"Weight loss of just 5% can lead to a significant improvement in PCOS."
Overweight women who suffer from PCOS will significantly reduce the risk of developing long-term health problems by losing just 5% of weight. The more weight lost the more improvements will be achieved.
What is PCOS?
1 in 10 women in the UK has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It is caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones.
PCOS can cause irregular menstrual cycles, and can often lead to women being infertile and cysts in the ovaries.
How does losing weight help PCOS?
Losing weight not only cuts your risk for many diseases, it can also make you feel better. When you have PCOS, shedding just 10% of your body weight can bring your periods back to normal. It can also help relieve some of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Weight loss can improve insulin sensitivity. That will reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other PCOS complications.
What other health conditions link to PCOS?
According to Womens Health Gov, PCOS has been linked to the following other health conditions
- Diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- Unhealthy cholesterol.
- Sleep apnea.
- Depression and anxiety.
- Endometrial cancer.
Researchers do not know if PCOS causes some of these problems, if these problems cause PCOS, or if there are other conditions that cause PCOS and other health problems.
Why is it more difficult to lose weight with PCOS?
Most women with PCOS want to lose weight for health reasons or to increase fertility. However, losing weight with PCOS is difficult.
PCOS can affect insulin, ghrelin (the hunger hormone), and other hormones, resulting in the storage of more fat and increased appetite. On top of this, a lot of women with PCOS also suffer from depression and anxiety meaning getting out and exercising is hard for them mentally.
How will weight loss surgery help PCOS?
If you have tried to lose weight but been unsuccessful weight loss surgery could be the answer for you.
Weight loss surgery has helped women with PCOS reduce their health conditions and start families.
The best bariatric surgery to help PCOS is the Gastric Bypass. Gastric bypass surgery leads to a slightly higher loss of excess weight than a gastric sleeve and band do.
It is important to have a discussion with your clinic or doctor about your surgical options and to determine which procedure they believe would be best for you. Do your own research before your appointment so that you understand your options and goals for surgery—your PCOS symptoms and personal history are unique to you, even if your surgeon has experience treating people with PCOS.
At Healthier Weight our surgeons are experts in the field of bariatrics and a consult with one of them could help you determine whether weight loss surgery is for you and would benefit your PCOS.