Key takeaways:
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) — formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) — can cause weight gain. That’s because it often leads to insulin resistance and more androgens in your body.
Losing just 2% to 5% of your body weight may help improve some PMOS symptoms. Exercising and eating a nutritious diet can help even if your weight doesn’t change.
To help find a comfortable weight for your body when you have PMOS, choose carbs with a lower glycemic index, eat more fiber, and minimize processed foods.
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) — formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) — is a hormone imbalance that’s probably more common than you think. About 1 in 10 women of childbearing age are diagnosed with PMOS. Many find out they have it in their 20s and 30s, when they have trouble getting pregnant. But it’s not just fertility that can be affected. PMOS can lead to changes in your skin, hair growth, and metabolism.
PMOS can also affect your weight. For many people, it leads to weight gain. Learning why PMOS affects weight can help you find ways to support your health and feel your best. We’ll review the link between PMOS and weight and share strategies to help you manage your weight in a way that feels right for you.
A note about terminology: The name change from PCOS to PMOS was made by experts to better reflect how this complex condition can impact the hormones and metabolism throughout your body. Because PCOS may still be the more familiar term, we’ll continue to use both names throughout this article to refer to PMOS.
How to lose weight with PCOS
When you have PMOS, it can feel like a challenge to find a weight that feels best for your body. Here are some tips to help manage your weight and feel more comfortable, no matter what number the scale shows.
Dietary changes
When it comes to food choices, there isn’t one single diet that works best for everyone. But these strategies may help you find a comfortable weight:
Choose foods with a low glycemic index (GI): Low-GI foods help keep your blood sugar more stable after meals. This is especially important for people with insulin resistance. These foods often include many fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products.
Eat more fiber: Women with PMOS who eat more fiber have less insulin resistance and less excess weight. Adding fiber-rich foods to your meals can help you feel full after meals, which can also help you lose weight.
Eat fewer carbs: Eating more protein and fewer carbs — known as the ketogenic diet — has been shown to help lower weight and improve hormone levels in women with PMOS.
Aim for unprocessed foods: Ultra-processed foods can cause big spikes in blood sugar and weight gain. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats — like with the Mediterranean diet — can help lead to a lower weight.
Anti-inflammatory foods: There’s some evidence that diet may play a role in the inflammation that leads to worsening PMOS symptoms. Eating whole foods can reduce the inflammatory response.
Adjust your portions: Eating smaller portions may help you lose weight with PMOS. More frequent, smaller meals can also help keep your blood sugar levels more stable. But avoid overly restrictive diets, which can pave the way for eating disorders.
Remember that the goal for your dietary approach is to find a way of eating that’s sustainable in the long run. Rather than drastic measures, look for ways to eat that feel nourishing and achievable.
Exercise
Strength training and cardio workouts can both be helpful when you’re trying to lower your weight. But when it comes to PMOS, exercise changes more than just your weight. Exercise can help your body regulate blood sugar and hormones, making it an essential part of managing PMOS.
Experts recommend that you aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week. They also recommend strength training at least 2 days each week.
It can feel daunting to start a workout plan, especially if you’ve never exercised or you’re starting again after a long break. Start small, incorporate variety, and consider working out with an exercise buddy. Create clear goals to help you stick with your exercise routine.
Stress management
Stress can lead to insulin resistance. So, it’s especially important to find ways to manage stress if you have PMOS. Stress may also play a role in gaining weight. One study looked at markers of stress in the saliva of women with PMOS. Researchers found that women with higher markers of stress in their saliva had higher weight and waist size.
So, reducing your stress can be helpful for your overall health and your weight. Consider incorporating new habits geared towards lowering stress like:
Practicing mindfulness
Yoga
Deep breathing exercises
Spending time in nature
Connecting with animals
Find what makes you feel like you can truly relax. And look for ways to make that a regular part of your lifestyle.
Supplements
Several supplements show promise for treatment of PMOS and insulin resistance. They may also help you find a comfortable weight. Supplements that may be helpful for PMOS include:
Chromium
Myo-inositol and D-chiro inositol
Vitamin D
Curcumin
Coenzyme Q10
While supplements can help, they don’t replace a balanced diet. If you’re considering starting supplements, reach out to a healthcare professional you trust to decide which supplements might be best for you.
Why does PCOS cause weight gain?
PMOS can cause weight gain in a few different ways. One major reason is that it can lead to insulin resistance. That means that your body has a harder time using insulin effectively.
