10 • Sep–Dec 2023 • Vol LXII • No. 5 Fact File Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome • In young girls, oligomenorrhea even after 2 years of menarche indicates a risk status of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). • Continued irregular menstruation clubbed with anovulation or oligo-ovulation can aggravate PCOS. • More than 60% of women with PCOS are likely to be suffering from clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism. • Obesity can exacerbate metabolic and ovulatory dysfunction in PCOS. • Women with PCOS are at an increased risk of developing insulin resistance (IR) and associated metabolic comorbidities. • IR in women with PCOS is a consequence of the hyperandrogenic mechanism of the PCOS pathophysiology. • PCOS-triggered infertility can lead to a 3 to 4 times elevated risk of endometrial cancer. • Sympathetic nervous system dysfunction, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and vitamin D deficiency are considered as the emerging risk factors of PCOS. Source: Islam H, et al. Womens Health (Lond). 2022;18:17455057221117966. Health Tips Tips to Manage Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects 4% to 20% of the women in their reproductive age, worldwide.1 The major symptoms of PCOS are cystic acne, mild facial hirsutism, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, enlarged ovaries, signs of hyperandrogenism, ovarian failure, infertility, and severe generalized hirsutism.2 Studies indicate that PCOS is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation, and women with PCOS are at an increased risk of many metabolic disorders such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.3 Here are some tips for the effective management of PCOS, which can be recommended to your patients. • Obesity is one of the prime causes of PCOS. So, maintaining a healthy weight is important to reduce the symptoms of PCOS. Exercising regularly helps reduce obesity by burning calories, which in turn increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Exercising also helps lower cholesterol levels and normalize hormone levels such as that of testosterone, which can be highly effective in treating PCOS symptoms.3 • Consuming fresh and minimally processed foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds (eg, flaxseeds) can be beneficial. Including whole grains (eg, barley, oats, brown rice, millets, and quinoa), fish rich in ω-3 fatty acids (eg, salmon and sardines), and soy is recommended. Alternatively, processed foods and sugary beverages should be avoided to the maximum extent, as they contribute to the increase in blood sugar level, which in turn can cause insulin resistance and aggravate PCOS.3,4 • Drinking adequate water helps keep the body hydrated. One can also choose to add a bit of lemon juice or an herb such as mint to make the drink interesting as well as healthy. Beverages that are high in sugar (eg, sweetened juices, energy drinks, and soda) should be avoided.4 References 1. Deswal R, et al. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2020;13(4):261–271. 2. Gautam A, et al. Ayushdhara. 2021;8(4):3439–3445. 3. NYU Langone Health. Lifestyle changes for polycystic ovary syndrome. https://nyulangone.org/. Accessed May 17, 2023. 4. Skiadas CC. Treating PCOS with nutrition: 9 tips for a healthy diet. https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/. Published October 6, 2022. Accessed May 17, 2023. Evecare forte™ (LIQUID, TABLET) Evecare forte is a phytopharmaceutical formulation recommended for the effective and comprehensive management of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Evecare forte is a nonhormonal menstrual modulator that helps regularize endogenous hormonal status, correct the cyclical rhythm, and reduce the number of abnormal follicles. Evecare forte improves ovulatory function and other metabolic derangements associated with insulin resistance through its insulin-sensitizing activity. Evecare forte also alleviates the symptoms of PCOS, including hirsutism, hyperpigmentation, mood swings, anxiety, and depression, and improves fertility. For the effective management of PCOS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAwNDg=