Helping Women Overcome Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome with Metformin
Who would have thought that a traditional drug for diabetes called Metformin could actually help in addressing a common health problem among women? Recent studies have revealed that this particular drug could actually help in the treatment and management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome among women. It is an oral drug that is commonly used together with insulin to help in controlling blood sugar levels of individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes particularly those who have weight concerns and those individuals who have normal functioning kidneys. Newer studies have also revealed that the drug can be effectively used for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome that is commonly related to a woman’s hormone imbalance.
What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is often characterized by a woman’s irregular menstruation period and high levels of serum testosterone and androstenedione. Women who have this health concern would usually complain of abnormal bleeding, obesity, excess hair growth, hair loss, acne, infertility, and even cancer. Ultrasound tests on patients would also show enlarged ovaries with the presence of small follicles along the periphery. Studies have shown that the high levels of male hormones can be triggered by increased levels of insulin in the body. Women of child bearing age are more exposed to the risk of infertility because the increased level of insulin can cause endocrine abnormality. If left untreated, it can pose future risks and problems for the woman.
Treating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome with Metformin
There are a number of ways to manage Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which can include weight loss and a healthy nutrition program for the patient. Taking birth control or progesterone pills to control the body’s hormonal levels and other medications to counter the effects of the syndrome are also ways on how to treat Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. In some cases, the patient may need to undergo ovarian drilling to address this health concern.
Women having this syndrome can also benefit through therapy that lowers insulin levels in the patient’s body. Metformin is one of the medications that can help in the process. The drug can help in the menstrual cycle of the patient to be more regular and control the levels of androgen and ovulation which then also addresses the other symptoms of the syndrome. Furthermore, the administration of the drug can also reduce the risk of other diseases that are associated to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome such as heart attack, stroke, hypertension, and obesity.
How Does the Metformin drug work?
It was seen that the use of the Metformin works in three ways. The first is that the drug allows the slow absorption of glucose, from dietary carbohydrates, of the body through the intestines. The medicine in the same way slows down the glucose production in the person’s liver. One of the liver functions is to ensure the production of reserve blood sugar which the body needs in cases when the body feels stressed and with the administration of the drug, the production of these reserves are slowed down.
Lastly, this drug also lowers down the insulin requirement of the woman’s body to deliver glucose to the cells. Women who suffer from the syndrome usually have high levels of insulin in their bodies for the transport of the glucose. However, with the administration of the drug, it then lowers the insulin demand of the patient’s body.
Benefits of the Metformin Drug
The administration of Metformin has a significant effect in decreasing the levels of insulin, testosterone, and glucose in the body hereby reducing the symptoms that is affecting the individual such as acne, hirsutism, and obesity. It can also significantly help in the restoration of the normal cycle of menstruation of the woman afflicted with the syndrome.
Metformin can also significantly increase the chances of pregnancy for the woman. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can cause infertility among women and with the help of the drug it can increase the chances of a woman to get pregnant while reducing the chances of experiencing miscarriage in the process.
There are no known serious side effects in taking Metformin although about 25% of women who are under the medication experience minor side effects in the process. Initially, the patient may experience upset stomach, stomach cramps, and nausea upon the administration of the drug however this would be resolved after the first week of drug usage. In some cases, the gravity of the side effects may be severe to actually prompt the user to stop using the drug. Hence, it is recommended that the drug be taken after meals and in lower dosages during the initial administration.
Metformin must not be administered to patients who may experience allergic reaction or to those patients who are in diabetic ketoacidosis state. In the latter’s case, it is important to first seek a doctor’s advice before proceeding to the administration of the drug. The patient should also inform his or her doctor for any medical history of liver or heart ailment.
In some cases, the intake of Metformin can make the patient develop lactic acidosis, a serious medical condition where the blood becomes too acidic due to the increased level of lactic acid in the body. Usually, the patient suffering from this concern would feel nauseated, experience abdominal pains, rapid breathing, irregular heart rate, and vomiting. These symptoms can get complicated through time and may even lead to death.
Any individual intending to use Metformin should first seek professional advice from a doctor before proceeding with the administration of the drug so as to ensure the safety of the person.
Metformin is a drug that is commonly associated with type 2 diabetes. However, it is also a drug that can also help in addressing a common health concern among women. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome if not addressed can result to other complications such as infertility and can even be damaging to a woman’s ego because of its symptoms. Therefore, it is a relief for women to have a drug that can be administered with the help of a professional doctor to address these health concerns.