The PCOS Wheel

What do acne, missing periods, and blood sugar imbalance all have in common? 

The PCOS wheel, that’s what!

As I like to say, hormonal imbalances are a levers game - you pull down one lever, and another pops up. PCOS is a great example. 

Distinguished by absent menses and an excess of male hormones (also known as androgens), polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal disorder that can prevent women from ovulating. 

Associated symptoms include: 

• Excess body hair
• Acne
• Hair loss
• Infertility
• Weight gain
• Type 2 Diabetes. 

Women with PCOS may experience estrogen dominance, as a failure to ovulate can result in uninterrupted high levels of estrogen and lower levels of progesterone. 

Low progesterone and high estrogen can pull other levers in the wheel, imbalancing TSH and increasing levels of cortisol - leading to an increase in systemic stress.  

At the center of the wheel is insulin, our body’s primary tool for regulating blood sugar levels. When hormones in the “outer wheel” are dislodged, insulin goes haywire, and can result in a dysbiotic gut (hello candida), and an inability to metabolize and detoxify hormones - resulting in even more imbalance. 

A few things to consider:

Support your liver function to promote healthy hormone synthesis and metabolism. Drink lots of water, support your Vitamin C levels and consider taking a liver-supportive supplement like taurine. (Avoid milk thistle, which may be estrogenic for some individuals). 

Support progesterone by eating a Wildatarian diet, exercising regularly and avoiding xenoestrogens like plastics, parabens, preservatives and food dyes. Use naturally-derived hygiene and body care products. 

For more information, book a consultation with one of our expert practitioners  - and find out which levers your body may be pulling!

To The Tru Of You,
Teri Cochrane