Heal Your PCOS Naturally
it's the consequence of neglecting our body's needs.
I know all about the challenges of PCOS. Navigating not only the nasty symptoms, but also the conflicting information and guidance from doctors and medical advisors. I've been told I might never have my own children.
Spoiler alert: that's me and my beautiful daughter in the picture above.
Joining the PCOS Warriors Community is the simplest pathway to reclaiming your power over your health and defeating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It's not just about addressing the physical symptoms; it's a holistic approach that encompasses your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
By becoming part of this community, you gain access to a treasure trove of resources, expert guidance, and the invaluable support of fellow warriors who understand your journey.
This program is designed to empower you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to navigate PCOS, transforming challenges into stepping stones towards a healthier, more balanced life. It's about changing the narrative from one of struggle to one of strength, resilience, and hope.
Together, as PCOS Warriors, we stand united in the fight for wellness and a brighter, symptom-free, baby-filled future.
Embracing the mantle of a PCOS Warrior means stepping into a role of proactive advocacy for your health and well-being.
It's about arming yourself with knowledge, making informed decisions about your treatment and lifestyle, and finding strength in a community of fellow warriors.
This journey is about transformation—from feeling at the mercy of your symptoms to being in the driver's seat, steering towards a life where PCOS doesn't dictate your choices. Becoming a PCOS Warrior is about celebrating each step forward, big or small, and recognizing that with each challenge overcome, you're not just managing a condition, but reshaping your life on your terms.
Being a PCOS Warrior is about embracing resilience in the face of adversity. It's about recognizing that while Polycystic Ovary Syndrome brings a unique set of challenges—from managing symptoms like irregular cycles and hormonal imbalances to navigating the emotional ups and downs of fertility struggles—it also presents an opportunity for profound personal growth.
A PCOS Warrior stands strong against the misconceptions and stigmas associated with this condition, armed with knowledge, compassion, and an unwavering determination to advocate for their health and well-being.
This journey is as much about fostering a supportive community and sharing stories of triumph as it is about personal battles, making every small victory a step towards greater understanding and acceptance.
Beyond the physical aspects of managing PCOS, being a PCOS Warrior means delving deep into the emotional and psychological resilience required to face each day with hope. It's about finding joy and strength in the small victories, whether it's a positive lifestyle change, a supportive conversation, or a day free from symptoms.
PCOS Warriors are champions of their own health, leading by example and inspiring others in their community to advocate for their well-being. They understand that their condition does not define them, but rather, it highlights their strength, resilience, and courage to overcome obstacles and lead a fulfilling life despite the challenges PCOS may bring.
This community is about changing the narrative from one of struggle to one of strength, resilience, and hope. Together, as PCOS Warriors, we stand united in the fight for wellness and a brighter, symptom-free future.
Core Values
Each core value we hold is essential to the very fabric of our identity, shaping who we are and guiding our mission.
We believe in empowering women with PCOS by providing them with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to make informed decisions about their health and fertility.
We are committed to educating women about PCOS, its impact on fertility, and strategies for minimizing or removing symptoms and optimizing health.
We approach every interaction with empathy, understanding the challenges and complexities of navigating PCOS and fertility issues.
We foster a supportive community where women can connect, share experiences, and find solidarity in their journey towards motherhood and health.
We promote a holistic approach to health and wellness, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and mental well-being in the journey to motherhood.
We advocate for greater awareness, understanding, and support for women with PCOS, working to reduce stigma and improve access to care and resources.
We provide a message of hope and encouragement, reminding women that they are not alone in their journey and that there is always reason to remain optimistic about their future.
We champion a positive outlook, inspiring women with PCOS to focus on their strengths and possibilities, fostering an atmosphere of optimism and resilience in the face of challenges.
My Story
From the get-go, my body seemed to be in rebellion. Reflecting back on high school, one minute I'd be in class, and the next, I'm passed out in the nurse's office due to unbearable cramps. My periods got so bad that doctors prescribed me with Vicodin and Valium to deal with cramps (I was 14 years old...), and birth control to regulate my cycles and keep my acne at bay (it didn't).
