Alester Brown

What is Lean PCOS?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic condition resulting from the overproduction of androgen hormones like testosterone and DHEA. Hormonal imbalances often occur during a woman's reproductive years, creating menstrual issues, changes in how the body responds to insulin and more. It may also cause infertility problems.

PCOS is often considered a more severe form of Polycystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD), but these issues share similar symptoms.

Many telltale signs point to PCOS. Physical changes often compel women and healthcare providers to consider an official diagnosis. These include menstrual changes and weight gain. People with PCOS tend to be overweight or obese, with a BMI of 25 or higher. But that's not always the case.

It is possible to have PCOS and a BMI below 25. When all other symptoms are present, it may be lean PCOS or lean PCOD.

Understanding Lean PCOS

The primary difference between standard PCOS and lean PCOS is the absence of a high BMI. Women can encounter identical long-term issues.

They may have acne, excess facial hair growth, menstrual problems and infertility issues. Many also experience a degree of insulin resistance.

But there is one silver lining. With lean PCOS or lean PCOD, diabetes and resistance to insulin tend to be less severe. It's possible that those issues may worsen over time, and it doesn't eliminate the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and infertility. But the lean form of PCOS makes it easier for individuals to manage their weight and be proactive about diabetes-related problems.

The downside is that lean PCOS is often more difficult to diagnose. A high BMI is one of the first red flags that point to PCOS. It's common for individuals to gain significant weight despite relatively healthy and unchanged eating habits. As a result, many assume it's not related to excess androgen hormones and look elsewhere for solutions.

Getting a proper diagnosis involves examining other aspects of a patient's health. Healthcare providers typically do blood tests to check the level of androgen hormones flowing through the body. They may also do pelvic exams or ultrasounds to look into the possibility of polycystic ovaries.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown is a certified PCOS specialist. She advises people on personalized women's healthcare and skin treatment at home. You can find her thoughts at PCOD treatment blog.