As we near the end of March, we wanted to round off our hormone focused month with a little shine on PCOS and how to support happy hormones for a happier life.

Understanding PCOS:

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a common hormonal disorder that affects how a woman's ovaries function. It mostly affects women of reproductive age, but can surprise women at any life stage.

Typically, the ovaries produce eggs and release them during the menstrual cycle. However, in PCOS, this process is disrupted. Instead of regularly releasing eggs, the ovaries develop small fluid filled sacs known as follicles, as seen on ultrasound. These follicles contribute to hormonal imbalances, leading to a range of symptoms.

While the presence of ovarian follicles is often used in diagnosing PCOS, it's worth noting that not every woman with PCOS will have visible follicles on ultrasound. Diagnosis can still happen based on other clues, adding a layer of complexity to the condition.

Unfortunately, stories of women struggling with PCOS are all too common. But here's the silver lining: lifestyle tweaks and dietary changes have worked wonders for many. That's why we're here with this blog—to lend a supportive hand to those feeling overwhelmed by a condition that lacks a definitive explanation. We're not just tackling the physical hurdles, we're also shining a light on the emotional rollercoaster that often comes with it.

Read on to discover how you can give your hormones a happier life, and make informed choices to boost your overall health and vitality.

Common Symptoms:

Symptoms of PCOS can be as unique as you are, with each person experiencing their own mix of challenges. However, there are some familiar signs that many women with PCOS encounter. Let's take a peek at what these might look like:

• Irregular periods or absence of periods.

• Heavy, uncomfortable or painful bleeding.

• Periods, but no ovulation (anovulation).

• Difficulty getting pregnant (due to lack of ovulation).

• Excessive hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, or back.

• Late onset, or persistent acne that doesn’t clear well with treatment.

• Oily, congested or problematic skin.

• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight, especially around the waist.

• Thinning hair or hair loss from the scalp.

• Patches of thickened, dark, velvety skin.

Common Causes:

The exact cause of PCOS remains elusive, but it's believed to stem from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Here's a closer look at some of the recognised contributors to PCOS:

• Genetics: There’s often a genetic component to PCOS. If your mother or sister has PCOS, you might be more susceptible to developing it as well.

• Environmental factors: Diet, in particular, which we could argue is one of the most significant factors in PCOS, is so important. And, luckily, so manageable!

• Hormonal imbalances: Imbalances in reproductive hormones, such as elevated levels of androgens (male hormones) like testosterone and reduced levels of oestrogen, are believed to be key triggers of PCOS.

• Insulin resistance: Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, where the body's cells don't respond normally to insulin. This can cause insulin levels to rise, which in turn boosts androgen production.

• Inflammation: While the exact relationship is not fully understood, some research suggests that inflammation may contribute to the development or exacerbation of PCOS.

• Obesity: Women with PCOS often deal with hormonal imbalances that mess with their body's ability to burn fat, making weight management a real challenge. Plus, that stubborn visceral fat can throw hormones out of whack, messing with appetite and making things even trickier.

• Poor gut microbiome: Studies have found that individuals with PCOS may have an imbalanced gut microbiome, with too many of the wrong microbes living in there! This is due to hormonal imbalances, what we're eating, low nutrients and environmental exposures.

• Disrupted sleep: Melatonin, the hormone we all rely on for a good night's sleep, might have a role in PCOS too, due to the receptors on our ovaries! When our sleep routine goes out the window, it can contribute to irregular cycles, poor gut health, hormonal imbalances, and increased stress levels—all of which are associated with PCOS. 

Taking Control: Empowering Steps for PCOS Management

So, let's get to the most exciting part—taking control! The beauty of it all? There's a whole lot you can do to steer you in the right direction. We're here to guide you through the next steps:

1. Sleep: Since melatonin buddies up with our ovaries, it's not just about keeping your circadian rhythm in check, it's about giving your body the sleep it craves for proper fertility and cycle harmony. Time to cozy up for some dreamy sleep!

2. Nurture Your Gut: Load up on fruits and veggies to pump up the fibre and nutrient content in your diet. And look at inviting fermented foods into your life, like sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, miso, and tempeh.

