Women's Health
Women's Lifestyle Center at the Strong Heart Program
Our Program Can Improve Your Reproductive Health —
and Change Your Life.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
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The Importance of a Healthy Weight
Although many women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are lean
- Approximately 50 percent are obese
- More than 65 percent have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 27 (Normal BMI is 20-25.)
Typically, the excess weight is in the center of the body. Almost always, women with PCOS gain weight very easily and lose it only with great effort.
PCOS Linked to Abnormalities
PCOS has been increasingly linked to abnormalities of insulin and glucose metabolism. Women with PCOS produce too much insulin, which signals their bodies to release testosterone. Too much testosterone creates facial hair, acne, weight gain and multiple cysts on the ovaries.
Obesity contributes significantly to the insulin resistance of PCOS, and synergistically worsens PCOS symptoms. Ovulatory dysfunction and signs of testosterone excess worsen. There is also an increased risk of diabetes and hyperlipidemia (an elevation of lipids in the bloodstream), and increased difficulty with ovulation induction therapy, leading to failure to respond to clomiphene and higher doses of gonadotropin therapy.
Benefits of Weight Loss
There is clear evidence for the benefit of weight loss in obese women with PCOS. Even modest weight loss improves insulin resistance.
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With weight loss, there is often an improvement in endocrine parameters and sometimes a return of menses.
At the Women's Lifestyle Center we will teach you how to manage your weight by cooking healthy and delicious meals. - Ovulation and pregnancy rates improve with as little as five percent weight reduction.
- Several studies showed that a 10 to 15 percent weight reduction resulted in spontaneous conception in more than 75 percent of obese women with PCOS.
- Obese women with PCOS have a marked improvement following four to 12 weeks of reduced caloric intake.
- Weight loss has been shown to reduce unwanted facial hair and acne, and results in a return of ovulatory cycles in 30 percent of women.
- Exercise and the associated increase in muscle mass may have additional beneficial effects.
- Pregnancy complications are lower in women with a BMI of less than 30.
Overweight or obese woman with PCOS should discuss lifestyle modification with a physician before initiating ovulation induction therapies.
Sources
Hoeger, Kathleen. Obesity and Weight Loss in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2001:28(1)85-97. Accessed: 1/05.
Richardson, Marilyn R. Current Perspectives in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Am Family Physician 2003;68(4)697-704.
Thatcher, Samuel S. What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)? A Fact Sheet from the Center for Applied Reproductive Science. OBGYN.net. www.obgyn.net. Accessed: 1/17/05.
Klachko, David M, Pritzker, Jordan G. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. www.emedicine.com. Accessed: 1/17/05.