Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFat Storage ModeAppetiteHormonesImbalanced DietYou Need More Fruits and VeggiesYou Have Obstructive Sleep ApneaSummaryA Word From VerywellFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Fat Storage Mode
Appetite
Hormones
Imbalanced Diet
You Need More Fruits and Veggies
You Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked Questions
For women withpolycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),losing weightcan help ease symptoms and regulate your periods. 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.This article explains why they may struggle with those extra pounds and ways to lose weight with PCOS.Zing Images / Getty ImagesYour Body Is in Fat Storage ModeInsulinis a hormone that transports glucose—your body’s main source of fuel—from your bloodstream into your cells, where it can be used as energy.PCOS affects your body’s secretion and use of insulin. Your cells becomeresistant to insulinsignals, prompting your pancreas to produce even more insulin. This is known as insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance.Too much insulin promotes fat storage or weight gain, mostly in your midsection.If you gain lots of weight or can’t lose weight without significant diet or exercise changes, excess insulin could be the reason.Treatment options for PCOSare typically aimed at reducing insulin levels and involve diet modifications, exercise, medications, and/or supplements.You’re HungrierAs part of promoting fat storage, insulin acts as an appetite-stimulating hormone. Strong, intense, even urgentcravingsare reported in women who are insulin resistant.High levels of insulin could explain why some people with PCOS experience more hunger.If not managed, cravings can sabotage even the best eating habits, leading to higher calorie consumption and weight gain.Eating often, including sufficient protein with meals, and avoiding sugary foods are all helpful ways to reduce cravings.Impaired Appetite-Regulating HormonesAnother possible factor that could make weight loss and weight maintenance difficult for people with PCOS is abnormal hormonal regulation of appetite and the feeling of fullness.Levels of appetite-regulating hormonesghrelin,cholecystokinin, andleptinhave been shown to be impaired in women with PCOS.Dysfunctional levels of these hormones may stimulate hunger in people with PCOS. That encourages you to eat more and makes it difficult to manage weight.RecapPCOS can affect insulin, ghrelin, and other hormones, resulting in the storage of more fat and increased appetite.Your Diet Is Spiking Your Blood SugarIf you’ve been watching your diet and still aren’t seeing the pounds come off, it could be the types of foods you are eating.A 2010 study compared two groups of women with PCOS. Both ate the same amount of calories and consumed the same distribution of macronutrients (50% carbohydrates, 23% protein, 27% fat, 34 grams fiber).Where they differed was theglycemic index(GI) of the foods they ate. The glycemic index indicates how much each food increases blood sugar.The women with PCOS who followed a low-GI diet showed a three-fold greater improvement in insulin and had better menstrual regularity than the women who did not.These findings suggest that those with high insulin levels may be able to lose more weight following a low-glycemic index diet.Low GI Lunch IdeasYou Need More Fruits and VeggiesNot eating enough fruits and vegetables can also impact weight loss.A study found that women with PCOS who followed the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan—better known as theDASH diet—showed improvements in insulin and abdominal fat loss.The DASH diet consisted of 52% carbohydrates, 18% protein, and 30% total fats. It’s rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.RecapA low-glycemic index diet can help improve insulin levels, which may lead to greater weight loss. The DASH diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which may help with weight loss as well.You Have Obstructive Sleep ApneaWomen with PCOS are at a much higher risk for obstructivesleep apneacompared with women without the condition.Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when there is a blockage of the upper airway that causes a lack of oxygen during sleep. This results in daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, and weight gain.While excess body weight is a main contributing factor to sleep apnea, high levels ofandrogens(hormones such as testosterone) seen in PCOS, are believed to play a role in affecting sleep receptors.Lack of sleep is associated with insulin resistance and weight gain.The more severe sleep apnea is, the higher the risk of impaired glucose tolerance.That’s why it’s recommended that all women with PCOS get screened for obstructive sleep apnea and receive proper treatment if diagnosed.RecapSleep apnea is a common sleep disorder for those with PCOS. Sleep apnea can lead to daytime sleepiness and weight gain.SummaryPCOS can make your body resistant to insulin, causing your pancreas to make more the hormone. That extra insulin promotes fat storage and increases hunger, which can cause weight gain.Other hormones that regulate hunger and fullness can also be affected with PCOS.To help with weight loss, make sure you’re getting enough sleep and eating nutritious foods. Choosing low-glycemic index foods may help.A Word From VerywellIt can be frustrating when PCOS makes it difficult to lose weight. If you have any questions or concerns, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.You may also consider seeking help from a dietitian with experience counseling people with PCOS.Frequently Asked QuestionsEating a variety of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, and make exercise part of your daily routine. In a six-month trial, a diet with a higher ratio of protein to carbohydrates led to greater weight loss for people with PCOS.Learn MoreThe Best Diet for Managing PCOS SymptomsIt’s possible. Metformin improves insulin sensitivity and helps control blood sugar. Research indicates that among people who took hormone therapy for PCOS, those who took metformin and made lifestyle changes lost more weight than those who didn’t.
