Lifestyle Changes and Weight Loss: Effects in PCOS

Abstract

Even though controversies surrounding the polycystic ovary syndrome are not yet close to be solved, its clinical manifestations are well known-insulin resistance and obesity, hirsutism, irregular and anovulatory menstrual cycles. The treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is mainly symptomatic as its etiology is not yet clear. Lifestyle changes are the primary therapy in overweight and obese women with PCOS. According to majority of the studies, lifestyle changes are the most efective form of treatment not only for weight loss but also for the improvement of insulin sensitivity, decreasing incidence of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Studies also show that weight loss has fertility beneits by restoring ovulatory cycles. Although initial studies researching pharmacologic treatment were showing excellent results concerning the weight loss, maintenance of weight loss and reduction of cardiovascular risks, some of these drugs were in the end, has proven to actually increase the risk for cardiovascular events and were removed from the market. Bariatric surgery has been demonstrated to improve or even cure type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea. More so, there are studies that reported complete resolution of all features of PCOS, even hirsutism, hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and menstrual irregularity.

Development of an integrated mobile application for lifestyle modification in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

“…The composition and effectiveness of the lifestyle modification programmes were analysed through a systematic review. Lifestyle modification is considered the primary treatment for women with PCOS who are obese or overweight (Ionescu et al, 2018), and it is expected to control upper‐body obesity even if the women are not obese or overweight (Sam, 2007), improving their metabolic, reproductive and psychological features (Domecq et al, 2013; Lim et al, 2013; Moran et al, 2011). Hence, a mobile application for lifestyle modification is considered suitable for both obese and normal‐weight groups.…”

“…International evidence-based guidelines emphasise the importance of weight management in women with PCOS, which recommends a reduced dietary caloric intake and gradual increase in physical activity (Teede et al, 2018). A previous study has reported that lifestyle modifications are the most effective treatment for losing weight, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing the incidence of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (Ionescu et al, 2018). Other recent systematic reviews have also indicated that overweight or obese women with PCOS are expected to experience improvements in obesity or oligo-anovulation owing to lifestyle modifications women (Kim et al, 2020;Lim et al, 2019).…”

Cardiometabolic risk in polycystic ovary syndrome

“…41 Zmniejszenie masy ciała (zaledwie o 5-10% wyjściowej) pozwala na obniżenie stężenia insuliny oraz ograniczenie hiperandrogenizmu w tej grupie pacjentek. 42 W przeglądzie systematycznym i metaanalizie autorstwa Haqq et al dowiedziono, że stosowanie diety ubogoenergetycznej i aktywności fizycznej poprawia stężenie hormonu folikulotropowego (ang. follicle-stimulating hormone -FSH), globuliny wiążącej hormony płciowe (ang.…”