Weight is one of the most emotionally charged topic known to man (or more accurately “woman”). We all know being significantly overweight can impair our health, but it can also impair our fertility. We talked about exactly how weight affects fertility and the chances of success with infertility treatment on yesterday’s Creating a Family show.
Does Being Overweight Cause PCOS
Being overweight and having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) often go hat in hand. In the past some believed that obesity could cause PCOS, but according to Dr. Allison Styne on yesterday’s Creating a Family show, while we don`t know the cause of PCOS, doctors no longer think it is caused by a high Body Mass Index (BMI).
Does PCOS Make it Harder to Lose Weight
While excess weight doesn’t cause PCOS, PCOS can certainly make it harder to lose weight. Women with PCOS are often frustrated at how much harder it is for them to lose weight than for their friends who don’t have this syndrome. Dr. Styne cited research that showed a diet low in overall carbohydrates (with the carbs you eat focused on complex carbs such as fruits, vegetable, and whole grains) and high in protein was the most effective to help women with PCOS lose weight. She also stressed that some exercise was crucial.
If you’ve struggled with your weight and PCOS, what has worked for you?
Image credit: Mark Allerton
PCOS can be complicated. They know who is suffering from this. Can any supplement help it? What do you think?
Thanks for reading, Madeline. However, we are not medical professionals and therefore cannot answer this responsibly. Every woman who thinks she has PCOS or has a diagnosis of PCOS should work with her physician to discover what works best for her management of the disease. The use of supplements depends upon other medications, other health issues, and many other factors that a woman should discuss with her doctor.
I understand where Rebecca C is coming from. I’m not skinny per say but I’m not extremely overweight either (a few lbs over an ideal bmi). My RE has said there really isn’t much she can do for me because I’m not extremely overweight. She says most of her patients are around 300lbs.
Well, here’s a weird perspective for you. As someone with skinny PCOS, I’m actually occasionally jealous of overweight women with PCOS! Very often, all it takes (I know, easier said than done) to ovulate sans meds is to lose weight. While I know it is incredibly hard for women with PCOS to lose weight, at least it is an option to work towards. Told you it would be a very different perspective. 😉
Rebecca C, you’re right. That’s a perspective I hadn’t thought of. That’s the thing I love most about the Creating a Family online community–the constant exposure to another idea or point of view. And for the record, I can completely understand your feelings.