Obesity, insulin resistance, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are interrelated. PCOS is characterized by hyperandrogenism and irregular periods and is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age. Both obesity and PCOS can cause each other - obesity can cause insulin resistance which leads to hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism, all of which contribute to PCOS, while PCOS makes weight control difficult and contributes to obesity. Insulin resistance is a key factor linking obesity and PCOS.

1. OBESITY, INSULIN RESISTANCE AND
POLYCYSTRIC OVARIAN SYNDROME
PRESENTED BY
SHAKILUR RAHMAN
CSIR- INDIAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
4, Raja S.C. Mullick road, Kolkata- 700032, India

2. INTRODUCTION
• What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in
reproductive-age women (5-10%) and is characterized by hyperandrogenism
and disordered gonadotropin secretion. In addition to reproductive
manifestations consisting of chronic anovulation and cutaneous
manifestations of androgen.
• What is Obesity?
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated.
People are considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a
measurement obtained by dividing a person's weight by the square of the
person's height, exceeds 30 kg/m2, with the range 25-30 kg/m2 defined
as overweight.

3. POSSIBLE CAUSES BEHIND PCOS
 The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but experts believe it is related to the
production of an excess amount of androgens, a group of male sex
hormones (Hyperandrogenism).
 Excess insulin may be a factor in developing PCOS. Excess insulin leads to
insulin resistance, which in turn decreases your ability to use insulin
effectively results in Hyperinsulinemia.
 Heredity is also a factor. If your mother or sister has PCOS, you may have a
greater chance of having PCOS.
 Finally, even conditions before birth in the mother’s womb can be a factor
contributing to PCOS.

4. Does being Overweight Cause PCOS or Does PCOS
Result in Obesity?
 Both are possible.
 The link between PCOS and obesity is complicated.
 Women with PCOS produce too much insulin, or the insulin they produce
does not work as it should.
 The inability of insulin to function normally is one reason why women with
PCOS tend to gain weight or have a hard time losing weight.

5. OBESITY AND PCOS
Adapted from http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/insulin.php

6. OBESITY AND PCOS
Adapted from http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/insulin.php

7. OBESITY AND INSULIN RESISTANCE
Insulin resistance (IR) refers to the situation whereby insulin interaction with
its receptor fails to elicit downstream signalling events. Metabolically and
clinically the most detrimental effects of IR are due to disruption in insulin
mediated control of glucose and lipid homeostasis in the primary insulin
responsive tissues: liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue.
Adapted from http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/insulin.php

8. OBESITY AND INSULIN RESISTANCE
Adapted from http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/insulin.php

9. HYPERINSULINIMEIA, OBESITY AND HYPERANDROGENISM
Excess FFA results in down regulation of Insulin action. This results in the increase of
Insulin in bloodstream and causes hyperinsulinemia. And hyperinsulinemia causes
hyperandrogenism.

10. HYPERINSULINIMEIA, OBESITY AND HYPERANDROGENISM

11. ALL THESE RESULT IN THE FORMATION OF PCOS

12. CONCLUSION
Obesity
Insulin
Resistance
Hyperinsulinimia
Hyperandrogeni
mia
PCOS
 Hyperinsulinemia and obesity are so closely linked it is hard to determine whether
hyperinsulinemia causes obesity or obesity causes hyperinsulinemia, or both.
 What is clear is that women affected by obesity have a greater risk for PCOS and
women with PCOS have a greater risk for obesity.