How Medical Weight Loss Can Help With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that impacts a notable proportion of women in their reproductive years, with prevalence rates ranging from 4% to 20%. Managing weight with PCOS can pose significant challenges. Shedding excess pounds can feel like an overwhelming journey, while unintentional weight gain can sneak up on you. In this article, we’ll delve into the complex relationship between weight and PCOS, offering valuable insights from one of our knowledgeable MDs.
Why is Losing Weight With PCOS so Difficult?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an endocrine disorder that disturbs the delicate balance of hormones, influencing a range of bodily functions essential for weight control. These functions are appetite regulation, energy metabolism, stress responses, and more. Although there is ongoing research to uncover the intricacies of PCOS, studies suggest that even small-scale weight reduction can lead to improved PCOS symptom management.
The Role of Insulin
Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, is essential in maintaining normal blood sugar levels after eating. It makes glucose more accessible for use as fuel or storage as fat.
When insulin resistance exists, the body’s ability to respond to insulin is diminished. As a result, more of the hormone will need to be secreted in order to produce the same effect. Disruption of insulin activity is associated with poor blood sugar regulation, which may worsen over time and eventually contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, fat accumulation and weight growth are also correlated with raised insulin levels.
Insulin resistance is more common in women who have PCOS and is more likely in those who are overweight or obese. Therefore, women with PCOS and obesity may be stuck in a difficult cycle in which the two conditions reinforce each other, making the management of weight and overall health even more of a challenge.
Additional Factors Related to Weight Management with PCOS
Elevated androgen production, encompassing hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is a common occurrence in women grappling with PCOS, contributing to several of its associated symptoms. These androgens have been correlated with weight gain, particularly in the abdominal region. Additionally, disrupted sleep patterns play a substantial role in the weight management challenges encountered by women with PCOS, as they are more susceptible to sleep disturbances.
The hormonal imbalances linked to PCOS can disturb cortisol and melatonin levels, impairing sleep quality. Furthermore, women with PCOS face an elevated risk, over nine times more likely than their counterparts, of experiencing sleep apnea, further complicating their sleep patterns. Poor sleep, in general, can also disrupt hormones like leptin and ghrelin, which govern appetite, exacerbating the intricacies of weight management.
Women with PCOS are at a heightened risk of grappling with anxiety and depression, which can have repercussions on their sleep patterns, overall quality of life, and their ability to consistently make lifestyle choices pivotal for effective weight management.
The Crucial Role of Medical Weight-Loss Programs
Personalized Plans: Our medical weight-loss programs recognize that every individual is unique. These programs are adept at tailoring strategies to suit the specific needs, PCOS symptoms, and weight loss goals of each person, ensuring a personalized and effective approach.
Hormonal Balancing: Our weight-loss programs encompass the expertise of healthcare professionals who can prescribe medications to address the hormonal imbalances commonly associated with PCOS. These medications can play a pivotal role in regulating menstrual cycles and alleviating symptoms like excessive hair growth (hirsutism) and acne.
Nutritional Guidance: Our program and curriculum helps you build nutrition habits that can help with PCOS. Cloudcure philosophy does not include dieting, but a flexible approach to nutrition that can stabilize blood sugar levels, curb cravings, and facilitate sustainable weight loss.
Exercise Regimens: Physical activity remains a cornerstone of overall health and weight management. While weight loss may be gradual for those with PCOS, exercise offers an array of full-body benefits and can help alleviate PCOS symptoms.
Behavioral Support: The journey toward weight loss involves more than just physical transformations; it encompasses emotional and psychological changes as well. Behavioural therapy and counseling are integral components of medical weight-loss programs, fostering a healthy relationship with food and nurturing enduring habits.
Guiding You to Success in Managing PCOS and Weight
Step 1. Cultivate Patience: It’s important to recognize that weight loss with PCOS may progress more slowly compared to individuals without hormonal imbalances. However, adopting a healthier lifestyle, even when results on the scale are not immediately evident, can yield numerous immediate benefits.
Step 2. Prioritize Regular Exercise: Physical activity is paramount. While weight loss might not be as rapid for those with PCOS, exercise offers a multitude of holistic advantages and can help mitigate the impact of PCOS symptoms. You can start with small steps such as more walking, and gradually increase your activity levels.
Step 3. Balance Your Diet: Focus on consuming more protein, vegetables, and healthy fats while reducing sugars and carbohydrates. This dietary approach is instrumental in managing insulin resistance and reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Step 4. Avoid Extremes: Strive for gradual progress rather than resorting to overly restrictive diets or excessive exercise. A steady and sustainable approach tends to yield healthier and more enduring results.
Step 5. Consider Medication: Medications may be recommended by healthcare professionals to complement lifestyle changes and symptom management. Please speak to your healthcare provider or your cloudcure clinical team for more advice.
The Final Step: Seek Guidance from a cloudcure Healthcare Professional. PCOS is a condition characterized by its complexity and individual variability. Seeking guidance from a healthcare professional who specializes in PCOS management and Obesity Medicine is paramount. A personalized approach can help individuals navigate the challenges posed by PCOS and chart a course toward improved health and well-being.
Are you ready to embark on your journey to take control of your PCOS and weight management? Take our eligibility test and speak to a cloudcure expert and take the first step toward a healthier, happier you.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable treatment options tailored to your unique needs.
