Fitness & Exercise

Tools & Resources

Font Size

Exercise and polycystic ovary syndrome

If you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), regular exercise can help you lose weight or stay at a healthy weight. It can also improve your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduce your blood pressure, lower your insulin and blood sugar, and reduce your risk for long-term heart disease.

Regular exercise and weight control can help you have regular menstrual cycles, which can help your symptoms of PCOS. Try to do moderate activity at least 2½ hours a week. One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week.¹ You can be fit, regardless of whether you are overweight.

Recommended Related to Fitness & Exercise

Banish Your Belly

You may be trying to trim your tummy so you can look your best in a swimsuit. But there are far more important reasons to banish that belly. There's a strong link between abdominal fat and increased health risks, explains Fabio Comana, MA, MS, exercise physiologist and spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise. "Apples," who carry their extra weight in their abdominal area (as opposed to "pears," who have more bulk in their hips and lower body), are more prone to heart disease, high...

Read the Banish Your Belly article > >

Moderate activity is safe for most people, but it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program. For more information, see the topic Fitness.

Citations

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2008). 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (ODPHP Publication No. U0036). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Available online: http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/pdf/paguide.pdf.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised	January 28, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 28, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.