Understanding PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common disorder
in women and a major cause of anovulatory infertility. PCOS is a complex
heterogeneous disorder that has several aspects in terms of pathology such as
metabolic, endocrine, reproductive, and psychological. It is the most common
endocrine disease that affect 5 to 10% of women of adolescent and reproductive
age.
It is defined and diagnosed by a combination of signs and
symptoms of androgen excess, ovarian dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian
morphology on ultrasound. There is increasing evidence to suggest that PCOS
affects the whole life of women. The causes of PCOS are not fully understood.
Several factors such as genetics, diet, lifestyle, underlying neuroendocrine
disorders contributes to multiple pathological mechanisms that lead to hormonal
imbalance resulting in PCOS.
PCOS happens when there is an increase in levels of
androgen, insulin and an increased levels of Luteinizing hormone (LH) and
decreased levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). This varying imbalance
in the hormones causes the ovaries to produce more testosterone leading to
hirsutism, acne, multiple ovarian follicles (cysts), and menstural
irregularities because eggs don’t ovulate or ovulate only occasionally.
Key characteristics of PCOS are:
1. Excess production of androgen male hormones.
(increase in male type hormones - hyperandrogenism)
2. Increase in insulin resistance.
(increased insulin levels - hyperinsulinemia)
3. Increase in Lutenizing hormone (LH) & Follicle
Stimulating Hormone (FSH) ratio.
Signs or symptoms of PCOS:
- Irregular periods (more or less often or no periods).
- Polycystic ovaries.
- Absence of ovulation (anovulation).
- Hair growing on the face, stomach, and back (hirsutism).
- Loss of scalp hair.
- Acne.
- Delay in getting pregnant or infertility
- Weight gain or trouble losing weight.
- Depression.
- Risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Menstural cycle and PCOS:
The menstrual cycle is 24 to 35 days cycle and it refers to
the maturing and release of an egg from an ovary and the preparation of the
uterus to receive and nurture an embryo. The menstrual cycle is governed by
fluctuations in hormone levels in the body, which rise and fall in a monthly
pattern. When the cycle is running smoothly, the pituitary gland in the base of
the brain produces a hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to
prepare an egg for release. The menstrual cycle starts two weeks before your
period when the egg is ready and this is when the brain sends signals to
release LH and FSH hormones to the ovaries. A large surge of LH stimulates
follicles in the ovaries to release an egg (ovulation). While this is
happening, the ovaries are secreting other hormones such as estrogen and
progesterone to thicken the lining (endometrium) of the uterus and prepare it
for pregnancy. The ovaries also produce small amounts of androgens (male
hormones), such as testosterone, which is converted into estrogen. If the egg
meets the sperm in the fallopian tube, fertilization, and conception may occur.
If fertilization does not occur, the endometrium lining sheds and results in
menstrual bleeding.
With PCOS, LH levels are often high when the menstrual cycle
starts and the levels of LH are also higher than FSH. Because the LH levels are
already quite high, there is no LH surge, Without this surge, ovulation does
not occur and periods are irregular Women with PCOS may ovulate occasionally or
not at all, so periods may be too close together, or more commonly, too far
apart. Some women may not get a period at all.
PCOS and Fertility:
Women with PCOS have normal uterus and contain follicles
with eggs in them, but the follicles do not develop and mature properly - so
there is no ovulation or release of eggs.
This is called anovulation. If ovulation do not occur, getting pregnant
become impossible. Hypersecretion of LH and high increase in ovarian androgen
production also manifest into infertility.
Women with PCOS have a greater risk of anovulation and
infertility. Many women do not find out they have PCOS until they try to
conceive, particularly if they were using contraception that uses hormones,
which masks irregular or no periods, because it allows for a monthly bleed.
PCOS is not a disease!
PCOS is not a disease that can be cured, it is a syndrome
that required supplemental, dietary and lifestyle modification and support.
Unived’s PCOS Fertility is formulated in a ratio that is
clinically studied and has shown to deliver a higher chance of conception while
also addressing and helping to manage the all other symptoms of PCOS.
Our Formulation
Unived’s PCOS Fertility delivers a 3.6:1 ratio of
Myo-Inositol (1100mg): D-Chiro-Inositol (Caronositol®- 300mg) along with
L-5-MTHF (400 mcg).
We created PCOS Fertility using the two inositols in this
ratio because 3.6:1 ratio has shown an increase in pregnancy rates and live
birth rates.
Although Unived’s PCOS Fertility does not guarantee
pregnancy to you because pregnancy could be affected by a number of factors
depending on both partners, but it will help reduce the factors related to PCOS
that might be hindering conception.
Mode of Action:
To support ovulation and fertility Unived’s PCOS Fertility
supplement is formulated with Myo-Inositol and Caroinositol® (DCI) in the ratio
of 3.6:1 with higher DCI concentration along with folate as supporting
ingredient. Ovulation in presence of higher DCI to maintain the MI/DCI balance
creates a more sustainable environment to hold pregnancy. The ratio of MI/DCI
in 3.6:1 has shown to increase in pregnancy rates and live birth rates.
As MI and DCI regulate different biological processes,
concomitant administration has synergistic action which is more beneficial than
MI alone and DCI alone in PCOS.
- Better reduction of insulin resistance, androgens levels.
- Better restoration of spontaneous ovulation and menstrual
cycle. - Increased possibility of pregnancy.
References:
1. De Leo, V., et al. "Genetic, hormonal and metabolic
aspects of PCOS: an update." Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 14.1
(2016): 1-17.
2. Günalan, Elif, Aylin Yaba, and Bayram Yılmaz. "The
effect of nutrient supplementation in the management of polycystic ovary
syndrome-associated metabolic dysfunctions: A critical review." Journal of
the Turkish German Gynecological Association 19.4 (2018): 220.
3. Carmina, Enrico, and Rogerio A. Lobo. "Polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS): arguably the most common endocrinopathy is associated
with significant morbidity in women." The journal of clinical
endocrinology & metabolism 84.6 (1999): 1897-1899.
4. Cianci, Antonio, et al. "d-chiro-Inositol and alpha
lipoic acid treatment of metabolic and menses disorders in women with
PCOS." Gynecological Endocrinology 31.6 (2015): 483-486.
5. Kalra, Bharti, Sanjay Kalra, and J. B. Sharma. "The
inositols and polycystic ovary syndrome." Indian journal of endocrinology
and metabolism 20.5 (2016): 720.
6. Mendoza, Nicolas, et al. "Comparison of the effect
of two combinations of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in women with
polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing ICSI: a randomized controlled trial."
Gynecological Endocrinology (2019).
