“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ”
– Lao Tzu
– Lao Tzu
PCOS is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in
women of reproductive age. While often framed as an
ovarian issue, the condition reflects a broader systemic
imbalance that extends beyond the reproductive system.
Signs and Symptoms
- Irregular or missed menstrual cycles
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Excess facial or body hair
- Acne, oily skin, or other skin changes
- Increased waist size / difficulty losing weight
- Fatigue or post-meal energy crashes
- Mood fluctuations / irritability
Classic symptoms can feel disconnected at first. There’s often
a sense that something is off hormonally. But these signs and
symptoms are all part of the same underlying pattern.
PCOS is typically identified when at least two of the following three criteria are present
1. Irregular or absent ovulation – often reflected in
irregular, infrequent, or absent periods
2. Excess hair growth (hirsutism) and skin changes –
hair growth in typically male-pattern areas, acne, or
thinning scalp hair
3. Polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound –
ovaries appear enlarged or contain multiple small
follicles
NB: You can have PCOS without visible cysts. Conversely,
having cysts alone does not indicate PCOS.
Insulin Resistance: The Boy Who Cried Wolf
A major contributing factor behind PCOS is chronically
elevated insulin. This is primarily the result of high sugar and
carbohydrate intake. Like the boy who cried wolf, over time,
most cells begin to tune out insulin to protect themselves.
This is called “insulin resistance.” The ovaries, however,
continue to respond because they don’t down-regulate as
easily as other cells. As a result, they over produce hormones
that lead to increased facial or body hair, acne, and thinning
scalp hair. These visible signs may appear long before
standard lab tests show abnormalities.
What You Can Do
- Reduce intake of sugars and refined carbohydrates
- Create meals with ample protein, healthy fats, and fiber while minimizing starches
- Space meals to stabilize blood sugar and avoid constant insulin spikes.
- Use a continuous glucose monitor for a period of time www.stelo.com
- Incorporate regular movement, especially after meals, to support insulin sensitivity
- Minimize caffeine
- Monitor labs for fasting insulin, triglycerides, Hemoglobin A1C, glucose patterns etc.
Chiropractic and Applied Kinesiology can help
Seeking practitioners who address underlying patterns and
not just symptoms, is a step towards lasting change.
Chiropractic and Applied Kinesiology support your efforts
and work with nature, rather than against it. Techniques are
designed to improve nervous system function and create
balance in the hormonal system.