PCOS and weight gain have a complicated relationship. Weight gain can contribute to PCOS, and reducing weight is frequently more difficult if one has PCOS. This is due to the fact that in order to lose weight, you must sustain a certain calorie deficit as well as adhere to a strict diet and exercise regimen. However, due to a condition known as insulin resistance, which has been linked to obesity and PCOS, losing weight has become more difficult.
Insulin is a hormone that your body produces and is required for proper metabolism. Insulin aids in the conversion of all the glucose we eat into the energy our bodies require to function. Insulin resistance or impaired insulin sensitivity occurs when the cells of your organs, such as muscles, fat, and liver, do not respond to insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas). Insulin resistance can be temporary or chronic, and it can be treated in some cases.
Insulin resistance is widespread among women with PCOS, regardless of their body weight! Insulin resistance affects 70% to 95% of obese PCOS patients and 30% to 75% of patients with normal body weight. Insulin levels are not only a sign of PCOS, but also one of the main causes.
High insulin levels cause increased testosterone production in the ovaries, in addition to insulin-related hormonal abnormalities. This, in turn, interferes with follicular growth and ovulation. Insulin resistance can also induce weight gain, which worsens PCOS symptoms since a lack of healthy fats causes the body to create more insulin.3
Insulin resistance, according to a Cleveland Clinic article, is the major factor that leads to obesity. In addition, when the amount of glucose in the bloodstream rises, type 2 diabetes develops.
PCOS may play a role in women's weight gain. Furthermore, being overweight can lead to an increased risk of experiencing PCOS symptoms. According to research, more than half of women with PCOS are overweight!
Here are some suggestions to help you manage the symptoms of PCOS:
- Maintain a healthy weight - Losing 5% to 10% of your body weight through diet and exercise might help you avoid high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetic symptoms, as well as perhaps increase your fertility.
- Control insulin levels - Metformin, in addition to helping to control diabetes, can assist to relieve PCOS symptoms by lowering insulin sensitivity. But keep in mind that you should only take this if your doctor has prescribed it.
- Maintain hormonal balance - Oral contraceptives are a great way for women who don't want to get pregnant to keep their hormones in check and manage their menstrual cycle. Maintaining hormone balance improves acne and skin in addition to lowering cancer risk.
Weight loss plays a role in several PCOS management plans. PCOS does not yet have a specific treatment; it can only be managed! As a result, dietary changes, weight loss, and lifestyle changes can all help to reduce PCOS symptoms.
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