Toward a new treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in adolescent girls and young women
WHAT IS
SPIOMET4HEALTH
SPIOMET4HEALTH is a project that aims to provide a novel treatment for adolescent girls and young adult women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS negatively affects the health and quality of life of approximately 110 million women who suffer from this syndrome, as well as their offspring. PCOS has an impact on the emotional, physical, social functioning and behaviour, and family-related activities.
Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excessive levels of male hormones (androgens), which are usually present in women in small amounts. Those affected by the syndrome can also suffer from hirsutism, acne and abnormal body fat distribution, which in turn, tends to decrease self-confidence and self-esteem. Consequently, approximately 40% of women with PCOS are known to experience depression or anxiety.
SPIOMET4HEALTH's
solution
The SPIOMET4HEALTH project represents a potential treatment for PCOS that focuses on tackling the syndrome at its root, rather than merely relieving its symptoms.
This treatment combines three medications that have already proven to be effective in the past, in a single tablet. Combining SPI (spironolactone)-PIO (pioglitazone)-MET (metformin), SPIOMET, administered daily, together with lifestyle measures, could normalise ovulation and hormones, and thus revert the alterations associated to PCOS.