Busting PCOS Myths with Naturopath Lesley O’Connor
Today I’m busting 3 PCOS myths. There is a lot of misinformation about PCOS out there that can be so tramatising to so many women! Here are 3 common PCOS myths I frequently hear that are actually not true! It’s harmful that these incorrect stories keep getting peddled around and can impact the mental health of women with PCOS. If you’re feeling confused about PCOS when keep reading and I hope you learn 3 facts about PCOS!
Busting PCOS Myth 1
Busting PCOS Myth 1: We don’t know what causes PCOS
PCOS Fact 1: Research shows that guth health play a significant role in the underlying factors that drive PCOS
Gut Health plays a central and essential role in regulating metabolism (blood sugar and insulin), nutritional status, hormone balance, appetite, and inflammation. Multiple studies have shown that women with PCOS have significantly lower microbial diversity, an altered composition of microbes and intestinal permeability.
Research now also shows that dysbiosis and intestinal permeability play a significant role in the underlying factors that drive PCOS (insulin resistance, high androgen levels, and chronic inflammation).
In clinical practice, most of the women I help with PCOS have under functioning digestive systems. This can look like burping, bloating, irregular bowel habits, constipation, and stomach pain. Luckily there is plently we can do help improve your gut health.
Busting PCOS Myth 2
PCOS Myth 2: There is no treatment for PCOS
PCOS Fact 2: Nutrition, lifestyle, and herbal medicine can put PCOS into remission.
For every underlying factor of PCOS natural medicine has a tool that can help!
Some of the most common tools are:
- – Herbal Medicine
- – Lifestyle medicine such as stress reduction, and physical activity
- – Nutritional Medicine including nutrition interventions and supplementations such as inositol
Here are a few examples:
Myo-Inositol
- – Can improve both insulin sensitivity and free testosterone levels, improves ovarian activity and regulates menstrual cycles
- – In women with PCOS who weren’t ovulating, over 60% of women started ovulating again and 37% became pregnant after using 4 grams of myo-inositol each day over 3 months.
- – Myo-inositol increased pregnancy in infertile women using ovulation induction (such as clomid and letrazole)
Cinnamon:
- – Has less side affects than metformin with a similar outcome
- – 1.5 grams daily taken over 6 months, significantly improved women having a regular cycle and inducing ovulation when compared with placebo.
- – 1.5 grams of cinnamon showed improved antioxidant status and cholesterol profile which are benefical for women with PCOS
Busting PCOS Myth 3
PCOS Myth 3: You won’t be able to get pregnant with PCOS
PCOS Fact 3: The path to pregnancy with PCOS can look a little different
I hear frequently from women with PCOS that they’ve been told they won’t be able to get pregnant, which is honestly heart breaking to hear. It’s also completely incorrect! Rather, we should acknowledge that the path to pregnancy with PCOS can look a little different that the ‘norm’.
Getting pregnant with PCOS is covered in my soon-to-be-released program: The PCOS Preconception Protocol! If you’re someone who needs help and wants to conveieve naturally then this is the program for you!
In this program we conduct a proper assessment of the driving factors of your PCOS so you can start ovulating sooner! We also cover how to improve your gut health, have more energy, and less acne all in a safe and supportive space.
If you’re ready to feel confident in your body’s ability to have a baby then join the waitlist today!
Thanks for reading this blog! If learnt something new from this blog then let me know in the comments below!
