Women’s health consists of varying issues and concerns spanning across individual circumstances and life stages. In a previous post detailing women’s health concerns, we mentioned Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — a prevalent hormonal disorder that can affect a woman’s fertility and overall health. Along with menstrual disorders and other fertility issues, PCOS has become a common reproductive health concern among women. According to the World Health Organization, PCOS affects an estimated 8% to 13% of reproductive-aged women, but up to 70% of affected women remain undiagnosed globally.
Another concern regarding PCOS is the adverse impacts of infertility and other symptoms leading to sedentary behavior and a significant reduction in health-related quality of life. Infertility and other symptoms associated with PCOS also lead to infertile women with PCOS reporting higher risks of anxiety and depression. To counter the effects caused by PCOS, lifestyle interventions focus on improving body weight and metabolic features. Below, we’ll look at some key weight management strategies for women with PCOS:
Weight loss medication
Studies have long explored the relationship between PCOS and obesity, and current research supports that both conditions can exacerbate one another. For one, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism that goes with PCOS can lead to overweight, obesity, and weight-related health conditions like diabetes. In turn, obesity can worsen reproductive abnormalities associated with PCOS.
Research suggests that losing weight can improve symptoms of PCOS. Weight loss can also improve insulin levels and reduce androgen levels, improving fertility and help restore ovulation. As such, PCOS medication for weight loss, such as metformin and GLP-1 medications, can help counteract insulin resistance. Metformin also helps reduce fatty tissue, helping support sustainable and safe weight loss for women with PCOS looking to treat obesity.
Healthy diet
While there isn’t a standard diet recommended for PCOS, some strategies have been known to help alleviate PCOS-related symptoms. As previously mentioned, PCOS can lead to serious health challenges such as diabetes. As such, certain dietary choices can help reduce the impact of PCOS while contributing to healthy weight management.
According to a study on dietary modifications reproductive health in women with PCOS, a healthy diet can benefit fertility health. Higher adherence to low-carbohydrate diets is associated with a higher possibility of getting pregnant and regular menstruation. Additionally, calorie restriction is also critical in improving hyperandrogenism while helping support weight loss and management.
Regular physical activity
Finally, another way to support healthy weight management for women with PCOS is by engaging in routine physical activity. Regular exercise can combat PCOS-related issues like weight gain, glucose metabolism, and fatigue while improving sleep quality, stress levels, and androgen levels in the body.
Still, it’s essential to consider your limitations when doing exercise for PCOS. Moderate-intensity exercises can help strengthen muscles and improve insulin resistance without being too extreme, resulting in fatigue. At the same time, lighter physical activity and mind-body exercises like yoga can help improve anxiety, hormones, menstrual cycles, and metabolic functions in women with PCOS compared to more intense exercises like high-intensity interval training.
Ultimately, weight loss, while challenging, can help alleviate the symptoms and issues caused by PCOS. Healthy weight management can also decrease the risk of other health issues like diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, and stroke. It’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider, doctors, and nutritionist to determine the best lifestyle intervention for you.
As PCOS symptoms may differ depending on your circumstances, lifestyle, and preexisting health conditions, a qualified healthcare professional can help guide you to the best weight loss or weight management solution for your needs. Weight management strategies will also differ if you’re trying to conceive, as certain solutions may impact your fertility and other factors, including ovulatory dysfunction and hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS.