PCOS Archives - AZ Clinical Trials

If You Have PCOS, You Need to Read This

December 14, 2021 No Comments

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition that encompasses excess fat accumulation, inflammation, and liver scarring, is on the rise. Multiple factors go into developing NAFLD, and it has been linked to several other conditions. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the conditions that share a link with fatty liver disease. If you have PCOS, you need to read this. PCOS Signs and Symptoms PCOS is a hormone disorder affecting 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. Although the cause of PCOS is not known, health experts believe that PCOS may be due to different factors working together. These factors include insulin resistance, increased levels of hormones called androgens, and an irregular menstrual cycle. Common symptoms involve: Menstrual disorders can include absent periods, periods that infrequently occur or too frequently, heavy periods, or unpredictable periods Infertility Obesity Excess hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen, or upper thighs Severe acne or acne that occurs after adolescence and does not respond to usual treatments Multiple tiny fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries Shared Risk Factors and Androgens PCOS causes symptoms that are also factors we know to increase the chances of NAFLD. NAFLD can progress into the NASH stage, a more severe form of fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the stage of liver disease where chronic liver inflammation begins to damage and scar it-eventually affecting its functions. Insulin resistance and obesity are both triggers for excess fat accumulation in the liver. In addition, prolonged exposure to high androgen levels may add to the problem. Androgens are typically referred to as male hormones and play a role in women’s health at lower levels. Growing research evidence shows, and without treatment, prolonged exposure to high androgen levels can lead to serious health consequences, such as: Heart disease Higher risk of liver inflammation and scarring Increased risk for liver cancer and liver failure without transplant With so many potential factors working together, it’s no wonder that having PCOS doubles your chances of liver disease. While fatty liver disease is serious, it’s possible to reverse and prevent it with diet and lifestyle changes. Eating a sensible, well-balanced diet and exercising regularly will help keep your liver healthy. Along with regular monitoring, healthier lifestyle changes help not only prevent liver disease but those already diagnosed with it. There are no FDA-approved treatments for NASH; however, potential new options are under investigation in clinical research studies. To learn more about enrolling NASH studies here at Arizona Liver Health, call us at (480) 470-4000, or visit our website today! Sources: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/menstrual-abnormalities/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos https://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos

Falling in Love with Your Health

February 11, 2021 No Comments

Approximately 1 in 10 women of childbearing age experiences Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is the leading cause of infertility, among the many other symptoms this condition creates. A growing body of evidence shows PCOS is linked to other health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, mental illness, and others. In the last few years, fatty liver has also been listed in connection with PCOS. More than ever, those diagnosed need to be vigilant about self-care and overall wellbeing. By falling in love with your health now, you can head off medical issues later. Why PCOS and Fatty Liver are Linked PCOS is the acronym for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and is an imbalance of the reproductive hormones. Higher than normal male hormone (androgens) and insulin levels are the top factors in developing PCOS. The imbalance causes issues in the ovaries that affect how the eggs develop and when they are released. Infertility, ovarian cysts, excess hair, weight gain, and acne are common signs. When you look at the connection of PCOS to other health conditions like diabetes, fatty liver, and heart disease, the answer is in the risk factors. Fatty liver is highly prevalent in women with PCOS due to the following factors: Being overweight High triglycerides Elevated LDL cholesterol level Excessive consumption of fat, sugar, and refined foods Lack of exercise The factors listed above can cause the unhealthy accumulation of fat cells in the liver. Though a healthy liver will contain some fat, too much fat can lead to fatty liver disease. Lifestyle changes must occur along with early testing and intervention to prevent the progression of NAFLD, NASH, liver cirrhosis, and failure. You ARE at Risk with PCOS If you have PCOS, talk with your doctor about regular screenings to check your liver’s health. In most cases, liver disease can be prevented or even reversed if caught early enough with healthier living. You can love your health by starting the changes now. Some examples include: Exercising at least 150 minutes a week at a moderate pace. Maintaining a healthy weight. Avoiding excess consumption of foods that are processed, high in sugar, and high in unhealthy fats. Instead, go for more vegetables, lean meats, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and are liver-friendly. Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Keep chronic conditions managed. The connection between fatty liver and PCOS is still relatively new. Clinical research studies continue to help us learn more about the relationships between the two conditions. The knowledge we gain allows us to design better ways to detect, prevent, and treat PCOS and fatty liver. Arizona Liver Health is seeking participants to join studies looking into potential new options for women with PCOS and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). To learn more, call (480) 470-4000, or visit our website. References: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome https://www.verywellhealth.com/pcos-preventing-fatty-liver-disease-2616334

Women with PCOS and NAFLD

October 19, 2020 No Comments

1 in 10 women of childbearing age is affected by polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS. PCOS is caused by imbalanced reproductive hormones. In a healthy menstrual cycle, the ovaries make the egg that is released during the process, but with PCOS, the egg is not released or may not develop properly. Elevated male hormones (androgens) and insulin levels are contributing factors of PCOS. In addition to irregular cycles, weight gain, excess hair, and potential infertility issues, having PCOS doubles your risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other metabolic complications. PCOS and NAFLD Shared Mechanisms Obesity and insulin resistance are common in women with PCOS. Insulin is a hormone the body produces that enables sugar to be converted into energy. Insulin also helps control the release and storage of fat cells. When there is a resistance to the effects of insulin, the sugar levels rise in the body. This triggers more insulin production to try and balance it out. The body also stores the fat instead of releasing it, making it harder to lose weight. Non-Alcoholic fatty liver is a disease where too much fat begins to store in the liver, from non-alcohol-related causes. The liver has some fat in it typically, but inflammation is triggered when there is too much. As the body tries to repair itself, it can scar the liver with fibrosis, eventually damaging the liver if not treated. Risk factors for developing NAFLD are obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. To bring it all together, two symptoms of PCOS (obesity and insulin resistance) are two of the major contributing factors in developing NAFLD. There is also a growing body of evidence that shows the role excess male hormone levels play in triggering the inflammation response in fatty liver disease. The Silent Progression of NAFLD How contributing factors of NAFLD and PCOS symptoms influence each other remains a mystery. Fatty liver disease often goes unnoticed until the later stages when it is more difficult to treat, or the liver is irreversibly damaged. More research is needed to understand the metabolic complications resulting from PCOS entirely. However, what we know now can still help. If you have PCOS, you need to act now to reduce your risk. This includes healthy lifestyle changes, regular activity, and ensuring your doctor is screening your liver regularly. For the women living with PCOS and NAFLD, clinical research studies help improve how the disease is detected, treated, and eventually prevented. Volunteers participating in research studies for NAFLD make these advancements possible. If you have NAFLD and PCOS, clinical research studies may be an option for you. To learn more about the studies enrolling for NAFLD for women with PCOS here at Arizona Liver, call (480) 470-4000, or visit our website. References: https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20180405/pcos-doubles-the-risk-for-nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease#:~:text=n%20%3D%2049%2C625).-,In%20women%20with%20polycystic%20ovary%20syndrome%2C%20the%20risk%20for%20nonalcoholic,the%20progression%20of%20the%20disease.&text=Data%20indicated%20that%20women%20with,CI%2C%201.86%2D2.66) https://www.medpagetoday.com/resource-centers/focus-on-womens-health/links-between-fatty-liver-disease-and-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-/834 https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome

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PCOS Clinical Research Archives - AZ Clinical Trials

If You Have PCOS, You Need to Read This

Falling in Love with Your Health

Women with PCOS and NAFLD

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