United States: A study carried out and that has recently come to light reveals that an antimalarial medicine native to China is recommended in traditional medicine and may be used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
More about the news
Artemisinin is an herbal extract derived from Artemisia annua together with its elements, which appears to disarm the ovaries to produce hormones in proportion rather than hyperproducing testosterone; several women who used the drug for one term of 12 weeks reported changes in their periodical reproductive cycle.
Such an outcome has been produced after a small-scale experiment conducted by Chinese scientists, and it is generally considered as a breakthrough that may open a new treatment approach for the disease that impacts 10 percent of women.
What more have the experts stated?
According to Dr. Channa Jayasena, a clinical senior lecturer at Imperial College London, who was not involved in the research, “It’s very rare that you get a brand new development in a really important condition, so this is big,” as the Guardian reported.
Moreover, “It’s a tremendous potential breakthrough and really welcome, as women’s health problems have not traditionally received the attention that heart disease and cancer have,” Jayasena added.
What happens in PCOS?
PCOS condition arises when the secretion levels of testosterone in the female body are high and originate from the ovaries. It disrupts the usual cycle of ovulation, so there might be irregular menstrual periods and fertility problems.
Multiple individuals who develop insulin resistance experience an impact on their health, which, in turn, increases the danger of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. High testosterone also causes darker skin, beards, and acne, as well as breast reduction and prostate gland expansion, as the Guardian reported.
Jayasena said, “The name [of the syndrome] makes it sound like it just affects the ovaries, which does a disservice to women,” and, “It’s a body-wide disease. You’re more likely to have obesity, heart disease, too much hair, acne, as well as irregular periods and fertility problems.”
Presently available treatments
Contemporary remedies include the contraceptive pill, which gives hormonal balance and inhibits testosterone, a hormone that, in this situation, assists in irregular periods and the ‘cosmetic’ manifestations of PCOS.
Sometimes, medications or even surgery can assist in ovulation for women facing PCOS if they are not able to conceive. However, these treatments are not permanent, have certain side effects and drawbacks, and can only be used with some patients.