Losing as little as 5 to 7 percent of your weight over a period of six months can dramatically reduce the abnormally high androgen levels caused by PCOS. [3] X Research source For more than 75 percent of women, the effect is great enough to restore ovulation and fertility. [4] X Research source Insulin resistance is another major component of PCOS, and obesity can make insulin resistance worse. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source You don’t need to try any fad diets or intense exercise routines if you want to lose weight. Oftentimes, watching your total calorie count is enough to produce results. Consuming no more than a daily average of 1200 to 1600 calories will usually be enough to help you lose weight. [6] X Trustworthy Source Health. gov Online collection of health and fitness standards set by the U. S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Go to source
Since PCOS is linked to insulin resistance, maintaining stable blood sugar and insulin levels can be important. [8] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Follow a low-carbohydrate diet, eating only complex carbohydrates high in dietary fiber. [9] X Expert Source Joshua U. Klein, MD, FACOGBoard Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist Expert Interview. 20 August 2021. Eat moderate amounts of high-quality carbohydrates—vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains—and avoid low-quality carbohydrates—sugary foods, white/refined grains, fruit juice, and baked goods. Enjoy foods high in carbohydrates alongside lean proteins—poultry, seafood, lean beef or lean pork, eggs, low-fat dairy, nuts, and whole soy foods—to help curb the rise in blood sugar that occurs after the consumption of carbohydrates.
Even a small amount of exercise can help a great deal. If you have difficulty fitting exercise into your schedule, start by walking 30 minutes a day on four to seven days each week. Focus on cardiovascular exercise instead of strength training exercises. Cardiovascular exercise improves the health of your heart, lungs, and overall circulatory system. It improves your body’s ability to lose and maintain a healthy weight, as well. Any exercise that gets your heart pumping can be considered a cardiovascular activity. This includes both light exercises, like walking, and more vigorous exercises, like swimming and cycling.
Studies suggest that female smokers produce higher levels of androgen than female non-smokers produce. Since abnormally high androgen levels are part of PCOS, smoking only agitates the problem further. [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
As long as you’re not trying to get pregnant, your doctor may recommend the use of low-dose birth control pills, especially if these pills contain a combination of synthetic estrogen and progesterone. With the added dosage of these “female” hormones, the “male” hormone androgen is decreased. Your body also gets an occasional break from the production of estrogen, thereby minimizing abnormal bleeding and reducing the risk of endometrial cancer. Birth control pills can also clear up any excessive acne caused by PCOS. If you cannot take birth control, your doctor may prescribe progesterone treatments, which you’ll take for 10 to 14 days a month. This treatment can regulate your menstrual cycle and protect you against endometrial cancer, but it will not affect androgen levels in your body.
Clomiphene citrate is an oral anti-estrogen medication. [14] X Expert Source Joshua U. Klein, MD, FACOGBoard Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist Expert Interview. 20 August 2021. You can take it at the beginning of your menstrual cycle to limit the amount of estrogen produced by the body. The lower level of estrogen in your body is often enough to stimulate ovulation. Gonadotropins are follicle-stimulating hormones and luteinizing hormones that are injected into your body. [15] X Expert Source Joshua U. Klein, MD, FACOGBoard Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist Expert Interview. 20 August 2021. They’re also effective, but since they are more expensive than clomiphene citrate, they tend to be used less frequently. Moreover, these injections raise your risk of becoming pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets, etc. ). If standard treatments do not work, your doctor may ask you to consider the use of in vitro fertilization.
Note that the FDA does not formally approve of metformin as a treatment for PCOS. The medication can improve the way your body uses insulin, thereby regulating blood sugar levels in your body. It can also lower the presence of male hormones in the body. As a result, abnormal hair and acne slows, your menstrual cycle can become more regular, and your ability to ovulate may return. Additionally, some research suggests that metformin can assist a diet-and-exercise weight loss routine to produce better results.
Spironolactone, a diuretic originally used as a treatment for high blood pressure, can reduce androgen levels. Your doctor will likely take occasional blood tests to monitor your blood potassium levels and kidney functions if you take this medication, though. [18] X Research source Finasteride is a medication men take for hair loss, but for women, it can be used to lower androgen levels and decrease excessive hair growth. These medications are often used alongside contraceptives since they can cause birth defects. Eflornithine is a topical cream that can block the effects of androgen on the skin, which can slow facial hair growth in women.
Ask about laser hair removal. Hair follicles are targets and destroyed by small laser beams. Check into electrolysis. An electric current is applied directly to the hair root, and targeted hair is permanently destroyed as a result. Learn about depilatories. These are prescription and non-prescription chemicals that are applied to the skin beneath your unwanted hair. The chemicals burn away the hair. At home, you can also use waxing, shaving, tweezing, and bleaching to keep unwanted hair under control.
The surgeon will make a small incision in your abdomen, through which he or she will insert a laparoscope (a small tube with an even smaller camera attached to the end). The camera takes detailed images of your ovaries and pelvic organs. Through additional small incisions, the surgeon will insert a surgical instrument that can use electric current or laser energy to burn holes in the follicles alone the surface of your ovaries. Since a small portion of the ovary will be destroyed, you may develop some scar tissue. The procedure can lower male hormone levels and induce ovulation for a few months, however.
To be morbidly obese, your BMI must be more than 40, or more than 35 if you have an obesity-related disease. After the surgery, you will need to follow through with healthy lifestyle changes to maintain or further decrease your change in weight. This includes the diet and exercise changes you would usually put into place when attempting to lose weight.
