Women with PCOS and obesity were reported[1] to exhibit a significant increase in hunger one hour after an ad libitum meal in comparison to a control group that took two hours to reach significance. Interestingly, these differences did not coincide with changes in ghrelin (a hunger hormone). Even more perplexing is the fact that PCOS is associated with higher levels of leptin[2], a satiety hormone. This suggests that people with PCOS may have some form of leptin resistance. Recent research[3] is beginning to determine the mechanism for leptin resistance in PCOS.
Does PCOS increase hunger?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity experience a significant increase in hunger shortly after meals, compared to a control group, despite having higher levels of leptin, a satiety hormone, which suggests potential leptin resistance. Current research is exploring the mechanisms behind this leptin resistance in PCOS.