PCOS Belly and Pregnant Belly
A PCOS belly, caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and a pregnant belly often may appear similar as a stubborn lower belly bulge due to hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance. The key difference lies in the cause and progression: PCOS belly is a symptom of a medical condition, while a pregnant belly is a natural result of pregnancy.
What Is PCOS?
PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome, is an endocrine disorder that affects women in their reproductive age. PCOS is quite prevalent and individuals affected by it show a wide range of symptoms and health-related problems. The syndrome is a complex condition [1, 2, 3, 4].
PCOS is characterized by an overproduction of androgens (male hormones). Due to this, there is a hormonal imbalance in the body that can lead to menstrual irregularities. These include infrequent periods or longer menstrual cycles. In other cases, the ovaries of the affected women may develop small collections of fluids (follicles/cysts) which in turn affect the regular release of eggs [5].
A prominent feature of women with PCOS is hyperandrogenism. This is a condition in which the female has an excess of male hormones in the body and it may showcase it as hirsutism (excessive hair growth), acne, or male pattern baldness. Another characteristic symptom of PCOS is chronic anovulation. This means, that the ovaries do not release effs during every menstrual cycle. Chronic anovulation may lead to infertility and irregular periods [6, 7, 8].
PCOS is also associated with metabolic disorders. In fact, women with PCOS have an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia or cardiovascular problems. In addition, obesity is also common in women with PCOS which can further exacerbate these metabolic issues [9, 10, 11].
It is important to say, that PCOS can impact a woman’s fertility, but it does not prevent pregnancy. In addition, women with PCOS may have a higher risk of complication during pregnancy therefore, it is essential to ensure they receive appropriate care and monitoring [12, 13, 14].
Apart from physical health-related problems, PCOS can also impact mental health. Interestingly, women with PCOS have higher rates of mental health disorders [15].
Learn whether you can die from PCOS
What Is a PCOS Belly?
A PCOS belly is another characteristic symptom of PCOS. It refers to the abdominal obesity seen in women with PCOS. [16, 17].
Individuals with PCOS showcase an accumulation of fat in the abdominal area. However, this is not a physical manifestation of the disorder, although it contributes to the metabolic and hormonal imbalances seen in PCOS [18, 19].
This abdominal fat accumulation has been associated with insulin resistance and also with an increased cardiovascular risk [20]. Further, this fat distribution is associated with a higher quantity of central abdominal fat compared to total and trunk fat, which is linked to higher insulin levels and reduced insulin sensitivity [21]. In addition, abdominal obesity in patients with PCOS is also liked to increased inflammation and higher levels of oxidative stress. This in turn may contribute to the development of PCOS and also exacerbate the symptoms of PCOS [22, 23].
What Is The Difference Between PCOS Belly and Pregnant Belly?
Although both PCOS and pregnancy cause changes in the woman’s body, including the appearance of the belly, it is important to not confuse these two. The changes and symptoms associated with a PCOS belly and a pregnant belly are different.
A PCOS belly is associated typically with the symptoms of PCOS, which may include weight gain and a higher body mass index, due to hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance [12, 24]. In turn, this may lead to the accumulation of fat around the waist and a belly that might lead to a bloated or larger-looking belly.
However, a pregnant belly is characterized by the growth of the uterus as the fetus develops. Because of this, the belly progressively enlarges over the course of the pregnancy. Interestingly, PCOS pregnancies have been associated with smaller biparietal diameter and femur length in fetuses suggesting a possible difference in the size of the belly [25].
In conclusion, while both PCOS and pregnancy can lead to changes in a woman's belly, the causes and associated symptoms are different.