Women's Health Network study shows dramatic rise in hormonal issues in women well before menopause like PMS, irregular periods and PCOS today compared to nearly a decade ago.
You can’t point to a single cause. But women’s lives are more stressful, their nutrition is often worse, and the environment is full of hormone disruptors.
Portland, ME (PRWEB) September 13, 2016
Three common forms of hormonal imbalance – PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), irregular periods and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) – have risen enormously over the last decade, according to a study just released by Women’s Health Network.
The cross-sectional study of 20,000 women compared women’s symptoms in 2016 to those almost a decade ago revealed a consistent pattern of worsening symptoms compared to 2008:
- Women report moderate to severe PMS symptoms increased 44%.
- Women report moderate to severe irregular periods increased 32%.
- Women report moderate to severe PCOS increased 51%.
“These are disturbing trends but consistent with what I see in my medical practice,” says Dr. Amber Hayden, DO and contributing author to Women’s Health Network. “But this is more than a question of women’s discomfort because of their symptoms. What concerns me is that an imbalance in just one sex hormone can lead to problems with weight, insulin resistance, thyroid problems or other serious health issues. These are issues more women – and their doctors – should give greater priority.”
What’s behind the worrisome increases? Dr. Hayden explained, “You can’t point to a single cause. But women’s lives are more stressful, their nutrition is often worse, and the environment is full of hormone disruptors. These are all doubtless factors. And that’s where women can start when thinking about how to restore hormonal balance.”
About the Study
Using a standardized hormonal health profile, women aged 25-70 were asked to rank details of their individual experiences with 20 common symptoms by ranking the severity of these symptoms on a Likert scale. According to a cross-sectional analysis of 20,000 profiles, women report significant differences in the type and severity of their symptoms, when results were compared to profiles completed by women of similar ages in 2007-2008.
About Women’s Health Network
Women’s Health Network is the leading online resource (http://www.womenshealthnetwork.com) devoted to the natural approach to women’s health. The site includes articles by medical experts (MDs, DOs, NDs and PhDs), free health profiles and quizzes for the most significant women’s health issues. More than one million women have completed one or more of the hormonal health profiles.