scholarly journals Uncertainty, Anxiety and Isolation: Experiencing the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown as a Woman with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 952
Author(s):  
Lou Atkinson ◽  
Chris Kite ◽  
Gordon McGregor ◽  
Tamsin James ◽  
Cain C. T. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Fertility Treatment ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the related lockdown measures presented a significant risk to physical and mental wellbeing in affected populations. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are predisposed to several cardio-metabolic risk factors which increase the susceptibility to severe COVID-19 and also exhibit increased likelihood of impaired mental health wellbeing. Therefore, these women who usually receive care from multiple primary and specialist healthcare services may be disproportionately impacted by this pandemic and the related restrictions. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of the first UK national lockdown as a woman with PCOS. Methods: As part of a larger cross-sectional study, 12 women with PCOS living in the UK during the first national COVID-19 lockdown were recruited to a qualitative study. Telephone interviews were conducted in June/July of 2020, and data collected were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Five themes were identified. “My PCOS Journey” describes participants’ experiences of diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of their PCOS. “Living Through Lockdown” describes the overall experience and impact of the lockdown on all aspects of participants’ lives. “Self-care and Managing Symptoms” describe multiple challenges to living well with PCOS during the lockdown, including lack of access to supplies and services, and disruption to weight management. “Healthcare on Hold” describes the uncertainty and anxiety associated with delays in accessing specialised healthcare for a range of PCOS aspects, including fertility treatment. “Exacerbating Existing Issues” captures the worsening of pre-existing mental health issues, and an increase in health anxiety and feelings of isolation. Conclusion: For the women with PCOS in this study, the COVID-19 pandemic and the first national lockdown was mostly experienced as adding to the pre-existing challenges of living with their condition. The mental health impact experienced by the study participants was increased due to lack of access to their normal support strategies, limitations on healthcare services and uncertainty about their risk of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Is polycystic ovary syndrome appropriately diagnosed by obstetricians and gynaecologists across China: a nationwide survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deng Yan ◽  
Wang Yan-Fang ◽  
Zhu Shi-Yang ◽  
Ma Rui-Lin ◽  
Ding Xue-Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rotterdam Criteria

Abstract Background To describe the diagnostic criteria used and their application accuracy in the practice of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) caring among obstetricians and gynaecologists across China. Methods This was an Online cross-sectional survey of Obstetricians and gynecologists involved in PCOS caring conducted via the largest continuing education platform of obstetrics and gynecology across China from September 2019 to November 2019. Results A total of 2,328 respondents were eligible for the final analysis. Of these, 94.5 % were general obstetricians and gynaecologists (Ge-ObGyn), and 5.5 % were reproductive endocrinologists (Re-ObGyn). Overall, the most frequently used criteria were the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society (AE-PCOS) criteria (48.2 %), followed by the Rotterdam criteria (35.7 %) and NIH criteria (12.1 %). Of the respondents, 31.3 % used their diagnostic criteria in their clinical practice. More respondents who chose the Rotterdam criteria could accurately apply the diagnostic criteria than those who chose the AE-PCOS criteria (41.2 % vs. 32.1 %, P < 0.001). Compared with Ge-ObGyn, Re-ObGyn were less likely to use the AE-PCOS criteria (adjusted odds ratio, 0.513; 95 % CI, 0.328–0.802; P < 0.05) and 1.492 times more likely to accurately use their criteria (95 % CI, 1.014–2.196; P < 0.05). Conclusions Less than one-third of obstetricians and gynaecologists across China could accurately use the diagnostic criteria they choose to diagnose PCOS. There is an urgent need to train obstetricians and gynaecologists on PCOS diagnosis in an effort to improve the medical care quality of patients with PCOS.

