PCOS and gestational diabetes: The link and management tips

Gestational diabetes is a diabetes that was first diagnosed during pregnancy – usually between 24 and 28 weeks. Although the exact causes of its development are still not clear, the main risk factors include overweight, obesity, insufficient physical activity, prediabetes, family history that involves diabetes, and a history of having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.

Apart from generalized risk factors, numerous studies also emphasize the link between PCOS and gestational diabetes. Since PCOS is broadly associated with insulin resistance, it can indeed increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes. Luckily, it’s possible to manage this condition for your and your baby’s safety through relevant lifestyle adjustments.

When trying to conceive with PCOS, you can naturally have quite a lot of concerns and questions. Since this condition affects your hormones and ovulation, it can make it harder to get pregnant and might be associated with a range of possible complications, including gestational diabetes.

What is the link between PCOS and gestational diabetes? And how can you change your lifestyle to minimize the risks or manage this condition? Continue reading to learn everything you need to know!

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Brief Overview of PCOS

PCOS is a hormonal condition that causes many follicles to develop on your ovaries, interrupting the ovaries normal work and resulting in a range of unpleasant symptoms. Regardless of its type, PCOS can come with such issues as:

• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Acne
• Hair loss
• Insulin resistance
• Uncontrolled weight gain, etc.

PCOS and Pregnancy

Although it directly affects your reproductive system and can make it harder to get pregnant, the success rate of pregnancy with PCOS is still rather high. So if you are planning to have a baby, there are many ways to enhance your chances of success.

Nevertheless, before getting pregnant, it’s important to educate yourself on the potential complications associated with PCOS, one of which is gestational diabetes.

What Is Gestational Diabetes? 

Gestational diabetes is a diabetes that is diagnosed during pregnancy in someone who did not have it prior to. Similarly to other types of this condition, such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes, this disease affects how your cells use glucose. It interrupts the proper reaction of cells to glucose, causing sugar to build up in your blood, which can eventually affect the flow of your pregnancy and your baby's health.

Causes

Diabetes occurs when your body produces insufficient insulin to control blood sugar levels. In pregnancy, your body’s needs increase to support the growth and development of the baby. At the same time, the hormones produced by the placenta can further block your ability to produce or use insulin adequately, which can lead to a faster development of diabetes.

Still, the exact causes of gestational diabetes are unclear, though experts name the following risk factors:

• Overweight
• Obesity
• Insufficient physical activity
• Prediabetes
• A family history that involves diabetes
• A history of having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy

Gestational Diabetes Symptoms

In most cases, gestational diabetes doesn’t involve any visible symptoms. Some females may experience more frequent urination and enhanced thirst, but that’s all.

Given a lack of noticeable signs, gestational diabetes is typically diagnosed through a special screening test. Most often, it takes place in the second trimester (weeks 24 and 28).

The Link Between PCOS and Gestational Diabetes

On top of the risk factors mentioned earlier, studies have also long detected the possible connection between gestational diabetes and PCOS. According to a systematic review of numerous studies of gestational diabetes in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, this condition can give you a two-fold increased risk for developing diabetes during pregnancy, regardless of whether you had obesity prior to conceiving.

So, does PCOS cause gestational diabetes? It might. Most experts believe that PCOS women have a higher risk of developing diabetes due to insulin resistance, which affects roughly 65–70% of females with this condition. 

Other factors contributing to this risk can include:

• Increased free androgen index - PCOS is a hormonal condition that leads to an enhanced rate of androgen hormone production. An enhanced free androgen index, in turn, is known to lead to an increased risk of gestational diabetes.
• Prediabetes - When untreated, insulin resistance can transform into a condition known as prediabetes. According to studies, this condition develops in approximately 30% to 40% of women with PCOS. If you have this condition, you may not know about it yet, but it can easily progress into gestational diabetes.
• Increased body mass index (BMI) - Finally, it’s worth noting that uncontrolled weight gain is a common symptom associated with PCOS. It’s typically caused by hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance. Since excess weight is one of the risk factors for gestational diabetes, having an increased BMI before conception can contribute to its development.

Gestational Diabetes PCOS: Top Prevention and Management Strategies

Although gestational diabetes PCOS is a common complication that affects a large number of women with this condition, the good news is that it’s possible to minimize the risk of developing gestational diabetes or manage its manifestations. All you need is to know and apply certain coping techniques.

1. Preconception Planning

Since polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal condition that interferes with conception, it’s recommended that all women with this diagnosis undergo respective preconception planning. This process should involve health optimization according to the following recommendations:

• Balance your daily diet. Embracing low GI foods, increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, and balancing essential nutrients can help you address insulin sensitivity and reduce body mass index.
• Enhance physical activity. Regular workouts and overall activity have several positive effects on women with PCOS. Apart from helping you manage weight, physical activity can help you balance hormones, regulate insulin sensitivity, and support mental health.
• Leverage medical treatment. Hormonal therapy, and other medications like metformin are commonly used in PCOS women when planning pregnancy to optimize the menstrual cycle and enhance the likelihood of natural conception.

2. Regular Prenatal Care

Women with PCOS are more likely to face different pregnancy-related complications, including but not limited to gestational diabetes. Given the potential risks, the importance of regular prenatal care becomes even more prominent for females with this condition.

To make the most out of your prenatal care, it’s recommended that you surround yourself with a trusted, multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. This team should include such specialists as:

• Obstetricians
• Dietitians
• Perinatologists

Regular observations with these experts can help you closely monitor your health condition through the entire gestational period. This will enable you to notice any potential risks or developed complications early on and create a solid management plan that will protect you and your baby’s health.

3. In-Pregnancy Treatment

Lastly, if you happen to develop gestational diabetes, there are some treatments that can mitigate the associated risks. Typically, healthcare professionals recommend a holistic treatment approach that includes:

• A specialized eating plan and scheduled physical activity for natural management of weight and health.
• Regular checks of your blood glucose levels and insulin treatment if there is a need for it.
• Insulin therapy, which is considered the gold standard treatment for gestational diabetes when lifestyle changes alone are not sufficient.

FAQ

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is similar to type 1 or type 2 diabetes that results from the inability of your body to produce sufficient or respond to insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. The only difference is that gestational diabetes is first diagnosed in pregnancy, meaning that it can occur even if you did not have diabetes before.

The main risk factors for developing it in pregnancy include:

• Overweight
• Obesity
• Insufficient physical activity
• Prediabetes
• A family history that involves diabetes
• A history of having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy

Does PCOS cause gestational diabetes?

Yes, multiple studies highlight a possible association between PCOS and gestational diabetes. According to experts, women with this condition are at greater risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy due to the following factors:

• Insulin resistance
• Increased free androgen index
• Prediabetes
• Enhanced BMI

How to avoid gestational diabetes with PCOS?

PCOS gestational diabetes is a rather common occurrence. Luckily, you can prevent developing it or manage this condition during pregnancy for the sake of your and your child’s health. The top coping strategies include proper preconception planning and health optimization, regular prenatal care with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, and treatment with lifestyle adjustments, insulin, or metformin.

Conclusion

Due to the nature of this condition, PCOS can indeed cause some complications for women planning to get pregnant and have a baby. Apart from hormonal imbalances and thus irregular ovulation, PCOS can also put you at a higher risk of multiple in-pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes.

Although there is a direct link between PCOS and gestational diabetes, the good news is that not all females face this complication and not everyone receives additional issues associated with it. With the help of proper planning, prenatal care, and treatment, you can either prevent or manage gestational diabetes despite your diagnosis. Use the knowledge you gained from this guide to prepare well and make sure that you have a healthy and worry-free pregnancy!

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