Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a major cause of infertility. A symptom of the PCOS, often referred to as polycystic ovaries, can be nine or fewer menstrual cycles per year. This is the result of the ovaries failing to produce hormones that keep menstrual cycles regular. When women with PCOS have no or infrequent ovulation, they may be unable to become to conceive. Many women suffering from PCOS seek fertility treatment.
Most heterosexual women with PCOS try Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) before proceeding to in vitro fertilization (IFV). ART does not have the costs or risks of IVF. Since the main reason women with PCOS have trouble conceiving is irregular menstrual cycles, ovulation induction is the most common ART method used.
Ovulation induction often involves taking Clomid, one of the most commonly prescribed fertility drugs, to encourage ovulation by stimulating ovary follicles. Women with PCOS may be all too familiar with Clomid side-effects: hot flashes, mood swings, and headaches and may choose an alternative fertility drug after numerous unsuccessful cycles, or move on to in vitro fertilization.
Artificial insemination (AI), another form Assisted Reproductive Therapy, involves the injection of sperm, either from a known donor (this person may be the woman’s unmarried partner, a friend or even family member of the non-biological partner) or from a donor bank, directly into the uterus or cervix. AI is not typically used in heterosexual couples where PCOS is the only obstacle to conception. AI is a common treatment when the female suffers from endometriosis or the male has a low sperm count.
Because PCOS seems to be more prevalent among lesbians, female couples opting for a combination of ART and artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization over adoption may be more likely to face the challenges of conceiving with PCOS. And with the recent “Gayby Boom," the trend of lesbians and gays becoming parents, the number of lesbians undergoing IFV and ART is on the rise.
"Each year we're seeing an annual increase of about 50 percent in the number of same-sex couples coming to us for IVF to have their children and build their families," said Dr. Samuel Pang, Medical Director of the Reproductive Science Center of New England. In vitro fertilization is an expensive, complex procedure used as a last resort when all other methods of assisted conception have failed. One cycle of IVF may cost as much as $12,000. Risks include: multiple pregnancy, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb), and the possibility of increased risk for ovarian cancer. IFV success rates vary from clinic to clinic. The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), representing over 85% of ART clinics in the U.S., provides national statistics of member clinics.
Before undergoing ART, women with PCOS may consider non-pharmaceutical methods to achieve conception. One of the underlying causes of PCOS is insulin resistance, and when this condition is reversed natural conception may be achieved. Non-pharmaceutical methods include: a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, rich with fruits and vegetables, specific exercises to increase insulin sensitivity, nutraceuticals (herbs, vitamins, and minerals that are disease specific) to balance blood sugar or a complete system that incorporates all of these elements.
You Tube Video of a Woman suffering from PCOS tells her story of conceiving naturally, after ART failures, using a systematic approach to reverse insulin resistance and PCOS symptoms.
References U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services 2004 Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates
American Reproductive Medical Society Fertility and Sterility November 2007 | Vol. 88, No. 5
Acne treatments for women are more varied and specific than general solutions due to factors such as menstruation, menopause and pregnancy; conditions that sometimes coincide with pimple breakouts. To get a better idea of what options are open to women, here is a brief discussion.
Acne in women, particularly if it happens beyond their teenage years, is mostly caused by hormonal imbalance. Some women experience an onset of pimples a week or a few days before their monthly period due to the unbalanced production of hormones. The same thing can occur if a woman is in the menopausal stage. In other cases, pregnancy causes the breakout of zits which, again, can be attributed to changes in hormone levels.
Although more men suffer from acne than women, the latter are usually the ones who are likely to suffer from this skin condition beyond the period of adolescence. Medical experts believe that this is so because women's hormones are more likely to be off than men's. Some studies have even identified stress as a major culprit, arguing that women are more likely to suffer from it. Research has claimed that most adult women who have acne are those who are more exposed to stress, like executives and women juggling a career and a family.
For basic treatments, women are usually prescribed with topical medications like products with benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin and tretinoin. If these medications fail to do their job, hormonal treatment is often recommended. They can be in the form of contraceptives or anti-androgens. These treatments are designed to reduce the levels of androgenic hormones and balance the hormone level of the patient.
Another option that is gaining popularity in treating acne in women is spironolactone. This diuretic is more commonly used in treating liver diseases and hypertension, but has recently been found to be effective in treating acne and even hair loss in men. Spironolactone acts against androgens by binding to the androgen receptor. It is also said to have the ability to inhibit aldosterone and incite the production of water in the body.
For pregnant women, topical solutions are often recommended by skin specialists, although a thorough assessment of the patient's health and medical history is done first to avoid the risk of adverse reactions. Treating acne during pregnancy is a more sensitive process than treating the condition in women who are not pregnant. The risks to the mother and to the baby are often the deciding factors when it comes to choosing the solution for the patient. The important thing about treating acne during pregnancy is that if there is any doubt, no matter how small, of the safety of the chosen treatment, then it should not be used at all. The treatment can be done after the mother has delivered the baby.
Acne treatments for women vary in the method by which they work. Since women have more concerns when it comes to medication, a consultation with a physician before using any cure is justly needed.
Both Amanda Mcneill & Trevor Mulholland are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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