Severe Hyperandrogenism in a Young Woman with Elevated BMI: A Case Study of the Role of Weight Loss in the Management of PCOS

    October 2023 in “ Journal of the Endocrine Society ”
    Susel Rodriguez Ortega, Ilana Bass
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    TLDR Losing weight, possibly through bariatric surgery, is key to improving PCOS and hyperandrogenism symptoms in obese patients.
    The case study "SAT368 Severe Hyperandrogenism in a Young Woman with Elevated BMI: A Case Study of The Role of Weight Loss in The Management of PCOS" presents a 21-year-old woman with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), hyperandrogenism, and obesity. Her symptoms included irregular periods, facial and neck hair growth, and rapid weight gain. Despite treatment with metformin and oral contraceptive pills, her symptoms persisted. After undergoing bariatric surgery, she lost 30lbs in 6 weeks and 110lbs in 8 months, which led to a significant improvement in her symptoms, including the resumption of her menses and a decrease in her hirsutism. Her androgen levels also improved. The study concludes that sustained lifestyle changes and weight loss, potentially through bariatric surgery, are crucial in treating patients with PCOS and obesity, as they restore the normal physiological balance of sex hormones and improve signs and symptoms of hyperandrogenism.
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