Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is thought to afflict 6 to 10% of women globally, is a major contributor to infertility in women of reproductive age.
Reduced ovulation frequency, menstruation disruption, and increased androgen are the main reproductive problems associated with this complex endocrine condition.
Although the specific cause of PCOS is unknown, it is believed that both insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, which causes obesity, are important factors in the disease's pathophysiology.
Weight loss is a crucial part of PCOS treatment for obese women. In women with PCOS, even a small weight loss of 5% has been demonstrated to significantly reduce visceral fat mass, improve menstrual function, and trigger spontaneous ovulation.
While strict dieting and regular exercise are advised as first-line treatments, these lifestyle changes may not have the same effect on all women. As a result, patients with class 3 obesity have been offered bariatric surgery as a new and effective alternative therapy option for PCOS.
While bariatric surgery has been demonstrated to benefit PCOS, its effect on PCOS-related infertility is less apparent.