Women with PCOS had a mean body weight in the first survey of 67.4 kg vs. 62.3 kg in those without PCOS.
Acne is also a marker of hyperandrogenism, albeit rare and less specific [7, 8]. 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.
In women who are genetically predisposed to development of PCOS, weight-gain and obesity often result in its clinical and biochemical manifestation. Accordingly, there are close links between obesity and PCOS. The majority of women with PCOS (38%-88%) are either overweight or obese.
Lean PCOS is a term for PCOS that affects people who don't have overweight or obesity (those with a BMI less than 25).
Be patient with your progress
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lifestyle changes
In overweight women, the symptoms and overall risk of developing long-term health problems from PCOS can be greatly improved by losing excess weight. Weight loss of just 5% can lead to a significant improvement in PCOS.
PCOS is a very common hormone problem for women of childbearing age. Women with PCOS may not ovulate, have high levels of androgens, and have many small cysts on the ovaries. PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, infertility, and weight gain.
PCOS belly refers to the abdominal weight gain (obesity) and bloating often experienced by women with PCOS. This weight gain is primarily due to hormonal imbalances (higher levels of androgens), insulin resistance, and inflammation, which can lead to increased fat storage in 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.
Reducing belly fat is a tough task, but it's more challenging for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The hormonal imbalance caused due to PCOS makes it difficult for the food to get metabolized, affecting the ability to lose weight. This condition generally affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age.
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.
Many women with PCOS find that their menstrual cycles become more regular as they get closer to menopause. However, their PCOS hormonal imbalance does not change with age, so they may continue to have symptoms of 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
PCOS-related acne often flares on the lower face, including the jawline, chin, and upper neck. Although not a hard and fast rule, these areas are considered to be a hormonal pattern for acne. Women with PCOS may notice that acne lesions are deeper, larger, and slower to resolve.