Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Infertility During the Holidays
The holidays can be emotional, especially if you’ve been struggling with infertility. Here are some ways you can prioritize your well-being.
What's Making Me Gain Weight?
You keep cutting calories, switching to no-sugar and no-fat options, and increasing your number of steps a day — but the weight keeps piling on. If that sounds like you, it’s time to talk to your OB/GYN.
At University Reproductive Associates, with offices in Hasbrouck Heights, Wayne, and Hoboken, New Jersey, our reproductive health experts can investigate if your weight gain might be caused by something amiss with your female organs or hormones, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS.)
Unexplained weight gain
There are all sorts of explanations for weight gain. The most common include:
Getting older
As you age, it’s easier to put weight on and more difficult to lose. If your activity levels aren’t what they used to be, it could be a simple matter of needing to trim down your diet to make calories in match calories out.
Slowed metabolism
Aging can also slow your metabolism, making you burn energy at a reduced rate. That can also be caused by hormonal imbalances that affect your metabolism and make it slower.
Diabetes or thyroid issues
Problems related to diabetes, such as insulin resistance, can make you put on weight and have trouble losing it. Thyroid issues can also lead to unexplainable weight gain. Treating these conditions can often help.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) happens when a female body incorrectly produces large amounts of male hormones, or androgens. That can cause weight gain along with other symptoms. If the following describes you, your weight gain could be attributable to PCOS.
Excessive hair growth or thinning
PCOS often causes hirsutism (extra hair growing in unusual places for a female body) or thinning of the hair all over the body as well as on the scalp, particularly at the temples.
Skin problems
PCOS can also cause the return or worsening of adult acne, often after years of no acne at all. Additionally, many people with PCOS notice darkening of the skin in areas of skin creases, including around the neck, underarms, breasts, and groin.
Treating PCOS
If you are overweight and have PCOS, a combination of diet and exercise matched with hormone-balancing treatment may be the best path forward. Our team will work with you to create a customized plan that takes your whole body health into account.
To learn more about PCOS and its effect on your weight, schedule an appointment with the experts at URA. You can get in touch by calling the location closest to you or asking for a telemedicine consultation.
You Might Also Enjoy...
How to Talk About Infertility With Family and Friends During Gatherings
If you or someone in your family or friends circle is struggling with infertility, gatherings can be times of anxiety because of invasive questions or unwanted advice. We offer some guidance in this blog post.
What Is the Difference Between IUI and IVF?
If you’re looking for solutions to infertility, you may be recommended for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). But what’s the difference? Keep reading to find out.
Can I Get Pregnant If I Have PCOS?
Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome can impact your fertility, making it difficult to get pregnant. Here’s what you need to know.
What Can I Expect Before, During, and After the Egg Harvesting Procedure?
Do you need to harvest your eggs to freeze them or before beginning a round of IVF? Here’s a breakdown of the procedure to help you be informed before you start the process. Keep reading.
I've Had Multiple Miscarriages: Should I Stop Trying?
A miscarriage is devastating, and multiple miscarriages only expand and prolong your grief. Should you give up, or should you keep trying for a baby? Keep reading for some answers.