Health

New Research Shows a New Way To Classify PCOS, Paving the Way for Better Diagnosis and Treatment

There's currently no test that helps with how to diagnose PCOS. But new research identifying specific subtypes could be a first step to better treatment.

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Photo: Getty Images/Grazen Zigic
Published Jun 24, 2020

Written by 

Emily Laurence

Despite affecting one in 10 women, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition that often goes undiagnosed. For those experiencing its symptoms, which can include irregular periods, heavy bleeding, male-pattern baldness, acne, facial hair growth, and even impaired fertility, the absence of a diagnosis can be frustrating. After all, you can’t treat something that you can’t even name.

Part of the reason why PCOS can be difficult to diagnose is that there’s no single test for it. You can’t pee on a strip to see if you’re positive or negative. Instead, a person has to get blood tests, a physical exam, and sometimes a pelvic ultrasound in order to see if they meet the criteria for PCOS (which themselves are controversial in the medical world). “Although the cause of PCOS is unknown, there seems to be a strong inherited component to the syndrome. At the moment, we diagnose PCOS by taking a thorough history from the patient, doing blood tests, an ultrasound. Using these tools, we check off different sets of clinical criteria,” explains Navya Mysore, MD, a primary care physician at One Medical.

Additionally, people with PCOS can experience a variety of symptoms, and many of those symptoms (like irregular periods) overlap with ones associated with other types of conditions. Weight stigma can also keep health practitioners from properly giving PCOS patients the attention and diagnoses they deserve.

But new groundbreaking research may make diagnosing PCOS easier. For the very first time, medical researchers have identified genetic subtypes of the syndrome, which is one step closer to properly understanding this disease and being able to identify it (and even predict it).

The new findings, which were published in the journal PLOS Medicine, were made after analyzing clinical, metabolic, and hormonal data from hundreds of women with the syndrome. Using this data, researchers were able to identify two specific subtypes of PCOS that appeared to have their own unique genetic structure. People belonging to the first subtype, called “reproductive,” tended to be high in both luteinizing hormone (LH), which triggers ovulation, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which regulates testosterone. This subtype typically had lower BMI scores and lower insulin levels. The second subtype, called “metabolic,” had inverse stats—higher BMIs and insulin levels and lower amounts of LH and SHBG.

“In 2019, a gene called DENND1A was identified which likely plays a large role in PCOS. And more recently they were able to identify subgroups, one is a ‘reproductive’ group characterized by higher luteinizing hormone, a hormone that triggers ovulation and acts on the ovaries and another is a ‘metabolic’ group characterized by higher BMI, glucose, and insulin levels,” Dr. Mysore says, referring to the new study. “The identification of genetic markers such as these can only help us as there are many patients who fall into a grey area when trying to diagnose them with PCOS. By having more information, we can help them get the treatment they need. Indeed, with identified specific markers we can hope to have specifically targeted therapies as opposed to the single approach of treatment we have now.”

More research needs to be done, but in theory, doctors could look at someone’s genes to diagnose a person with PCOS rather than making them undergo multiple rounds of invasive tests. “In contrast to classifying disorders based on expert opinion, this is a very powerful objective approach to categorizing syndromes like PCOS into distinct subtypes with different causes, treatment and clinical outcomes,” senior author Andrea Dunaif, MD, chief of the Hilda and J. Lester Gabrilove Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease at the Mount Sinai Health System, told Medical Xpress.

The two subtypes also may explain why PCOS manifests so differently in people—say why one person with PCOS might struggle with insulin resistance while another might experience other symptoms, but not insulin resistance. To that end, this new research may lead to more effective treatment, because it could be more targeted to the needs of a specific PCOS subgroup. “Women with PCOS may be poorly served by being grouped under a single diagnosis because PCOS subtypes may differ in responses to therapy and in long-term outcomes,” the study authors write.

Dr. Mysore is hopeful that the new findings will be used to make diagnosing PCOS easier and treatment for effective. “The biggest obstacle is helping those patients who don’t match the diagnostic criteria for an early diagnosis which leads to a delayed decision to treat them for PCOS,” she says. “By identifying two different subtypes we could diagnose patients more precisely which can help us offer more targeted treatment solutions. We could potentially get to a point where we could screen for a specific genetic marker which could identify women who are more likely to develop PCOS, and as an example women could consider egg freezing if we are worried about potential infertility as a result of PCOS.”

