Heavy periods and period pain are just something we women have learnt to live with. However, we might not have to anymore! Researchers have come up with a drug with which you can kiss your period woes goodbye! Heavy periods and period pain can soon become things of the past with this new drug invented by researchers from the University of Edinburgh.
The drug tricks the womb into healing faster, which stops your bleeding sooner, reports a leading news portal. The scientists explored how the shedding of the endometrium (the womb lining) is linked to dropping levels of oxygen during menstruation. The study also discovered that lowered levels of oxygen known as hypoxia stimulate the production of a protein called HIF-1, which drives repair of the womb lining. Tests on mice using a drug to boost levels of HIF-1 led to improved tissue repair and reduced blood loss. The results offer hope for therapies, the scientists noted.
Researcher Dr Jackie Maybin said, "Our findings reveal for the first time that HIF-1 and reduced levels of oxygen in the womb are required during a period to optimise repair of the womb lining. Excitingly, increasing levels of the HIF-1 protein in mice shows real promise as a novel, non-hormonal medical treatment". Tina Weaver, CEO of Wellbeing of Women, also revealed how many individuals will benefit from these new findings. She said, "Heavy bleeding is a debilitating and common condition that affects thousands of women and girls but too often gets dismissed."
The study has been published in the journal, Nature Communications.
