The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. However, according to some research, it is possible that weight gain and obesity can contribute to the development of PCOS. On the other hand, PCOS can also contribute to weight gain and obesity.
Myth #5: PCOS Only Affects Overweight Women
However, PCOS does not discriminate and can affect women of all shapes and sizes. The relationship between weight and PCOS has to do with the body's inability to use insulin properly, which can lead to weight gain.
Insulin resistance is thought to be responsible for the hormonal and metabolic derangements observed. PCOS has two phenotypes, overweight/obese and lean, the latter being a much less common presentation of the syndrome.
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There's evidence that genetics play a role. Several other factors, most importantly obesity, also play a role in causing PCOS: Higher levels of male hormones called androgens: High androgen levels prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs, which causes irregular menstrual cycles.
In obese women with PCOS, mean post-meal glucose levels were higher than in lean women [144 ± 23.9 versus 155 ± 21.9 mg/dl; p=0.032]. In comparison to lean women without PCOS, obese women with the condition had a higher mean HOMA-IR index (5.45 ± 2.11 versus 2.95 ± 0.76; p<0.001).
For women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), losing weight can help ease symptoms and regulate your periods. But with PCOS, weight loss is often difficult. One reason is that PCOS can cause your body to make too much insulin, which leads to a build-up of fat. More than half of the people with PCOS are overweight.
As previously stated, the shape of a PCOS belly differs from other types of weight gain. It often appears large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genetics and other factors. The PCOS belly involves the accumulation of visceral fat in the lower abdomen and typically feels firm to the touch.
"Short-term combined treatment with liraglutide and metformin appears better than either metformin or liraglutide alone on weight loss and decrease in waist circumference in obese women with PCOS who had been previously poor responders regarding weight reduction on metformin alone."
Upon assessment, many women with PCOS describe little or no breast changes during the pregnancy, and examination reveals breasts that are tubular in shape, widely spaced, or asymmetrical.
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.
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.
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.
Regarding the former, obesity or overweight affects between 38 and 88% of women with PCOS. Based on data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, weight-gain (particularly in early adulthood) is important for the subsequent development of PCOS.
Medications effective for weight loss (in addition to lifestyle modifications) that have been specifically studied in women with PCOS include metformin, acarbose, sibutramine, and orlistat (Xenical). Metformin is probably the first-line medication for obesity or weight reduction in patients with PCOS.
Weight gain in individuals with PCOS follows a characteristic pattern that involves more abdominal visceral fat gain compared to the rest of the body. This kind of weight gain in the lower abdomen appears to be associated with inflammation.
An energy deficit of about 30%, or 500-750 calories a day for a total energy intake of around 1200-1500cal/day, could be prescribed, ensuring an individualised, and nutritionally balanced diet based on healthy eating principles.
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.
But, that doesn't mean that you have to quit your hopes of having a flat stomach, you can still lose your belly fat when you have PCOS. All you need to do is maintain a healthy lifestyle routine & proper dietary pattern.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects many women of childbearing age. One of its common symptoms is abdominal weight gain, which is sometimes referred to as the PCOS belly.
Studies have found that a high-fibre diet can lead to lower insulin resistance and lower total body fat and belly fat in women with PCOS.
HIIT workouts
Short cardio bursts in HIIT are fantastic for helping women with PCOS. The main advantage of HIIT is that you can boost your cardiovascular fitness faster by working harder instead of longer. One study found that HIIT improves insulin resistance and aids fat burn.