What exactly is PCOS?

Let’s face it. There’s a whole lot of information out there about PCOS and a good portion of it seems to be conflicting or straight-up false. And if you’re anything like me when I started on my PCOS journey, it can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to navigate all that information.

So let’s get clear on what PCOS is once and for all!

What is PCOS?

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an endocrine disorder that is diagnosed by meeting 2 out of the following 3 criteria:

1. Elevated androgens, either confirmed through lab values or symptoms such as acne, hair loss, or hair grown on the chin, breast and belly

2. Irregular periods which look like having cycles outside of the range of 24-35 days for over 6 months

3. The appearance of polycystic ovaries via ultrasound, also known as “a string of pearls”

One thing to note is that many women focus on the 3rd criterion of PCOS primarily due to the name “polycystic ovarian syndrome.” However, the name itself can be quite misleading. First, the “cysts” you see on ultrasound aren’t actually ovarian cysts but partially developed follicles and secondly, you can still be diagnosed with PCOS even without the appearance of “cysts” if you qualify for the first 2 criteria.

PCOS has been shown to impact 1 out of every 10 women and its symptoms can manifest not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Some common symptoms of PCOS beyond what is outlined in the diagnostic process are:

• Chronic fatigue

• Anxiety/depression

• Trouble sleeping

• Weight gain

• Infertility

• Headaches

• Skin tags

• Strong cravings

What causes PCOS?

The cause of PCOS is unclear. However, much of the research is showing that PCOS starts in utero related to environmental factors and exposure to certain hormones in the womb. It has also been shown that you may be at. a higher risk to develop PCOS if your mother also has PCOS.

How to treat PCOS

There’s a whole lot of advice out there promising to be the end-all-be-all solution to PCOS. How I see it, these solutions fall under two camps: Conventional Medicine vs Functional Medicine. Both have their pros and cons.

Conventional Medicine Strategies

If you go to your doctor and are diagnosed with PCOS, you will most likely be offered one of more of the following solutions:

• Birth Control

• Metformin

• Weight Loss

Birth control can stimulate a medically induced monthly bleed, which mimics a “regular” period but does nothing to support regular ovulation. Birth control can also worsen other PCOS symptoms by increasing cravings, dysregulating mood, and further driving nutrient deficiencies.

Speaking of nutrient deficiencies, Metformin has been shown to improve blood sugar and support regular ovulation. However, it can also deplete the body of essential nutrients like B12 and Magnesium while also offering some nasty digestive symptoms.

Finally, the prescription for weight loss can just be straight-up cruel. When you take into account the metabolic challenges with PCOS that drive up weight, plus the chronic cravings that drive up hunger and the chronic fatigue that make it difficult to find any motivation to exercise, prescribing weight loss as a simple solution is both dismissive and just lazy medicine.

Functional Medicine Strategies

Functional Medicine or Alternative Medicine also covers a wide range of interventions offered for PCOS. Most of these interventions are based on eliminating whole food groups such as dairy, and gluten, and/or sugar or restricting calories.

And although these solutions sometimes work temporarily for some, they are mostly not backed by science and can actually do more harm than good. In fact, women with PCOS are more vulnerable to disordered eating and eating disorders. Plus, they have been shown to exhibit higher levels of cortisol than their non-PCOS peers. That means it is absolutely paramount to avoid extreme approaches to food and lifestyle that can not only further stress the body but perpetuate chaotic eating behaviors.

A Balanced Approach to PCOS

When looking for treatment options for your PCOS, your food preferences, lifestyle, and stress levels are important and should all be taken into account! Any approach to your PCOS should not only be rooted in evidence-based medicine but should be must be doable, enjoyable, and sustainable, especially because PCOS is a life-long condition so any changes you make have to change you can incorporate for the rest of your life.

Not sure if you have PCOS or looking for the next steps for addressing your PCOS? Here’s where to start:

1. Make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect you have PCOS.

2. Ask plenty of questions and write down all the treatment options provided to you. If you aren’t happy with those options, give yourself permission to get a second opinion.

3. Work with a dietitian who specializes in PCOS and can create a customized plan for you. This will remove the guesswork and allow you to start feeling better sooner rather than later.

You can also download my free resource, 5 Mistakes That Are Holding You Back From Overcoming PCOS. Just click HERE to download the workbook and kickstart your PCOS healing journey.