PCOS in mothers increases obesity risk in sons.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Washington Post
Sons of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are up to twice as likely to develop obesity as their peers, according to a study in Sweden. The risk was higher among the sons of women who had PCOS and a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 and highest among the sons of women who both had PCOS and did not take metformin during pregnancy. Researchers also found that male mice born to mothers with PCOS had metabolic problems that persisted into adulthood, even when they ate a healthy diet throughout their lives. PCOS affects up to 20 percent of women worldwide and causes multiple ovarian cysts and can cause infertility, excess hair growth and irregular menstrual periods.