In August 2014 I was diagnosed with PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome). What’s PCOS? It’s a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular periods, hair loss, weight gain, abnormal hair growth, anxiety/depression, and more. One will typically have little cysts on their ovaries, but that’s not the case everyone! It roughly affects 1 in 12 women, so it can be quite common with girls. I never had regular periods growing up, so before I went away to college I decided to get myself checked out at the gynecologist. They told me what I had, but I didn’t freak out(I don’t think I knew much about it, but just wanted to have a regular period like all my friends!). My gynecologist gave me birth control to help regulate my cycle and I went on about my life. I stayed on the pill for about a year and then started getting into the more natural ways to obtain a regular cycle and help my PCOS symptoms. Luckily my symptoms weren’t/aren’t too severe as they could be~mostly irregular cycles, bloating, and mood swings-but I still wanted to try and heal my body naturally. I followed a few PCOS instagrammers and read Woman Code by Alisa Vitti starting in January 2017. I then started to follow and gluten and dairy free diet with a few added supplements to help balance my hormones-I started taking Vitex, Omega-3s, and Magnesium. I’m glad I wasn’t on the pill for too long, but it still takes a bit for your body to readjust once coming off of it. Over that next year I got one regular period and a few spotting months with PMS symptoms…this lead to frustration as I was hoping the healing process would be quick(clearly I’m a little impatient!). Starting in the spring of 2018 I started to get impatient with these irregular cycles and went back on the pill for another year. Though, this year was different…I had a regular cycle for a few months, then it started to only come every other month or every couple months. I was even more annoyed because the reason I was originally put on the pill was to help regulate my periods, and now I felt like it was all over the place. My hormones were insane, I had terrible PMS symptoms, and was all around just more anxious. I still took my supplements and was eating gluten and dairy free as well as trying to consume less added sugars. I even started doing more lower impact workouts-this is said to help with insulin resistance and cortisol levels which are extra sensitive for those with PCOS.

After being on the pill for a second time for about a year I decided once again to ditch it and to ditch it for good! I did more research over that year and found more natural ways to help relieve some of my symptoms. Starting in May/June of 2019 I started acupuncture + cupping treatments as well as taking a new supplement called Ovasitol-which I heard great things about regulating PCOS periods and cravings. In July of 2019 I finally received my first natural period in I don’t even know how long! I also had some crazy PMS symptoms, but I didn’t even care because I felt like my body was finally beginning to respond to the natural treatments I was giving it! I continued taking ovasitol religiously and completing acupuncture + cupping treatments every week or every other week. I also continued to add in more lower impact workouts such as yoga, walking, and pilates. My cycle was still only happening every other month, but once I got to October I started getting it every month at 28-32 days…this has never happened! I also recently added essential oils into my daily life, specifically a “lady blend” that was give to me by a friend-she was told it had helped her friend have regular periods by rubbing around her ovaries everyday. After being late with a period in January I decided to give the blend a try. Within 1 week I got my period! Yes it was late, but it came!

Between going gluten and dairy free, eating less added sugars, doing more low impact workouts, adding in the right supplements for me, going to acupuncture, and adding essential oils into my life I finally feel like I have a hold on my hormones and what my body needs in order to help reduce my PCOS symptoms and obtain a regular cycle! Unfortunately PCOS isn’t something that can be healed, but you can help reduce symptoms and keep yourself healthy. It’s taken me about 3 years to figure out what works best for me, and I’m still on the journey of making sure my hormones are balanced and what not. Something so frustrating has become so rewarding. Many girls would love to not have their period every month…but for me that means my body is healthy and doing its thing! I went a very long time-since the age of 14-with irregular periods, and it feels so good to know that I’m doing things to help heal and take care of my body.

Some extra tips to help your PCOS symptoms and hormone balance:

Bring more nourishing foods into your diet-leafy greens, lean protein, healthy fats, fiber
Get your sleep! Sleep is so important for balancing your hormones as well as overall health.
Move your body the right way-instead of doing cardio everyday try to supplement a few days with weight training and yoga. Trust me your body needs it-the less stress the less weight your body holds on to.
Try going gluten and dairy free-luckily we live in a world where we have lots of options to choose from! Try it for a couple months and see if you notice a difference in how you feel.
Research supplements and find the rights ones for you-I personally love ovasitol and believe it could work for everyone, but again everyone is different so talk to your doctor or dietician and do what works for you.
Try out essential oils-they’re fun and so so healing!
Pair your carbs with healthy fats-this helps balance your blood sugar-apple with peanut butter, toast with avocado, banana with almond butter, etc.
Practice more selfcare-our bodies need rest and relaxation. Light a candle, journal, and sip on some tea(herbal mint and dandelion teas are best)

Stay positive and join a support group or instagram! There are so many out there that provide great information as well as just overall support!

Some of my favorites include:

@pcos.weightloss

@thepcosbible

@pcos_to_wellness

@thewomensdietitian

I’m always here for questions and support as well ! @relishingnutrition

Stay strong!

*Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or dietician. These are simply some remedies that have worked for me.

Gluten, Dairy, and Refined Sugar Free Banana Bread

Beach walks for relaxation and mental health

MY PCOS JOURNEY