Registered dietitian Melissa Groves Azzaro RDN., LD., author of A Balanced Approach to PCOS is also hopeful, but says more research needs to be done. “I think the new study is a good starting point,” she says. “Clinicians have long known that there are several subtypes of PCOS, and this study helps to show why that may be, which may help lead to more targeted treatment approaches and diagnostic techniques in the future. However, there is still a lot of research to be done to gain a better understanding of PCOS as a whole. In the meantime, we should continue to treat women with PCOS as individuals—like we should with any other condition.”

With these new findings, hopefully the road to diagnosis and help for PCOS will soon be a lot shorter, and a lot less bumpy.

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Health

Fact or Fiction: Are Wireless Headphones Actually Bad for Your Brain?

Our experts share whether these handy devices are friends...or foes.

young woman in orange sweater listening to music on wireless headphones over a mobile app while sitting on a comfortable green sofa
Photo: Getty Images / Milan Markovic
Published Feb 20, 2025

Written by 

Jaime Osnato

Wireless headphones go everywhere with us—on commutes, at the gym, and even in bed. We know they're undeniably convenient. But wireless headphones are radiation-emitting devices. So, having them close to your brain does raise some valid concerns.

Experts in This Article

Janna Andrews

chair of radiation medicine at Northwell Phelps Hospital

Jonathan Rasouli

a neurosurgeon at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital

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Some experts suggest that high exposure to long-term radiofrequency (RF) radiation could have health effects, while others say there’s nothing to worry about. So, what’s actually the truth? Before you ditch your AirPods, let’s break down the science, separate fact from fear, and see if your favorite tech accessory comes with any real risks.

First, what is radiofrequency (RF) radiation?

Not all radiation is created equal. The electromagnetic spectrum ranges from low-energy radiation to high-energy radiation. At the low end of the spectrum is radiofrequency (RF) radiation, like radio waves and microwaves, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s considered a non-ionizing type of radiation—meaning, it lacks enough energy to remove electrons from an atom.

Wireless headphones use low-power, non-ionizing RF radiation—the same type of radiation emitted by cell phones and Wi-Fi routers, says Jonathan Rasouli, MD, a neurosurgeon at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital. While high-energy, ionizing radiation (like X-rays and gamma rays) is proven to cause cellular damage, low-frequency, non-ionizing radiation has long been considered safer, according to Janna Andrews, MD, chair of radiation medicine at Northwell Phelps Hospital. However, some emerging studies suggest it may not be entirely risk-free.

What are the potential risks of RF radiation?

In 2015, a group of international scientists signed a petition raising "serious concern" about radiofrequency radiation (RFR) from wireless devices, including Bluetooth headphones, due to potential links to cancer and other health effects. Here's what the research says so far about the potential health risks of long-term RFR exposure.

Cancer

The jury’s still out, but some research suggests a possible link between wireless devices and cancer risk. In 2011, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified RF radiation as a Class 2B Possible Human Carcinogen, meaning it might contribute to cancer, according to the Environmental Health Trust. A May 2014 meta-analysis published in PLOS One found a potential association between long-term mobile phone use and glioma, a type of brain tumor.1 However, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm this connection.

Fertility and reproductive health

It sounds farfetched, but wireless devices may affect male fertility. A December 2018 review published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology found that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can harm sperm quality, disrupt cellular metabolism, and cause oxidative stress, all of which may contribute to infertility for people with testes.2

Hearing problems

Long-term exposure to RF radiation might also take a toll on your ears. Several studies suggest a potential link between wireless devices and hearing loss. For example, a study published in the Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery found that high-frequency hearing loss was significantly more common in the dominant ear of cell phone users—the one that you use more often when you're making a call.3

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Additionally, a 2016 literature review in the Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology found that RF radiation from cell phone use may trigger or worsen tinnitus, a condition that causes persistent ringing in the ears.4

Oxidative stress and cellular damage

Some research suggests RF radiation might stress out your cells—literally. This stress can lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), unstable molecules that damage DNA, according to the American Cancer Society. A 2015 review in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine concluded that long-term exposure to low-intensity RF radiation could contribute to oxidative stress, which is known to be a risk factor for a variety of health conditions, including cancer and inflammatory diseases.5

So, what's the verdict?

