Key Takeaways

PCOS is a hormonal problem affecting women that causes irregular periods and infertility, and diabetes is a condition that affects how the body uses blood sugar.
PCOS can increase the risk of diabetes due to insulin resistance, obesity and family history.
You can manage both by exercising regularly, eating healthy and taking your medicines on time.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal problem that affects women and causes a distinct group of symptoms, including irregular periods and infertility. The causes of PCOS aren’t clear. However, women who have PCOS have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, a condition that affects how the body manages blood sugar.

What you need to know:

What is the link between PCOS and diabetes?
How can PCOS increase the risk of diabetes?
Managing PCOS and diabetes

What is the link between PCOS and diabetes?

The causes of PCOS and type 2 diabetes are connected in ways researchers don’t completely understand. Several things that make a woman more likely to have PCOS also are linked to type 2 diabetes:

Weight: Whether PCOS causes obesity or obesity raises the risk for PCOS isn’t clear. But the two are intertwined.
Family history: Does your mother or sister have type 2 diabetes or PCOS? That affects your odds of having PCOS, too.
Insulin resistance: This condition means your body cannot use insulin correctly. It can run in families but can occur if you are overweight.

How can PCOS increase the risk of diabetes?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can increase the risk of diabetes because it often causes insulin resistance, which is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Women with PCOS have insulin resistance. Their bodies produce insulin, a key hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, but they cannot use it effectively. About half of women with PCOS will have type 2 diabetes by age 40. They also tend to get diabetes at a younger age than other women. Also, PCOS patients are more likely to develop gestational diabetes, which is diabetes during pregnancy.
Many studies have found that a higher body mass index (BMI) may be the strongest factor that predicts whether a woman with PCOS gets type 2 diabetes. If you lose just 5% of your total weight, you can improve your health and lower your diabetes risk.

Managing PCOS and diabetes

PCOS and diabetes are interlinked, and people with PCOS are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Here is how you can manage them.

Lifestyle modifications

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Losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can help you manage both conditions.

Balanced diet

Eat a healthy diet consisting of:

colorful fruits and vegetables
sources of lean protein, such as chicken breasts, low-fat dairy, and fish
sources of healthy fat, such as olive oil, nuts, and seeds
whole-grain foods
Limit your intake of processed foods such as pizza, burgers, fries, chips, and sugar-dense foods.

Regular exercise

People with diabetes or prediabetes and PCOS also benefit from getting more exercise. Increasing physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight. It can also help the body process and use blood sugar or glucose, producing enough insulin to meet your needs, and may require less medication. Some yoga poses that may help with both PCOS and diabetes include Garland pose (Malasana), Boat pose (Naukasana), Corpse pose (Shavasana), Cobra pose (Bhujangasana), and Alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana). Losing even a small amount of weight (5-10% of body weight) can significantly improve insulin resistance, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in women with PCOS.

Medical interventions

Treatments for type 2 diabetes can include medication that helps the body’s insulin work more effectively and lower blood glucose levels. A doctor may also recommend insulin injections.

Prescribed medications

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Your doctor may prescribe a medicine called metformin, which helps your body use insulin and lowers your blood sugar. It may also help you lose weight. It can help with PCOS symptoms such as irregular ovulation.

Insulin therapy

Insulin therapy can help manage PCOS and diabetes:

Insulin-sensitizing medications like metformin can help lower fasting insulin levels and encourage weight loss. Long-term use may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2) inhibitors can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood glucose levels. They also promote glucose excretion in urine, which can help with weight loss.

PCOS and diabetes are closely linked through shared risk factors like insulin resistance, obesity, and family history. By adopting the ways mentioned above, women with PCOS can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and improve their overall health.

Summary

PCOS increases the risk of type 2 diabetes due to insulin resistance, obesity, and family history. Managing both conditions involves lifestyle changes, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and medical interventions.

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