Overweight? PCOS May Be To Blame
One of the leading causes of female subfertility, PCOS affects approximately one in every three women in India. Thus, ¡t is probably the most common yet undiscussed medical issue of our times. But unfortunately, the lack of awareness and misdiagnosis often leaves it undetected for years.
Why Does It Occur?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome occurs when the ovaries develop several small cysts. Although ovaries produce both male and female hormones, those suffering from PCOS may develop an imbalance leading to the production of excess male hormones. Testosterone plays a vital role in both women and men and this hormone affects the bones, brain, muscles, fat distribution, etc.
As a result of this imbalance, women start experiencing symptoms like acne, excessive hair growth on their face and body, extra fat deposits in the lower abdomen, weight gain and irregular periods. Side effects include fall inself-esteem, depression, and increased stress levels.
PCOS often also leads to infertility and health complications like diabetes later in life, if not managed correctly. Meanwhile, those who do manage to get pregnant with PCOS, carry a higher chance of suffering a miscarriage, as they are unable to produce enough hormones to support the pregnancy.
PCOS Is Linked To Your Lifestyle
Several studies indicate that the increasing trend of PCOS ¡s commonly seen among the age group 15 to 30 years. Whilst some women are genetically exposed to this disorder, others develop the condition mainly from unregulated and unhealthy modern-day lifestyles. It ¡s therefore, extremely important for women to follow a regular exercise regime, supplemented with a healthy diet – both to avoid or manage this disorder.
Awareness and active management are the first steps in dealing with PCOS in a way that improves one’s quality of life. Making positive changes in one’s lifestyle is the key to overcoming the ill-effects of PCOS and exercising is undeniably the best way to start because it is proven that working out regularly tends to reduce the severity of PCOS symptoms.
Research also suggests that exercise produces better, more long-lasting results than any medical intervention as obese women are more prone to the disorder and those who are affected by PCOS are more prone to gaining weight.
Ways To Control PCOS
Recent studies recommend that women with PCOS should exercise a minimum of 160 minutes per week to be proactive and ward off related diseases like diabetes. Regular cardio facilitates the body’s response to insulin and helps maintain a healthy blood sugar level. It has been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases in women with PCOS. Thus, it is vital for those suffering with PCOS to regularly modify and mix-up their exercise regime, so that the body is ‘surprised’ often enough, into some reaction.
Regular strength and resistance training are known to help women with PCQS, to lose weight faster. Aerobic exercises provide a much needed full-body workout. Yoga is also known to be one of the best ways to treat PCOS, in particular – manduk asana, butterfly pose, chakki chailan asana, shavasana, etc.
Pilates strengthens core muscles and LBT workouts are essential for ditching belly fat, which most women with PCOS exhibit. For those struggling to make some time, interval training is your solution It maximizes fat loss whilst reducing exercise time.
Exercising Is undoubtedly the best way forward for those suffering with PCOS. It not only helps in losing the extra tat the body loves to hold on to but also helps in maintaining healthy insulin levels that can, in turn, help regulate wayward hormones and hopefully get PCOS under control.
No matter how long you are under medication, a healthy lifestyle ¡s the only sure shot way to regulate and eliminate the hazards of PCQS. It may be easier said than done for those struggling to stick to a healthy lifestyle. but one can slowly embark on this journey, keep motivated by visible results and eventually adopt exercising as a permanent lifestyle modification. So, opt for varying your exercise routine with cardio, Zumba, yoga, Pilates, LBT, kickboxing, MMA, etc. and don’t let PCOS take over your life. Remember, it ¡s a disorder, not a disease
Women start experiencing symptoms like acne, excessive hair growth on their face and body, extra fat deposits in the lower abdomen, weight gain and irregular periods
Health Tip
Stay on your toes and keep exercising to avoid the risk altogether, or worsening of existing symptoms.