scholarly journals Acupuncture and Clomiphene Citrate for Live Birth in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Study Design of a Randomized Controlled Trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongying Kuang ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Xiaoke Wu ◽  
Lihui Hou ◽  
Taixiang Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Live Birth ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Clomiphene Citrate ◽  
Fertility Treatment ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Acupuncture is an alternative therapy to induce ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but there is no study reporting the live birth rate following ovulation induction by acupuncture or its potential as an adjuvant treatment to clomiphene citrate (CC). We assess the efficacy of acupuncture with or without CC in achieving live births among 1000 PCOS women in Mainland China. This paper reports the methodology of an ongoing multicenter randomized controlled trial. The randomization scheme is coordinated through the central mechanism and stratified by the participating sites. Participants will be randomized into one of the four treatment arms: (A) true acupuncture and CC, (B) control acupuncture and CC, (C) true acupuncture and placebo CC, and (D) control acupuncture and placebo CC. To ensure the quality and integrity of the trial we have developed a unique multinational team of investigators and Data and Safety Monitoring Board. Up to the end of April 2013, 326 subjects were recruited. In conclusion, the success of this trial will allow us to evaluate the additional benefit of acupuncture beyond the first line medicine for fertility treatment in PCOS women in an unbiased manner.

scholarly journals Women’s experiences of diagnosis and management of polycystic ovary syndrome: a mixed-methods study in general practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (694) ◽  
pp. e322-e329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah C Hillman ◽  
Carol Bryce ◽  
Rachel Caleychetty ◽  
Jeremy Dale
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common lifelong metabolic condition with serious associated comorbidities. Evidence points to a delay in diagnosis and inconsistency in the information provided to women with PCOS.AimTo capture women’s experiences of how PCOS is diagnosed and managed in UK general practice.Design and settingThis was a mixed-methods study with an online questionnaire survey and semi-structured telephone interviews with a subset of responders.MethodAn online survey to elicit women’s experiences of general practice PCOS care was promoted by charities and BBC Radio Leicester. The survey was accessible online between January 2018 and November 2018. A subset of responders undertook a semi-structured telephone interview to provide more in-depth data.ResultsA total of 323 women completed the survey (average age 35.4 years) and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 women. There were five key themes identified through the survey responses. Participants described a variable lag time from presentation to PCOS diagnosis, with a median of 6–12 months. Many had experienced mental health problems associated with their PCOS symptoms, but had not discussed these with the GP. Many were unable to recall any discussion about associated comorbidities with the GP. Some differences were identified between the experiences of women from white British backgrounds and those from other ethnic backgrounds.ConclusionFrom the experiences of the women in this study, it appears that PCOS in general practice is not viewed as a long-term condition with an increased risk of comorbidities including mental health problems. Further research should explore GPs’ awareness of comorbidities and the differences in PCOS care experienced by women from different ethnic backgrounds.

scholarly journals Link between autoimmune hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome.

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (09) ◽  
pp. 1804-1808
Author(s):  
Anam Rehman ◽  
Shireen Jawed ◽  
Amna Rashid Tariq
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Thyroid Autoimmunity ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Autoimmune Hypothyroidism ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a rampant endocrine disorder distressing women of child bearing age worldwide. Many current researches have detected the presence of some organ specific and non-specific autoantibodies in females with PCOS. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting:  Aziz Fatimah Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Period: April to September 2017. Material & Methods: This study comprised of 88 female subjects of 17-35 years old. Participants were divided into four group’s i.e PCOS obese females, PCOS non-obese, obese females without PCOS and age matched controls. Thyroid function was evaluated by the measurement of serum TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels. Thyroid peroxidase antibody was detected as an indicator of thyroid autoimmunity. All parameters were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay technique (CLIA). SPSS version 22 was used for the statistical analysis of the data. Results: Out of total 88 female participants, 38.6% were hypothyroid and 61.4% were euthyroid females. While on comparing the percentages of hypothyroidism among the study groups PCOS, non-PCOS patients and obese we found higher percentages of hypothyroidism among non-obese PCOS. Thyroid peroxidase antibody levels were higher in PCOS obese subjects. PCOS patients have 15 times more risk for hypothyroidism as compared to non-PCOS patients. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism was commonly found in PCOS patients with high levels of TPO-Antibody indicating that PCOS is an independent risk factor for hypothyroidism which suggests that evaluation of thyroid function and autoimmunity must be deliberated in PCOS patients.

scholarly journals Correlation of serum androgen and gonadotropin with anti-mullerian hormone in polycystic ovarian syndrome in Eastern Indian population

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 256
Author(s):  
Somnath Singh Raghuvanshi ◽  
Anirban Sinha ◽  
Animesh Maiti ◽  
Partha Pratim Chakraborty ◽  
Asish Kumar Basu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ◽  
Pulse Generator ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ovarian Syndrome

