High androgen levels lead to symptoms such as body hair growth, acne, irregular periods -- and weight gain. Because the weight gain is triggered by male hormones, it is typically in the abdomen. That is where men tend to carry weight. So, instead of having a pear shape, women with PCOS have more of an apple shape.
Women with PCOS have higher levels of male hormones and many tend to be overweight or obese. Lots of women with PCOS have excess body hair, acne, irregular periods, and weight gain specifically in the abdomen. Instead of the traditional female pear shape, those with PCOS tend to have an apple shape.
In obese women with PCOS, mean post-meal glucose levels were higher than in lean women [144 ± 23.9 versus 155 ± 21.9 mg/dl; p=0.032]. In comparison to lean women without PCOS, obese women with the condition had a higher mean HOMA-IR index (5.45 ± 2.11 versus 2.95 ± 0.76; p<0.001).
The signs of PCOS can vary, but it typically involves at least two of these issues: Infrequent, irregular, or prolonged periods. Physical changes like excess facial or body hair, severe acne, or male-pattern baldness. Enlarged ovaries covered in small cysts.
Like any other syndrome, PCOS can involve a variety of different symptoms. One of the more common ones is abdominal weight gain, which is often referred to as the “PCOS belly.” A PCOS belly is the result of PCOS-related weight gain and may be caused by different factors.
As previously stated, the shape of a PCOS belly differs from other types of weight gain. It often appears large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genetics and other factors. The PCOS belly involves the accumulation of visceral fat in the lower abdomen and typically feels firm to the touch.
But, that doesn't mean that you have to quit your hopes of having a flat stomach, you can still lose your belly fat when you have PCOS. All you need to do is maintain a healthy lifestyle routine & proper dietary pattern.
Hirsutism may be caused by: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This condition, which often begins with puberty, causes an imbalance of sex hormones. Over years, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may slowly result in excess hair growth, irregular periods, obesity, infertility and sometimes multiple cysts on the ovaries.
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There's evidence that genetics play a role. Several other factors, most importantly obesity, also play a role in causing PCOS: Higher levels of male hormones called androgens: High androgen levels prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs, which causes irregular menstrual cycles.
Although a majority of cases with PCOS are obese/overweight, a small but significant proportion of patients present with normal body mass index (BMI; ≤25 kg/M2) that makes diagnostic work up and therapeutic approach more difficult. These cases are termed as lean PCOS.
But with PCOS, weight loss is often difficult. One reason is that PCOS can cause your body to make too much insulin, which leads to a build-up of fat. More than half of the people with PCOS are overweight.
Myth #2: If You Lose Weight, You Can Get Rid of PCOS
Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, but overweight and obese women can help balance their hormone levels by losing weight. Otherwise, treatment is aimed at managing symptoms.
Polycystic ovary syndrome has also been called ovarian hyperandrogenism. During puberty, the androgen (male-like) hormones made in the adrenal gland cause underarm hair, pubic hair, and body odor to develop.
PCOS can cause abnormal hair growth on your face and elsewhere on your body, but it may also cause the hair on your head to get thinner. Male-pattern baldness starts with a receding hairline, but women with PCOS may notice hair loss across their scalps.
However, their PCOS hormonal imbalance does not change with age, so they may continue to have symptoms of PCOS. Also, the risks of PCOS-related health problems, such as diabetes, stroke, and heart attack, increase with age. These risks may be higher in women with PCOS than those without.
Unusual PCOS Signs
Unwanted hair growth, known as hirsutism, on areas where men normally grow hair such as the face, arms, back, chest, thumbs, toes, and abdomen. Hirsutism is the result of hormonal changes in androgens. Mood changes such as mood swings, depression, and anxiety.
But even when fertility is not a concern, some of the other symptoms of PCOS may be. Unwanted facial hair growth is one of the side effects of PCOS that catch many women off guard and cause self-esteem issues that may lead to depression.
As mentioned earlier, a PCOS belly shape differs from other weight gain types. It's usually large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genes and other factors. It involves visceral fat accumulation in the lower abdomen and typically feels hard to touch.
Medications effective for weight loss (in addition to lifestyle modifications) that have been specifically studied in women with PCOS include metformin, acarbose, sibutramine, and orlistat (Xenical). Metformin is probably the first-line medication for obesity or weight reduction in patients with PCOS.
If you have a PCOS belly, it often means you are apple-shaped with a prominent fat pad around the middle of your waist. The cause is likely multifactorial and related to excess male hormones and other metabolic imbalances.
A hysterectomy is not a cure for PCOS and here's why. Androgens are still being produced. For women with PCOS who have had a hysterectomy and her ovaries removed, she will still experience the long-term effects of having elevated androgens (male sex hormones like testosterone).