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First Post
3 days ago
- Health
- First Post
Beyond irregular periods: How AMH+ and other new tests are changing PCOS diagnosis for Indian women
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is rising among Indian women, especially in urban areas. This article explores its symptoms, diagnostic challenges, and how new tools like the AMH+ test offer accurate, non-invasive early detection—empowering women to manage their reproductive health more effectively and proactively. read more Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has emerged as one of the most prevalent hormonal disorders affecting women of reproductive age. Recent studies, including one published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), estimate that PCOS affects between 7.2 per cent to 19.6 per cent of Indian women with higher prevalence seen in urban populations. The condition, characterised by hormonal imbalance and metabolic issues, can lead to a range of symptoms, from irregular periods and weight gain to acne, excessive hair growth and infertility. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Firstpost talked to Dr. Rishma Pai, an honorary consultant Gynaecologist at the Lilavati, HN Reliance Hospital and Hinduja Hospitals (Mumbai) to understand the growing burden of PCOS in India, the diagnostic challenges women face and how new tools like the AMH+ test are transforming early detection and management. The Rising Tide of PCOS in India Dr Rishma: Urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and increasing stress levels have all contributed to the rising prevalence of PCOS in India. Coupled with low awareness and stigma surrounding reproductive health, many women either ignore the signs or seek medical attention too late. PCOS is not just a reproductive issue if left unmanaged, it can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer. The Diagnostic Dilemma Dr Rishma: PCOS is often diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria, which require at least two of the following three features: irregular or absent periods, signs of high androgen levels (clinically or through lab reports), and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. However, this process can be prolonged and inconsistent. Many women go undiagnosed for years, which delays treatment and worsens their overall health outcomes. Common Challenges Faced by Women Delayed or missed diagnosis due to lack of awareness Discomfort with transvaginal ultrasounds, especially for unmarried women Mismanagement of symptoms, often treated in isolation (e.g., only acne or only irregular periods) Mental health toll due to chronic stress, infertility struggles, and body image issues Diagnostic Tests Available for PCOS in India While we talk about it, there are a range of diagnostic tests available in India. These include: Ultrasound Scan (Pelvic or Transvaginal Ultrasound) Used to detect the presence of multiple small follicles on the ovaries, which gives the condition its name. Often done on Day 2 or 3 of the menstrual cycle. May not be preferred by or suitable for all women, especially those who are unmarried. Hormone Blood Tests These measure levels of testosterone, LH (Luteinizing Hormone), FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone), and prolactin. Elevated androgens or a high LH:FSH ratio can indicate hormonal imbalance typical of PCOS. Glucose and Insulin Resistance Tests Includes fasting glucose, insulin levels, and HbA1c to check for insulin resistance or prediabetes. Insulin resistance is a common but under-recognized reason behind PCOS. AMH+ Test (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) A simple blood test that measures AMH levels to evaluate ovarian reserve and function. High AMH levels are associated with PCOS as they reflect the increased load of antral follicles. Therefore, AMH+ is an important indicator to identify PCOS. While there are other AMH tests available in India from different manufacturers, the AMH+ test developed by Roche Diagnostics is the first DCGI-approved diagnostic tool for PCOM in aiding the diagnosis of PCOS in India. It is also CE-marked in Europe, reinforcing its global and regulatory credibility. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Unlike traditional diagnostic methods like transvaginal ultrasound, which must be timed with the menstrual cycle and can be invasive, AMH+ can be conducted on any day of the cycle, offering a more convenient, accessible, and non-invasive option. It is the most accurate and reliable test available to diagnose PCOS. Thyroid Function Tests and Lipid Profile Thyroid dysfunction and lipid imbalances are commonly associated with PCOS. These tests are crucial in evaluating broader metabolic impacts and ruling out other conditions that mimic PCOS symptoms. Timely and accurate diagnosis is the first step in managing PCOS effectively. With newer diagnostic tools like the AMH+ test, combined with clinical insights and lifestyle guidance, women can take proactive control over their reproductive health.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
You won't believe which jobs are the biggest downers for mental health
While women were twice as likely to report depression, the data around male-dominated professions may reveal something more hidden and more dangerous. Image: Mikhail Nilov /pexels We spend most of our waking hours at work, so it's no surprise that our jobs can shape our mental health in lasting ways. The average person works about 90 000 hours in their lifetime. This estimate assumes a 40-hour work week from around age 22 to 65, with holidays and sick leave included. But new findings published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" (JAMA) are shining a harsh spotlight on just how deep that connection runs, especially for men. According to a sweeping analysis of more than 500 000 American workers between 2015 and 2019, some jobs come with a far greater emotional toll than others. