Women with PCOS (a common hormone condition) often struggle with weight gain, irregular periods, and trouble getting pregnant. A new review of research shows that losing weight is one of the best ways to help manage PCOS. The study looked at different ways women can lose weight—like changing their diet, exercising, taking vitamins, using new weight-loss medicines, or having surgery—and how each method affects PCOS symptoms. The good news is that even modest weight loss can help regulate periods, improve fertility chances, and reduce health risks. The best approach depends on each person’s goals and what works for their lifestyle.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different weight loss methods (diet changes, exercise, medicines, and surgery) help women with PCOS manage their condition and improve their health
  • Who participated: This was a review article that analyzed existing research about PCOS and weight loss, rather than a study with specific participants
  • Key finding: Weight loss is the most important treatment for women who have both PCOS and obesity, and it can improve irregular periods, help with getting pregnant, and reduce heart disease risk
  • What it means for you: If you have PCOS and extra weight, losing weight through diet, exercise, or other methods may help your symptoms improve. Talk with your doctor about which approach might work best for your situation and goals.

The Research Details

This is a narrative review, which means researchers looked at many different studies about PCOS and weight loss and summarized what they found. Instead of doing one new experiment, the authors gathered information from existing research to understand the big picture of how weight loss helps PCOS. They examined four main approaches: lifestyle changes (like diet and exercise), vitamin supplements, weight-loss medicines, and weight-loss surgery. This type of review is helpful because it lets doctors and patients see all the options available and understand how each one works.

PCOS affects many women and causes problems like irregular periods, trouble getting pregnant, and increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Understanding all the different ways to treat it—not just one method—helps doctors create personalized plans for each patient. This review is important because it shows that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer; what works best depends on each person’s needs, goals, and what they’re willing to try.

This is a review article published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, which means other experts checked the work before it was published. However, because it summarizes other studies rather than conducting new research, the strength of the conclusions depends on the quality of the studies it reviewed. The authors were careful to note that treatment should be personalized, which shows they understand that results may vary from person to person.

What the Results Show

Weight loss is the most important treatment for women with both PCOS and obesity. Even losing a modest amount of weight—around 5-10% of body weight—can help improve irregular periods and increase the chances of getting pregnant. The research shows that weight loss also helps reduce the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and other serious health problems that women with PCOS face. When women with PCOS lose weight, their bodies become more sensitive to insulin (a hormone that controls blood sugar), which helps regulate their hormones and menstrual cycles. The review found that lifestyle changes—including eating healthier foods, exercising regularly, managing stress, and getting enough sleep—are usually the first and best approach to try.

The review also found that certain diets work better for PCOS than others. Low glycemic index diets (foods that don’t spike blood sugar quickly), including ketogenic diets and DASH diets, appear to help more than regular diets. Vitamin D supplements may also help women with PCOS who don’t have enough vitamin D in their bodies. Newer weight-loss medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists (like semaglutide) are showing promise for helping women with PCOS lose weight and may reduce heart disease risk. Weight-loss surgery can be very effective for significant weight loss but is usually only recommended for people with severe obesity. The review emphasizes that the best treatment plan is different for each person and should consider their goals (like wanting to get pregnant), their health conditions, and what they’re able to do.

This review builds on decades of research showing that weight loss helps PCOS symptoms. What’s new is the information about newer weight-loss medicines and a better understanding of how different diets affect PCOS. Previous research focused mainly on lifestyle changes and surgery, but now doctors have more tools available. The review shows that while these new medicines are helpful, lifestyle changes remain the foundation of treatment and should usually be tried first.

This is a review of other studies, not a new study itself, so the conclusions are only as strong as the research it reviewed. Some studies included in reviews like this may have been small or done in different ways, which can affect how reliable the overall conclusions are. The review doesn’t provide specific numbers about how much weight loss is needed for different benefits, since different women respond differently. Also, most research on PCOS has been done in developed countries, so the results may not apply equally to all populations. Finally, the review was published in 2025, so some of the information about newer medicines may still be evolving as more research comes out.

The Bottom Line

If you have PCOS and are overweight, talk with your doctor about a weight loss plan. Start with lifestyle changes: eat a healthy diet (especially low glycemic index foods), exercise regularly, manage stress, and get enough sleep. These changes should be your first step and work well for many women. If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough after several months, ask your doctor about vitamin D supplements (if you’re deficient), weight-loss medicines, or other options. The goal is to find an approach that fits your life and that you can stick with long-term. (Confidence level: High for lifestyle changes; Moderate for newer medicines, as more research is still being done.)

This research is most relevant for women with PCOS who are overweight or obese and want to improve their symptoms, regulate their periods, or improve their chances of getting pregnant. It’s also important for women with PCOS who want to reduce their risk of diabetes and heart disease. Women with PCOS who are already at a healthy weight should focus on maintaining their weight and overall health rather than losing weight. Men and people without PCOS won’t benefit from this specific research, though some of the diet and exercise recommendations are healthy for everyone.

You may notice improvements in your menstrual cycle within 2-3 months of losing weight. Fertility improvements may take 3-6 months or longer. Heart disease risk reduction happens gradually over months and years. It’s important to be patient—sustainable weight loss is usually slow (1-2 pounds per week), but this slower pace is more likely to last long-term. Talk with your doctor about realistic goals for your situation.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your menstrual cycle regularity (number of days between periods) and weight weekly. Note any changes in period symptoms like cramping or flow. This helps you see if your efforts are working and gives your doctor useful information.
  • Use the app to log meals and identify which foods make you feel better and help regulate your blood sugar. Focus on adding low glycemic index foods (whole grains, vegetables, lean proteins) rather than just cutting calories. Set a goal to exercise 150 minutes per week and track your workouts.
  • Check in monthly with your weight, period regularity, and energy levels. Every 3 months, review your progress toward your goals (whether that’s regular periods, weight loss, or fertility). Share this data with your doctor to adjust your plan if needed. Track any new symptoms or improvements in existing ones like fatigue, acne, or hair growth.

This article summarizes research about PCOS and weight loss but is not medical advice. PCOS is a complex condition that affects each person differently. Before starting any weight loss program, diet change, supplement, or medicine—especially if you’re trying to get pregnant or have other health conditions—talk with your doctor or a healthcare provider who knows your medical history. Some weight-loss medicines and supplements may not be safe for everyone. Your doctor can help you create a personalized plan that’s right for you. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms or health concerns, seek immediate medical attention.