For women withpolycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),losing weightcan help ease symptoms and regulate your periods. 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.This article explains why they may struggle with those extra pounds and ways to lose weight with PCOS.
Zing Images / Getty Images
Your Body Is in Fat Storage Mode
Insulinis a hormone that transports glucose—your body’s main source of fuel—from your bloodstream into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
PCOS affects your body’s secretion and use of insulin. Your cells becomeresistant to insulinsignals, prompting your pancreas to produce even more insulin. This is known as insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance.
Too much insulin promotes fat storage or weight gain, mostly in your midsection.
If you gain lots of weight or can’t lose weight without significant diet or exercise changes, excess insulin could be the reason.
Treatment options for PCOSare typically aimed at reducing insulin levels and involve diet modifications, exercise, medications, and/or supplements.
You’re Hungrier
As part of promoting fat storage, insulin acts as an appetite-stimulating hormone. Strong, intense, even urgentcravingsare reported in women who are insulin resistant.
High levels of insulin could explain why some people with PCOS experience more hunger.
If not managed, cravings can sabotage even the best eating habits, leading to higher calorie consumption and weight gain.
Eating often, including sufficient protein with meals, and avoiding sugary foods are all helpful ways to reduce cravings.
Impaired Appetite-Regulating Hormones
Another possible factor that could make weight loss and weight maintenance difficult for people with PCOS is abnormal hormonal regulation of appetite and the feeling of fullness.
Levels of appetite-regulating hormonesghrelin,cholecystokinin, andleptinhave been shown to be impaired in women with PCOS.
Dysfunctional levels of these hormones may stimulate hunger in people with PCOS. That encourages you to eat more and makes it difficult to manage weight.
RecapPCOS can affect insulin, ghrelin, and other hormones, resulting in the storage of more fat and increased appetite.
Recap
PCOS can affect insulin, ghrelin, and other hormones, resulting in the storage of more fat and increased appetite.
Your Diet Is Spiking Your Blood Sugar
If you’ve been watching your diet and still aren’t seeing the pounds come off, it could be the types of foods you are eating.
A 2010 study compared two groups of women with PCOS. Both ate the same amount of calories and consumed the same distribution of macronutrients (50% carbohydrates, 23% protein, 27% fat, 34 grams fiber).
Where they differed was theglycemic index(GI) of the foods they ate. The glycemic index indicates how much each food increases blood sugar.
The women with PCOS who followed a low-GI diet showed a three-fold greater improvement in insulin and had better menstrual regularity than the women who did not.
These findings suggest that those with high insulin levels may be able to lose more weight following a low-glycemic index diet.
Low GI Lunch Ideas
Not eating enough fruits and vegetables can also impact weight loss.
A study found that women with PCOS who followed the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan—better known as theDASH diet—showed improvements in insulin and abdominal fat loss.
The DASH diet consisted of 52% carbohydrates, 18% protein, and 30% total fats. It’s rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
RecapA low-glycemic index diet can help improve insulin levels, which may lead to greater weight loss. The DASH diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which may help with weight loss as well.
