Parade - How to Lose Weight with PCOS
In the United States, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 6-12% of women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For women with a PCOS diagnosis, it can affect many aspects of their health, especially weight.
But what is PCOS, exactly? “PCOS is a complex metabolic syndrome that affects nearly every system of the body including the ovaries, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, and more. It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, high androgens, and polycystic ovaries (ovaries that have more than 12 follicles each),” says Melissa Groves, RDN, LD and author of A Balanced Approach to PCOS: 16 Weeks of Meal Prep & Recipes for Women Managing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Unfortunately, PCOS raises the risk for infertility, diabetes, heart disease, and certain gynecological cancers. And women often experience many other symptoms as well. “Women with PCOS have infrequent, heavy and prolonged periods, in addition to difficulty getting pregnant and struggles with acne and abnormal hair growth on the chin and chest and even male pattern balding,” says Dr. Dana Elborno, MD, OB/GYN at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital.
One of the most common side effects of PCOS? Weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
“Most women with PCOS have insulin resistance, hormone imbalances, and adrenal dysfunction that can make losing weight feel impossible,” says Groves.
Libby Mills, MS, RD, LDN, FAND, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics adds, “Women with PCOS struggle to lose weight because of the insulin resistance and resulting high blood sugar. When blood sugar is too high and not being used for energy, then it will be stored as fat. This can raise the body mass index (BMI), which in turn can add to the insulin resistance.”