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    LIFTING HEAVY

    Posts: 670 Member
    edited January 19 in Fitness and Exercise
    Does lifting heavy causes increase in the testosterone level in women.?????...........

    I am suffering from PCOS and I am lifting heavy past 2 months but my trainer is advicing me to not to lift heavy since it wil increase my testosterone level ... which is not good for PCOS women since they already seem to posses more when compared to normal women

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    • Posts: 266 Member
      Yes, but only by a very small amount. My understanding is all increase in excercise increases testosterone though, not just weights.

      If it was your doctor who had given you this advice I would be more inclined to trust it, but I know personal trainers can get some odd ideas into their heads. If you are overweight my bet would be the effect of excercising and losing weight will have much more effect on your hormones, health and the pcos than the tiny increase in testosterone will, especially long term. If lifting heavy is what you enjoy, I wouldn't stop.
    • Posts: 480 Member
      Does lifting heavy causes increase in the testosterone level in women.?????...........

      I am suffering from PCOS and I am lifting heavy past 2 months but my trainer is advicing me to not to lift heavy since it wil increase my testosterone level ... which is not good for PCOS women since they already seem to posses more when compared to normal women

      I don't know about the testosterone levels in myself...however, I feel the same. I don't lift heavy heavy..just to where I feel the "burn". you DON'T have to lift heavy to achieve muscles..that is such a myth. The heaviest I go (right now) is 85 pound Squats. For arms..NOTHING over 25 pounds. Do I have "man muscles"?? NOPE
    • Posts: 1,899 Member
      elevated levels of testosterone in a women with PCOS varies widely from women to women. First and foremost you should consult a medical doctor that has seen your test results. Generally speaking most people on this site know nothing about this condition. You should find out where your testosterone levels are and then gauge, with medical advice, the risks vs. rewards in regard to your PCOS symptoms.
    • Posts: 266 Member
      elevated levels of testosterone in a women with PCOS varies widely from women to women. First and foremost you should consult a medical doctor that has seen your test results. Generally speaking most people on this site know nothing about this condition. You should find out where your testosterone levels are and then gauge, with medical advice, the risks vs. rewards in regard to your PCOS symptoms.

      I qualified as a pharmacist, so I do have some medical knowledge. I'm still not an expert in this condition by any means.

      I do know that for those who need to lose, reducing body fat has a marked effect on reducing androgens and improving your hormone profile. But as you say, this condition can vary so much individually I would always recommend following doctor's advice. PT advice is sometimes no more informed than even this crazy forum can be!
    • Posts: 112 Member
      I had elevated testosterone and insulin from PCOS which I have always been able to gauge by the symptoms and condition of my skin etc. I have found exercising and eating a controlled diet (particularly lower-carbs and higher-protein) has greatly reduced my symptoms and hormone imbalance is much improved. However, as PP have pointed out - everyone is different!
    • Posts: 12,209 Member
      I had PCOS with elevated testosterone levels, however after losing 25kg and lifting heavy my testosterone levels are now considered normal.

      So no, lifting will not make your PCOS worse.
    • Posts: 12,209 Member
      I had elevated testosterone and insulin from PCOS which I have always been able to gauge by the symptoms and condition of my skin etc. I have found exercising and eating a controlled diet (particularly lower-carbs and higher-protein) has greatly reduced my symptoms and hormone imbalance is much improved. However, as PP have pointed out - everyone is different!

      I agree with this, A lower carb and higher protein/fat diets are recommended for those with PCOS.
    • Posts: 534 Member
      Certainly talk to your doctor if you are concerned, but everything I've seen on this indicates two things here: 1) ALL exercise, not just lifting can raise serum testosterone levels, and 2) the effects of this are small and don't last long, with the excess test leaving your body in a few minutes to a few hours at most. Personally, I think there are lots of other things to worry about with your condition before I'd be worried about any possible side effects of exercise.
    • Posts: 670 Member
      I asked this question since Ihave been lifting heavy past2 months and there is not weight loss or inch loss .... Iam one acalorie deficit too.....
      except for some small. [Almost negligible ] amount of definition in my bicep and back no other progress ..... where am Igoing wrong ?
    • Posts: 670 Member
      Advice please
    • Posts: 534 Member
      I still recommend talking to your doctor, but maybe you're not "going wrong" at all? The scale can lie and is not the best judge of progress is you're lifting heavy.

      Take a look at this for an example of what I'm talking about:
      http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/945609-from-130-to-130
    • Posts: 3,333 Member
      How does lifting heavy effect other hormone levels aside from testosterone?

      I think I have undiagnosed hormone issue.. I am healthy and whenever I get tested, I don't have abnormal results but TOM seems to come whenever it pleases.. I've been lifting and exercising for awhile now, regularity improved for a bit but now it's began to taper off.. iron levels are really good. Doctors I have seen believe I am healthy because of age, results and fact that I have two children already and don't suspect hormonal problems (although it's not really normal to go without a cycle some months, etc,)

      Any articles that I can read about exercise and hormone levels in women?
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