Could A Water-Filled Balloon Cure PCOS & Infertility? Researchers Hope So

Women’s reproductive health is a complex issue that the medical industry is still far from understanding. Those of us who struggle with conditions like infertility or PCOS know all too well just how frustrating these issues—and the symptoms they bring with them—can be. However, it looks like there might be some new hope on the horizon in the form of a tiny, hot water-filled balloon.

Researchers at Imperial College London are running a clinical trial through 2019 to see if the deflated silicon balloon, which is inserted via the mouth and then filled with hot water once inside, could cure PCOS and its related symptoms such as facial hair growth, weight gain, and acne.

So how does it work? PCOS is due to insulin resistance in the body in roughly 70% of cases, and doctors hope that the balloon, which burns off part of the lining of the uterus as well as the insulin-resistant cells which reside there, can allow women who suffer from the condition to resume regular periods, thereby reducing or eliminating their symptoms and restoring fertility. Will it work? It’s too early to tell.

The device, Revita, is already used in patients with Type II diabetes, so it’s possible that the same principle might apply to PCOS sufferers. To test it, 30 women between the ages of 18 and 45 who suffer from irregular periods and insulin resistance but not diabetes are taking part in the study, in which half of the participants will receive Revita treatment while the others will only believe they’re receiving it but no ablation will be done.

It’s certainly a great idea and could be a godsend for women’s health if it works out how researchers are hoping. While it’ll be several years before such a product might be available for PCOS sufferers, it’s good to know that alternative treatments are being worked on to improve our lives and our overall health.

Bolde has been a source of dating and relationship advice for single women around the world since 2014. We combine scientific data, experiential wisdom, and personal anecdotes to provide help and encouragement to those frustrated by the journey to find love. Follow us on Instagram @bolde_media or on Facebook @BoldeMedia
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