Understanding PCOS
PCOS, Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is a syndrome (collection of symptoms) that arises from excess androgens (Testosterone) and can cause cysts on the ovaries, BUT its important to know you can have PCOS without cysts!
It affects women of reproductive age and its a complex syndrome linked to hormones and insulin!
Yes, I know what you’re thinking, I think most people just associate insulin with being diabetic, but it’s the hormone that regulates our blood sugar. A very important hormone for hormone balance and fertility.
I was diagnosed with PCOS about 10 years ago as I was experiencing anovulation, lost my periods and had high testosterone levels presenting with acne and fatigue.
I no longer have PCOS or Acne, my skin hasn’t been clearer, normal hormone levels, great energy levels and a regular menstrual cycle, and you can too.
I personally do not like the term PCOS, because there are many women dealing with these set of symptoms but they do not have cysts on the ovaries.
Really what’s going on here is High levels of the hormone Testosterone causing symptoms in the body.
PCOS is diagnosed using the ‘ROTTERDAM CRITERIA’
To have a PCOS diagnosis you must have 2 out of 3 listed below:
Hyperandrogenism (High Androgens, High Testosterone) - ACNE? HIRSUITISM?
Anovulation (lack of ovulation - where you do not ovulate and have irregular cycles, meaning you probably skip a period or have really long cycles) NO PERIOD?
Polycystic ovaries (ULTRASOUND NEEDED)
Symptoms OF PCOS?
PCOS symptoms can vary widely, and not everyone with PCOS experiences the same ones, making it a little challenging to fit it into a ‘box’.
Common symptoms:
Acne: Hormonal imbalances, particularly high androgens (testosterone), can lead to acne, especially around the jawline and chin.
Irregular cycles or Absent Menstrual Cycles (They turn up when they like and there often isn’t a pattern)
Probably the most common symptom of PCOS. Cycles can vary and be irregular. They could be short one month say 22 days and long the next month 38 days or you may have fewer than 12 periods per year. This is due to the lack of or inconsistent ovulation.
Lack of Ovulation (Anovulation): Many women with PCOS don’t ovulate regularly, which contributes to irregular cycles and infertility
Fatigue, Insomnia & Low Mood: Chronic fatigue, Insomnia and low mood are common in PCOS, often linked to blood sugar instability, High androgens and High cortisol
Weight Gain: Many women with PCOS find it hard to manage there weight, especially around the abdomen, this is due to blood sugar dysregulation and excess hormones ( usually Testosterone and/or Oestrogen)
Other symptoms:
Hair Loss (Alopecia): Thinning hair can be due to the sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens (often around temples and top corner of the head (receding hair line)
Hirsutism - Excess Hair Growth: Unwanted hair growth on the chin, upper lip, or chest is another sign of elevated androgens.
Ovarian Cysts: Small fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries may appear on an ultrasound, this is not required for a diagnosis
Voice Changes: A deepening voice is a less common but can happen and linked to more severe cases with higher testosterone levels.
ayurveda
In Ayurveda PCOS is considered, Excess PITTA KAPHA.
4 types of PCOS
Post-Pill PCOS
Adrenal PCOS
Inflammatory PCOS
Insulin-resistant PCOS
Pill-induced PCOS
The most common type of PCOS, caused by birth control pills that suppress ovulation. Symptoms typically appear 3-6 months after stopping the pill.
Adrenal PCOS
Caused by high levels of cortisol from prolonged stress, unresolved trauma or poor lifestyle with very little rest. The high achievers who tend to BURN OUT - PITTA dominant people.
Inflammatory PCOS
Caused by chronic inflammation that prevents ovulation, imbalances hormones, and produces androgens. Symptoms include acne, skin rashes, fatigue, joint pain, gut issues, and weight gain.
Insulin-resistant PCOS
The second most common type of PCOS, caused by high levels of insulin that prevent ovulation and trigger the ovaries to create testosterone. Symptoms include high blood sugar, darkened skin around the neck and armpits, carb and sugar cravings, and weight gain.
The Testosterone and Blood Sugar/Insulin Connection
High Insulin = High Testosterone = More Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar by talking to your cells telling them to absorb glucose from your bloodstream.
This gives the cell energy and keeps the blood free of sugar.
In PCOS, the cells become less responsive to insulin, a condition called insulin resistance. Like in Diabetes. But this doesn’t mean you have diabetes.
This leads to higher insulin levels in the blood which we call hyperinsulinemia.
High Insulin stimulates the ovaries to produce more testosterone.
When Testosterone is high, it can disrupt how your body processes glucose/sugar, making your cells less responsive to insulin, meaning your body then releases more insulin to keep blood sugar stable, leading to hyperinsulinaemia.
This creates a difficult cycle, It’s a bit like the chicken and the egg, which came first, high testosterone causes high insulin or high insulin causing high testosterone.
Now this all might sound quite complex and difficult to heal but it’s totally possible.
The key is to create insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar!
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT
PCOS is often ‘managed’ with Metformin and the contraceptive pill, which can be helpful to surpress symptoms but in my opinion that’s all they do and do not heal the root of PCOS.
When women with PCOS come off the pill and want to start trying for a family they then need to deal with the problem in order to conceive. My suggestion would be healing it as soon as possible so that when and if the time comes that you want to start a family and conceive a child you can do so with ease, not having to spend the next 6-12 months healing, sometimes years.
Natural treatment?
Healing PCOS can be done naturally, I have healed from PCOS symptoms and so have many of my clients. Herbal medicine can reduce symptoms and begin healing the root of it as well as adding in a few lifestyle changes.
Herbs are brilliant at tackling excess testosterone levels directly and supporting the liver in cleansing any excess hormones too!
In our Signature programme THE ART OF WOMAN we teach you how to heal naturally, how to awaken your fertility and most importantly how to stay well!
We also have our 1:1 experience with Emma for a more tailored approach.
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