Healing Support for PCOS

Hormonal and reproductive imbalances are increasingly commin, especially estrogen-dominant disorders like PCOS. PCOS is the most common cause of infertility in women affecting up to 20% of women of childbearing age. The Standard American Diet and our modern often toxic stress crazed lifestyles and environment have created a culture of imbalance that is a breeding ground for chronic disease. Most of the clients I see experience the signs and symptoms of estrogen dominant hormonal imbalances, from the mild such as PMS to the more to the severe such as PCOS and endometriosis. The issue has become endemic, and is a challenge faced by too many women.

So how do you know if you have PCOS?

Its diagnosis depends on having 2 of the following:

1. irregular or missing periods

2. excess androgens (male hormones) in your bloodwork

3. ovarian cysts found via ultrasound (which can cause pain throughout the month).

Though its name suggests cysts are mandatory to be diagnosed, many women do not, in fact, have any cysts on their ovaries. The main symptoms associated with PCOS are hirsutism (excess hair on facial areas), consistent acne on the face or body, irregular or absent periods, hair loss, weight gain or obesity, insulin resistance and infertility.

The problem is SO many women with PCOS are put on birth control to regulate their cycle by suppressing ovulation and androgen production. While this covers up some of the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, it doesn’t address the root cause.

How do we get to the root cause?

Knowing what type of PCOS you have is the first step...

There are 4 main types of PCOS:

1. Inflammation PCOS: causes may be food-related such as gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, or irritating foods as well as chemical exposure.

2. Insulin-resistant PCOS: most common type, caused by poor diet or lifestyle choices.

3. Pill-induced PCOS: triggered by hormonal birth control, which shuts down ovulation and worsens insulin resistance and inflammation.

4. Adrenal PCOS: excessive production of androgens, often due to adrenal gland abnormalities, contributes to the symptoms of PCOS.

When it comes to holistic solutions for PCOS management and re-balancing hormones, there’s a holy trifecta that eliminates the core of the issue:

1. Balance blood sugar

2. Eliminate inflammatory triggers

3. Consistent Exercise (though not overly aggressive)

If you want to learn more and get to the root of your hormonal imbalances, head to our menstrual mini course and learn the tangible tools that you can implement to stabilize your blood sugar, eliminate inflammatory triggers and implement consistent exercise into your life so that you can re-regulate your cycles for optimal health