How conventional PCOS treatments are failing women (and what you can do instead)
When you walk into a conventional doctor’s office with symptoms like long or anovulatory cycles and facial hair growth, you may likely walk out with a predicted Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis (because it needs to be confirmed that you do indeed have cysts on your ovaries) followed by one of the following treatment plans:
Birth control pills
Weight loss
Metformin
Clomid
Birth control pills mask the underlying causes of PCOS
Birth control pills are the most commonly used treatment for regulating periods for those who aren't ready to conceive.
They are mostly used to mask the symptoms of PCOS, however, while the underlying contributors of insulin resistance and excess androgens (like testosterone), and more persist.
A prescription of “weight loss” falls short
A recommendation of weight loss alone falls short because it doesn't address the need to balance blood sugar levels, and may cause harm to women who may already have self-esteem issues because of the way their metabolism is affected by the complex factors underlying PCOS.
Telling you to “just lose weight” without a “How-to” method leaves you at risk for continuing to yo-yo diet, fighting your hormones and continuing to not get the nutrients you need to support hormone balance and prepare your fertility for conception.
Metformin might help if you could stay consistent
Metformin is a medication that improves the effectiveness of insulin produced by the body and reduces free fatty acids, commonly seen in women with PCOS. This medication comes with several side effects such as digestive distress and impaired vitamin B12 absorption.
I’ve personally worked with many PCOS clients or pregnant clients with Gestational Diabetes who have been prescribed Metformin and all of them admitted that they aren’t consistent with it because the resulting diarrhea and nausea are too uncomfortable. And vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for fertility and particularly in pregnancy! So Metformin isn’t the ideal treatment option either!
Clomid reduces fertility while forcing pregnancy
Clomid is the medication most commonly used to help women with PCOS achieve pregnancy. It stimulates the ovaries to release eggs in a regular monthly cycle. This too comes with a host side effects- including but not limited to reducing the production of cervical mucus and thinning the endometrial lining- both critical factors needed for healthy fertility and pregnancy!
I'm not as much against medication as I am FOR addressing the root causes of metabolic and hormonal imbalances.
We have to remember that the human body was designed to reproduce. And if it's not effectively doing so, we MUST ask why. We must remove the obstacle to our bodies expressing their normal physiology.
I believe there is A LOT of wisdom to a body resisting conception. We know that women who conceive with elevated blood sugar levels are more likely to have high blood sugar levels in pregnancy, be diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, and go on to birth babies (often with complications) who are more insulin resistant than babies who are born to mothers with well regulated blood sugar.
The preconception period and pregnancy are THE BEST times to address the underlying contributing factors to your fertility challenges and menstrual irregularities.
Instead of forcing your body to ovulate, why not remove the obstacles to ovulation and allow it to happen in its own time when it is primed for nurturing a healthy child who not only will have a higher likelihood of being carried to term, but will also be gifted with more resilient health?
If you’re ready to get to the root of your PCOS symptoms and want to prepare your body optimally for pregnancy, I’m so glad you’re here.
I created a FREE masterclass just for you where you’ll learn:
How to properly time intercourse for the most chance of successful conception
What factors may be depleting your essential fertility nutrients
What you can do to restore your health and fortify your body and womb to become the most inviting space for your future baby to make a home
Hi I’m Anisa Woodall, holistically-minded Certified Nutritionist and natural mama of 2 adventurous boys living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Upon entering clinical practice 7 years ago, I quickly realized the immense challenges that women face when they are ready to start a family. So, I poured through the research, took tons of continuing education courses (spanning topics from nutrition, fertility awareness, women’s health, herbalism, genetics, lab testing and more), read all the important books on fertility and pregnancy, listened to (literally) thousands of pregnancy and natural birth stories and podcasts, and began applying everything I was learning to my own life
Throughout this process I gained key insights into how to adopt the mindset of a Resilient Mother, how to intuitively tune-in to the needs of my body and my baby, and to ultimately trust fully in the wisdom of my body.
Equipped with this vast database of real world knowledge, inner-connection and trust in my body and intuition, I went into my pregnancies confident that I did everything in my power to achieve my desired outcome of having not only a healthy baby in the common definition (live) but one that passed every “test” with flying colors.
And I want all this for you!
This is why I created Resilient Motherhood: A self-paced guide to preparing for conception and beyond
If you’re interested in managing your PCOS naturally to optimize your chances of conceiving the healthy baby of your dreams, I’d highly recommend my Resilient Motherhood VIP 1:1 Coaching Bundle where, in addition to the full self-paced course, you’ll also get 3 months of 1:1 holistic nutrition coaching with me!