Background: Ovarian steroidogenesis requires gonadotropin stimulation, Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is a key factor in the hyperandrogenaemia of the polycystic ovary syndrome. Progesterone is the primary regulator of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) pulse frequency; however, in the polycystic ovary syndrome, the GnRH pulse generator is relatively resistant to the negative feedback effects of progesterone.  Study aims to evaluate the association of Anti-mullerian hormone with serum androgen and gonadotropin level in adolescents and young women of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).Methods: This was a single centre observational Cross-sectional study carried out in the department of Endocrinology and metabolism, Medical College, Kolkata from March 2017 to January 2019. Total number of study subjects were 207 out of which 138 were cases.Results: The AMH had strong positive correlation with serum testosterone in both case and control groups (r 0.542, p<0.001 and r 0.57, p<0.001) respectively .After the adjustment of age and BMI , the AMH moderately positive  but extremely significant correlation with serum testosterone as compare to control.Conclusions: Hyperandrogenaemia and higher ratio of LH and FSH associated with higher serum AMH level is associated with the higher serum AMH in polycystic ovarian syndrome.

scholarly journals Mucin-1 expression in endometrium is higher in polycystic ovary syndrome than in normal women

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Uki Retno Budihastuti ◽  
Sri Sulistyowati ◽  
Eriana Melinawati ◽  
Yohan Pamuji Marbun
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Life Style ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Endometrial Biopsy ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Mucin 1 ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Normal Women

Background<br />The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is caused by endocrine system dysfunction in women. MUCIN-1 (MUC-1) expression is found in endometrial tissues, which leads to implantation process dysfunction because of imbalance of trophoblast adhesion process. This study was conducted to compare endometrial MUC-1 expression between PCOS and normal women considering all existing external variables.<br /><br />Methods<br />This cross-sectional study was conducted in General Hospital Dr. Moewardi Surakarta. Endometrial samples were obtained from 30 infertile PCOS women based on Rotterdam criteria, and 30 normal women. Life style and reproductive data such as age, menstrual problems, menstrual cycle, age at menarche, and BMI were collected. Subjects underwent endometrial biopsy in luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion phase LH + 5 days to LH + 10 days for immunohistochemistry (IHC) of MUC-1 expression. An independent-t and multiple linear regression test were used to analyze the data at significance level of p&lt;0.05. <br /><br />Results<br />Mean MUC-1 expression in the PCOS endometrium (49.66 ± 47.79) was significantly higher than in normal women (7.66 ± 14.55) (p=0.03). Multivariate linear regression model of life style and reproductive variables with MUC-1 showed that PCOS (b=29.54; 95% CI 9.57-49.49; p=0.004) and BMI (b= 29.99; 95% CI 5.91-54.07; p=0.001) significantly increase MUC-1 expression. PCOS (Beta=0.37) was more important than BMI (Beta=0.30) in increasing the MUC-1 expression. <br /><br />Conclusion<br />Expression of MUC-1 levels in the PCOS endometrium was higher than in normal women. This suggests that MUC-1 contributes to the unexplained reproductive failure in PCOS.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: A community-based study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Williams ◽  
Dean Fido ◽  
David Sheffield
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Indirect Pathway ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Suicidal Intention ◽  
Self Harm

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine condition that has been associated with atypical emotional regulation strategy use as well as elevated levels of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Despite the existence of clinical screening guidance for this population, there is still little to know understanding of how non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation and intention manifests in women with PCOS, and how this might differ from women without PCOS. Within this cross-sectional investigation, women with and without a diagnosis of PCOS (n = 418) completed validated metrics of emotion dysregulation, rumination, and non-suicidal self-injury, as well as self-reported indices of previous suicidal ideation and future suicidal intention. Group comparisons indicated that women with, relative to those without PCOS reported significantly greater metrics across all variables. Moreover, serial mediation analyses were conducted to test the ideation-to-action framework of suicide in women with PCOS, with the positive relationship between a PCOS diagnosis and future suicidal intention being explained through the indirect pathway of increased emotion dysregulation, recent suicidal ideation, and NSSI. Our findings call to action the need for international screening for suicide intention and self-harm in women with PCOS.

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