Are Overweight women affected by PCOS? Experts answer.!

 

Obesity is also said to cause PCOS in women. Obesity is the most common cause among 40-80 percent of women diagnosed with PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition caused by hormone deficiency. Occurs due to excessive androgen release in the uterus. Androgen is a male hormone.

As it secretes more, the hormone for women is less secreted. This is the main cause of increasing infertility problem in women. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 116 million women worldwide are affected.

Hence, obesity is also said to be the cause of PCOS in women. Obesity is the most common cause among 40-80 percent of women diagnosed with PCOS. A study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine found that obesity accounts for 80 percent of PCOS in the United States.

As such, women who are underweight or of a normal body weight are said to have a very low chance of developing PCOS. However, experts say that this is untrue. This means that 20-50 percent of women with PCOS have a normal body weight. And they were very thin. It is also known as 'Lean PCOS' in the medical world.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Soumya Krishnaiah, MD, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, agrees. “Women with lean PCOS still suffer from PCOS even when their BMI is less than 25.

It is said that many reasons such as diabetes and lack of insulin can cause PCOS. But Lean PCOS sufferers are said to be able to fix infertility and ovulation problems with easy treatments.

Lean PCOS is also harder to diagnose than obese PCOS. Before diagnosing such a person with lean PCOS let's make sure there are any other hormone deficiency problems. For example, diseases like thyroid, hyperprolactinemia should be confirmed.

What are the symptoms if Lean PCOS is affected..?

- May experience some menstrual problem every month. There may also be irregular periods or heavy bleeding.

- Acne, acne etc. may occur,

- New hairs will start growing on the body like face, breasts, thighs.

- Deficiency of insulin can lead to diabetes, high blood sugar levels.

- Infertility may also be a problem.

What other reasons could there be?

Although it is caused by hormone deficiency, the triggers are high stress, lack of control in diet, lack of exercise, lack of balanced lifestyle etc.