Insulin’s job is to move sugar from your blood into your cells for energy. When your body doesn’t use insulin well, your blood sugar levels go up. That extra sugar is then stored as fat, leading to weight gain. About 50% to 90% of women with PMOS will develop insulin resistance at some point.
There’s also some evidence that people with PMOS might have more food cravings and might take longer to feel full. Researchers think this might be the result of changes in hormones and brain pathways that regulate hunger and fullness. People with PMOS are also more likely to have mood disorders that lead to binge eating.
Another way that PMOS affects weight is through increased androgen production. Androgens are hormones that everyone has. But they’re often called “male hormones” because they play a big role in male traits like body hair. Higher androgens can lead to more weight gain, especially around your waist.
How common is weight gain with PCOS?
Despite all the ways that PMOS affects weight, weight gain isn’t inevitable. Researchers have found that somewhere between 40% and 80% of women with PMOS will have excess weight.
But some women have symptoms of PMOS like infertility and acne without any weight changes. This is often called “lean PMOS.” It can take longer for women with lean PMOS to be diagnosed because they don’t fit the classic picture.
Can losing weight help with symptoms of PCOS?
Yes, losing weight can help improve symptoms of PMOS. A large review of studies looked at women with PMOS who were randomly assigned to weight-loss interventions with either lifestyle changes or medications. Researchers found that women in both types of weight-loss programs had better blood sugar control, better hormone levels, and more regular periods.
And it doesn’t have to be a large amount of weight loss to make a difference. Even losing 2% to 5% of your body weight can be enough to make a difference in symptoms like irregular periods and infertility.
Your focus doesn’t need to be on a number though. Some weight-loss strategies — like increased movement and a balanced diet — can help with symptoms of PMOS, even if your weight doesn’t change. In fact, for people with lean PMOS, weight loss isn’t recommended. Instead, moving more and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is best. These changes have been shown to improve insulin resistance and androgen levels in people with lean PMOS.
Why does PCOS make weight loss hard?
The hormonal changes that occur with PMOS can alter your metabolism and make it harder to lose weight. PMOS causes insulin resistance, which changes the way your body stores fat. Experts also believe that cravings in PMOS can lead to more snacking, which may also have an impact on weight loss.
Are there PCOS medications for weight loss?
Yes, you can take weight-loss medication if you have PMOS. There are many types of weight-loss medications, including oral pills and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications.
Medications commonly used to help with weight loss in PMOS include:
Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion)
Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate ER)
Phentermine (Adipex-P)
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
Some experts feel that certain GLP-1s — like liraglutide or semaglutide — might be good options for PMOS because they work for insulin resistance as well as weight management. But there isn’t enough research to recommend one type of weight-loss medication for people with PMOS who are trying to lose weight.
One thing to keep in mind is that the GLP-1 agonist medications aren’t recommended during pregnancy. Many women are diagnosed with PMOS while trying to get pregnant. Weight loss can help women with PMOS get pregnant. However, GLP-1s aren’t recommended for those actively trying to get pregnant.
If you have PMOS and are considering medication for weight loss, talk to a healthcare professional about your medical history, weight, and health goals. Together, you can come up with a plan that works best for you.
Frequently asked questions
No, the FDA hasn’t approved using Ozempic or any other similar meditation to treat polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) — formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). But prescribers sometimes recommend these medications for an off-label use if they think it would be helpful for you, based on current research.
The 21-day PMOS detox is a popular low-sugar, whole-food meal plan claiming to lower inflammation, regulate blood sugar, and improve PMOS symptoms. It can be considered a temporary reset to focus on wellness by adopting new nutrition habits. Symptoms of PMOS take time to improve, but some consider the 21-day eating plan a good place to start.
No, the FDA hasn’t approved using Ozempic or any other similar meditation to treat polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) — formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). But prescribers sometimes recommend these medications for an off-label use if they think it would be helpful for you, based on current research.
The 21-day PMOS detox is a popular low-sugar, whole-food meal plan claiming to lower inflammation, regulate blood sugar, and improve PMOS symptoms. It can be considered a temporary reset to focus on wellness by adopting new nutrition habits. Symptoms of PMOS take time to improve, but some consider the 21-day eating plan a good place to start.
The bottom line
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) — formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) — can make it harder to keep your weight at a level that feels right for you. But there are some things you can do. Following a low-carb eating plan and exercising more can help with both weight management and your overall health. Medications can be helpful for some. However, it’s always helpful to continue focusing on nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction as well.
Why trust our experts?
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