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ Over 80 000 people in the study reported being diagnosed with depression in their lifetime, with workers in certain industries feeling the brunt of that burden. And while women were twice as likely to report depression, the data around male-dominated professions may reveal something more hidden and more dangerous. Employers need to customize support for their specific workforce, not just hand out one-size-fits-all solutions. Image: The jobs most linked to depression 80 319 respondents reported a lifetime diagnosis of depression-women at twice the rate of men (JAMA, 2025). Highest depression rates: Community & social service. Food preparation & serving. Arts, entertainment. Sports. Media. Health care. Retail. Education & library services. On the flip side, construction and mining jobs showed the lowest rates of diagnosed depression. However, researchers caution that these numbers are misleading. While fewer diagnoses are reported in these male-dominated fields, suicide rates among these workers are among the highest, according to the CDC, and have been rising since 2000. So, what gives? Experts suggest that many men in these sectors may suffer in silence due to stigma, toxic masculinity, or the lack of access to mental health resources in remote or rural work environments. 'Just because depression isn't diagnosed doesn't mean it's not there,' says Dr Manish Sapra, Executive Director of Northwell Health's Behavioral Health Service Line. Speaking to "The New York Post", Sapra stressed the need for tailored mental health benefits that reflect the reality of each industry: 'Employers need to customise support for their specific workforce, not just hand out one-size-fits-all solutions.' In other words, the wellness app your company offers may not cut it, especially if your employees are working 12-hour shifts in emotionally heavy or physically risky environments. While depression tends to be underdiagnosed in men globally, South African research backs this up, too. A study published in "The South African Journal of Psychiatry" notes that men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues due to cultural expectations and fear of appearing weak. This is especially relevant in fields like construction or mining, where 'toughness' is still glorified and vulnerability is taboo. When men do reach a breaking point, it can be too late. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reports that men are more likely to die by suicide, despite women being more likely to attempt it, a heartbreaking testament to how male mental health struggles often go unnoticed and untreated. If your job feels emotionally draining, you're not imagining it. Image: Oladimeji Ajegbile/Pexels
The Hill
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
On the Dobbs' abortion case's anniversary, celebrate life-affirming medical care
A full three years have passed since Roe v. Wade was overturned, yet abortion activists still refuse to acknowledge the overwhelmingly positive effect the decision is having on women and children. Instead, they continue to sow fear and misinformation to advance their abortion agenda, telling women the falsehood that they will be unable to get essential miscarriage treatment or lifesaving medical interventions. Indeed, the only thing preventing women from receiving the care they need is the very narrative promoted by these activists, who claim to seek protections for women's reproductive health. It's long past time for them to realize the truth: Pregnant women have the same access to the quality healthcare they need post-Roe as they did before. It's time to set the record straight. For example, despite rampant claims to the contrary, the number of obstetrician gynecologists in pro-life states is growing at a higher rate than in states without pro-life protections, according to a Journal of the American Medical Association article published this year. Yet the media continues shamelessly to rely on interviews with the same handful of doctors to spin their shortage narratives. Pregnant women and their families are also able to access ongoing compassionate care and support at our nation's network of nearly 3,000 pregnancy resource centers, which have served nearly 975,000 patients since 2022. We also have seen improvement in maternal mortality rates in states that have restricted abortion, despite fear-inducing claims that pro-life laws would do the opposite. Idaho, for example, has some of the strongest pro-life protections in the country and saw its maternal mortality numbers improve tremendously since Roe's overturn. CDC data also confirm that maternal mortality decreased by 17 percent nationally during the first full year (2023) after Roe was overturned. This echoed a range of international studies that show that induced abortion does not improve maternal mortality rates. Finally, FDA Commissioner Makary's recent comment committing to a thorough review of the safety of the chemical abortion drug mifepristone represents another important victory for women's health. While abortion proponents dangerously insist that chemical abortion pills are 'safer than Tylenol' — an oft quoted claim that has been thoroughly debunked — they ignore the real-world impact this drug is having among the women who are left without the medical oversight they deserve. A recently released report links mifepristone to serious adverse reactions at much higher rates than reported by the FDA — a finding consistent with what doctors like me are seeing in our practices. Continuing to propagate lies about induced abortion also serves to draw public attention away from making meaningful progress in the area of women's health. Doctors, lawmakers and movement leaders must work to make real strides for mothers and their unborn children, not score political points. In our post-Dobbs world, women need to know that they can continue to receive the excellent care they deserve. To ensure that they do, states should enact more medical education provisions to defend their pro-life protections against misinformation in the media and assure the public and expecting mothers that these laws are in their favor. So far, South Dakota and Texas have passed legislation funding an educational video on their abortion laws, clarifying doctors' ongoing ability to treat women suffering from pregnancy complications. Likewise, in 2024, Florida issued clarification on the availability of life-saving care under its