  Strictly's Julian Callon admits he almost gave up auditioning for the show

Other recent PCOS advocacy events include Dr. Benham’s presentation at the inaugural Women’s Health Symposium Program of the Sex, Gender and Women’s Health Research Center in Calgary and her interview with the Libin Cardiovascular Institute.

PCOS Awareness

Another exciting research program in alberta PCOS is together. Researchers in this group are working to establish methods that will detect early disease risk in all women with PCOS, as well as clinical interventions that will help prevent the disease in high-risk women.

Similar organizations also exist in the United Kingdom. AustraliaThat includes Verity PCOS, a volunteer-based charity, and Ask PCOS, a researcher- and physician-led organisation. Both organizations provide abundant information online.

This is an important (albeit often overlooked) area of ​​women’s health that requires greater awareness and attention so that we can improve and save women’s lives.

Uk