A new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at a higher risk of self-harm, including suicide, possibly due to societal expectations and the condition's association with psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression. Experts emphasize that PCOS can be treated, and healthy lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms. Routine monitoring of mental health and suicide risk in persons diagnosed with PCOS is important, as the condition is associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts across different age groups.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects as many as 1 in 8 women of child-bearing age in the U.S. and is linked to infertility, irregular periods, and other symptoms. A new study found that women with PCOS are at a significantly higher risk of self-harm, including suicide, compared to those without the condition. The elevated risk may be related to societal expectations and is also associated with higher rates of psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression. Experts emphasize that PCOS can be treated, and recommend routine monitoring of mental health and suicide risk in individuals diagnosed with PCOS.
A recent study from the University of California has found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may experience memory and thinking problems in middle age, with brain scans revealing poorer connections between brain cells. The condition, which affects 10% of women and is linked to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems, could lead to subtle brain changes at midlife. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
A new 20-minute blood test called Elecsys Anti-Müllerian Hormone Plus (AMH Plus) has been approved in the UK to detect polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition affecting around one in ten women of childbearing age. The test, developed by Roche Diagnostics, measures AMH levels in the blood and could provide a simpler and less intrusive alternative to vaginal scans for diagnosing PCOS, which often takes years to diagnose. Early detection is crucial as PCOS is linked to fertility problems, excess weight, facial hair growth, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Insulin sensitizers, such as metformin and thiazolidinediones (TZDs), are being recognized for their potential in treating conditions beyond diabetes. Metformin, a commonly used drug for type 2 diabetes, has shown benefits in improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors in patients with type 1 diabetes. TZDs, like pioglitazone, enhance insulin activity and can be combined with insulin therapy to improve glycemic control and reduce insulin dose requirements. These drugs also have the potential to treat polycystic ovary syndrome and infertility. As research continues, insulin-sensitizing drugs are regaining attention as a promising approach to various conditions related to insulin resistance.
Actress Francia Raisa revealed that she has been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects reproductive health. She shared her diagnosis on Instagram and expressed gratitude for a guide on living with PCOS. PCOS can cause irregular periods, excess androgen, and polycystic ovaries. Raisa's disclosure comes after she made headlines in 2017 for voluntarily donating a kidney to her friend Selena Gomez, clarifying that no one forced her to do so. Other celebrities, including Lea Michele and Victoria Beckham, have also opened up about their PCOS diagnoses.
Singer Bebe Rexha was hit in the face by a phone thrown by a fan during her concert in New York City on Sunday. The incident was captured on video and shared on social media. Rexha fell to her knees in agony and had to receive three stitches. Fans expressed their outrage and support for the singer on Twitter. Rexha recently revealed that she gained 30 pounds due to polycystic ovary syndrome.
Sons of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are up to twice as likely to develop obesity as their peers, according to a study in Sweden. The risk was higher among the sons of women who had PCOS and a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 and highest among the sons of women who both had PCOS and did not take metformin during pregnancy. Researchers also found that male mice born to mothers with PCOS had metabolic problems that persisted into adulthood, even when they ate a healthy diet throughout their lives. PCOS affects up to 20 percent of women worldwide and causes multiple ovarian cysts and can cause infertility, excess hair growth and irregular menstrual periods.