While some studies suggest prolonged RF radiation exposure may increase health risks, there’s no strong evidence that Bluetooth headphones in particular are dangerous, says Dr. Rasouli.

Animal studies have hinted at a link between RF radiation and tumors, but results have been inconsistent and inconclusive—and more importantly, haven't been replicated in human studies. Even studies of workers exposed to higher RF levels—such as radar technicians and radio operators—have not found a clear increase in cancer risk, according to the American Cancer Society.

In addition, large-scale studies on cell phone use haven’t definitively linked RF radiation to brain tumors or cancer, Dr. Rasouli says. And cell phones emit far more RF radiation than wireless Bluetooth headphones. In the U.S., cell phones operate between 1.8 to 2.2 gigahertz (GHz), while Bluetooth devices emit only 0.25 to 10 percent of that—well below the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) safety limits, adds Dr. Andrews. The FCC regulates exposure levels to ensure they remain within safe thresholds, she explains.

So far, there’s no solid data that wireless headphones pose significant health risks. Unlike ionizing radiation (like X-rays), RF waves don’t have enough energy to damage DNA directly. However, moderation is key—as with any technology, Dr. Rasouli explains. By following smart listening habits and staying informed, you can use wireless headphones with confidence, he adds.

How to keep your brain (and ears) safe

Want to play it safe? Here are simple ways to reduce any potential risks, according to Drs. Rasouli and Andrews:

  • Limit long-term use: Listening to your wireless headphones at a high volume can cause hearing loss
  • Lower the volume: Keep it below 85 decibels (dB) for no more than eight hours per day
  • Avoid sleeping with headphones on: Doing so can help reduce your odds of bacterial infections, wax buildup, and potential hearing loss
  • Consider wired headphones: This eliminates the RF radiation concern altogether
  • Keep them clean: Wipe with alcohol pads to prevent bacteria buildup and ear infections
  1. Yang, Ming et al. “Mobile phone use and glioma risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” PloS one vol. 12,5 e0175136. 4 May. 2017, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175136 ↩︎
  2. Kesari, Kavindra Kumar et al. “Radiations and male fertility.” Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E vol. 16,1 118. 9 Dec. 2018, doi:10.1186/s12958-018-0431-1 ↩︎
  3. Velayutham, P et al. “High-frequency hearing loss among mobile phone users.” Indian journal of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery : official publication of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India vol. 66,Suppl 1 (2014): 169-72. doi:10.1007/s12070-011-0406-4 ↩︎
  4. Medeiros, Luisa Nascimento, and Tanit Ganz Sanchez. “Tinnitus and cell phones: the role of electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation.” Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology vol. 82,1 (2016): 97-104. doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.04.013 ↩︎
  5. Yakymenko, Igor et al. “Oxidative mechanisms of biological activity of low-intensity radiofrequency radiation.” Electromagnetic biology and medicine vol. 35,2 (2016): 186-202. doi:10.3109/15368378.2015.1043557 ↩︎

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Food

Food Trends Come and Go, But Kombucha Is Forever—Here’s Why, According to an RD

Here's what an RD has to say about the kombucha trend, why it's held such staying power, and what to look for when you're stocking up.

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Photo: W+G Creative
Published Feb 3, 2025

In Partnership With 

GT's Living Foods

Written by 

Well+Good Editors

There was the low-fat craze of the 1990s and 2000s. The ‘10s rolled in with celery juice, Impossible burgers, and truffle oil on everything—followed by whipped coffee, feta pasta, and the gazillion other viral #foodtok moments of the current decade. Try to keep up with the latest food trends, and you’re in for a quite a ride.

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There’s nothing wrong with opting into the (literal) flavor of the month—but when it comes to nutrition, it’s worth paying special attention to the foods and drinks that have lasted longer than a season. For registered dietitian Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, kombucha is high on that list of long-standing staples.

