PCOS after delivery

June 23, 2008

Dr Q,

Does PCOS return after delivering a baby? as in can my harmones be wacked out because of pregnancy and delivery?

I have returned to my pre pregnancy weight and I have not started my cycle (6 wks) which I know can be delayed and I am not breast feeding exclusively.

But just wanted to get your opinion abt PCOS returning without weight gain post partum

June 23, 2008

In otherwords, Can pregnancy aggravate PCOS (even if it was dormant)

June 24, 2008

PCOS is most of the time directly related to insulin resistance which can be generalized to be proportionate to the amount of body fat (primarily that around the waist) that is present...Not necessariliy the pregnancy itself..

Pregnancy however, can increase weight and exacerbate this...but with a good amount breastfeeding diet and exercise, this excess weight can be diminished rapidly and PCOS can be eliminated...

If the same body habitus after pregnancy is present as was before pregnancy in which PCOS was created, then chances are that PCOS will still be present after delivery (think you follow me:)

June 24, 2008

So the answer is no, previous pregnancy in and of itself won't worsen or improve PCOS

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