Many women suffer from PCOS, which causes irregular periods between heavy periods or no periods, but women with PCOS face other problems as well — the biggest of which is weight gain, according to the US “Cleveland Clinic” website. “Experts believe that a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including diet, exercise and lifestyle, contribute to PCOS symptoms,” said Dr. Julie Tantejkul, fertility specialist. PCOS affects up to 5% to 10% of women, with symptoms appearing as early as 11 years of age.
Insulin resistance and weight gain Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, which is when the body has difficulty getting glucose out of the bloodstream and converting it into energy. Therefore, the body needs to produce more insulin in an effort to maintain a normal blood sugar level. Over time, the body begins to produce more insulin to maintain a normal blood sugar level.
Insulin resistance is often cited as a major contributing factor to obesity. When blood sugar levels continue to rise despite increased insulin levels, type 2 diabetes develops. PCOS itself may cause women to gain weight more easily than others, and the more weight they have, the more additional symptoms they have. More than half of women with PCOS are overweight. genetics and genetics Although researchers haven’t confirmed a clear genetic link, PCOS tends to run in families, and it’s possible that a particular mutation contributes to the syndrome.
If you have a mother or sister with PCOS or a close relative with diabetes or glucose intolerance, this may mean that you are more likely to develop this disease. An estimated quarter of women with PCOS have affected mothers, and a third have sisters with the condition.
Tips to reduce the impact of PCOS There is no cure for PCOS, but there are things you and your doctor can do to reduce its impact:
Maintaining Weight If you are overweight, combining diet and exercise to lose at least 5% to 10% of your body weight can help lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of pre-diabetes symptoms and possible infertility.
Anna Leake is a health blogger that focuses on topics related to nutrition, fitness, and mental health. She was born in New York City but at age 6 moved to the Midwest where she spent her childhood exploring nature with friends and family. Anna graduated from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with degrees in psychology & human development.
