Your top PCOS questions answered!
PCOS can be confusing, I get it. So today I am answering your most common questions around PCOS!
What are the types of PCOS?
The main types include insulin resistant, inflammatory, and adrenal stress PCOS. Post Pill PCOS is not considered a true form of PCOS as it is said to be triggered by synthetic birth control and only a temporary state of PCOS. Though you can be a combination of types and all factors will need to be addressed (stress, inflammation, and blood sugar) knowing your most dominant type can help you to understand the root cause to your symptoms and know where to put most of your attention.
What causes PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial disorder that arises from interactions between genetic, environmental and intra-uterine factors. These epigenetic factors may include gut dysbiosis, toxin and chemical exposure, exposure to androgens in utero, insulin resistance, etc. For more information check out my IGTV “What Causes PCOS?” here.
There is a genetic component however genetics are only one factor to the development of any condition, epigenetics play a larger role in the development of diseases and thus the severity of the PCOS phenotype and symptoms. Genes load the gun, epigenetics pull the trigger.
Why is my hair falling out?
Hair loss is a common symptom among PCOS women and will commonly be due to high androgens however other causes to hair troubles may include nutrient deficiencies, low thyroid function, and chronic stress. Read my blog post for more details on hair loss and PCOS.
Why do I have no energy?
I commonly see HPA axis dysfunction (which basically means chronic stress) a reason for depleted energy levels. Important to note HPA axis dysfunction is the correct term for adrenal fatigue as the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
This means the brain is not communicating properly with the adrenal glands who then fail to produce enough cortisol. This can result in energy crashes and trouble with sleep. It all starts in the brain. This means we need to look at our lifestyle first and foremost.
Another common reason I see is insulin resistance, very common in PCOS, where we are not getting the energy needed into the cell, resulting in weight gain, cravings, and lack of energy. I have a blog post where I list some of the common reasons for low energy and what you can do about it.
Should we all avoid soy?
I see many women, especially with PCOS, have concerns around soy due to fear of estrogen. Soy can actually be a very healthy food and benefit PCOS women. For more details on soy consumption and PCOS check out my blog here.
Can I eat fruit with PCOS?
Yes you can! In fact, fruit is a very healing food as it provides natural sugars, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and hundreds if not thousands of phytonutrients. Fruit has been shown to be beneficial in combatting conditions such as insulin resistance and lowering risk of chronic disease, all increased risk factors for PCOS women. (1)(2)(3)(4).
P.S. I do recommend avoiding fruit juice as this is basically just pure sugar, always eat fruit whole so you are getting the fiber as well.
Can I eat carbs with PCOS?
Yes, please do! Carbohydrates are not deemed essential for humans however they are essential for our microbiome to thrive and we need a healthy microbiome to be healthy; therefore in my books, carbs are essential macronutrients. Not all carbs are equal though, refined carbohydrates are definitely a problem. Whole food complex carbohydrates though are needed for healthy endocrine function as well as a healthy gut! The kinds of carbs I am talking about include sweet potato, yam, pumpkin, rice, quinoa, millet, fruits and vegetables….
Are there other ways to manage PCOS besides birth control?
Yes absolutely! Birth control is more of a band-aid approach to PCOS but it is not a solution to PCOS. I explain more in detail what the effects of hormonal birth control can have on the body and PCOS here.
Can I become pregnant with PCOS?
Yes absolutely! Though many women may have difficulty conceiving due to factors such as anovulation it is still possible to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Get to the root cause, always.
How can I know if I have PCOS?
PCOS must be diagnosed by a doctor. The main criteria of diagnosis stem from the Rotterdam Criteria and the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society. You will typically need an ultrasound and lab work done and symptoms/past history are also taken into consideration for the diagnosis. For more information read my blog post here.
Why is it so hard to lose weight?
One of the most common complaints I hear from women is they just can’t seem to lose the weight no matter how hard they try, and they are trying! There are many factors that can make weight loss more challenging which is why we have to view it as a symptom, not a condition. Once we address the underlying imbalances then we can set the body up for maintaining a healthy set point. If you would like to know more about this read my blog here.
How can I regulate my cycle?
Your period can go missing due to many reasons such as the use of hormonal birth control, chronic stress, insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies… therefore it is essential that you figure out what is going on for you in order to properly treat the issue. I give you some more details right here. You can also watch my IGTV about “Missing Periods” here.
Do I need to have cysts to have PCOS?
Nope! With PCOS these are technically undeveloped follicles, not cysts, and they aren’t necessary to be diagnosed. See my article here for what you need to know about a PCOS diagnosis.
What’s the best workout for PCOS?
