A Literature Review of the Effects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome on Cardiovascular Health

April 2021 in “ Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal ”

Kshitija Mundle, Zoha Raza

PCOS androgens insulin resistance oral contraception lifestyle changes herbal medications polycystic ovarian syndrome birth control pills

TLDR PCOS can harm heart health by increasing risks like high blood pressure and diabetes, but treatments like birth control and lifestyle changes can help.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that leads to excess production of androgens, causing various complications including effects on cardiovascular health. A review of research over 30 years shows an adverse relationship between PCOS and cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of hypertension, blood vessel/artery damage, metabolic disturbances like diabetes, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance, and negative effects on hormones such as insulin and androgen levels. However, treatments like oral contraception, lifestyle changes, and herbal medications can reverse these effects. The results are not universally applicable due to the nature of PCOS, and more research is needed to understand other biological factors and social determinants in this relationship. The review calls for further studies on the long-term effects of PCOS to improve treatment processes and awareness of potential health outcomes.

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6 / 93 results

community Female, 30, PCOS diagnosis, MPB Norwood 2. Endo refuses to give anything other than Spironolactone. Feel like I’m at my wit’s end here.

in Female 56 upvotes 1 year ago

A 30-year-old female with PCOS and male pattern baldness is frustrated with her endocrinologist's recommendation of only Spironolactone and minoxidil, feeling that dutasteride, finasteride, and progesterone would be more effective. Other users suggest various online sources for treatments, warn against self-medicating due to potential risks, and recommend seeking a specialized endocrinologist or considering additional treatments like Inositol, Berberine, and dermaneedling.

community Spironolactone for 11 years, finasteride for almost 5 years, started oral minoxidil in November 😢 ended oral contraceptive in Dec.

in Progress Pictures 224 upvotes 7 months ago

A user shared their 11-year experience with spironolactone and nearly 5 years with finasteride for hair loss, recently adding oral minoxidil and stopping birth control. Various treatments were discussed, including organic options, checking for underlying health issues, considering dutasteride, and the potential role of progesterone in hair loss.

community Have been on treatment for close to two years, need to know if I should continue or take dut

in Progress Pictures 52 upvotes 2 months ago

A 22-year-old male has been using finasteride, topical minoxidil, and oral minoxidil for hair loss but sees minimal improvement and is considering adding dutasteride. Users suggest additional treatments like dermarolling, PRP, and consulting a dermatologist, or considering a hair transplant.

community New Study Fails to Show Benefits of Microneedling in Males with Balding.

in Treatment 159 upvotes 11 months ago

A new study suggests microneedling alone doesn't benefit male balding, but users argue the study's methods differ from common practices, like combining microneedling with minoxidil and using more frequent treatments. Some believe the study's short duration and infrequent sessions are inadequate to assess microneedling's effectiveness.

community [25, F] [RANT] Shedding since March 2020. This just isn’t fair.

in Female 42 upvotes 3 years ago

User "missbloombastic" has been experiencing hair loss since 2016 and tried min, fin, multivitamins, and spiro with mixed results. Another user shares their struggle with hair loss and its impact on self-esteem, while a third user suggests checking blood tests and confirming the cause of hair loss.

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

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