PCOS: Weight Gain is a Symptom, not the Cause

Are you tired of being told to lose weight to manage your PCOS? I know that many of my clients find this very frustrating. Weight gain is often another symptom of the same hormone imbalance that causes PCOS, it is NOT the cause. To manage your PCOS and even send it into complete remission, you need to understand your hormones and how to balance them. PCOS is caused by a hormone imbalance that involves glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, and androgens. In most women with PCOS, increased glucagon and growth hormone result in raised insulin levels which causes the ovaries to make and release the male hormone, androgen. In women, this hormone causes a range of unwanted symptoms including excess hair growth, pelvic pain, irregular menstrual cycle, absent periods, acne...the list goes on. So, what does this mean for you? It means you need to work with your body to improve your insulin sensitivity and reduce androgen levels. While losing weight absolutely can help, it isn't that simple. You have to know what lifestyle choices in particular will help you. For example, studies have found higher levels of the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) to be beneficial in reducing the amount of male hormones in the female body. It can therefore be beneficial to adopt a nutrition plan that is designed to improve insulin sensitivity while also increasing SHBG levels. This does not mean dieting. In fact I'm very much against dieting as it simply isn't sustainable. Instead, it is about having the knowledge, the tools and the support to help you make informed, nutritious choices that will support your body and lead to a more hormonally balanced you. If you would like support on your journey to finding a healthier, happier you, please don't hesitate to get in touch.