When something feels off with your periods it can be hard to know what to do.
Having irregular cycles, painful periods, or other unwanted symptoms can leave you guessing the cause.
Here, you can take our short 2 minute quiz to help you figure out if PCOS is to blame for your period troubles.
We also reveal what you can do to take control of PCOS if you do have it.
Unfortunately this quiz can’t diagnose you accurately with PCOS.
But, if you have three or more of the above symptoms or issues, you may want to approach your doctor for further support.
Remember that many of these symptoms can be caused by other issues.
I,e you may have gained belly fat due to a change in diet, or as a result of thyroid issues.
Or you may have naturally oily skin which isn’t a result of PCOS.
But, if, for example, your quiz results have shown that you have excess hair, your periods are very irregular and you have found it hard to get pregnant then it might be worth getting an official diagnosis.
You can use these results to inform your conversation, as well as keeping a symptom diary to accurately record your findings.
Whilst there are some similarities between PCOS and endometriosis they are completely different conditions which require a different treatment approach.
With endometriosis, uterine-like tissue grows in places it shouldn’t.
For example you can find endometriosis in the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, and occasionally even in the lungs.
These misplaced tissues respond to hormones in the same way as your uterine lining - that is, it bleeds on a cyclical basis.
But this blood becomes trapped causing pain, inflammation and other symptoms.
Endometriosis causes heavy, painful periods and issues with fertility.
Treatment usually involves the hormonal birth control pill, surgery or fertility sparing interventions.
With PCOS - you may have cysts on your ovaries and elevated androgen hormones.
Symptoms usually involve acne, excess hair growth and irregular cycles.
Firstly, don’t panic. There is lots you can do to manage PCOS effectively.
Usually a combination of treatments works best.
There are a range of medications your doctor may prescribe - either to help you manage insulin resistance if that’s a factor for you - or to support your fertility.
But there’s also so much you can do for yourself.
Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising and eating well can all have a really positive impact on PCOS and its symptoms.
And supporting yourself with the right supplements is also key.
This is because evidence shows that nutrients such as Zinc and Magnesium, as well as natural remedies such as green tea and saw palmetto can address many of the root causes of PCOS.
This is why we have created carefully curated blends that contain all of these key components and more.
It’s more efficient and effective to take one supplement combining a range of PCOS treating nutrients than to take a couple of single ingredients instead.
This is because many nutrients work synergistically and you need the right mix in the right quantities for the best result.
What is PCOS?
In PCOS, a number of small underdeveloped oocytes (often refered to as cysts) are sometimes visible during scans of the ovaries.
This reproductive condition is linked to an excess of androgens - a type of sex hormone.
The symptoms are varied, and issues with fertility may occur.
PCOS can often be treated with a combination of lifestyle interventions and sometimes, medications.
How common is PCOS, and who is at risk of developing it?
About 10% of women at child bearing age have PCOS.
You are more likely to develop PCOS if your mother or sister have the condition, or if they have type 2 Diabetes.
This is because insulin resistance is a big driving factor for PCOS development.
Being overweight or obese may also increase your chance of having PCOS, as does having higher androgen levels.
Can PCOS be cured, or is it a lifelong condition?
Whilst there is currently no cure, there are many different treatment options, depending on which symptoms are troubling you the most.
There are also fertility focused interventions should this be relevant for you.
Are there any natural remedies or lifestyle changes that can help manage PCOS symptoms?
Definitely.
There is lots of evidence to suggest that lifestyle factors play a big role in PCOS management.
For example, maintaining a healthy weight can help to reduce insulin dysregulation and androgen excess.
Similarly there are lots of natural ingredients such as Zinc, Green tea and Magnesium which help to target the root causes of PCOS and reduce symptoms.
What role do supplements play in PCOS management?
Supplements can play a big role in PCOS management along with diet and lifestyle modifications.
For example some studies show that women with PCOS tend to have lower levels of minerals such as Zinc and Magnesium.
These can be hard to get enough of via diet alone, so supplementing can help to address these deficiencies and positively influence PCOS.
Where can I find additional resources and support groups for women with PCOS?
It can be a little lonely when you first get diagnosed with PCOS.
But rest assured that there are some great sources of support online.
You can follow our blog to get insights into the reality of having PCOS and how to handle it.
You can also join the PCOS Repair Sisterhood community where you can share your experiences with others who are going through the same situations.
https://nourishednaturalhealth.com/pages/pcos-repair-program
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