Does PCOS increase the risk of gestational diabetes?

This study explored the relationship between gestational diabetes (GD) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This study concluded that there was a two-fold increase in the rate of GD in women who had PCOS compared to women without PCOS.

PCOS is a common disorder, affecting between 5% and 14% of women during their childbearing years. Of these, 50% also have metabolic syndrome (a group of factors that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes). Many PCOS patients are also resistant to the hormone insulin, which breaks down the glucose (sugar) taken in from food. Many women with PCOS are treated with medications that lower blood glucose levels. The risk of women with PCOS developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (when the body is unable to process sugar) is 5 to 8 times higher than that of women without PCOS.

Gestational diabetes (GD) is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. GD is associated with complications such as high birth weights and an increased risk of stillbirth. It is not clear whether PCOS increases the risk of GD.

This study examined the association between PCOS and GD. The records of 3109 pregnant women with PCOS and 3109 pregnant women without PCOS were examined.

GD was diagnosed in 20.46% of women with PCOS and 10.54% of women without PCOS. There was no significant difference in the development of GD in women who took glucose-lowering medication compared to those who were not treated. However, there was a higher incidence of GD (31.51%) if oral drugs to lower blood glucose were taken before conception than if they were taken after conception (13.56%). 

This study concluded that PCOS increased the risk of developing gestational diabetes. The study also concluded that treatment with glucose-lowering medications before pregnancy did not lower that risk.

If you have PCOS and are pregnant, or considering pregnancy, you should discuss the results of this study with your physician.