Does losing weight help in PCOS? Here’s what Indian women with PCOS must know!

Verified by Dr. Vaishali Sakpal Rane (MBBS, DGO Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DNB Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual cycles, and/or the growth of tiny cysts on one or both ovaries. If you are someone with PCOS, you must have heard doctors telling you to lose weight and you must have thought if losing weight help in PCOS? For women with PCOS, losing weight can be very tricky due to the hormonal abnormalities, insulin resistance, and inflammation associated with this disorder. But in women with PCOS, even a little weight loss of about 5% can reduce insulin resistance, hormone levels, menstrual cycles, fertility, and general quality of life.

It's not simply an imbalance of the hormones involved in reproduction, such as oestrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, that causes the hormonal abnormalities associated with PCOS. The body's mechanism for dealing with sugar, insulin, is also impacted and significantly leads to weight gain.

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Male hormones, or androgens are frequently high in PCOS, which causes the different symptoms that women report. Currently, it's thought that elevated insulin levels actually boost the synthesis of androgen in the ovaries. Normally, this is not observed in women without PCOS who have high insulin levels. What is unique about women with PCOS that causes this reaction is still a topic of discussion among researchers.

Your body requires insulin to regulate blood sugar levels and store energy in the body. According to research, both in the general population and in PCOS women, elevated levels of insulin are linked to an increase in body fat and weight gain. Additionally, women diagnosed with PCOS may benefit from a low-glycemic diet. The glycemic index (GI) gauges how rapidly a certain item increases blood sugar levels.

Thankfully, there are several therapies and approaches that can assist you in controlling your PCOS. If you are overweight, losing weight can help with metabolic issues like raising insulin levels as well as reproductive issues like controlling your menstrual cycle and assisting with ovulation. Although it won't always make your PCOS symptoms disappear, losing weight may help to improve them. Talk to your doctor before making any changes in your diet.