PCOS affects 1 out of 8 women around the world, but it is often misunderstood. Changing the name can lend a hand

Affects the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) One in eight women around the world. However, this intricate hormonal state is insufficiently examined and often misunderstood.

This is partly due to its name, which excessively emphasizes “cysts” and ovaries. In fact, you may have Pcos No cyst.

It can affect many parts of the body, not only the ovaries, leading to acne, excess hair of the body, changes in metabolism, and even mental health problems.

Our fresh research, Published todayIt shows that changing the name would lend a hand better reflect the complexity of PCOS and improve the awareness of this state. We conducted a survey of 7700 healthcare employees and people from PCOS and found that most supported the change of name.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a chronic state caused by the lack of balance of many hormones – chemical messengers of the body – circulating through the body.

Genes and the environment play a role. Lifestyle factorsSuch as diet (especially ultra -free food) and activity, can also lead to weight gain and worsen its severity.

In PCO, “cysts” are actually partially developed eggs, which remain dormant due to hormonal imbalances. This means that they will be released less often (ovulation).

Unlike conventional ovarian cysts, these dormant eggs generally do not grow, cause pain, require surgery or cracking. Instead, they are slowly absorbed with time back to the ovary.

Having dormant eggs in the ovaries is not in itself diagnose pcos – And you can have PCO without sleeping eggs.

So what is needed to diagnose PCOS?

For adults, The diagnosis requires Two of the three functions:

1) Irregular periods (due to circumscribed ovulation)

2) high level of some hormones (Androgens), such as testosterone, which is apparent in blood tests or symptoms (excess face and body hair, acne and thinning/baldd scalp)

3) excess of dormant eggs detected on ultrasonic or ovarian examination

Only in teenagers The first two criteria They are needed for diagnosis. Ovarian tests (ultrasonic or blood tests) are not recommended only after the age of 20, because the changes in the ovaries are common during the normal development of teenagers.

However, these criteria are focused strongly on the ovaries and menstrual cycles, neglecting wider effects of state.

Universal health effects

In fact, hormonal imbalances in PCOS affect many systems in the body. This may include:

metabolism – higher blood and cholesterol pressure and a greater risk of heart and diabetes diseases.

Reproductive system – irregular menstrual cycles, reduced fertility and complications and increased risk of endometrial cancer.

skin – Excess face/body hair, acne, thinning hair on the scalp and murky skin.

Sanity – Anxiety, depression, disordered fears about food and body image.

PCOS was also related Sleep apnea (Sleep disorder including irregular breathing, snoring and fatigue) and inflammatory conditions such as asthma.

Widespread confusion

It often happens that women with PCOS see two or three doctors and Wait summer for diagnosis. Many types of doctorsIncluding GPS and specialists in hormones, skin and fertility, they can be involved in care.

Often, healthcare providers focus on reproductive problems, with a view of other health effects.

Widespread, but problematic approaches include not informing women about diagnosis, telling them not to “worry” about their PCOS until they want to understand providing inappropriate information Or only solving a problem in their specialist area, such as infertility.

This fragmentation creates a disturbing paradox. Some are said They will face infertility. However, without proper education, they may not be aware that they can still ovulate from time to time and can experience unexpected pregnancies.

And vice versa, others are planning families They often face Unpredictable fertility difficulties that could solve early comprehensive care – such as reproductive life planning, a vigorous lifestyle and early treatment.

Case to change the name

IN Our new studyWe surveyed 3462 healthcare employees and 4246 people from PCOS on six continents.

We wanted to find out what healthcare employees, doctors and people affected by the disease understand PCOS and whether understanding improved over time.

We also wanted to understand whether the change of name – for example, to include “hormonal” or “metabolic” – can have a positive effect, taking into account repeated confusion and incorrect diagnosis.

Support for changing the name was common: 86% of PCOS women and 76% of healthcare employees said that changing the name PCO better reflects this condition, reduce confusion and probably lead to better results.

We are currently conducting an international process of finding a consensus on a fresh name and a formal change of it in International classification of diseases. This includes broad contact with healthcare employees and PCOS people.

By changing PCO, apart from a purely reproductive disorder, a change of name can support wider research financing, education and spokesman. This can lead to better diagnosis and improvement of diagnosis, care and results for people with PCOS.

Combating disinformation with evidence

Detailed information is of key importance for proper PCOS management. However, disinformation about this condition – for example, that PCO can be cured through a diet or tightened by an oral contraceptive pill – is Rife on social media.

Coordinates and we also developed Guidelines based on evidence and free resources for people with PCOS to learn more about the state, including free “Ask pcos“App.

Changing the name PCOS is another key step in improving knowledge about this understatement state – and concern about 170 million women affected all over the world.