Bariatric Surgery Shown to Alleviate PMOS Symptoms, Study Finds

Recent research suggests that metabolic bariatric surgery may provide benefits beyond weight loss for women with obesity. Conducted by a team at the University of Surrey, the study explored the effects of weight loss surgery on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (now known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS) symptoms. The findings were published in the journal Obesity Surgery. The study involved 84 women aged between 18 and 45 who underwent bariatric surgery, specifically 49 gastric bypass procedures and 35 gastric sleeve surgeries. A control group of 18 women with obesity who did not have surgery was also monitored over a 24-month period. Among those who underwent surgical intervention, participants lost an average of more than 30 kilograms at both the 12 and 24 month marks following the procedure. Notably, the study documented substantial improvements in menstrual health. Women with previously irregular menstrual cycles reported greater regularity after surgery. Furthermore, the prevalence of polycystic ovaries dramatically decreased, with only 10% of those initially affected continuing to exhibit the condition after two years. Symptoms commonly associated with PMOS, such as hirsutism—excessive hair growth on the face and body—also saw marked improvement, with many reporting resolution by the one-year follow-up. The researchers linked the improvements to the intersection of obesity and PMOS, as the hormonal and metabolic disturbances often exacerbated reproductive health issues. Dr Kathryn Hart, an associate professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Surrey, noted, “Dysregulated hormone levels, irregular periods and conditions such as polycystic ovaries are impacted by obesity. By reducing this, what we have seen is that it can lead to improvements without the need for medication.” While the results appear promising, the researchers caution that bariatric surgery should not be considered a blanket treatment for all women with obesity and PMOS. The procedure is typically reserved for individuals meeting specific clinical criteria and carries inherent risks alongside nutritional considerations. Another significant finding involved fertility outcomes post-surgery. Seventeen women in the study achieved healthy pregnancies after undergoing bariatric surgery. The researchers asserted that reproductive counselling and preconception care should be integral components of post-surgical care, especially given that improved menstrual cycles can enhance ovulation. Professor Martin Whyte, co-author and Professor of Metabolic Medicine at the University of Surrey, highlighted the ongoing unknowns regarding this procedure's long-term effects on women planning to conceive. “This raises the question of when the ideal time after surgery is to conceive,” he stated. The study supports existing literature that suggests interventions for obesity may alleviate certain reproductive challenges related to PMOS. Although bariatric surgery has shown association with reduced menstrual irregularities and hormone imbalances, it is not a comprehensive solution for PMOS, a condition with varied symptoms among women. The research reflects the growing body of evidence advocating for the treatment of obesity to mitigate reproductive health issues in women afflicted by PMOS.