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How to Support Your Fertility With PCOS— something your Doctor may not have told you

Updated: 4 days ago

It’s no secret that fertility struggles are becoming more common. More couples than ever are finding that getting pregnant isn’t as simple or straightforward as they expected — and for many, this brings confusion, frustration, and a deep sense of “What’s wrong with me?”


If this is you, I want you to hear this first:


You are not broken.

Your body is trying to communicate with you.

There are things you can do to support your fertility.


If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, welcome to the club that no one asked to be in!



PCOS is one of the most common — and misunderstood — causes of fertility challenges. And I want to say this upfront: I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS myself, so everything I teach comes from my formal education AND my lived experience. 


I know how confusing the symptoms can feel, and how overwhelming it is to be told your hormones are “just out of balance” or “there’s nothing you can do about it” (yes- this is what my fertility doctor told me). 


PCOS is complex, but it is absolutely manageable once you understand what’s driving it.


So, What Actually Is PCOS?


PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is often described as a “hormone disorder,” but it's really a lot more than that. PCOS is actually a whole-body metabolic and reproductive condition that affects how your ovaries develop eggs, how your hormones communicate and how your body processes energy.


At its core, PCOS is a problem with ovulation — the process of maturing and releasing an egg.


In a typical cycle:

  • Several follicles begin to grow

  • One becomes dominant

  • That dominant follicle releases an egg (ovulation)

In PCOS:

  • Many follicles start to grow at the same time

  • None fully mature

  • Ovulation may be delayed or skipped

  • The immature follicles show up on ultrasound as “polycystic ovaries”


These aren’t true cysts — they are tiny, undeveloped follicles that didn’t receive the hormonal signals needed to finish maturing.


How PCOS Is Diagnosed (The Rotterdam Criteria)


A diagnosis of PCOS typically requires 2 of the following 3 criteria:

  1. Irregular or absent ovulation

  2. Clinical or lab signs of elevated androgens (acne, hair loss, hair growth, elevated testosterone/DHEA)

  3. Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound (lots of immature follicles, not “true cysts”)

There is no single “PCOS test,” which is why proper evaluation matters.


PCOS Is a Hormonal AND Metabolic Condition


PCOS affects the delicate conversation between:

  • The brain (hypothalamus + pituitary)

  • The ovaries

  • The adrenal glands

  • The pancreas (insulin)

  • The thyroid


Therefore, Women with PCOS often have:

  • Higher LH (luteinizing hormone)

  • Lower or inconsistent FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)

  • Higher androgens (testosterone, DHEA)

  • Progesterone deficits (because of irregular ovulation)


But also, PCOS is fundamentally tied to metabolism — the way your body uses and regulates energy.


Many women with PCOS (including lean women!) have varying degrees of:

  • Insulin resistance

  • Blood sugar instability

  • Difficulty using carbs efficiently

  • Higher baseline inflammation


While PCOS presents differently in every woman, insulin resistance is one of the most common underlying drivers — even if you’re lean, eat well, or don’t fit the “classic” PCOS picture.


What is insulin resistance?


Insulin is the hormone that moves glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream into your cells for energy. When the body becomes insulin resistant:

  • Your cells stop responding properly to insulin

  • Your body produces more insulin to get the job done

  • High insulin levels disrupt hormone balance


High insulin → increases ovarian androgen production → disrupts ovulation → affects egg maturity


This is why women with PCOS often experience:

  • Irregular cycles

  • Difficulty ovulating

  • Acne

  • PMS

  • Fatigue

  • Carb cravings

  • Weight fluctuations


And this is important:


Insulin resistance is not exclusive to women with PCOS.


Women without PCOS can still struggle with blood sugar dysregulation — which can interfere with ovulation, hormones, inflammation, and fertility.


Blood sugar balance matters for every woman, whether dealing with PCOS or unexplained fertility challenges.


Balanced blood sugar helps:

  • Reduce insulin levels

  • Lower androgen production

  • Improve ovulation frequency

  • Support healthy cycles

  • Reduce inflammation

  • Improve egg quality

  • Support a healthy luteal phase (progesterone!)

  • Increase chances of conception


PCOS Is a Spectrum — Not One Single Type

There isn’t “one” kind of PCOS — there are different patterns and drivers. Some women have:

  • Predominantly insulin-resistant PCOS

  • Stress-dominant or adrenal-driven PCOS

  • Inflammatory PCOS

  • Post-pill PCOS

  • Thyroid-related PCOS symptoms


This is why two women with PCOS can look completely different, have opposite symptoms, or respond differently to treatment.


PCOS Is Manageable — And You Are Not Broken


PCOS is a condition of imbalance and miscommunication, not a permanent malfunction. You can’t “cure” it — but you absolutely can regulate it.


PCOS symptoms respond to the right nutrition, mineral balance, nervous system support, and lifestyle adjustments. Your body is not fighting against you — it is communicating its needs.


When you give it the right foundations, the whole picture begins to shift:

  • cycles regulate

  • ovulation returns

  • skin clears

  • energy steadies

  • cravings calm

  • fertility improves


And most importantly — you feel in control again.


A Final Note-


Being diagnosed with PCOS myself, I understand how overwhelming the symptoms can feel — and how discouraging it is to hear that it’s “just something you have to live with.” 


I’ve spent years learning how to regulate blood sugar, support my minerals, balance hormones naturally, reduce inflammation, and support my nervous system — and those tools completely changed my cycles, my energy, and my life!


This is why I’m so passionate about showing women how support their bodies, instead of feeling at war with them. If you are ready for a personalized roadmap to give your body the confidence it needs to conceive, click the link below to see how you can work with me!



 
 
 

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