Women with PCOS often experience higher fat deposits in the abdominal area, regardless of their body mass index. This means that even women with lean bodies or normal weight can develop a PCOS belly. Experts believe that the increased male hormones in women contribute to the development of a PCOS belly.
Women with the issue PCOS accumulate belly fat. PCOS belly refers to the abdominal fat causing an increased waist-to-hip ratio, PCOS Belly will look like an apple-shaped belly rather than a pear-shaped belly. One of the most common symptoms of PCOS is weight gain, particularly around the abdominal area.
Belly fat occurs due to a hormonal imbalance related to hunger brought on by PCOS. As a result, blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day. However, you can still lose belly fat while you have PCOS. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle routine and an appropriate dietary pattern is all that's required.
Women with PCOS have a different balance of gut bacteria that can reduce the absorption of nutrients and can have trouble digesting food properly. This can lead to bloating and abdominal discomfort. Lacking in healthy gut bacteria also reduces the effectiveness of supplements.
As the most common hormonal problem for women of childbearing years, PCOS sets up a hormonal chaos that encourages belly fat weight gain. Fat storage in PCOS primarily affects the abdomen, especially the lower abdomen.
Make sure to incorporate cardio & strength training in your workout routine, shuffle your workout days between walking, running, weight lifting or practicing bodyweight exercises. Pilate, swimming, yoga are also the few best forms of exercises for women with PCOS. Exercise for at least 30-40 minutes every day.
Many women with PCOS struggle to lose weight because the condition creates an imbalance in hunger hormones, causing blood sugar levels to spike and crash throughout the day. “As a result, it is not uncommon for women with PCOS to develop an eating disorder, such as binge eating and yo-yo-dieting,” Dr. Kumar says.
As mentioned earlier, a PCOS belly shape differs from other weight gain types. It's usually large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genes and other factors. It involves visceral fat accumulation in the lower abdomen and typically feels hard to touch.
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.
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.
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.
Losing weight is challenging with PCOS, but not impossible. It may take you longer to lose weight than someone without hormonal imbalances. While slow progress can feel discouraging, a healthy lifestyle has benefits you may not notice right away.
Cushing's syndrome is characterized by symptoms that are strikingly similar to PCOS, including weight gain, hirsutism, facial puffiness, increased urination, and changes in skin texture.
To be diagnosed with PCOS women generally need to have two out of three of the following: Irregular or absent periods. Acne, excess facial or body hair growth, scalp hair loss, or high levels of testosterone and similar hormones in the blood. Polycystic (many cysts) visible on an ultrasound.
The effect of PCOS on the incidence of fibrocystic breast changes was 2.49 (95% CI 1.85–3.34). Also, the effect of hypothyroidism on the incidence of fibrocystic breast changes was 1.90 (95% CI 0.92–3.93). The results showed that women with PCOS were at higher risks to develop fibrocystic breast changes.
Excess insulin causes polycystic ovaries because it impairs ovulation and stimulates the ovaries to make testosterone instead of estrogen. We have an epidemic of insulin resistance, so it makes sense that we also have an epidemic of PCOS.
Often misdiagnosed and poorly understood, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a lifelong disorder that can be managed with appropriate medical care.
PCOS can be difficult to diagnose because some of its symptoms have a variety of potential causes. For example, heavy menstrual bleeding could be caused by a range of conditions, such as uterine fibroids, polyps, bleeding disorders, certain medications, or pelvic inflammatory disease, in addition to PCOS.
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.
A combination of diet and exercise may help symptoms. A person can perform exercises that burn fat, such as running, walking, and other aerobic activity. Reducing the calories a person consumes can also help.
Because the weight gain is triggered by male hormones, it is typically in the abdomen. That is where men tend to carry weight. So, instead of having a pear shape, women with PCOS have more of an apple shape. Abdominal fat is the most dangerous kind of fat.
Is it possible to lose weight with PCOS? It is possible to lose weight with PCOS using evidence-based methods like targeted dietary changes, appropriate exercise, supplements, and more. It may take longer than for someone without a hormonal imbalance, but persistence and long-term lifestyle changes pay off.
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.