6 Classic PCOS Symptoms + Next Steps for Treatment

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, affects anywhere from 8% to 20% of women worldwide and is the most common hormonal issue affecting women.  The exact cause of PCOS isn’t yet clear, but research strongly suggests it’s a combination of genetics, environmental toxins, lifestyle, & gut dysbiosis.

These factors combine to manifest in hormonal imbalance, high androgens, and insulin resistance, which causes of myriad of downstream effects on fertility, energy levels, skin & hair, metabolism, and more.

Unfortunately, the conventional front-line treatment option primarily include just using birth control, which I’ve found in practice to not fully address the underlying issue. And, hormonal birth control (i.e. The Pill) may also worsen contributing factors like nutrient deficiencies & inflammation, further deepening the need for holistic treatment (1).

Many women come to see me because they are struggling with infertility, hair loss, or weight gain and don’t know why—sometimes it’s undiagnosed PCOS. They come seeking an integrative medical approach to treating PCOS or infertility issues. It is important to note though that PCOS does not only happen to women who are having a hard time getting pregnant. It can happen to girls as young as 11 years old and women well past menopause.

PCOS Symptoms

My recommendation is to see a qualified integrative or functional medicine doctor if you are experiencing any of the PCOS symptoms below, because a diagnosis is the first step toward healing.

Here are common PCOS symptoms:

• Unexplained weight gain (especially abdominal weight)

• Irregular periods, painful periods

• Acne

• Infertility

• Hair loss (especially at crown)

• Hypoglycemia or insulin resistance

PCOS Symptoms Next Steps

If PCOS symptoms are ignored and PCOS is left untreated, this can lead to long-term hormonal issues. So, if you are suffering from the issues above, do not ignore them. There is hope!

If you notice PCOS symptoms, here’s what I recommend to begin your journey of healing:

• It is important to test your hormone levels to find out which type of PCOS you have

• Get bloodwork done to see if you have nutritional deficiencies as they are often connected to hormone imbalances.

• We test for food allergies and intolerances at my practice. If you find that you have food allergies or intolerances, it is important to remove these invaders from your diet because both can throw off your hormones. It’s also important to eat for insulin regulation! And if you’re trying to conceive, eat a healthy and holistic diet, loading up on lots of fertility superfoods!

• Make sure you get tested for Candida. Candida is a fungus, a form of yeast, that lives in our mouths and guts. Some people have an overproduction of Candida, which is not good because it can lead to inflammation and contribute to insulin resistance (2).

• Know your Methylation Markers. Methylation is a process that happens in our cells and keeps our bodies operating, from repairing DNA to cell detoxification. Knowing your methylation markers help you understand your genetic risk for PCOS and your threshold for tolerating stress, environmental toxins, and hormones.

• Lastly, take a look at your toxic load. This is not something that people think about when trying to balance their hormones, but we are surrounded by environmental toxins that can disrupt our hormones. Make sure that your water bottles and cans are free of BPA. Also, make sure your cosmetics are free of phthalates and parabens.