From PCOS to Menopause: Supporting every stage of women’s health

Women’s health is about more than just numbers on a scale. It’s about how you feel in your body — your energy, your confidence, your ability to live fully.

From your 20s to your 50s and beyond, your body goes through big changes. Whether you’re living with PCOS, trying to get pregnant, managing endometriosis, or going through perimenopause or menopause, we know how confusing and frustrating these stages can feel — especially when you’re told to “just lose weight” without any real help or understanding.

PCOS, Hormones & Weight: It’s Not Just You

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone condition. It affects about 1 in 10 women and can cause:

• Irregular or missed periods
  
• Weight gain (often around the stomach)
  
• Acne or unwanted hair growth
  
• Trouble falling pregnant
  
• Mood changes or tiredness
  

Many women with PCOS also have insulin resistance, which makes it harder to lose weight and easier to gain it — even when you’re doing all the right things.

How Weight Loss Surgery Can Help with Fertility

If you’re struggling to get pregnant or planning to start a family one day, weight can play a big role in your hormone health and fertility.

For women with obesity or PCOS, weight loss surgery can:

• Bring back regular periods
  
• Help you ovulate again
  
• Improve hormone levels
  
• Reduce inflammation
  
• Boost your chance of natural pregnancy
  
• Lower the risk of pregnancy problems like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure

Endometriosis: How Hormones and Weight Affect Pain

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue grows outside the uterus, causing pain and problems with periods, digestion, and fertility.

It can cause:

• Severe pelvic pain
  
• Heavy, painful periods
  
• Bloating and bowel symptoms
  
• Trouble getting pregnant
  

While surgery doesn’t cure endometriosis, weight loss and better hormone balance can often reduce pain, improve energy, and help you feel more in control. That’s because high inflammation and insulin resistance (both linked to weight) can make symptoms worse.

Perimenopause & Menopause: Real Changes, Real Support

As you reach your 40s and 50s, your body begins to change again. This stage is called perimenopause and leads into menopause. Hormone levels drop, and your metabolism slows down.

You might notice:

• Weight gain around the middle
  
• Brain fog or forgetfulness
  
• Mood swings or low mood
  
• Trouble sleeping
  
• Irregular periods or hot flushes
  
• Higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, or bone loss
  

You may have been told these symptoms are “just part of ageing” — but that doesn’t mean you have to go through them alone.

Why Weight Loss Isn’t Just About Looks

At Aurora, specialists focus on your healthspan — the number of years you live feeling strong, confident, and well.

Losing even a small amount of weight can:

• Lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer
  
• Improve your energy, sleep, and mood
  
• Make periods more regular
  
• Boost fertility
  
• Ease symptoms of PCOS, endometriosis, and menopause
  
• Help you feel more confident and in control
  

It’s not about reaching a certain number, but helping you feel good in your body again.

Written by Ruth Blackham from Aurora Bariatrics

Dr Ruth Blackham is an Australian-trained Surgeon with subspecialty Fellowships in Bariatric, Upper GI and Metabolic Surgery. She has a special interest in Women’s Health, particularly the metabolic effects of bariatric surgery upon females. 

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