According to Google Trends, the kombucha trend entered the wellness mainstream around 2017—but Manaker notes that its history stretches back thousands of years, originating as a traditional fermented drink in East Asia. “What has given kombucha such remarkable staying power, compared to other fleeting food and beverage trends, lies in its unique combination of health benefits, historical significance, and overall appeal,” she says.

Back to the ’90s for a minute: That sacred, historical significance of kombucha is what inspired a California teenager named GT Dave to eschew the food trends of the day in favor of a—at the time—less popular way of supporting his and his family’s health. In 1995, Dave was gifted an heirloom Himalayan SCOBY (or symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, the living culture used to ferment kombucha). He was intrigued by the healing effects he’d seen firsthand when his mother was sick, so he began crafting his own homemade kombucha. His at-home hobby turned into SYNERGY, The Real Kombucha, and a suite of other probiotic-rich, living foods.

This year, GT’s Living Foods celebrates 30 years of crafting kombucha the real way: traditionally fermented with heirloom cultures for billions of living probiotics. While other health trends have come and gone, it’s clear Dave was ahead of the curve all those years ago.

Here’s what Manaker has to say about why the kombucha trend is so much more than just a passing fad, the health benefits of the drink, and why it’s worthy of a forever spot in your daily wellness routine.

The health benefits of kombucha

The secret to foods that outlast all the fads? They strike the balance of nutritious, tasty, and generally low-effort. Done, done, and done: According to Manaker, the health benefits of kombucha are wide-ranging—and its delicious, tangy taste is the cherry (or guava, or pomelo, or strawberry) on top.

First and foremost, studies suggest that drinking kombucha may help boost your gut health, which has a major effect on your overall well-being. “Kombucha is a source of probiotics, which are beneficial microorganisms that support gut health by balancing the gut microbiome,” Manaker says. “A healthy gut microbiome is linked to improved digestion, immune health, and nutrient absorption.”

Some kombucha contains polyphenols and bioactive compounds, which Manaker says may help manage inflammation in the body, as well as antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress by neutralizing harmful free radicals. “Data highlights that the consumption of antioxidant-rich beverages like kombucha can support overall cellular health and potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases,” she says.

To reap its full benefits, Manaker recommends sipping kombucha daily. “Consistent consumption helps colonize the gut with the beneficial probiotics found in this fermented beverage, supporting a balanced and healthy microbiome over time,” she says—with the caveat that not all kombucha is created equal. Choose one that contains live probiotics and diverse strains (like SYNERGY, The Real Kombucha), she says, because these ingredients contribute more actively to gut health.

Why the kombucha trend has such staying power

From Manaker’s POV, the “kombucha trend” has withstood decades (correction, centuries) of changing food-and-beverage tides because it’s equal parts nutritious and delicious. “A growing awareness of gut health and its importance to overall well-being has kept kombucha in the spotlight,” she says. “Its natural probiotics and enzymes support a balanced microbiome, which in turn promotes digestion, immunity, and even potentially mental health.”

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And beyond its health benefits? “Kombucha’s distinct, tangy, and slightly effervescent flavor profile has helped it gain a loyal following as a delicious and refreshing alternative to sugary sodas or artificial drinks,” Manaker says.

What to look for in a quality kombucha

“When choosing a kombucha brand, it’s essential to prioritize quality, ingredients, and sourcing,” Manaker says. She looks for options that are raw, organic, unpasteurized (to help preserve the live probiotics and enzymes, she says), and grown by the traditional fermentation process. “Transparency about the ingredients and brewing process is another key factor,” she adds. “Opt for brands that list exactly what they use without hidden sugars or synthetic flavorings.”

GT’s SYNERGY checks every one of her kombucha boxes. She loves the small-batch brewing and weeks-long fermentation process, which separates GT’s from most other kombuchas on the market *and* boosts its nutritional value. “It’s clear [GT’s Living Foods] never cuts corners—each bottle is raw, unpasteurized, and free from artificial flavors, which only enhances the natural and refreshing experience. And since it is made with real tea, it naturally contains antioxidants to support my brain health.”

Manaker’s go-to for a little well-being boost is Pomelo Pink Lemonade, but you can’t go wrong with any of SYNERGY’s 23 fizzy flavors. Try them all and find your favorite—and then make kombucha a forever thing in your life.

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