Gastric Bypass Improves Hopes of Conception

Obese women who suffer from infertility caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have hope of conceiving after gastric bypass surgery. A recent study found that out of sixteen women who had PCOS and wished to conceive, six were able to become pregnant after weight loss surgery. Almost all women experienced relief from other PCOS symptoms such as irregular periods, and hirsutism after undergoing gastric bypass surgery.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is among the top causes of infertility in women. It is estimated that between five and ten percent of all women have PCOS, and that only twenty-five percent of those who have it are diagnosed. Most women only learn that they have PCOS when they begin trying to get pregnant. PCOS is caused by excess insulin. The body reacts by producing extra male hormones. The symptoms include infertility, thinning hair, abdominal pain and extra hair growth on the back, chest or face. About half of all women who have PCOS are overweight or obese. The common link between PCOS and obesity is insulin resistance. Insulin resistance contributes to both PCOS and type-2 diabetes.

In addition to the positive results experienced by women trying to conceive, during this weight loss surgery study 82% of participants started having regular menstrual cycles after losing weight. Nearly 78% experienced remission of type 2 diabetes and 29% of those with hirsuteness had relief of their symptoms.

The initial study was small, but it shows promise for other obese women with PCOS who wish to conceive. Consult an Ypsilanti area weight loss surgeon to find out whether gastric bypass surgery, like the Roux-en-Y procedure, could relieve your PCOS symptoms.