According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), infertility in women was ranked as the 5th highest and most serious global disability. Further to that, the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa (IFAASA) confirmed that as many as one in six couples are impacted by infertility. Infertility occurs in both men and women with a number of risk factors such as occupational and environmental risks, age, smoking and alcohol use. Another common risk factor though for infertility in women is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal disorder that involves reproductive, cosmetic and metabolic problems with 8 – 13% of women suffering from this condition. Due to ovarian dysfunction, it is the most common cause of infertility. Despite the increasing numbers and people impacted by infertility, the subject of infertility is still not a topic openly discussed and carries with it an unfortunate stigma. 

Symptoms commonly associated with PCOS that women should be aware of include:

• If you are under 35 and have been having regular unprotected intercourse for 6 – 12 months without falling pregnant.
• Having irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles
• Elevated levels of the male hormone androgen which results in excess body hair and acne

The symptoms associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome can cause a lot of distress and the disorder affects women in so many different ways and to different degrees. That’s why it’s best not to assume that you actually have PCOS until you’ve been diagnosed by a gynaecologist. 

Is there a way to treat infertility linked to PCOS?

Just as there are various factors that impact fertility, there are also many different treatment options and recommendations out there, some more invasive than others. According to 3Sixty Biomedicine’s CEO, Boitumelo Sebambo, in cases where infertility can be linked back to the hormonal imbalances caused by PCOS, patients who make use of products like Salome Fertility that contain Myo-inositol and D-Chiro-inositol, have seen an increase in their ovulation, a reduction in their hyperandrogenism and in the oxidative stress in their follicular fluid. 

The benefit of the Salome Fertility product lies in it containing the correct ratio of Myo-inositol and D-Chiro-inositol that have been extracted from the pod of the Carob Bean Tree. Clinical studies have shown that these natural extracts are instrumental in helping manage the regulation of ovarian function in PCOS patients.

“We locally manufacture our Salome Fertility product, as well as the other products within the Salome range. All the products in the Salome Range are based on herbal extracts which have limited side effects AND because they are nappi coded, they are recognized and reimbursed by certain medical aids,” explains 3Sixty Biomedicine CEO, Boitumelo Sebambo.

For more information about the Salome range and to be part of the Women’s Month conversation, visit www.salome-range.co.za. The full Salome range of products that helps to manage menstrual pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, premenstrual syndrome, infertility in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and menopause are available to the public from pharmacies nationwide or online at Takealot.com and Salome’s website and can be re-imbursed from medical aid savings.

Feel free to also connect with us on our social media platforms or check out our full Salome range and details about our naturally inspired products on www.salome-range.co.za

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Reference http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/infertility/definitions/en/

Medical references: https://salome-range.co.za/resources/