Do your legs give out on you? 😒 Do you feel like your bones can’t support you, and even walking a few steps leaves you exhausted?
Do you constantly feel inflammation in your body, and when you try to hold something heavy, your hand betrays you and drops it? 😔
Are there nights when you can’t sleep from the body aches, and you can’t even pinpoint exactly where the pain is coming from? 🤦
Hormones are the reason why 👇
Hormones play a key role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is mainly caused by an imbalance in reproductive hormones, and disruptions in progesterone and estrogen can lead to rheumatoid arthritis.
📍Scientific studies have confirmed that women with PCOS, especially those with irregular menstrual cycles or a history of prolonged amenorrhea (missed periods) or early menopause, are at a higher risk of developing arthritis.
📍And vice versa, the inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can worsen PCOS. Chronic low-grade inflammation from RA is somehow linked to insulin resistance. When insulin levels are too high, the ovaries start producing excess testosterone, which worsens PCOS.
📍Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- Joint pain, sometimes with swelling or warmth, and a slight rise in joint temperature
- Joint stiffness, especially worse in the mornings
- Fatigue, low energy, sometimes accompanied by fever and weight loss
- The inflammation and pain often begin in the smaller joints — such as those in the fingers and toes
- As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders
📍Diagnosis is made through medical examination, blood tests, and imaging scans — the type of imaging is determined by your doctor 🧐
A complete treatment plan for PCOS may include medication, surgical treatment via laparoscopy (if necessary), and nutritional therapy to adopt a healthier lifestyle. This approach helps balance the body’s hormones and prevents complications such as dry eye syndrome, osteoporosis, nerve damage, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.