3. Ditch the Sugar: This is super important. High sugar messes with everything from our hormones to our gut, to our waistline and even your magnesium levels! Opt for protein rich snacks and healthy fats to keep those blood sugar spikes in check and support glucose regulation, which is especially important for PCOS warriors.

4. Time Your Meals: Late night snacking? It may be causing havoc with your glucose metabolism and menstrual cycle. Stick to regular meal times and swap out those midnight chocolate cravings for something a bit more nourishing.

5. Get Moving: Exercise isn't just about breaking a sweat, it’s a powerful tool for managing PCOS symptoms, from balancing hormones to shedding excess weight. Give high-intensity interval training (HIT) a go, and feel amazing.

6. Love Your Liver: With all the toxins, questionable diet choices, and hormonal fluctuations, your liver could use a little TLC. Treat it right with plenty of fluids, greens, and fibre, while dialling down on alcohol, processed foods, and stress.

7. Tidy Up Your Diet: It's time to go back to basics and embrace the foods mother nature has provided for us. Seek out whole foods at your local market and bid farewell to pesky chemicals. Remember: nutrients in, toxins out!

8. Stress Less: Stress is a major player in many PCOS symptoms. Find your zen with yoga, nature walks, a good book, or some deep breathing exercises. Your cortisol levels will thank you for it!

9. Discover our Happy Hormones PCOS & Endo bundle: Keep reading to uncover the magic of our best supplements designed to support you on this journey to hormonal harmony.

Ready to take the reins and reclaim your health? Let's do this!

Introducing Our Happy Hormones PCOS & Endo Bundle:

After exploring all the ways you can take charge of your PCOS symptoms and boost your overall wellbeing, we've designed this special bundle just for you. Packed with everything from energy boosting nutrients to hormone balancing wonders, this bundle is your secret weapon on the journey to feeling like the empowered woman you truly are!

This happy hormones bundle includes: 

• Omega 3 (fish or vegan): Say goodbye to pain and inflammation with this powerful support.

• Sulforaphane: Achieve hormonal balance while nurturing your liver and gut health. 

• B Complex: Say goodbye to fatigue and welcome optimal energy levels and oestrogen metabolism.

• Magnesium: Tame those sugar cravings, banish cramps and pains, and boost both your energy and mental wellbeing. 

• Vitamin D: Boost your immune system and kick inflammation to the curb. 

• Zinc: From hormone balance to fertility support, zinc has got you covered in the immune and gut health departments too.

Key benefits of our Happy Hormones: PCOS & Endo bundle:

• Helps balance hormones + improve fertility.

• Increases energy + reduces fatigue.

• Reduces bloating + water retention.

• Improves brain fog, emotional stability + mood.

• Balances blood sugar levels + sugar cravings.

• Supports weight management + liver function.

• Reduces cramps, headaches + migraines.

• Decreases inflammation + inflammatory pain.

We've been blown away by the incredible results our Happy Hormones PCOS & Endo bundle has brought to countless women, and it fills our hearts with joy to witness the resurgence of life in those who were once battling with their symptoms. Below is just one example of the transformations we've seen, but trust us, there are plenty more where that came from!

'I've only been using them a couple of weeks, but my energy is so much better.
I'm hoping the longer I take them I won't have the pain and fatigue at the end of each month.
I feel lighter and healthier already!'

With our Happy Hormones: PCOS & Endo bundle by your side, you're unstoppable on your journey to optimal health and vitality.

Embracing Empowerment in the Face of PCOS:

PCOS isn't just a condition, it’s a complex journey with symptoms that vary from person to person. While there may not be a one-size-fits-all treatment or a magic cure, there's a wealth of empowering changes you can make to manage symptoms and enhance fertility, especially for those on the path to conceiving.

If you've recently been diagnosed with PCOS or suspect you might have it, know this: You hold the power to take control and continue living a life filled with abundance, health, and vitality. Feeling stuck? Feeling a bit down about your symptoms? We've got your back. We've done the legwork so you can focus on feeling like yourself again. Our bundle is tailor made for you, to empower you, to uplift you, to help you reclaim your sense of self. 

So, embrace this information and take it as your first step toward a new beginning—one where PCOS lives with you, not the other way around. You've got this!