College life wasn't the fresh start I'd hoped for. Between chaotic relationships and a less-than-ideal living situation, my health nosedived. I racked up a collection of diagnoses—generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, IBS, anorexia—and a medley of infections that had me on first-name terms with antibiotics. My "adolescent acne" continued to get worse and worse despite any medications or creams I would try. Let's not mention the excess unwanted facial and body hair I was hoping to one day be able to afford to laser off.
It just seemed like I always had more issues than anyone else around me, costing my parents thousands in doctor bills, and spending years thinking I'm just one of the unlucky ones born with health issues.
But let's talk about the absolute hardest moments of my journey, and something a lot of people shy away from talking about: miscarriages.
My first miscarriage hit me out of nowhere. I was curled in a ball, thinking it was just another horrific period, only to discover I'd lost what could've been my first child. That pain was unreal, both physically and emotionally. It felt like a cruel joke, especially since I didn't even know I was pregnant. Fast forward through even more heartache, two more miscarriages shared with my incredible now-husband, and the emotional, physical, and mental toll was unlike anything I've ever experienced to this day.
My Story Continued...
I was finally referred to a fertility clinic, where my husband and I spent thousands on different tests for both of us. That is when they found an abnormal amount of follicles on my ovaries. These numerous follicles combined with my painful periods, irregular cycles, stubborn acne, and excess hair growth resulted in a positive diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
The PCOS diagnosis finally gave a name to my struggles, but it didn't make things easier. It was like being handed a puzzle with only half the pieces, and being told I could only create the future I wanted for myself and my family if I could put the puzzle together. IUI and IVF for tens of thousands of dollars were suggested, but conceiving wasn't our problem. I felt hopeless; my doctors offering pills to take the rest of my life, other medical advisors saying I'll likely never have my own children.
I wasn't going to accept either of those offers, so I decided to take things into my own hands. After years of research and trial-and-error, my acne is healed, my cycles are regulated, I am in excellent health, and I have a beautiful daughter of my own.
My journey wasn't just about overcoming a health condition. It was about battling through the emotional storms, the self-doubt, and the grief. It was about finding that inner warrior when everything seemed bleak. And, I ended up discovering a kind of hope and strength I never knew I had.
So, to anyone out there riding their own health rollercoaster, know this: it's okay to feel lost, to grieve, and to rage against the unfairness of it all. But also know that within you is an incredible strength and resilience. My story is proof that even the toughest storms can be weathered. Keep fighting, keep hoping, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself. You too can become a PCOS Warrior!
Overcoming PCOS Changed my Life
My PCOS Symptoms That I've Overcome:
Cystic acne
Excess body & facial hair
PMS & uterine cramps
Mental fog
Irregular cycles
Mood swings
Polycystic ovaries
30 lbs of visceral fat
Pain with intercourse
Infertility
Anxiety and panic disorders VANISHED
Razor burn & in-grown hairs are GONE
Red bumps behind my arms HEALED
Major increase in motivation, energy, & focus
What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, and the leading factor of infertility in women. It's characterized by a combination of symptoms that can affect your physical health, menstrual cycle, fertility, and appearance. Every case of PCOS is different. There are 4 defined "types" of PCOS, and each one has its own spectrum of severity. Type A has all 3 of the diagnostic symptoms of PCOS, types B, C, and D each have 2 out of 3. Here’s a breakdown of some key aspects:
Hyperandrogenism (excess androgens):
PCOS is often associated with imbalances in hormones including insulin, cortisol, estrogen, and androgens (male hormones that all women produce).
High levels of androgens can prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg during each menstrual cycle (ovulation) and cause excess unwanted hair growth and severe cystic acne, two diagnostic symptoms of PCOS.
Hormonal imbalances can attribute to some miscarriages and troubles conceiving.
Elevated androgens are a diagnostic symptom and are associated with types A, B, and C.
Cysts in the Ovaries:
Women with PCOS may have enlarged ovaries that contain small collections of fluid — called follicles — located in each ovary as seen during an ultrasound exam.
