Although a majority of cases with PCOS are obese/overweight, a small but significant proportion of patients present with normal body mass index (BMI; ≤25 kg/M2) that makes diagnostic work up and therapeutic approach more difficult. These cases are termed as lean PCOS.
Treating lean PCOS
Lifestyle changes, such as increasing nutritional intake, can help ease insulin resistance, infertility, and cardiometabolic disorders. People with lean PCOS may not need to lose weight but should aim to maintain a moderate weight.
Regular exercise has incredible benefits that go way beyond weight loss for women with PCOS. Weight loss is an important treatment strategy as it improves practically every parameter of PCOS. Since exercise burns calories, it can be a helpful tool to aid weight management.
This means you can have a flat stomach and still have PCOS, so watch out for other symptoms. Those with a big belly can gain a flat tummy through dietary and lifestyle changes.
The PCOS belly involves the accumulation of visceral fat in the lower abdomen and typically feels firm to the touch. A PCOS belly is also characterized by a high waist-to-hip ratio of greater than 0.87 (apple body shape). However, some individuals may not experience any noticeable changes in their stomach.
Lea Michele
The Glee star has opened up about being diagnosed with PCOS after experiencing severe acne and fluctuating weight. “The side effects [of PCOS] can be brutal — like weight gain and bad skin,” Lea shared with Health. “I went to a great doctor, and the minute she looked at me, she was like, 'Oh, you have PCOS.
Myth #2: If You Lose Weight, You Can Get Rid of PCOS
Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, but overweight and obese women can help balance their hormone levels by losing weight. Otherwise, treatment is aimed at managing symptoms. A wide range of treatment options can help prevent any potential problems.
Insulin resistance: Women with PCOS are more likely to have insulin resistance, which means that their bodies have difficulty using insulin effectively to process glucose. It can lead to high blood sugar levels, which can make it more difficult to lose weight.
Lean PCOS is polycystic ovary syndrome in people of normal weight. Up to 30% of women with the condition fall into this group. 1 But since they are in the minority and excess weight is considered a classic symptom, those with lean PCOS may not be diagnosed right away.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed. Treatment options can vary because someone with PCOS may experience a range of symptoms, or just 1.
Unusual PCOS Signs
Unwanted hair growth, known as hirsutism, on areas where men normally grow hair such as the face, arms, back, chest, thumbs, toes, and abdomen. Hirsutism is the result of hormonal changes in androgens. Mood changes such as mood swings, depression, and anxiety.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine Rotterdam consensus (ESHRE/ASRM) developed and enlarged the diagnosis of PCOS, requiring two of three features: anovulation or oligo-ovulation, clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian ...
With PCOS, it's thought that increased levels of insulin in the body causes the ovaries to work differently, which produces high levels of androgens (male-type hormones). These hormones cause various symptoms, such as irregular periods and hair and skin conditions.
However, their PCOS hormonal imbalance does not change with age, so they may continue to have symptoms of PCOS. Also, the risks of PCOS-related health problems, such as diabetes, stroke, and heart attack, increase with age. These risks may be higher in women with PCOS than those without.
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints of women with PCOS. Normal tiredness can be relieved by sleep and rest. But excessive tiredness, also known as fatigue, can be overwhelming and seriously affect a person's quality of life. Fatigue is also a common symptom of many other disorders.
While these effects can benefit both men and women, intermittent fasting may be an especially useful dietary strategy for women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (commonly known as PCOS). Intermittent fasting for PCOS can reduce symptoms and improve fertility and other quality-of-life outcomes.
Women whose mother or sister has PCOS or type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop PCOS.
Depression and Anxiety
It is widely believed that the hormonal imbalance caused by this condition affects the production of hormones and neurotransmitters affecting mood. Moreover, weight gain, excessive hair growth, and acne can be inevitable if you have PCOS which also fuels stress and anxiety.
You are born with PCOS, but symptoms often start during puberty although for some people this can be later, up to their early twenties. There are lots of different symptoms that can be caused by PCOS.
Often, the skin can be a window to what is occurring inside your body. For women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, this this may mean acne, hair loss, excessive facial or body hair growth, dark patches on the skin, or any combination of these issues.
PCOS belly is also physiologically different from other types of weight gain. Many women will report having an enlarged belly while the rest of their body has remained the same size. This may be due to excessive weight gain in the abdomen, bloating, or a mix of both.
Cysts: Many people with PCOS have ovaries that appear larger or with many follicles (egg sac cysts) on ultrasound. Skin tags: Skin tags are little flaps of extra skin. They're often found in your armpits or on your neck. Thinning hair: People with PCOS may lose patches of hair on their head or start to bald.