PCOS belly looks different to other types of weight gain, with PCOS sufferers reporting they have an enlarged belly, while the rest of their body remains the same size as it has always been. This may be due to bloating, excessive weight gain, or both. Women with PCOS will often find it difficult to lose belly fat.
Like any other syndrome, PCOS can involve a variety of different symptoms. One of the more common ones is abdominal weight gain, which is often referred to as the “PCOS belly.” A PCOS belly is the result of PCOS-related weight gain and may be caused by different factors.
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.
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.
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.
Eat a healthy diet: Incorporate complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and whole grains into your diet to help reduce hormonal belly fat. Avoid processed foods and excessive sugar. Exercise regularly: Regular exercise, especially high-intensity interval training, can help reduce unwanted weight gain.
PCOS is often linked to increased levels of abdominal fat, giving the appearance of having a big belly. PCOS causes a variety of hormonal changes that predispose women toward having their excess body fat deposited in the abdomen (including around the internal organs) rather than on the hips or thighs.
Women with PCOS have higher levels of male hormones and many tend to be overweight or obese. Lots of women with PCOS have excess body hair, acne, irregular periods, and weight gain specifically in the abdomen. Instead of the traditional female pear shape, those with PCOS tend to have an apple shape.
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.
Does metformin make you lose weight with PCOS? Metformin is not a weight-loss drug, but because it helps normalize the insulin and glucose response in the body, it may contribute to weight loss.
Weight Loss Benefits
4 Weight loss may also help to improve your PCOS symptoms, but won't necessarily make them go away for good. By following a healthy diet and beginning a regular exercise routine, you can help your body increase it's response to insulin and possibly decrease androgen production.
Steady-state cardiovascular workouts
This can include things like walking, running, swimming, cycling and hiking. Just 30 minutes a day will help. As women with PCOS can be at higher risk of insulin resistance and weight gain, cardiovascular exercise is great.
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.
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.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
According to the OWH, females with PCOS may have higher levels of androgens, or male hormones, and higher insulin levels, which is a hormone that affects how the body turns food into energy. As a result, people may gain weight, particularly around the abdomen.
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.
Women of every race and ethnicity can have PCOS. It's common for women to find out they have PCOS when they have trouble getting pregnant, but it often begins soon after the first menstrual period, as young as age 11 or 12. It can also develop in the 20s or 30s.
Struggling with belly fat and sudden weight gain as early as perimenopausal thru to post-menopause is really common. Data shows that post-menopausal women really struggle with obesity. You're not alone. According to science, you can actually lose hormonal belly fat!
Hormonal belly fat can be the hardest to lose, but keep in mind that weight is complicated. There are a slew of factors that go into your body composition, and hormones are just one aspect. To make weight loss work for you, it's important to try to figure out what's causing you to have excess fat in the first place.
In fact, hormones and belly fat are so intertwined that some researchers suggest that the fat acts like an “extra organ” or gland. As a result, losing belly fat often takes hard work, especially if you're in your 40s or older.
However, obesity is an independent and stronger risk factor, as compared to PCOS. In order to reduce the risk of MBS and the long-term health consequences which may be related to it, lifestyle modification is advisable above a BMI of 23 kg/m2 in the normal population and 22.5 kg/m2 in women with PCOS.
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.
For PCOS patients, if age is under 25 years, there are no strict requirements on BMI; if age is between 25 and 35 years, the BMI should be controlled under 24 kg/m2; if age is over 35 years, the BMI even should be controlled under 20 kg/m2.