PCOS Naturopath Adelaide
PCOS Naturopath Adelaide: How Can a PCOS Naturopath Help?
PCOS or Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is a complex cluster of hormonal and health imbalances affecting many women in their fertile years.
Common complications associated with PCOS include:
– Weight gain despite healthy eating and exercise
– Irregular periods
– Acne, especially on the cheeks and jaw line
– Excessive hair growth (on the face or body)
– Infertility
– Hair loss
How Do I Know If I Have PCOS?
A formal diagnosis is required to uncover whether or not you have PCOS however, many women resonate with the symptoms and imbalances associated with PCOS without receiving an offical diagnosis. In both scenarios, working with a PCOS naturopath can help.
How Can a PCOS Naturopath Help?
Working with a PCOS naturopath can help you to resolve the underlying drivers of PCOS.
While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown underlying issues like chronic stress, gut health issues and inflammation can cause a cascade of hormonal imbalance that can lead to a diagnosis of PCOS.
What Hormonal Imbalances Are Associated With PCOS?
There are a number of hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS including:
Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance is a hormonal imbalance associated with the development of Type 2 Diabetes, weight gain, inflammation, fatigue and cravings for carbs, salty food or sweets. This imbalance must be addressed to gain freedom from PCOS
Estrogen Dominance: Estrogen dominance develops with PCOS due to the lack of progesterone production from irregular ovulation. Estrogen dominance can be associated with weight gain, anxiety, fluid retention and painful or heavy periods when they do occur.
Low progesterone: To produce progesterone we must ovulate. Lack of ovulation is a primary problem with PCOS.
Androgen excess: Androgens are male hormones, it is normal for women to have some of these male hormones within our body and they only produce problems when there are excessive amounts. Common symptoms associated with androgen excess include acne, hair loss, excessive body hair growth, weight gain, irregular or missing periods.
High or dysregulated cortisol: The stress hormone cortisol is often elevated in women with PCOS. Prolonged periods of high stress can cause elevated cortisol levels and this imbalance may affect progesterone, insulin and other hormones.
A PCOS naturopath can help you to uncover and resolve the underlying cause of these hormonal imbalances. Once you have addressed the underlying drivers, you can begin to achieve freedom from the symptoms associated with PCOS including weight gain, acne, irregular periods and hair loss.
To address the underlying drivers of PCOS we may need to focus on:
– Gut health
– Nervous system regulation & stress management
– Diet and lifestyle
– Sleep
– Nutrient status (nutrient deficiencies are very common with PCOS, especially it you have had a history of using the pill)
– Liver health
– Inflammation
– Thyroid health
Why Does PCOS Cause Weight Gain?
Stubborn weight gain is associated with PCOS due to the hormonal imbalances at play.
Women with PCOS quickly discover that regular methods of weight loss no longer work.
When it comes to weight loss and PCOS a nourishing approach is key. Restrictive dieting can cause unnecessary stress that may exacerbate the symptoms associated with PCOS.
Diet changes, supplements for PCOS and gentle lifestyle modifications can support you in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.