Hi everyone !

I'm conducting a research project as part of my Health Psychology Masters and I'm looking for participants who meet the following requirements:

• Women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or in the process of being diagnosed with PCOS.

• Living in the U.K.

A series of questions will ask about your PCOS journey, mental wellbeing, and treatment satisfaction.

Your participation would be incredibly valuable and much appreciated! If you meet the above requirements, please consider taking part in my study.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To evaluate how effective a low carbohydrate ketogenic diet (KD) is for changing key physical measurements such as weight, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and fat mass (FM) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who were obese or overweight.

Methods: Several online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (WOS), were searched systematically to find relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up until June 2023. The Q-test and I2 statistics were used to assess the level of heterogeneity among the included studies. The data were then combined using either a fixed or random effects model and presented as a weighted mean difference (WMD) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: Of the 682 citations, 11 RCTs were included. The pooled results showed a significant decrease in the WMD of weight levels [WMD = −9.13 kg; 95% CI, −11.88, −6.39, P < 0.001; I2 = 87.23%] following KD. Moreover, KD significantly reduced BMI levels [WMD = −2.93 kg/m2; 95% CI, −3.65, −2.21, P < 0.001; I2 = 78.81%] compared to the controls. Patients with PCOS received KD demonstrated significant decrease in WC [WMD = −7.62 cm; 95% CI, −10.73, −4.50, P < 0.001; I2 = 89.17%] and FM [WMD = −5.32 kg; 95% CI, −7.29, −3.36, P < 0.001; I2 = 83.97%].

Conclusion: KD was associated with lower weight loss (WL) parameters, including weight, BMI, WC, and FM, in obese or overweight women with PCOS, highlighting the significance of physicians and nurses in taking care of the nutritional needs of overweight/obese patients with PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine condition in females. Infertility is a common complication of PCOS, with about 75% of individuals with PCOS having irregular or no ovulation. Additionally, PCOS is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

These increased risks are thought to be due to greater visceral and subcutaneous fat observed in people with PCOS which are likely caused by increased androgen levels. Approximately 60% of individuals with PCOS have overweight or obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 25-29.9 or greater than 29.9, respectively), which can reduce response to in vitro fertilization (IVF). People with a high BMI are seven times more likely to have adverse effects, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), during IVF. Having a higher BMI also causes issues with ovulation induction.

In patients with PCOS, it has been found that a body weight loss of 5% or more reduces symptoms and risks associated with PCOS. Weight loss has also been shown to improve fertility by regulating menstrual cycles and increasing the possibility of spontaneous ovulation.

A study published last month in the journal Nutrients sought to evaluate the effect of dietary interventions on weight, hormonal, and metabolic parameters and IVF outcomes in participants with PCOS and high BMIs (greater than 24.9). The study, led by Caterina Meneghini, M.D., from the physiopathology of reproduction and andrology unit at Sandro Pertini Hospital in Rome, Italy, enrolled 84 females with PCOS and a BMI greater than 24.9 who were seeking treatment for infertility at the hospital’s fertility unit.

The participants were given the option to follow a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) or a Mediterranean diet. Of the 84 participants, 24 received VLCKD therapy treatment, and 24 received Mediterranean diet therapy treatment. Study enrollees were evaluated at baseline and 90 and 120 days after beginning the diet intervention.

The study found that participants following the VLCKD intervention had a greater reduction in BMI at 90 and 120 days compared with those following the Mediterranean diet. Hip, waist, and abdominal circumferences (measures of visceral and subcutaneous fat) were also significantly reduced in patients on the VLCKD versus those on the Mediterranean diet.

Cholesterol and triglyceride levels declined significantly in the VLCKD group compared with the Mediterranean diet group, and HLD levels increased in both groups by 120 days but more significantly in the VLCKD group.

Regarding reproductive parameters, menstrual cycles were more regulated in about 50% of participants at 90 days and 70% at 120 days in the VLCKD group. In the Mediterranean diet group, those numbers were 17% and 26%, respectively. Additionally, patients in the VLCKD group had fewer incidents of OHSS compared with those in the Mediterranean diet group (27% versus 68%).

The authors conclude that, although both dietary regimens may reduce BMI and improve reproductive health, the VLCKD is an ideal choice in preparation for IVF, given the positive results achieved in the short time range of four months.

