Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

Naturopathic Doctor and Nutritionist, Fertility Course, Natural Women's Health, Preconception and Fertility

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in Women's Health

PCOS 101: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Irregular periods and hair growing places you were pretty sure it doesn’t belong might be more than irritating life struggles.

They could be early signs that you have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, five to 10 percent of American women ages 15 to 44 have PCOS, but might not know it. Often, these women learn about the syndrome from their doctors when they experience problems conceiving.

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

PCOS is a set of symptoms caused by a rise in androgens in otherwise healthy women.

It’s currently believed to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Women are diagnosed with PCOS when they present with at least two of these symptoms: irregular periods, excess androgen levels and polycystic ovaries.

In addition to these symptoms, women with PCOS regularly experience:

  • Hormone imbalances can do awful things to your skin, too. Acne is just one that PCOS brings about.
  • Weight gain. Not only do women with this condition often experience weight gain, accompanying insulin resistance can make it very hard for them to lose that weight.
  • Excessive hair. Darker hair growth on the face, chest and stomach or even thumbs and toes could point to PCOS. Everyone has peach fuzz in these areas, but thick or dark hair tells another story.
  • Darkening skin. Patches of skin found along neck creases, in the groin area and underneath breasts may darken noticeably in women with PCOS.
  • Fertility problems. Since PCOS can make it difficult for your eggs to reach full maturity or release from the ovary, the chances of falling pregnant decrease accordingly.
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can wreak havoc with your hormones, ultimately causing problems like chronic depression.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but most women with PCOS will find that these symptoms sound eerily familiar. Because living with PCOS can also mean eventually juggling complications like insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes, it’s important to be diagnosed as soon as possible if you suspect you may have the syndrome.

Living Better with PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is one of many conditions that may respond favorably to efforts you can make on your own. Dietary and activity modification can make a huge difference in your health.

You might be surprised by just how well lifestyle changes can make you feel, here are a few to start with:

  • Lose weight. Losing weight can be one of the toughest things you do for your PCOS, but dropping just five percent of your body weight can make a huge impact on how well it functions. Setting small goals, then achieving them, can keep the weight loss momentum going until you reach your goal weight.
  • Exercise regularly. Even if you’re not exercising to shed pounds, it’s important that you get up and move. If you’re currently a couch potato, work your way up from a couple of 20-minute sessions a week to some kind of significant activity five days a week. Running, boxing, or even Sweating to the Oldies will improve your confidence and help you reduce insulin resistance, making it easier to manage your PCOS.
  • Eat a diabetic diet. There are several diets out there geared toward women with PCOS, but the best diets are the ones that limit your carbohydrate intake and encourage the consumption of vegetable fiber and lowfat proteins. Turning this sort of eating into a lifestyle, rather than relying on fad diets, can give you the skills you need if you’re one of the many women with PCOS who go on to develop pre-diabetes.

These are just the basics of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, researchers are learning more about the complicated syndrome every day. It can be a frustrating diagnosis, but it’s manageable if you keep your weight, activity level and diet in mind.

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Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a th Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a theory in which the level of estrogen outweighs the level of progesterone and other hormones in the body. Picture a seesaw. Estrogen is the person high in the air looking down at the progesterone (and other hormones)- sitting at the other end with their feet on the ground.

Our bodies need estrogen for reproductive, cardiovascular, and bone health. Estrogen is a very important hormone! Too much estrogen, however, can be linked to an assortment of conditions like: 
- Heavy periods
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- Endometriosis
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- Hormonal weight gain

High estrogen can be caused by certain medications, excess body fat, stress, alcohol, liver issues, and synthetic xenoestrogens, so some dietary and lifestyle changes may be needed to correct your hormone levels. And, what about supporting the other hormones? Picture the seesaw again. We can support healthy progesterone production with dietary and lifestyle changes as well!

Was this helpful? If so – like, follow, and don’t forget to comment below any questions you have about estrogen dominance!
There are few health conditions as frustrating to There are few health conditions as frustrating to address and correct as acne.

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Acne is so frustrating for many because it seems like there are a million things you could be trying. So, what are some NATURAL first steps you can take if you are struggling with acne?

1) Get your hormone levels checked. Knowing if you have any hormone imbalances can help your doctor to cater your treatment plan to your specific needs.

2) Address your gut health. Your gut is the foundation of your health and can be closely tied to skin issues.

3) Try going dairy free. I’ve found this is one food group that can be especially problematic for people that suffer with acne. The thing to know is that you have to avoid it for at least 30 days and also that in the future, you can probably have at least some dairy back. It’s usually not a forever restriction.

If you have questions about your struggles with acne, leave a comment below or send me a DM. I’d love to chat about potential solutions and help you get to the bottom of your skin concerns.
It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highligh It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highlight! Today, we’re talking about Magnesium Glycinate.

Magnesium Glycinate is a supplement that increases magnesium levels. Magnesium is vital in regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It may also be helpful in the making of bone, protein, and DNA. 

I love magnesium glycinate because it is one of the easiest forms of magnesium supplementation for the body to absorb. It is also gentle on the digestive tract which means it is less likely to cause undesirable side effects such as an upset stomach or loose stool. 

Magnesium glycinate might be especially helpful for you if you suffer from:
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Do you have more questions about magnesium glycinate? Leave a comment below, or shoot me a DM and we can chat!
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