Lean PCOS is polycystic ovary syndrome in people of normal weight.
Delayed Diagnosis
PCOSis a condition in which cysts form on the ovaries.
This means lean women with PCOS often go undiagnosed for years.
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Researchers have compared thecholesterol levels of normal-weight women with PCOSto women without PCOS.
How is PCOS diagnosed?
Healthcare providers sometimes perform anendometrial biopsyto check for endometrial cancer, which is more common in those with PCOS.
It uses weight and height to try and estimate body fat.
The connection between insulin levels and PCOS is not fully understood.
A commonality appears to beabdominal obesity.This shows up when the abdominal area has more fat than it should.
Abdominal obesity is more common among people with obesity.
But it can occur in those of a normal weight, too.
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio to be sure.
Women are more likely to have elevated levels of insulin if their waist-to-hip ratio is higher than 0.85.
Calculate Your Waist-to-Hip Ratio
You should also get your insulin and glucose levels tested.
Your doctor may not think to test your blood sugar levels if you’re not living with obesity.
But having PCOS puts you at risk for developing insulin resistance even if you have a normal weight.
Fertility Treatment
Impaired fertility is one of the most consequential effects of PCOS.
However, this doesnt apply to lean women with PCOS.
They have much higher pregnancy rates with fertility treatments compared to their peers with overweight or obesity.
Metformin is sometimes used to help women with PCOS conceive.
Metformin is not a fertility drug; rather, it’s intended for insulin resistance.
However, it can improve ovulation in women with PCOS.
(Regular ovulation can improve the chance of conception.)
One study compared the effects of metformin on women living with and without obesity who have PCOS.
But you are more likely to have success compared to women with overweight or obesity with PCOS.
Still, maintaining that healthy weight is important for all women with PCOS.
It can contribute to enjoying a healthier life.
Research has found that as women with PCOS get older, they are more likely to develop insulin resistance.
This risk was lower among lean women.In other words, maintaining your weight can help reduce your diabetes risk.
Resistance Exercise
Resistance exercise can bolster your weight management efforts.
Progressive resistance exercise is weight training specifically intended to increase strength and muscle mass.
This is done by slowly increasing the weight being lifted or the repetitions being completed.
Sticking to a well-rounded diet and avoiding high-sugar, fried, and highly processed foods can help manage PCOS.
You should also cut back on alcohol, refined flour, and saturated fats, which can trigger inflammation.
Instead, consume foods rich in omega-3s, beans, whole fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains.
Therapists are available to help youin person and online.
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SAMHSA is a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
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