PCOS Increases Suicide Risk Says Study, Tips To Manage Emotional Challenges Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal condition found in women. In this disorder, the tissues of a female body stop using the insulin produced by the pancreas efficiently, further leading to irregular periods, excess androgen levels, weight gain, etc.

Due to this reason, women who get diagnosed with PCOS experience a lot of hair growth on the face and body, acne around the jawline, cheeks and chin, darkening of the skin, and sudden increase in weight in the abdominal area.

Onlymyhealth editorial team spoke to Dr Manisha Singh, Senior Consultant – Gynaecologist & Reproductive Medicine, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore, about the relationship between PCOS and obesity and ways to cope up with it.

Relationship between PCOS and obesity

Many women have a pressumed notion that PCOS or PCOD is caused by obesity. However, these conditions and obesity do not have a direct relationship with each other. Not all women who have PCOS are obese, but it can get difficult for them to maintain their weight.

It is directly connected to a your metabolic rate. The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health condition and its main characteristic is hyperandrogenism and chronic oligo-anovulation. There are many other features of the metabolic syndrome that are inconsistently obeserved in most of the women with PCOS.

Around 50% of women with PCOD are obese but not all of them. Even lean women can suffer from this condition.

Insulin has natural gonadotrophic function and an increased insulin production at the level of ovarian tissue can also lead to androgen synthesis.

Obesity, especially the abdominal phenotype may be partially responsible for insulin resistance and is strongly related to hyperinsulinemia in women who have PCOS. Thus, obesity-related hyperinsulinemia can play a major role in an increase of hyperandrogenism in these women.