There is no one best workout, just like there is no one best diet. I always recommend experimenting with what works for you and what you enjoy! However, it can be beneficial to include a variety of cardio, strength training, and restorative movement such as yoga or walking in nature. But always listen to your body! My PCOS course gives you workout guides and how to incorporate hormone-friendly workouts throughout your cycle depending on your phase.
How do I get rid of my cystic acne?
Oh girl I get it! I struggled with cystic acne for 9 years… The biggest lesson I learned? It’s really coming from the inside… instead of throwing all of your money on topicals, I recommend getting to the bottom of it by addressing gut health, blood sugar, liver function, stress, etc all of this is discussed in my blog post here where I share my success story about overcoming acne.
What blood tests should I ask for?
This will be dependent on your as a person however I do have a free guide on some labwork that I think is worthwhile to ask for in order to get a greater understanding of what is going on for you. You can download the guide here.
Is PMS normal?
Nope! PMS is an indicator that there are some imbalances going on, it’s time to address them! A common reason for symptoms in the second half of your cycle and PMS is low progesterone. I chat more about how you can optimize this here. PMS is common yes, however that doesn’t mean it is normal. Your period should come regularly and with minimal discomfort. Download my free PMS guide right here if you need more help.
How to lower high androgens?
Androgens such as testosterone, DHEA-S, androstenedione are commonly elevated in PCOS women which are largely responsible for the typical symptoms of acne, hair loss, and hirsutism… Though there are many natural anti-androgenic therapies it’s important to address this via the root cause to figure out why they are high in the first place, that way we can do something about it for the long-term! Common reasons for elevated androgens include insulin resistance, inflammation, and chronic stress. I dive deeper into this in my blog post here.
I’m doing everything right but I don’t see results or feel better….
You want to dig deeper… you may be dealing with infections, nutrient deficiencies, toxic overload, gut dysfunction, subconscious limiting beliefs, unhealed emotional trauma, HPA axis dysfunction, etc
Maybe what you are eating is actually not entirely right for you, maybe you aren’t absorbing your nutrients appropriately, maybe your nervous system is constantly on high alert which means your body can’t divert its energy to healing….
I know what it’s like to be doing “everything right" but still not see results and often times it does take some additional support to figure out what is really going on.
Remember your health is a manifestation of the cumulative effect of your diet and lifestyle since you were born so it can take some time, for every year of illness they say it requires 1 month of healing at least.
Can you cure PCOS?
Short answer: no. However, you can put PCOS into remission which means you can reverse the symptoms that manifest. Genetics do play a role in the PCOS pathogenesis however our diet and lifestyle dictate the expression of these genes and play a much much larger part. In fact, between 1 and 10% of diseases are said to be due to genes, the rest is epigenetics! There is no cure but you don’t have to live with the side effects of PCOS!
Is running long distances bad for PCOS bc of the stress?
Running and cardio isn’t necessarily bad, but it can definitely be “over done”. It all depends on how long you do it, the frequency, how stressed you are, the state of your nervous system, if you’re eating enough, even your cycle phase. For hormonal balance, for some women avoiding it during specific periods of time is necessary, for others it’s decreasing the frequency and intensity, it really depends on the situation.
However I do always recommend incorporating slower movement into your routine like walking, pilates, yoga… if you are experiencing any sort of hormonal imbalance so as to reduce cortisol levels and help your nervous system regulate more easily.
I recorded a podcast episode that talks more about exercise and PCOS, you can listen here.
And I also did a recent masterclass where we touch on the cycle phases and what that means for exercise, nutrition, social life, etc. Check it out here.
What did you do to get your period to regulate?
For me, a big piece of it was letting go of the food rules I had imposed on myself, adopting a more intuitive way of eating, eating MORE, introducing more complex carbs back into my diet, nervous system regulation, incorporating more low intensity movement and reducing things like HIIT and cardio, endocrine + uterine supporting herbs.
The missing pieces I’ve noticed most often with clients have been nervous system dsyregulation, hidden shame around aspects of their body and their feminine, shifting their exercise routine to be more in tune with their cycle rhythms, and nourishing themselves enough nutritionally but also emotionally. But of course this will look a bit different to each person.
What kind of meals are included in your PCOS recipe book?
We have options for everyone including plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar-balancing lunches, dinners, snacks, sauces, smoothies, drinks.. that are also synced to where you are in your cycle
You also receive guides for grocery shopping and syncing your cycle to the rhythm of the moon. You can access the Recipe Bundle here.
Any more questions you would like to see answered? Please email them to info@laurence-annez.com and I will add it to the list!
Need more support? Learn more about my programs here.
Disclaimer: Information on this site is intended only for informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before implementing changes. Read additional disclaimer info here.