state laws. The medical association that I lead, is also doing its part to educate doctors on their roles and responsibilities to keep treating women in the post-Dobbs legal landscape — assuring them that if they weren't doing induced abortions before, nothing about their practice needs to change. I am able to provide lifesaving care for my patients at every step and stage of pregnancy in Indiana, just as I always have, and just as doctors across the country are able to do. When I care for patients, I ensure they have the best and most accurate information about their healthcare. Regardless of political differences, we must all work together to improve women's health and ensure that women have accurate information so they can make fully informed decisions. We have already made great strides for mothers in the three years post-Dobbs. The next three and beyond can be even more transformative for women and their children if we can all join together to advocate for real solutions to the obstacles that so many face to a healthy future. Christina Francis is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist practicing as an obstetric hospitalist. She also serves as CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Los Angeles Times
18-06-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
‘We are still here, yet invisible.' Study finds that U.S. government has overestimated Native American life expectancy
Official U.S. records dramatically underestimate mortality and life expectancy disparities for Native Americans, according to a new, groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research, led by the Boston University School of Public Health, provides compelling evidence of a profound discrepancy between actual and officially reported statistics on the health outcomes of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations in the U.S. The study, novel in its approach, tracks mortality outcomes over time among self-identified AI/AN individuals in a nationally representative cohort known as the Mortality Disparities in American Communities. The researchers linked data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2008 American Community Survey with official death certificates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Vital Statistics System from 2008 through 2019, and found that the life expectancy of AI/AN populations was 6.5 years lower than the national average. They then compared this to data from the CDC's WONDER database, and found that their numbers were nearly three times greater than the gap reported by the CDC. Indeed, the study found that the life expectancy for AI/AN individuals was just 72.7 years, comparable to that of developing countries. The researchers also uncovered widespread racial misclassification. The study reports that some 41% of AI/AN deaths were incorrectly classified in the CDC WONDER database, predominantly misrecorded as 'White.' These systemic misclassifications drastically skewed official statistics, presenting AI/AN mortality rates as only 5% higher than the national average. When they adjusted the data to account for those misclassifications, the researchers found that the actual rate was 42% higher than initially reported. The issue of racial misclassification 'is not new for us at all,' said Nanette Star, director of policy and planning at the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health. The recent tendency for journalists and politicians to use umbrella terms like 'Indigenous' rather than the more precise 'American Indian and Alaska Native' can obscure the unique needs, histories and political identities of AI/AN communities, Star noted, and contribute to their erasure in both data and public discourse. 'That is the word we use — erasure — and it really does result in that invisibility in our health statistics,' she said. Issues related to racial misclassification in public records persist across the entire life course for AI/AN individuals, from birth to early childhood interventions to chronic disease and death. Star noted that in California, especially in urban regions like Los Angeles, Native individuals are frequently misidentified as Latino or multiracial, which profoundly distorts public health data and masks the extent of health disparities. 'It really does mask the true scale of premature mortality and health disparities among our communities,' Star said. Further, said Star, the lack of accurate data exacerbates health disparities. 'It really is a public health and justice issue,' she said. 'If you don't have those numbers to support the targeted response, you don't get the funding for these interventions or even preventative measures.' According to U.S. Census data, California is home to the largest AI/AN population in the United States. That means it has a unique opportunity to lead the nation in addressing these systemic issues. With numerous federally and state-recognized tribes, as well as substantial urban AI/AN populations, California can prioritize collaborative and accurate public health data collection and reporting. Star noted that current distortions are not always malicious but often stem from a lack of training. She suggested that California implement targeted training programs for those charged with recording this data, including funeral directors, coroners, medical doctors and law enforcement agents; allocate dedicated resources to improve the accuracy of racial classification on vital records; and strengthen partnerships with tribal leaders. The study authors suggest similar approaches, and there are numerous examples of successful cases of Indigenous-led health partnerships seen across Canada and the U.S. that have helped reduce health disparities among AI/AN communities that could be used as a template. These efforts would not only help to move toward rectifying historical inaccuracies, but also ensure that AI/AN communities receive equitable health resources and policy attention. 'When AI/AN people are misclassified in life and in death, it distorts public health data and drives inequities even deeper,' said Star. 'Accurate data isn't just about numbers — it's about honoring lives, holding systems accountable and making sure our communities are seen and served.'
