PCOS in Winter: Why Colder Months Worsen Symptoms & How to Manage Them

• PCOS symptoms often worsen in winter due to sedentary lifestyles, hormonal fluctuations, and lifestyle changes.
• Reduced sunlight leads to lower Vitamin D, exacerbating insulin resistance, inflammation, and menstrual irregularity.
• Cold weather can increase cravings for calorie-dense foods, leading to weight gain and metabolic slowdown, worsening PCOS symptoms.
• Elevated stress hormones like cortisol, due to seasonal mood changes, can disrupt reproductive hormones and worsen irregular periods, cravings, and sleep dysfunction.
• Managing PCOS in winter involves a balanced diet, regular physical activity, adequate rest, stress management, and doctor-prescribed Vitamin D supplements.

Why It Matters: Winter exacerbates PCOS symptoms due to lifestyle changes, reduced sunlight, and metabolic shifts; proactive management is key.