PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome. According to the American Diabetes Association, 5 to 10 percent of women have PCOS. In some cases PCOS can be associated with weight gain and other medical conditions. If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, weight loss may help you control your symptoms and reduce the amount of medication you need to take.
PCOS
PCOS occurs without any known trigger although heredity is thought to be a cause, explains Women's Health. Hormonal imbalances occur in women mainly of childbearing age. Ovaries generate more androgens than normal, affecting ovulation. PCOS and insulin go hand in hand. That is why some women who are diagnosed with PCOS may also have pre-diabetes or insulin resistance. This is where their body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. The result is a buildup of glucose in the blood. Controlling insulin levels with medications such as metformin, can help regulate the pancreas and work toward reversing PCOS symptoms.
Losing Weight
It can be challenging to lose weight when you have PCOS because it makes you more prone to being obese or overweight. Other symptoms of PCOS such as pelvic pain, depression and sleep apnea can make it difficult to make the time to exercise. Small amounts of exercise daily can help you improve your PCOS symptoms and possibly reverse the effects. Gardening, playing with your kids and moderate activity around the house can help reduce the chances of leading a sedentary lifestyle. Try to get 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each day up to five days a week to lose weight and keep symptoms at bay.
Effects
The effects of PCOS can be devastating, that is why it is important to treat it with weight loss and a healthy diet. PCOS can cause infertility, menstrual irregularity, ovarian cysts, weight gain, baldness, skin tags and anxiety. These conditions pose individual health problems that can interfere with a normal lifestyle. In extreme cases, surgery may have to be done to increase ovulation and remove cysts. In conjunction with eating less processed and high-fat foods your doctor may recommend birth control, diabetes medications and lifestyle modification to help reduce the effects of PCOS.
Precautions
It is important to get an accurate diagnosis of PCOS from your doctor. Not only will this assure you may be able to get help with symptoms but it will also rule out an underlying medical condition. Other medical conditions can mimic symptoms of PCOS such as type 2 diabetes, endometriosis and ovarian cancer. Your doctor will also make sure you are healthy enough to lose weight and that your blood pressure is under control. In extreme cases he may recommend bariatric surgery for weight loss if you are morbidly obese and have been unsuccessful at weight loss.
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