EXPLORING THE CHALLENGES OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) DIAGNOSED WOMEN AND THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS FERTILITY
Main Article Content
Keywords
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Infertility, Reproductive health, Stress, Disease
Abstract
This research study is designed to examine the challenges faced by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) diagnosed women and the complications faced during the fertility period. PCOS is the most prevalent endocrine condition impacting female fertility and has been less studied in the context of research. The data has been collected by using qualitative research. For this, the sample of the study consists of N=13 women between 22 to 35 years old and diagnosed with PCOS. The method of sampling used is snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were used in the data collection process. The research employed a phenomenological methodology to get firsthand feedback from the participants. The study results revealed an elevated rate of infertility among women with PCOS, suggesting a bidirectional relationship between the physiological aspects of the Syndrome and infertility. It is recommended that integrating infertility considerations into the clinical management of PCOS is crucial, necessitating collaborative efforts among gynaecologists, endocrinologists, and reproductive endocrinologists to provide holistic care that addresses both the endocrine dimensions of infertility and PCOS.
References
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14. Davidson, N., Hammarberg, K., Romero, L., & Fisher, J. (2022). Access to preventive sexual and reproductive health care for women from refugee-like backgrounds: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 403.
15. Demirkol, M. K., Barut, O., Dogan, N. T., Hamarat, M. B., & Resim, S. (2021). At what age threshold does the decline in semen parameters begin. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 31(1), 4-7.
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20. Faiza, H., Duodpota, M. R., Shaikh, F., Rafiq, M., Murtaza, G., & Naqvi, S. H. A. (2021). Association of hormonal imbalance, lifestyle and clinical attributes with female infertility. Journal of Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences Nawabshah. (JPUMHS), 11(2), 97-103.
21. Guleken, Z., Bulut, H., Bahat, P. Y., Yılmaz, S., & Sarıbal, D. (2021). Elevated serum level of DHEAS as a hormone and IL-6 as a proinflammatory cytokine may better indicate metabolic syndrome in PCOS women. compare, 71.
22. Hassan, A., Muzaffar, M., Reshi, A. B., Reshi, M. R., & Naqvi, M. (2023). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Is a Challenging Problem in Women. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 11(6), 19-23.
23. Holzer, I., Ott, J., Kurz, C., Hofstetter, G., Hager, M., Kuessel, L., & Parry, J. P. (2021). Is chronic endometritis associated with tubal infertility? a prospective cohort study. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 28(11), 1876-1881.
24. Ismayilova, N. (2021). Healthcare Delivery for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Canada: Exploring Women’s Experiences with Diagnosis and Management and Identifying Areas of Improvement (Doctoral dissertation, Université d'Ottawa/University of Ottawa).
25. Kicińska, A. M., Stachowska, A., Kajdy, A., Wierzba, T. H., & Maksym, R. B. (2023, February). Successful Implementation of Menstrual Cycle Biomarkers in the Treatment of Infertility in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome—Case Report. In Healthcare (Vol. 11, No. 4, p. 616). MDPI.
26. McGuire, T. (2021). Fertility: Supporting the fertility treatment journey. AJP: The Australian Journal of Pharmacy, 102(1207), 32-42.
27. Meherali, S., Punjani, N., Louie-Poon, S., Abdul Rahim, K., Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., & Lassi, Z. S. (2021). Mental health of children and adolescents amidst COVID-19 and past pandemics: a rapid systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(7), 3432.
28. Mimoune, N., Azzouz, M. Y., Khelef, D., & Kaidi, R. (2021). Ovarian cysts in cattle: a review. Veterinarska stanica, 52(5), 587-603.
29. Mohan, A., Haider, R., Fakhor, H., Hina, F., Kumar, V., Jawed, A., ... & Kazeem, S. (2023). Vitamin D and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A review. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 85(7), 3506-3511.
30. Murray, C. M., & Orr, C. J. (2020). Hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle and ovulation. In Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Endocrinology (pp. 159-167). Academic Press.
31. Nagórska, M., Obrzut, B., Ulman, D., & Darmochwał-Kolarz, D. (2021). The need of personalized medicine in coping with stress during infertility treatment. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 11(1), 56.
32. Obeagu, E. I., Njar, V. E., & Obeagu, G. U. (2023). Infertility: Prevalence and consequences. Int. J. Curr. Res. Chem. Pharm. Sci, 10(7), 43-50.
