PCOD and Weight Gain: Why Does It Happen and What Helps?

Weight gain is an upsetting problem seen with most PCOD-affected women. Many women with Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) struggle to maintain a healthy weight despite their consistent healthy diet and active routine. Researchers found that stubborn excess fat storage is linked to the hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance associated with PCOD.

If you are seeking weight loss alongside complete PCOD relief in XYZ, understand here how weight gain happens with PCOD and how it can be effectively managed. The good news is: With medical management, lifestyle modifications, and proper PCOD treatment in Mumbai, PCOD-associated weight gain can be reversed.

Why Does PCOD Cause Weight Gain?

PCOD is a hormonal and metabolic gynecological problem. Here are the major reasons why it's easier for PCOD patients to gain weight and also face difficulty in losing weight:

• More insulin resistance, which further increases the stubborn fat build-up

• Poor metabolism with hormonal imbalance

• Increased appetite and food cravings

• Slower burning of calories

• More fatigue or irregular periods causing a less active routine.

Generally, the excess fat is stored around the abdomen, which further increases other health risks.

What Helps Manage PCOD-Related Weight Gain?

The weight of women with PCOD can be well managed with:

1. A balanced diet: With less refined carbohydrates, sugar-loaded foods, and processed foods and more lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats, blood sugar can be kept under control and insulin resistance can be improved.

2. Active routine: Regular workouts can help improve insulin sensitivity while supporting healthy weight management. Every week, 150 minutes of moderate physical activity is a must.

3. Stress relief: With yoga and meditation and proper night sleep, it is possible to keep hormones in balance and ensure healthy eating habits.

4. Prescription medications: Gynecologists may prescribe hormonal medications or drugs that help improve insulin sensitivity or support natural ovulation, depending on the patient's symptoms and future pregnancy plans.

5. Regular follow-ups: As PCOD needs ongoing gynecological care, regular follow-ups are a must to track treatment progress and make adjustments when required.

Why Should PCOD-Affected Women Manage Their Weight?

Weight gain leads to hormonal imbalance and excess of androgen, which further worsens the PCOD symptoms, including difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight.

With proper weight management, even with just a 5 to 10% reduction in weight, it’s possible for PCOS-affected women to:

• Have regular menstrual cycles

• Have a better chance of natural ovulation

• More fertility

• Less acne and excessive hair growth

• More insulin sensitivity

• Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart diseases.

When a gynecologist successfully treats PCOD, menstrual cycles will get normalized, and androgen levels will get reduced along with some weight reduction. Thus, there will be a reduced tendency to weight gain.

Conclusion

Weight gain with PCOD is not simply because of an unhealthy diet or lack of exercise. It’s associated with hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance.

If you are having PCOD-related weight gain, the right combination of medical treatment, lifestyle modifications, and regular follow-ups with an experienced, expert gynecologist can ensure healthy weight management along with better reproductive and overall health. 

Dr. Chaitali Mahajan Trivedi is a leading gynecologist in Mumbai who can be consulted at Nanavati SuperSpeciality Hospital if you are looking for a customized plan to manage your PCOD symptoms and lead a healthier, satisfactory life.