Insulin resistance occurs when your cells stop responding effectively to insulin, forcing your pancreas to produce more insulin to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Over time, this can lead to chronically high insulin levels, having ripple effects across your hormonal system.

In women, high insulin can overstimulate the ovaries to produce androgens (male hormones), contributing to PCOS. This can cause irregular periods, acne, and weight gain.
In men, insulin resistance is associated with lower testosterone levels, which can lead to reduced muscle mass and increased fat storage.
High insulin also disrupts leptin (the “satiety hormone”) and ghrelin (the “hunger hormone”), making it harder to regulate appetite.
Chronic insulin resistance fuels inflammation, which can impair thyroid function and further slow metabolism.

The cycle: Hormonal imbalance can cause insulin resistance, and insulin resistance can worsen hormonal imbalance, creating a feedback loop that makes weight management and metabolic health more challenging.