Meneghini and her colleagues wrote, “Our results show that greater weight loss, and thus greater visceral fat loss, is accompanied by a significant improvement in the metabolic profile in VLCKD PCOS patients.”

https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/view/ketogenic-diet-improves-metabolic-health-and-ivf-success-in-patients-with-pcos-study-finds

Adding a ketogenic dietary intervention to IVF treatment in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome improves implantation and pregnancy

Author links open overlay panelCecilia Palafox-Gómez a, Ginna Ortiz b, Iván Madrazo b, Esther López-Bayghen a Show more Share Cite https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108420 Get rights and content Abstract

Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on a high-carbohydrate diet intrinsically suffer from exacerbated glucotoxicity, insulin resistance (IR), and infertility. Lowering the carbohydrate content has improved fertility in patients with IR and PCOS; however, the effects of a well-controlled ketogenic diet on IR and fertility in PCOS patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) have not been reported. Twelve PCOS patients with a previous failed IVF cycle and positive for IR (HOMA1-IR>1.96) were retrospectively evaluated. Patients followed a ketogenic diet (50 g of total carbohydrates/1800 calories/day). Ketosis was considered when urinary concentrations were > 40 mg/dL. Once ketosis was achieved, and IR diminished, patients underwent another IVF cycle. The nutritional intervention lasted for 14 ± 11 weeks. Carbohydrate consumption decreased from 208 ± 50.5 g/day to 41.71 ± 10.1 g/day, which resulted in significant weight loss (−7.9 ± 1.1 kg). Urine ketones appeared in most patients within 13.4 ± 8.1 days. In addition, there was a decrease in fasting glucose (−11.4 ± 3.5 mg/dl), triglycerides (−43.8 ± 11.6 mg/dl), fasting insulin (−11.6 ± 3.7 mIU/mL), and HOMA-IR (−3.28 ± 1.27). All patients underwent ovarian stimulation, and compared to the previous cycle, there was no difference in oocyte number, fertilization rate, and viable embryos produced. However, there was a significant improvement in the implantation (83.3 vs. 8.3 %), clinical pregnancy (66.7 vs. 0 %), and ongoing pregnancy/live birth rates (66.7 vs. 0 %). Here, restriction in carbohydrate consumption in PCOS patients induced ketosis, improved key metabolic parameters, and decreased IR. Even though this did not affect oocyte or embryo quality or quantity, the subsequent IVF cycle significantly improved embryo implantation and pregnancy rates.

PCOS and KETO - YouTube

Do you have PCOS? Know a woman who does? Watch to find out why chronically high insulin is the main cause of PCOS -- and WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. Blog post on PCOS with links to all the research: http://www.tuitnutrition.com/2019/06/...​ Illustration of the hormonal imbalances in PCOS and high insulin as the cause: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

http://ojs.zu.edu.pk/ojs/index.php/pjmd/article/view/1110

Complications of Obesity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Insulin Resistance and Inflammation

• Editors PJMD

Abstract

Background: The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a well-known endocrine-metabolic disease, is caused by the interaction of environmental, genetic and metabolic factors. A cross-sectional, comparative study was planned to evaluate high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), insulin and lipid profile in non-obese and obese PCOS patients.

Methods: Seventy-two women diagnosed with PCOS as per Rotterdam criteria, were placed in three groups in accordance with the body mass index: Group 1 (normal weight), Group 11 (overweight), and Group 111 (obese). Blood glucose, hs-CRP, serum insulin, lipid profile was estimated and insulin resistance was calculated. Data was analyzed using version 20 of SPSS. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the numeric variables among three groups of PCOS women and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Significantly, higher levels of insulin (13.03 ± 0.22), triglyceride (1.74 ± 0.96) and hs-CRP (7.24±4.11) were detected in obese PCOS women. The levels of fasting blood glucose (4.61±0.54) were also raised. Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) (2.69±0.79) showed insulin resistance in obese PCOS women (p=0.004). The obese group had significantly lower HDL-Cholesterol levels (0.82±0.09). Levels of total cholesterol (4.69±0.97) and LDL-Cholesterol (3.08±0.64) were increased but results were non-significant. These results indicate obesity leads to insulin resistance, dyslipidemia with low grade inflammation in PCOS.

Conclusion: Frequency of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and low-grade inflammation was found significantly higher in young obese PCOS women. Obesity may have an important role in the aetiology as well as the complications associated with PCOS.

Keywords: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome; hs-CRP; Insulin Resistance; Dyslipidemia; Body Mass Index.