Scientists May Have Finally Found the Key To Curing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Jun 11, 2018

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a very common health problem - it affects an estimated 20% of women. For years, the causes of PCOS haven't been clear to researchers and doctors. But scientists finally think they've discovered what causes some women to develop PCOS - and this new information could lead to a cure for the condition. 

Scientists have long been aware that PCOS is often passed down from mothers to daughters, but they didn't know how this was happening. A recent study that appeared in Nature Medicine sheds some light on the phenomenon. The study found that pregnant women with PCOS had higher levels of a growth factor called anti-Mullerian hormone, or AMH, than pregnant women without PCOS. After making this observation, the researchers decided to inject pregnant mice with AMH to see if their offspring would develop any symptoms that resembled PCOS. 

It turned out that the researchers' conjecture was true. When they examined the offspring of the mice injected with AMH, they discovered that the young female mice had higher levels of testosterone than normal. It appeared that the extra AMH in the mother's body caused certain neurons, called GnRH neurons, to become overactive in the young mice.

GnRH neurons are responsible for regulating the amount of testosterone in the body. As the young mice grew up, the researchers observed that the females had some masculine traits due to their elevated testosterone levels, and they did indeed develop symptoms resembling PCOS as adult mice. 

That's an exciting enough finding on its own, but the researchers didn't stop there. They also tried treating the mice with a drug called cetrorelix. This treatment actually got rid of the mice's symptoms and regulated their testosterone levels. 

For women who live with PCOS, these findings are great news. PCOS can take a major toll on happiness and well-being - it can cause irregular menstruation, acne, facial hair, and weight gain, among other symptoms. Many women with PCOS also have trouble conceiving. Now a cure for all of these symptoms could be just around the corner. 

Cetrorelix hasn't been tested on humans yet. However, trials are scheduled to take place this year. If the outcomes are good, PCOS and all the symptoms associated with it may become a problem of the past. 

Do you have PCOS? Would you try this new medication to treat your symptoms? Tell us your thoughts! If you know anyone with PCOS, pass this article along to them - they'll probably be interested in learning about a potential cure. 

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!