How Weight Loss Can Improve PCOS

Weight management is a key part of managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The hormonal changes that occur with PCOS aren’t just an imbalance of the reproductive hormones. Insulin (the body’s tool for dealing with sugar) is also affected. This contributes to weight gain in a major way, making it more challenging for people with PCOS to maintain a healthy weight.

This article discusses the reasons why weight management is difficult for people with PCOS.

Close-up of woman's feet on scale
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Insulin Resistance

Women with PCOS frequently have insulin resistance, meaning their body does not respond as quickly to high amounts of glucose. The sluggish body response results in larger amounts of insulin being required to metabolize a given amount of sugar. Insulin is a growth hormone. Its role in the body is to promote fat storage or weight gain. This is why you may have experienced a rapid weight gain out of the blue, despite a healthy diet and exercise plan. If left unchecked, high levels of insulin can cause complications like type 2 diabetes.

The Insulin-Androgen Connection

Androgens, or male hormones, are typically elevated in PCOS, leading to the various symptoms that women experience. It is currently believed that high levels of insulin actually increase ovarian androgen production. This is not typically seen in women with high levels of insulin who do not have PCOS. There is some debate among researchers as to what is different about women with PCOS that this response happens.

Weight Loss Benefits

Thankfully, there are a number of treatments available today that can help you manage your PCOS. If you are overweight, weight loss can improve both reproductive aspects like regulating your menstrual cycle and helping with ovulation, as well as metabolic ones like reducing insulin. Weight loss may also help to improve your PCOS symptoms, but won't necessarily make them go away for good.

By following a healthy diet and beginning a regular exercise routine, you can help your body increase it’s response to insulin and possibly decrease androgen production. This may help reduce symptoms, restore normal menses and make it easier to conceive.

Nutrition

While there are tons of gimmicks out there claiming to make weight loss easy, the most effective, healthy and long-term method for women with PCOS is good old-fashioned exercise paired with a healthy diet. 

Avoid sugary foods and beverages and cut back on saturated fat. Eat moderate amounts of whole grains, fruits and vegetables will provide fiber and help to control your blood sugar and insulin levels. Make sure to include servings of lean protein and plenty of water throughout the day too. For more specific instruction or a meal plan that is best suited for your body, consult with a registered dietitian who specializes in PCOS and can help you reach your goals in a healthy way.

Exercise

Exercise is a very effective way to reduce insulin and help with weight management. Many women with PCOS are intimidated by exercise. They may not know what to do or how to do it. The two most important things you can do is arm yourself with information and get active. Of course, check with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program. Start with activities that you enjoy such as yoga, walking, or weight training. Ideally, weight or resistance training should be twice a week. For best results, work up to 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

Other Lifestyle Changes

Lastly, in addition to exercise and good nutrition, applying effective ways to manage stress is also important for weight management. Getting sufficient sleep, ideally, 8 to 9 hours each night, is also very important. 

7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. Harvard Health Publishing. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

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  4. Silvestris E, de Pergola G, Rosania R, Loverro G. Obesity as disruptor of the female fertility. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2018;16(1):22. doi:10.1186/s12958-018-0336-z

  5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women's Health. Polycystic ovary syndrome.

  6. Harvard Health Publishing. Healthy eating for blood sugar control.

  7. Papandreou C, Bulló M, Díaz-López A, et al. High sleep variability predicts a blunted weight loss response and short sleep duration a reduced decrease in waist circumference in the PREDIMED-Plus TrialInt J Obes (Lond). 2019. doi:10.1038/s41366-019-0401-5

By Nicole Galan, RN
Nicole Galan, RN, is a registered nurse and the author of "The Everything Fertility Book."