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pedal for the mind: Cycling linked to lower dementia risk, study finds
NEW DELHI: Individuals who primarily commute by bicycle have a reduced overall risk of developing dementia compared to people who rely on passive transport methods like automobiles, buses, or railways. This was revealed in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, analysing data related to 4,79,723 participants across 13 years. The authors of the study said, "Our findings suggest that promoting active travel strategies, particularly cycling, may be associated with lower dementia risk among middle-aged and older adults, which carries substantial public health benefits by encouraging accessible, sustainable practices for cognitive health preservation." They said that cycling and mixed-cycling modes were associated with a lower incidence of all-cause dementia, including early-onset, late-onset and Alzheimer's disease. Neurologists confirm that this recent study reinforces their existing understanding of cycling's positive impact on cognitive function and its ability to lower dementia risk. The research indicates that cycling activates various physiological processes that support mental health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Physical activities, including walking, cycling, aerobics, and dancing, all improve brain function. Dr Rajul Aggarwal, director, neurology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, explained that aerobic activities such as cycling boost cerebral blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to crucial brain regions, particularly the hippocampus, which manages learning and memory. Cycling promotes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production, a protein that supports synaptic plasticity whilst promoting neuron development and longevity. These processes prevent neurodegeneration, decrease oxidative stress, and reduce beta-amyloid deposits associated with Alzheimer's. Cycling also supports cardiovascular health, reduces inflammation, improves insulin sensitivity, and regulates blood pressure, collectively lowering dementia risk. Global dementia cases are projected to rise from 55 million in 2019 to 139 million by 2050, becoming a major disability factor in elderly people. Young-onset dementia, occurring before 65 years, affects around 3.9 million people globally, requiring more intensive care despite being less frequent than late-onset cases. Dr Vinit Suri, senior neurology consultant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, indicated that young-onset cases represented 5-10% of all dementia diagnoses. He said the affected people were typically aged 45-65 years, occasionally 30-40 years. "Early detection is vital because symptoms can be confused with stress or mental health issues, delaying diagnosis," said Suri. "Young-onset dementia symptoms include memory loss, planning difficulties, personality changes, language issues, and poor judgement. Younger patients may show work performance changes, financial management problems, and social interaction difficulties. Some cases present movement or visual-spatial issues, depending on the cause. Professional assessment is crucial due to symptom overlap with other conditions." Dr Arun Garg, chairman, neurology and neurosciences, Medanta Medicity, listed the main young-onset dementia causes: "Alzheimer's disease (most common, even in younger individuals), frontotemporal dementia (affecting behaviour and language), vascular dementia (due to stroke or reduced blood flow to the brain), Lewy body dementia, genetic factors (mutations in the APP or PSEN genes). Secondary causes like traumatic brain injury, infections (like HIV), or autoimmune diseases. " While dementia typically appears after age 60, younger people increasingly experience strokes due to smoking, alcohol, hypertension, diabetes, air pollution and sleep apnea, pointed out professor Manjari Tripathi, head, neurology, AIIMS. Multiple strokes can lead to vascular cognitive impairment and vascular dementia, the second most common type after Alzheimer's. Tripathi recommended a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, sprouts and legumes.