Despite the name, you don’t need to have ovarian cysts to be diagnosed with PCOS.
Another diagnostic symptom; polycystic ovaries are associated with types A, C, and D.
Irregular Menstrual Cycles or Anovulation:
Due to hormone disruption, some women can be affected by a lack of ovulation, where menstrual cycles can become irregular, prolonged, or even absent.
This inconsistency can lead to reduced fertility or difficulty in conceiving.
Irregular cycles are the last of the 3 diagnostic symptoms, associated with types A, B, and D.
Insulin Resistance:
Many women with PCOS unknowingly have insulin resistance, meaning their bodies can make insulin but can't use it effectively, increasing their risk for type 2 diabetes.
Insulin resistance is not a diagnostic symptom, but is common among women with all types.
While insulin resistance is often referred to as a symptom of PCOS, it is more helpful and accurate to recognize it as a risk factor.
Weight Gain:
Weight gain is a commonly associated with PCOS, regardless of type or severity.
Weight gain and insulin are tightly connected, with insulin resistance leading to weight gain.
Not all women with insulin resistance gain weight; I had severe Type A PCOS and insulin resistance while I was 20 pounds underweight.
This is not a diagnostic symptom, and like insulin resistance, should be thought of as a risk factor as well as a cyclical symptom of PCOS.
Risks of Prolonged and Untreated PCOS:
Type 2 diabetes
Sleep apnea
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Endometrial cancer
Anxiety & mood disorders including depression
Infertility
Metabolic syndrome
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Obesity
Management and Treatment:
Our body's natural state is extremely efficient and of good health. Think of PCOS as just a set of symptoms the body uses to signify that we are doing something it doesn't like, or missing something it needs in order to function they way it was designed to function.
To reverse PCOS symptoms, it is imperative to understand what is causing the body to cry for help, and give it what it needs.
The medical field has learned most people would rather take a pill than live a healthier lifestyle (plus, prescriptions = $$$), so while doctors and medical journals say there's no "cure" for PCOS, they mean they haven't found a medication or conventional intervention to successfully silence the body's signals for help.
PCOS symptoms can be fully reversed with a combination of lifestyle changes including diet, staying active, and removing environmental stressors.
Treatment plans should be tailored to each individual, depending on various factors, including the type of PCOS (A, B, C, or D), desire for pregnancy, the severity of symptoms, and the risk of long-term health problems.
Understanding PCOS is the first step in managing its symptoms and mitigating associated risks.
If you suspect you have PCOS, a healthcare provider can perform tests and confirm a diagnosis. Keep in mind most doctors and healthcare professionals are trained to treat with medication, and are often not educated on holistic approaches to health. It is up to you which you prefer.
If you suspect you might have PCOS, click the
"Diagnostics List & PCOS Type Quiz" button below
to get a list of lab work you can request from your local lab or doctor.
You will also be sent a link to a PCOS Type quiz to see which type of PCOS you have and the severity.
FAQS
Yes, there are several resources and tools specifically designed to help manage time and balance PCOS management with a busy lifestyle. For instance, the PCOS Warriors Community offers trainings focused on this very topic. Within the community, you can also find helpful tools such as checklists, goal-setting sheets, and various challenges. These resources are tailored to assist you in efficiently managing your health while keeping up with your daily responsibilities.
The PCOS Warriors Community addresses the individual variations of PCOS by providing tools like the PCOS Profile quiz (available for free to you now), which helps identify your specific type of PCOS, along with other classifications you might fit into, including severity and lifestyle considerations. This tailored approach not only enhances your understanding of your condition but also guides discussions on treatments and management strategies within the community. By categorizing these variations, the community ensures that the information and support provided are relevant to your specific needs.
Joining the PCOS Warriors Community is a fraction of the cost of a referral to a fertility specialist. Although there's only one membership price, if cost is a concern, we do have financing options available to you. Please contact [email protected] to discuss payment plans and available scholarships. Additionally, the community offers many free resources, along with my "3 Steps Series" video walkthrough, which provides valuable guidance for managing PCOS effectively.
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