33. Palomba, S. (2021). Is fertility reduced in ovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome? An opinion paper. Human Reproduction, 36(9), 2421-2428.
34. Palomba, S., Piltonen, T. T., & Giudice, L. C. (2021). Endometrial function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a comprehensive review. Human reproduction update, 27(3), 584-618.
35. Patra, S., & Unisa, S. (2021). Addressing reproductive health knowledge, infertility and coping strategies among rural women in India. Journal of Biosocial Science, 53(4), 557-565.
36. Pettay, J. E., Chapman, S. N., Lahdenperä, M., & Lummaa, V. (2020). Family dynamics and age-related patterns in marriage probability. Evolution and Human Behavior, 41(1), 35-43.
37. Rasmussen, M., Reddy, M., Nolan, R., Camunas-Soler, J., Khodursky, A., Scheller, N. M., ... & McElrath, T. F. (2022). RNA profiles reveal signatures of future health and disease in pregnancy. Nature, 601(7893), 422-427.
38. Salmeri, N., Viganò, P., Cavoretto, P., Marci, R., & Candiani, M. (2023). The kisspeptin system in and beyond reproduction: Exploring intricate pathways and potential links between endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. Reviews in endocrine and metabolic disorders, 1-19.
39. Shele, G., Genkil, J., & Speelman, D. (2020). A systematic review of the effects of exercise on hormones in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 5(2), 35.
40. Shrivastava, S., & Conigliaro, R. L. (2023). Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Medical Clinics, 107(2), 227-234.
41. Varlas, V. N., Borș, R. G., Năsui, B. A., Mititelu, M., Gheorghiu, A., Redalf, A., & Pop, A. L. (2021). Key points in fertility preservation treatment strategies during covid-19 pandemic. an update on pharmacological therapies. Farmacia, 69(2).
42. Yilmaz, T., Yazici, S., & Benli, T. (2020). Factors associated with infertility distress of infertile women: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 41(4), 275-281.
43. Zaat, T. R., de Bruin, J. P., Goddijn, M., van Baal, M., Benneheij, E. B., Brandes, E. M., ... & Mol, F. (2021). Is home-based monitoring of ovulation to time frozen embryo transfer a cost-effective alternative for hospital-based monitoring of ovulation? Study protocol of the multicentre, non-inferiority Antarctica-2 randomised controlled trial. Human reproduction open, 2021(4), hoab035.
44. Zafar, M. (2020). Risk factors associated with irregular menstrual cycle among young women. Fertility Science and Research, 7(1), 54-59.
2. Aly, J. M., & Decherney, A. H. (2021). Lifestyle modifications in PCOS. Clinical obstetrics and gynecology, 64(1), 83-89.
3. Assidi, M. (2022). Infertility in men: Advances towards a comprehensive and integrative strategy for precision theranostics. Cells, 11(10), 1711.
4. Bühler, N. (2021). Introduction: A Question of Age. In When Reproduction Meets Ageing: The Science and Medicine of the Fertility Decline (pp. 1-19). Emerald Publishing Limited.
5. Barratt, C. L., Wang, C., Baldi, E., Toskin, I., Kiarie, J., & Lamb, D. J. (2022). What advances may the future bring to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of male sexual and reproductive health?. Fertility and sterility, 117(2), 258-267.
6. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis. Qualitative Psychology, 9(1), 3.
7. Buriro, S. A., Memon, S. A., Iqbal, Z., Chandio, I., Channar, H. B., & Thebo, D. S. (2023). Analysis of anxiety, depression and perceived stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 30(19), 381-390.
8. Buriro, S. A., Birmani, N. A., Shaikh, A. M., & Dharejo, A. M. (2016). Two digenetic trematodes with description of a new species from Anas platyrhynchos (Anseriformes: Anatidae) in Sindh, Pakistan.
9. Buriro, S. A., Muhammad, S., Rtd, M. M. P., Channar, H. B., Memon, S. A., & Chandio, I. (2023). Analysis of infectious communicable and non-communicable diseases in Pakistan: A systematic review. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 30(18), 2207-2217.
10. Busnelli, A., Somigliana, E., Cirillo, F., & Levi-Setti, P. E. (2021). Is diminished ovarian reserve a risk factor for miscarriage? Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Human Reproduction Update, 27(6), 973-988.
