Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 

If you are a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you have plenty of problems to deal with-including irregular periods, skin issues, unwanted hair growth or hair loss, and frequent headaches. One of the lesser-known symptoms is an expanding waistline.  

In fact, overweight/obesity and PCOS have a two-way relationship that can trap you in a symptoms cycle that’s tough to break without help. 

That is where we come in. Our specialists at Palmetto Endocrinology help women throughout South Carolina resolve PCOS symptoms and live active, comfortable, even fertile lives. In this blog post, we explain the bidirectional link between PCOS and obesity. 

PCOS 101 

If you have polycystic ovary syndrome, you likely know more than most about your condition, but let us recap to ensure we are on the same page.  

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects up to 20% of women. It makes your body produce higher levels of androgens (male hormones) than normal, which can lead to various symptoms like those mentioned above. You could even have trouble getting pregnant due to irregular ovulation. 

While researchers do not know the exact cause of PCOS, we know the risk factors that can increase your chances of developing it, such as having a family history of PCOS and insulin resistance (diabetes). 

However, being overweight is also a risk factor for PCOS that you may not often hear about, so our team highlights it here. 

The PCOS-obesity connection 

A reported 38%-88% of women with PCOS also suffer from obesity. And each condition impacts the other. When people gain weight, PCOS can develop; when they lose weight, it can improve. It is also possible that early childhood obesity could lead to PCOS later in life.  

Researchers conducted a study that measured energy use in 14 women with PCOS and compared them to 14 without. Those with PCOS used less energy after eating, especially if they were obese. The amount of insulin resistance was linked to how much less energy was used.  

Evidence suggests that polycystic ovary syndrome may have something to do with your body's ability to break down fat. Women with PCOS but who were not overweight were shown in several studies to able to break down fat twice as fast as other people of similar weight.  

PCOS is a complex and frustrating condition that can lead to emotional problems and depression, which may contribute to weight gain. It may also reduce your motivation to get out and stay active, so lack of exercise could be a part of the problem, too.  

Obesity may exacerbate PCOS 

Most women with PCOS cannot use insulin properly. Scientists do not completely understand why this happens but think it might be because of the amount of testosterone in the body or an issue with androgen receptors. One study showed a problem in the pathway that helps insulin move glucose into muscle cells.  

Many health problems such as Insulin resistance can be associated with PCOS. When you cannot use insulin properly, you end up with too much in your body, which triggers high blood sugar and tells your ovaries to make more androgens — worsening your PCOS symptoms, including your weight.  

How to break the PCOS-obesity cycle 

While there is no cure yet for PCOS, Palmetto Endocrinology has several effective treatments that can help you manage your symptoms, such as: 

• Hormone replacement therapy 

• Birth control pills 

• Insulin Sensitization 

• Anti-estrogen medications 

By balancing your hormones, we can help you lose weight and stop the vicious cycle of insulin resistance and weight gain. You can do your part by adding regular exercise to your daily routine and swapping out fatty, fried, and processed foods for a nutrient-rich diet.  

To learn more about the link between hormones, obesity and PCOS, schedule a consultation with our team at any of our two locations in Summerville. You can call our friendly staff or request an appointment online. 

Author

Joseph Mathews, MD, FACP, FACE, ECNU, CCD Joseph W. Mathews M.D., a board certified Endocrinologist and Medical Director of Palmetto Endocrinology, was born and raised in South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of Charleston, Cum Laude. He then achieved his M.D. at the Medical University of South Carolina where he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Dr. Mathews is also a Fellow of both the American College of Endocrinology and the American College of Physicians, holds an Endocrine Certification in Neck Ultrasound (ECNU) and is a Certified Clinical Densitometrist (CCD). He has extensive experience performing ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsies. His practice includes a range of specializations including prescribing and fitting patients with insulin pumps. Dr. Mathews' practice has drawn patients from out of state to benefit from his expertise in thyroid disorders, diabetes, cortisol problems and their Endocrine disorders.