PCOS Doesn't Look Weight, Thin Women Can Experiencing It

JAKARTA - Polycytic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the hormonal disorders that women can experience, regardless of their body shape or size. Although it is often associated with being overweight, this condition can also appear in thin women.

Obstetric Specialist and Gynecology Subspecical Fertility Reproduction, Dr. dr. Gita Pratama, Sp.OG, Subsp. FER., M.Rep.Sc, explains that PCOS does not only occur in individuals with excess weight. Those who are thin can also experience this disorder, and these conditions are often referred to as lean PCOS.

"Usually the symptoms are not as heavy as overweighted or obese patients. That's what we call lean PCOS," Gita said at a media meeting in Jakarta, as quoted by ANTARA.

The doctor who graduated from the University of Indonesia added that women with ideal weight still need to keep their bodies in shape through regular exercise and eating patterns as needed.

When a person has PCOS, there is a tendency to experience an increase in weight more easily. Some studies show that sufferers are faster to feel hungry and often have a desire to eat snacks.

"If you end up being obese, many patients will then face insulin resistance" conditions that can be categorized as pre-diabetes, "he explained.

Over time, insulin's ability to reduce sugar levels has decreased, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes.

"About 50 percent of PCOS patients can experience diabetes before the age of 40," added Gita.

He emphasized the importance of education about reproductive health from a young age so that people are accustomed to adopting a healthy lifestyle. According to him, good habits cannot be formed instantly and require long-term disciplinary training. In fact, PCOS genetic tendencies have often been seen since adolescence.

On the same occasion, the doctor from Pondok Indah Hospital also explained various habits that could increase the risk of infertility, including a single or immobile lifestyle. This condition can trigger PCOS which then has an impact on fertility disorders.

Examples of this habit include sitting too much while working, lack of physical activity, choosing vehicles for close range, and often lying down when having free time.

In addition, a high diet of sugar and carbohydrates can also increase the possibility of gaining weight and obesity.

"PCOS can come from genetic factors, but environments such as diet and activity levels also have a big role," he concluded.