11. Chen, Z. H., Lin, L., Wu, C. F., Li, C. F., Xu, R. H., & Sun, Y. (2021). Artificial intelligence for assisting cancer diagnosis and treatment in the era of precision medicine. Cancer Communications, 41(11), 1100-1115.
12. Chronopoulou, E., Seifalian, A., Stephenson, J., Serhal, P., Saab, W., & Seshadri, S. (2021). Preconceptual care for couples seeking fertility treatment, an evidence-based approach. F&S Reviews, 2(1), 57-74.
13. Collée, J., Mawet, M., Tebache, L., Nisolle, M., & Brichant, G. (2021). Polycystic ovarian syndrome and infertility: overview and insights of the putative treatments. Gynecological Endocrinology, 37(10), 869-874.
14. Davidson, N., Hammarberg, K., Romero, L., & Fisher, J. (2022). Access to preventive sexual and reproductive health care for women from refugee-like backgrounds: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 403.
15. Demirkol, M. K., Barut, O., Dogan, N. T., Hamarat, M. B., & Resim, S. (2021). At what age threshold does the decline in semen parameters begin. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 31(1), 4-7.
16. de Medeiros, S. F., Yamamoto, M. M. W., de Medeiros, M. A. S., Barbosa, B. B., Soares, J. M., & Baracat, E. C. (2020). Changes in clinical and biochemical characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome with advancing age. Endocrine connections, 9(2), 74-89.
17. Derry, P. (2022). Nonlinear Dynamics and Positive Health: The Case of Menstruation and Menopause. Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, and Life Sciences, 26(3), 237-258.
18. Délot, E. C., & Vilain, E. (2021). Towards improved genetic diagnosis of human differences of sex development. Nature Reviews Genetics, 22(9), 588-602.
19. D'Sa, N., Fontana, M., Ariapa, M., Chandler, H., Nsubuga, E., & Richardson, E. (2023). “Well-being, that word is very wide”: Understanding how teachers in Uganda define and navigate their occupational well-being. International Journal of Educational Research, 119, 102185.
20. Faiza, H., Duodpota, M. R., Shaikh, F., Rafiq, M., Murtaza, G., & Naqvi, S. H. A. (2021). Association of hormonal imbalance, lifestyle and clinical attributes with female infertility. Journal of Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences Nawabshah. (JPUMHS), 11(2), 97-103.
21. Guleken, Z., Bulut, H., Bahat, P. Y., Yılmaz, S., & Sarıbal, D. (2021). Elevated serum level of DHEAS as a hormone and IL-6 as a proinflammatory cytokine may better indicate metabolic syndrome in PCOS women. compare, 71.
22. Hassan, A., Muzaffar, M., Reshi, A. B., Reshi, M. R., & Naqvi, M. (2023). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Is a Challenging Problem in Women. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 11(6), 19-23.
23. Holzer, I., Ott, J., Kurz, C., Hofstetter, G., Hager, M., Kuessel, L., & Parry, J. P. (2021). Is chronic endometritis associated with tubal infertility? a prospective cohort study. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 28(11), 1876-1881.
24. Ismayilova, N. (2021). Healthcare Delivery for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Canada: Exploring Women’s Experiences with Diagnosis and Management and Identifying Areas of Improvement (Doctoral dissertation, Université d'Ottawa/University of Ottawa).
25. Kicińska, A. M., Stachowska, A., Kajdy, A., Wierzba, T. H., & Maksym, R. B. (2023, February). Successful Implementation of Menstrual Cycle Biomarkers in the Treatment of Infertility in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome—Case Report. In Healthcare (Vol. 11, No. 4, p. 616). MDPI.
26. McGuire, T. (2021). Fertility: Supporting the fertility treatment journey. AJP: The Australian Journal of Pharmacy, 102(1207), 32-42.
27. Meherali, S., Punjani, N., Louie-Poon, S., Abdul Rahim, K., Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., & Lassi, Z. S. (2021). Mental health of children and adolescents amidst COVID-19 and past pandemics: a rapid systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(7), 3432.
28. Mimoune, N., Azzouz, M. Y., Khelef, D., & Kaidi, R. (2021). Ovarian cysts in cattle: a review. Veterinarska stanica, 52(5), 587-603.
