Irregularity in the menstrual cycle and pronounced discomfort during it are among the more common symptoms that may indicate Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This syndrome manifests after the menstruation, but “that ‘does not mean the disease arises on the same day” explains Dr. Lourdes Ibáñez, coordinator of the SPIOMET4HEALTH clinical trial, in a recent article for El Periódico. In fact, PCOS can start during the neonatal period, asserts the doctor from Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (HSJD) in Barcelona.
PCOS is unknown to a large part of the population, despite being the most common cause of female infertility. In addition, 98% of diagnosed women are prescribed oral contraceptives (OCs) as their only option to mitigate some of the physical consequences of PCOS -such as acne and excess hair-. But these pills dont treat long-term effects of PCOs (like infertility, increased risk of experiencing cardiovascular problems or type 2 diabetes) and can even lead to negative effects on the physical and mental health of the patients.
In this context, the SPIOMET4HEALTH clinical trial advocates for providing an alternative treatment that addresses PCOS at its root.
A cutting-edge European study
As explained in El Periódico, the medication developed by SPIOMET4HEALTH focuses on the primary cause of PCOS: ectopic fat, placed in areas where it shouldn’t be. Once this issue is addressed, the body gradually regulates itself, and menstruation returns to normal as the ovary becomes active again. In fact, the studied drug is a pro-conceptive with a positive effect on the fertility of the patients.
The SPIOMET4HEALTH project is framed within the Horizon 2020 program and funded by the European Commission. The medication consists of three drugs concentrated in a single pill and the duration of the treatment is one year. To test its effectiveness, the study is being conducted in seven hospitals across Europe: Spain (Barcelona and Girona), Austria (Graz), Norway (Trondheim), Italy (Bologna), Denmark (Odense) and Turkey (Istanbul).
Read the full article about the SPIOMET4HEALTH clinical trial in El Periodico’s website.
How to participate in the clinical trial?
If you are a woman between the ages of 12 and 24 with PCOS and are interested in participating in the clinical trial (in Spain, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Austria or Turkey), you can click here to learn more about the study.