The new technology can significantly speed up the process of diagnosing the disease
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a fairly common problem in women. The disease develops when the ovaries begin to secrete excess androgens and lead to such undesirable manifestations as: excessive hair growth, heavy or, on the contrary, irregular menstruation, and sometimes infertility.
The blood test, which provides results in less than 20 minutes, can speed up and simplify diagnosis of the underlying cause of female infertility, hair growth in unusual areas of the body and weight gain.
The test detects PCOS, which affects approximately one in ten people. a woman of childbearing age in the UK. This leads to heavy or irregular periods, acne, problems conceiving, as well as excess weight and hair growth on the face, chest and abdomen.
The syndrome develops when the ovaries begin to excessively secrete androgens. They also cause dozens of tiny cyst-like growths to appear on the surface of the ovaries. Cysts are filled with immature eggs that do not come out due to hormonal imbalance. This leads to decreased ovulation and problems with fertility (about a third of cases of infertility in women are associated with PCOS).
This disease, the Daily Mail clarifies, is incurable, and any treatment is aimed only at eliminating unpleasant symptoms.
Early diagnosis is important because PCOS is also associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, studies show that about a third of women suffering from the syndrome wait two years or more to receive a diagnosis.
The condition is usually diagnosed based on symptoms, and then patients are referred to hospital for a pelvic ultrasound. We won’t describe it in detail; the procedure is not the most pleasant. Many women find this method extremely inconvenient. A new test approved in the UK last week to check for PCOS could significantly reduce diagnosis time.
The Elecsys Anti-Müllerian Hormone Plus test is already being used on the NHS to measure female fertility.
Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is produced by ovarian cells — higher levels usually indicate a woman has a healthy number of eggs.
Developed by Roche Diagnostics, the method involves taking a small blood sample from a vein. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to check AMH levels using a test that takes just 18 minutes, and patients receive results the next day.
Leading PCOS expert and Professor of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Leeds University Hospitals NHS Trust Adam Balen stressed that the new test could be a simpler alternative to transvaginal organ scanning: “I welcome any new test that can help quickly diagnose PCOS, — This is a common disease that causes a lot of suffering.»