29. Mohan, A., Haider, R., Fakhor, H., Hina, F., Kumar, V., Jawed, A., ... & Kazeem, S. (2023). Vitamin D and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A review. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 85(7), 3506-3511.
30. Murray, C. M., & Orr, C. J. (2020). Hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle and ovulation. In Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Endocrinology (pp. 159-167). Academic Press.
31. Nagórska, M., Obrzut, B., Ulman, D., & Darmochwał-Kolarz, D. (2021). The need of personalized medicine in coping with stress during infertility treatment. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 11(1), 56.
32. Obeagu, E. I., Njar, V. E., & Obeagu, G. U. (2023). Infertility: Prevalence and consequences. Int. J. Curr. Res. Chem. Pharm. Sci, 10(7), 43-50.
33. Palomba, S. (2021). Is fertility reduced in ovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome? An opinion paper. Human Reproduction, 36(9), 2421-2428.
34. Palomba, S., Piltonen, T. T., & Giudice, L. C. (2021). Endometrial function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a comprehensive review. Human reproduction update, 27(3), 584-618.
35. Patra, S., & Unisa, S. (2021). Addressing reproductive health knowledge, infertility and coping strategies among rural women in India. Journal of Biosocial Science, 53(4), 557-565.
36. Pettay, J. E., Chapman, S. N., Lahdenperä, M., & Lummaa, V. (2020). Family dynamics and age-related patterns in marriage probability. Evolution and Human Behavior, 41(1), 35-43.
37. Rasmussen, M., Reddy, M., Nolan, R., Camunas-Soler, J., Khodursky, A., Scheller, N. M., ... & McElrath, T. F. (2022). RNA profiles reveal signatures of future health and disease in pregnancy. Nature, 601(7893), 422-427.
38. Salmeri, N., Viganò, P., Cavoretto, P., Marci, R., & Candiani, M. (2023). The kisspeptin system in and beyond reproduction: Exploring intricate pathways and potential links between endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. Reviews in endocrine and metabolic disorders, 1-19.
39. Shele, G., Genkil, J., & Speelman, D. (2020). A systematic review of the effects of exercise on hormones in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 5(2), 35.
40. Shrivastava, S., & Conigliaro, R. L. (2023). Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Medical Clinics, 107(2), 227-234.
41. Varlas, V. N., Borș, R. G., Năsui, B. A., Mititelu, M., Gheorghiu, A., Redalf, A., & Pop, A. L. (2021). Key points in fertility preservation treatment strategies during covid-19 pandemic. an update on pharmacological therapies. Farmacia, 69(2).
42. Yilmaz, T., Yazici, S., & Benli, T. (2020). Factors associated with infertility distress of infertile women: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 41(4), 275-281.
43. Zaat, T. R., de Bruin, J. P., Goddijn, M., van Baal, M., Benneheij, E. B., Brandes, E. M., ... & Mol, F. (2021). Is home-based monitoring of ovulation to time frozen embryo transfer a cost-effective alternative for hospital-based monitoring of ovulation? Study protocol of the multicentre, non-inferiority Antarctica-2 randomised controlled trial. Human reproduction open, 2021(4), hoab035.
44. Zafar, M. (2020). Risk factors associated with irregular menstrual cycle among young women. Fertility Science and Research, 7(1), 54-59.
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Jan 30, 2024
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Saeeda Anjum Buriro, Munnaza Parveen, Fatima Parvaiz Hashmi, Afshan Nazly, Yasmin Alexander Robinson, & Agnes Alferd. (2024). EXPLORING THE CHALLENGES OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) DIAGNOSED WOMEN AND THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS FERTILITY. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 31(1), 2081–2090. https://doi.org/10.53555/jptcp.v31i1.4320
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Author Biographies
Saeeda Anjum Buriro
Ph.D Scholar, University of Sindh Jamshoro
Munnaza Parveen
Assistant Professor Jinnah College of Nursing Sohail University Karachi
Fatima Parvaiz Hashmi
Medical Officer Memon Medical Institute Hospital Karachi
Afshan Nazly
Associate Professor ZUFONAM, Ziauddin University Karachi
Yasmin Alexander Robinson
Assistant Professor Jinnah College of Nursing Sohail University Karachi
Agnes Alferd
Assistant Professor Jinnah College of Nursing Sohail University Karachi