Weight loss surgery improves menstrual health and PMOS symptoms, study finds

Weight loss surgery was linked to more regular periods and fewer polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) symptoms in women aged 18 to 45 living with obesity in a recent study.

The researchers recommend that women undergoing the procedure have access to preconception care and reproductive counselling to support their reproductive health.

Researchers at the University of Surrey analysed data over 24 months from 84 women who underwent bariatric surgery and 18 women living with obesity who did not have surgery.

Of those who underwent surgery, 49 had gastric bypass procedures and 35 had gastric sleeve surgery.

Women who underwent metabolic bariatric surgery lost more than 30kg on average at 12 and 24 months after the procedure.

Among women with polycystic ovaries, the condition persisted in only 10 per cent after 24 months.

Women also reported a resolution of clinical hirsutism, or excess body hair, by 12 months.

Women who had previously experienced irregular periods reported more regular menstrual cycles after surgery.

Professor Martin Whyte, co-author of the study and professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Surrey, said: “A large proportion of those undergoing bariatric surgery are women of reproductive age, who may be planning a pregnancy in the coming years.

“So much remains unknown about the impact of this type of surgery on women who are planning to have children.

“This raises the question of when the ideal time after surgery is to conceive.”

Women have a higher prevalence of obesity than men, with 57 per cent of women in the UK classified as overweight and 27 per cent living with obesity, which can affect fertility and the health of an unborn baby.

The researchers said 17 women had healthy pregnancies following surgery.

Although this was not specifically examined in the study, no difference in birth weight was observed between babies conceived within or after the first year.

Dr Kathryn Hart, co-author of the study and associate professor in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Surrey, said: “What we have found is that bariatric surgery positively affects the reproductive health of women living with obesity and can improve the likelihood of them having a healthy pregnancy after surgery.

“Dysregulated hormone levels, irregular periods and conditions such as polycystic ovaries are affected by obesity.

“By reducing this, what we have seen is that it can lead to improvements without the need for medication.

“We would suggest that clinicians consider medical intervention for obesity to treat irregularities in the menstrual cycle and issues with fertility.”