Regardless of gender politics, there is a plethora of conditions that solely or disproportionately affect those assigned female at birth – many of which have historically been under-researched and under-recognised.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which the ovaries produce abnormal quantities of androgens. A common cause of infertility, it is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, hyperinsulinaemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, according to a 2021 review in the Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.30
Nutraceutical approaches include probiotics, which reduce hyperandrogenism, inflammatory and oxidative conditions; these are more effective when combined with selenium, according to a systemic literary review in Gynecological Endocrinology31 earlier this year. Inositol supplementation was found to be effective for treating insulin resistance and fertility.
Endometriosis, a chronic disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, affects about 10% (190 million) of reproductive-age women and girls globally, according to the WHO.32
It is associated with severe pain during periods, sexual intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination; chronic pelvic pain; abdominal bloating; nausea; fatigue; and sometimes depression, anxiety, and infertility.
A 2022 review in Acta Biomedica33 evaluating the efficacy of supplements to treat the condition found that lower levels of vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin E carried a greater risk for endometriosis.
Magnesium, curcumin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were found to be beneficial in animal studies due to their antiangiogenic effects, while omega-3 and alpha-lipoic acid improved endometriosis-associated pain in human studies.
Curcumin, omega-3, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, vitamin C, and ECGC supplementation decreased endometriotic lesion size, while curcumin, omega-3, and NAC were found to prevent disease pathogenesis or recurrence in animal studies.
Lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common among young women, during pregnancy, and in peri- and postmenopausal women.
A natural approach to prevention and treatment is desirable owing to the potential for antibiotic resistance, with research suggesting that the best options for long-term prevention34 include cranberry, mannose, and probiotics.
Botanicals such as berberine and uva ursi can be effective at the first sign of an infection. Estriol cream and vitamins A and C have also been shown to prevent UTIs, while potassium salts can alkalinise the urine and reduce dysuria.
Vaginal microbiota, especially vaginal lactobacilli, play a crucial role in women’s health,35 protecting the host from urogenital infections.
Oestrogen is a major factor36 shaping the microbiota from the onset of puberty to menopause and postmenopause, while ethnicity and external variables, such as lifestyle and antimicrobial medication, are known to have an influence.
Accordingly, probiotics containing lactobacilli37 may be a safe way of maintaining healthy vaginal microbiota.
