The Connection Between PCOS and Being Overweight
Suppose you have been diagnosed with an illness that has the potential to significantly impact your life. In that case, it is only normal that you would like to gather as much information as possible regarding that ailment.
The condition known as a polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a good example. This condition affects many women of reproductive age and has been linked to symptoms such as irregular menstruation cycles, acne, hair thinning, and increased body weight. PCOS causes hormonal abnormalities as well as problems with the metabolism, both of which can have a detrimental effect on a woman's overall health.
But before we get into it, let's start by busting some of the most common myths about what causes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS, also known as a polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a condition that affects one in ten women of reproductive age. PCOS causes hormonal abnormalities and problems with the metabolism, both of which can affect a woman's general health and looks.
What Exactly Is PCOS?
PCOS is one of the most common hormonal diseases affecting women of reproductive age, affecting anywhere from 5 to 10% of those of age to have children. Larger ovaries characterise the disorder known as polycystic ovarian syndrome in women and several small cysts around the ovaries' periphery. PCOS causes women to have abnormal menstrual periods and often makes it difficult for them to have children.
A hormonal imbalance is the cause of the common health condition known as a polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Because of the hormonal imbalance, the ovaries produce many minute fluid collections. They are unable to release eggs consistently.
Even though the precise cause of PCOS has not been identified, the condition usually runs in families. It is connected to irregular hormone levels and abnormalities in many body systems, including the pituitary gland, the ovaries, and the adrenal gland. When a patient has PCOS, the egg may not mature as it should or may not be released completely after ovulation.
In What Ways Are Pcos And Obesity Connected?
PCOS is associated with being overweight in many ways. The relationship between polycystic ovarian syndrome and being overweight cannot be severed. Moreover, a significant number of women who have PCOS are overweight or obese. On the other hand, it is also true that extra weight might worsen PCOS symptoms. It becomes difficult for women with PCOS to stick to their weight loss journey.
The inability of the body to make adequate use of insulin, which can lead to the accumulation of excess fat, is the root cause of the relationship between PCOS and weight gain. Consequently, most treatment regimens for women recommend that the patient lose weight by adopting a more physically active and nutritionally sound lifestyle.
Insulin resistance is the most common factor in women with the polycystic ovarian syndrome who experience weight gain. Insulin resistance develops when certain cells fail to respond to the insulin the pancreas produces. Because of this, the pancreas generates additional insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. This leads to increased synthesis of androgens, leading to obesity. This results in a vicious loop that leads to an increase in insulin resistance, as well as an increase in symptoms and weight.
Causes Behind PCOS Patients Putting On Extra Weight
Women who suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome frequently struggle with their weight. In addition, it is more challenging for women with PCOS to lose weight than it is for women who do not have PCOS. Around eighty per cent of women who suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome also have excess body fat. PCOS patients often have weight gain for several causes, including the following:
1. The State Of Mind
As they can contribute to emotional eating and increased appetite, stress, worry, and sadness are all connected with increased weight. This is because all of these factors can lead to overeating. On the other hand, this is only sometimes the case because they can result in a loss of weight rather than an increase in weight.
2. Insufficient Sleep
Individuals who obtain less than seven hours of sleep every night have a higher risk of being overweight than those who get nine hours of sleep or more per night. This is because those who do not receive enough sleep have greater levels of the hormone Ghrelin, commonly called the hunger hormone.
3. Inactivity Of The Thyroid
Hypothyroidism, sometimes called underactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce adequate thyroid hormone. This affects a person's metabolism, which may result in that person gaining more weight.
4. Treatment With Insulin
Insulin treatment or medication could make it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight. It helps break down fats and proteins, controls sugar levels in the blood, and transforms the energy from meals into fat. Those with diabetes who receive insulin therapy tend to gain more weight.
The Bottom Line
Women of reproductive age are more likely to be affected by the hormonal disease known as PCOS. On the other hand, PCOS is treatable, and the symptoms can be mitigated by taking the appropriate medicine. In addition, diagnosing and treating PCOS at an early stage can assist in lowering the chance of developing long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or stroke.
