Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (POCS)

PCOS is a common female hormonal condition that affects how the ovaries work. It has three main features:-

  • Irregular periods due to less frequent ovulation. This can make it more difficult to get pregnant for some women.

  • High levels of androgens. These are the male sex hormones, so high levels in a woman can cause signs such as excess facial or body hair, male pattern hair loss and acne.

  • Polycystic ovaries, where the ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs. These form from the follicles that surround the unovulated eggs.

Despite the name, not all women with PCOS will have cysts on their ovaries. To meet the diagnostic criteria women must present with at least two of the above features.

Symptoms often appear during adolescence or a woman’s early twenties. Common signs and symptoms of PCOS include:

  • A longer than normal gap between menstrual cycles or no cycle at all.

  • Infertility problems, both getting pregnant and miscarriages.

  • Male patterns of hair growth such as long sideburns, hair on the upper lip or just below the belly button

  • Acne and oily skin

  • Male pattern hair loss

  • Weight gain and difficulty losing weight

  • Anxiety and depression

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it often runs in families. However, it’s often related to abnormally high levels of insulin in the body.

Many women with PCOS are insulin resistant, therefore their cells need a higher quantity of insulin in order to keep blood sugar levels stable. Excess insulin can cause the ovaries to produce more androgens than normal. The excess androgens then interfere with the production of the hormones that develop and ovulate an egg each month, as well as causing many of the PCOS symptoms.

There’s a lot that can be done naturally to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce androgens levels to help restore normal hormonal function. My protocol includes:

  • A nutrition and exercise plan aimed at reducing insulin levels and restoring insulin sensitivity

  • Specific nutrients and herbs can be included to balance blood sugar levels and reduce PCOS signs and symptoms

  • For those clients that are overweight, a personalised diet plan specifically designed for PCOS can assist you in losing weight were other diets may have failed.