Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted condition that affects one-tenth of individuals in menstruation. Known for its complex effects on reproductive, metabolic and mental health, the daily experiences of people with PCOS are still under-fulfilled. By Professor Jerilynn Prior and his team (including Kaitlin Nelson), MSC candidate, Dr. Sonia Shirin and Dalani of the University of British Columbia A new study led by Dharani Kalidasan seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by examining women’s menstrual cycles and daily life experiences. Use with PCOS in the early stages of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. Their findings were published in PLOS ONE.
Professor Prior at the Center for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CEMCOR) and colleagues initiated Menstrual and Ovulation Research 2 (MOS2), which includes many scientific goals, including investigating the daily experiences of women with PCOS. The study included eight women with physician-diagnosed PCO, matched with 24-year-old and BMI-matched controls. Participants from the Greater Vancouver Metropolis maintained their menstrual cycle diary © entries every day and recorded a range of physical and emotional experiences such as menstrual flow, cramps, tender breasts, energy sensations, self-worth, and self-worth and negative emotions.
Contrary to the initial hypothesis, women with PCOS would not ovulate and have longer cycles, and the study found no significant differences in menstrual cycle length or corpus luteal duration between PCOS and controls. Professor Prier said: “We hope to see more menstrual irregularities and shorter luteal phases in women with PCOS, but surprisingly, the circulating characteristics are very similar to those in the control group.” This unexpected finding suggests that routine, month cycles for women with PCOS may be more common than previously thought, especially as women age in their 30s and 40s.
The study also explores the emotional and psychological effects of PCOS. Although women with PCOS experience lower self-worth and more negative emotions, the results do not support these assumptions. Similar frustration, depression, and anxiety were reported in both groups. However, women with PCOS do report significantly higher levels of “external stress.” Kaitlin Nelson commented: “The increased external stress observed in women with PCO may indicate that the broader social and health challenges facing these people have increased during the pandemic.”
One of the advantages of this study is the use of proven tools such as quantitative basal temperature© (QBT©) Methods for ovulation assessment and comprehensive menstrual cycle diary©. Daily entries minimize recall bias. This rigorous approach provides detailed insights into the daily life of women with PCOS, showing that most of their experiences during the pandemic did not significantly differ from those of the control group in most respects.
The researchers also highlighted the broad implications of their findings. “Understanding the daily experiences of women with PCOS is crucial to developing effective interventions and support systems,” Professor Prior said. The insights from this study could inform healthcare providers and policy makers, highlighting the need for people with PCOS Tailored resources and support.
In conclusion, the MOS2 study provides valuable insights into menstruation and daily experiences in women with PCOS, challenging some common assumptions about the disease. It emphasizes the importance of considering the potential for greater individual variability and meso-menstrual regularity. These findings pave the way for further research to explore the various experiences of women with PCOS and develop strategies to improve their quality of life.
Journal Reference
Nelson, K., Shirin, S., Kalidasan, D. and Prior, J.C. (2023). Women’s experience with polycystic ovary syndrome: A trial case-control, single-week, daily menstrual cycle diary study period during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic period. PLOS one. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296377
About the Author
Dr. Jerilynn Prior2019, Michael Smith, British Columbia clinician scientist, is a professor of endocrinology at UBC, with an H-Index of 74. She is the founder (2002) and is the Director of Science (CEMCOR) of the UBC Center for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research. Dr. Prior’s academic career over 45 years of age prospectively studied ovulation and progesterone in women’s menstrual cycles, during adolescence and cycles, and progesterone stimulates bone formation and prevents osteoporosis. Cemcor is groundbreaking and is the world’s first and only ovulation research center. Its website (www.cemcor.ubc.ca) has obtained a page view of about 3,000 pages in >200 countries/day, providing practical, scientifically based discoveries, redundant nightlife. Dr. Prior and Dr. Cemcor are innovators of unique reproductive physiological concepts and therapeutic information. April 2024
Kaitlin Nelson She is studying for her Master of Science in the University of British Columbia’s experimental medicine program, where she works under the guidance of endocrinologist Dr. Jerilynn Prior. Her research focuses on assessing health-related quality of life changes in people with androgen PCOS after six months of treatment with cyclic progesterone and spironolactone. In addition to academic pursuits, Caitlin contributed her time and expertise to the Center for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (focused on knowledge translation) and the Cedar Cottage Community Garden, where she assisted labor and gifts. Writing. As her study and volunteering progresses, Caitlyn is committed to deepening our understanding of PCOS and enhancing women’s health care through innovative research and active community engagement. [email protected]