A low-glycemic index diet can help improve insulin levels, which may lead to greater weight loss. The DASH diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which may help with weight loss as well.
Women with PCOS are at a much higher risk for obstructivesleep apneacompared with women without the condition.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when there is a blockage of the upper airway that causes a lack of oxygen during sleep. This results in daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, and weight gain.
While excess body weight is a main contributing factor to sleep apnea, high levels ofandrogens(hormones such as testosterone) seen in PCOS, are believed to play a role in affecting sleep receptors.Lack of sleep is associated with insulin resistance and weight gain.
The more severe sleep apnea is, the higher the risk of impaired glucose tolerance.
That’s why it’s recommended that all women with PCOS get screened for obstructive sleep apnea and receive proper treatment if diagnosed.
RecapSleep apnea is a common sleep disorder for those with PCOS. Sleep apnea can lead to daytime sleepiness and weight gain.
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder for those with PCOS. Sleep apnea can lead to daytime sleepiness and weight gain.
PCOS can make your body resistant to insulin, causing your pancreas to make more the hormone. That extra insulin promotes fat storage and increases hunger, which can cause weight gain.
Other hormones that regulate hunger and fullness can also be affected with PCOS.
To help with weight loss, make sure you’re getting enough sleep and eating nutritious foods. Choosing low-glycemic index foods may help.
It can be frustrating when PCOS makes it difficult to lose weight. If you have any questions or concerns, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
You may also consider seeking help from a dietitian with experience counseling people with PCOS.
Frequently Asked QuestionsEating a variety of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, and make exercise part of your daily routine. In a six-month trial, a diet with a higher ratio of protein to carbohydrates led to greater weight loss for people with PCOS.Learn MoreThe Best Diet for Managing PCOS SymptomsIt’s possible. Metformin improves insulin sensitivity and helps control blood sugar. Research indicates that among people who took hormone therapy for PCOS, those who took metformin and made lifestyle changes lost more weight than those who didn’t.
Eating a variety of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, and make exercise part of your daily routine. In a six-month trial, a diet with a higher ratio of protein to carbohydrates led to greater weight loss for people with PCOS.Learn MoreThe Best Diet for Managing PCOS Symptoms
Eating a variety of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, and make exercise part of your daily routine. In a six-month trial, a diet with a higher ratio of protein to carbohydrates led to greater weight loss for people with PCOS.
Learn MoreThe Best Diet for Managing PCOS Symptoms
It’s possible. Metformin improves insulin sensitivity and helps control blood sugar. Research indicates that among people who took hormone therapy for PCOS, those who took metformin and made lifestyle changes lost more weight than those who didn’t.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Johns Hopkins Medical.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
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Houjeghani S, Pourghassem Gargari B, Farzadi L.Serum leptin and ghrelin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: correlation with anthropometric, metabolic, and endocrine parameters.Int J Fertil Steril. 2012;6(2):117–126.
Marsh KA, Steinbeck KS, Atkinson FS, Petocz P, Brand-miller JC.Effect of a low glycemic index compared with a conventional healthy diet on polycystic ovary syndrome.Am J Clin Nutr.2010;92(1):83-92. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2010.29261
Asemi Z, Esmaillzadeh A.DASH diet, insulin resistance, and serum hs-CRP in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Horm Metab Res.2015;47(3):232-8. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1376990
Balachandran K, Sumilo D, O’Reilly MW, et al.Increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a population-based cohort study.Eur J Endocrinol. 2019;180(4):265–272. doi:10.1530/EJE-18-0693
Ruchała M, Bromińska B, Cyrańska-Chyrek E, Kuźnar-Kamińska B, Kostrzewska M, Batura-Gabryel H.Obstructive sleep apnea and hormones - a novel insight.Arch Med Sci. 2017;13(4):875–884. doi:10.5114/aoms.2016.61499
AL-Nozha O, Habib F, Mojaddidi M, El-Bab M.Body weight reduction and metformin: Roles in polycystic ovary syndrome.Pathophysiology. 2013;20(2):131-137. doi:10.1016/j.pathophys.2013.03.002
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