I’ve recently released a 3 part training series on PCOS and how to deal with it in a holistic and systematic way. In the last 10 days, I’ve had over 500 comments, nearly 10000 views and so many emails. I’d say that the training has been a success!
Some of those comments have been from women who were surprised by some of the things I teach in the training. So, I thought I would let you know the most surprising truths about PCOS, things that will fundamentally change the way you think about your PCOS and the way that you deal with it.
It’s not just your ovaries. Your pancreas is involved too
What? But it’s called Polycystic OVARIAN syndrome…
That’s true but its also misleading. Researchers have found that there are irregularities in the beta cells of the pancreas. They tend to over respond to glucose in your blood stream and release too much insulin as a result.
If we’re going to manage our PCOS, we have to manage our insulin levels as a priority.
Also, it means that even if you have a full hysterectomy and your ovaries and uterus removed, you’d still have PCOS because of the problems with insulin processing.
It’s not just your ovaries. Your adrenal glands are involved too
This one follows on from the last point. Remember that we have too much insulin floating through our blood stream? Well that insulin then causes our over sensitive ovaries and adrenal glands to produce too much testosterone – making our PCOS worse.
So, you can see how it comes back to that darn insulin.
Diet and lifestyle changes are more effective than medications in managing PCOS
Now, when we’re diagnosed with any kind of illness or condition, our first thought tends to be, “There must be a pill I can take for this”.
And you’d be right. There are medications you can take. BUT
- They’re not as effective as changing your diet and lifestyle changes
- They often have unpleasant side effects
- Your PCOS will get worse as soon as you stop taking them. So, how long do you take them for? Your whole life?
- They often only address one element of your PCOS. But, we both know that PCOS has far reaching consequences and we need a holistic approach to deal with ALL that it means for us, not just one aspect of it.
PCOS has a lot of symptoms
There are many of us who struggle with depression, anxiety, constant fatigue, low libido. And we think it’s just the way that we are. We try to treat each individual symptom, without realising that they are all linked to PCOS. And if we can address our PCOS, we will start to see an improvement in all of our symptoms, including our fatigue, libido and depression.
We need a plan
Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS (yet). It’s not going to go away any time soon. We can’t put our heads in the sand and hope that it will just all go away. It’s not going to happen.
The GREAT news is that there is so much that we can do to feel better, get relief from our symptoms and start to truly live without PCOS getting in our way. There is a way to tackle PCOS from all sides so that we can get it under control.
But, we need a plan to do it so that we can make sure that we have all of our bases covered. I call that plan “The PCOS Master Plan”.
The basics of the Master Plan are as follows:
- Eat well for your PCOS
- Take the right supplements
- Live well with PCOS
- Manage your symptoms
- Get your doctor involved
Each step of the plan should be addressed in that order as well.
I go into a lot of detail about The PCOS Master Plan in my free video training series. Although registration for the training is over, you can still sign up to get it sent to you via email.
If you would like to get involved in the training series, you can get it via email here:
The PCOS Master Plan Training Series
Please let me know your thoughts on the training. Let me know what stood out the most for you! I look forward to hearing for you!
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10 Responses
Hi!
My doctor told me to use
Metformin as I have to study
Hard for my University entrance & I can’t
Go on a diet.
Should I take that damn pill?
Really need your opinion Tarryn!
By the way its fatigue make me behind of
Students.
Bad degrees
Ruin all of my dreams
Depression is a fulltime job
I feel stressful for my future
Don’t u guys have these problems if u were 17?
Hi Lauren,
I think you’d be surprised how fast making changes to your diet changes symptoms like fatigue. I would also say that with PCOS you don’t go on a diet, you instead look at what foods have the nutrients and stuff that will help you and what foods hinder you and change your eating lifestyle. For example eating a big portion of fries or cake will spike your blood sugar and then you get the crash, which for me makes me feel really down and upset and tired. PCOS requires a change of lifestyle because outs not got a cure (yet) and we have to manage it for our whole lives. You shouldn’t have issues with school work of you make sure you eat enough, it’s not about going hungry, it’s about eating enough of the right foods.
I hope that’s helpful and makes sense! Good luck with your studies!
I cut out gluten, dairy, & soy over 3 years ago & I’ve recently been seriously limiting my sugar intake. Are honey & maple syrup something I should limit too? If so are there any sweeteners that you would recommend?
Thanks, Leah
I have a question please. I started eating really well to try and fall pregnant as I’m insulin resistant. I have cut out sugar cut down my carbs by a lot and now trying the no dairy but my question is if you do have something bad here and there like chocolate what are the repercussions? Does it throw all your hard work down the drain for that month hoping to fall pregnant or do you just start a fresh and go back to eating well with no consequences except feeling a bit sick? Thank you
I followed the paleo diet before I got pregnant with pcos. I followed the 80/20 rule where you do your best to follow your diet at least 80 percent of the time. A little cheat here and there never hurt anyone especially if it helps curb the craving which can result in a binge eating experience.
I was wondering do I need to go to the doctor before I start taking vitamin d or is that something I can start on my own?
Vitamin D is safe to take at any time, although if you are pregnant it may pay to check with your doctor.
It’s pretty much impossible to overdose.
Actually Stacey, there is such a thing as overdosing on Vitamin D and it can potentially cause a very serious condition. You can read more about it here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/vitamin-d-toxicity/faq-20058108
That being said, most people can take up to 2000IU daily without it causing much of an issue. I would recommend talking to your doctor about it but if you are only planning on taking 400-800IU daily, it isn’t really an issue.
I have been reading all of your emails and have learned so much about the dos and don’ts with PCOS. One question that I have. Not only do I have PCOS but I have an under-active thyroid and very low iron, how can I maintain my PCOS and improve the other issues? I workout everyday, do not eat red meats, no breads or white potatoes, I eat mostly gluten and wheat free foods,but the weight is not coming off and I am not gaining. What should I do? My doctor suggested a weight loss surgery but I am afraid to do it. Any help would be great.
I also have those issues with my PCOS. I was given iron tonic by my nutritionist with B vits etc and thyroid supplements. I was also told to eat red meat 3-4 times a week. If that’s not an option you will need to substitute somehow. I found that talking to a nutritionist who knows about PCOS was the turning point for me