•pollysister• - living + learning with PCOS

08/11/2022

👇🏼💭 Share yours below:

Although present in 12–21% of women of reproductive age, it’s estimated that ~70% of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ( ) cases are currently undiagnosed*
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It’s now 20 years since my diagnosis, and this statistic still feels absolutely WILD to me. The day I saw a consultant, I remember being told that there “Wasn’t too much to worry about.” Nice one. That felt ok. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all! And the reason? “Because you’ve got a condition which affects fertility, you’ll receive additional support from the NHS when you want to conceive.” Well that, pretty much, was that. Definitely a priority for a confused-and-overwhelmed 15 year old. A baby was a zillion years away in my head. But the kicker? “You must lose weight.” Mmm. That one stung, then buried deep and hung around … to this day. There was absolutely no further discussion around ‘how’ PCOS manifests, ‘why’ I was experiencing the symptoms I was experiencing, ‘how’ I could manage these effectively, and ‘what’ potential long term health impacts there could be for me if left unmanaged. The only directive? To lose weight. And that it would be harder for me. No what, no why, no how.
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With such low rates of diagnosis STILL, and the condition more often than not discovered when attempting (and struggling) to conceive, this story sadly is still often the current narrative for many of us and will be for those left undiagnosed.
[Continued in comments]
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06/11/2022

This one feels tough but necessary. 💭
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What has my PCOS taught me?
▫️Compassion
▫️Resilience
▫️Curiosity
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But how? 📝👇🏼
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So often the narrative around PCOS is negative, pressure-filled and overwhelming — and rightly so. PCOS breaks your heart. It can feel lonely and unforgiving; ceaseless and utterly relentless. The stories we tell ourselves dictate the way we perceive the world and throughout the 20-or-so years I’ve had PCOS, I’ve told myself my fair share of grim stories. These repeated, familiar, almost comfortable narratives and their associated negative impact on my mental & physical well-being can feel impossible to overcome.
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Speaking or thinking about PCOS from place of positivity naturally feels uncomfortable and alien. It takes practice and self-compassion. Unlearning habits perpetuated for as long as we can remember is hard work. For me, it’s an ‘always on.’ But, when I really stop to think, there are things PCOS is teaching me which continue to improve my life.
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The more I learn about the vast complexities of this syndrome and how symptoms show up physically and mentally, the more I try to give myself grace as I unravel the associated negative core beliefs and low self-esteem whilst learning to forgive myself for the way I have mistreated my body. ❤️‍🩹
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Seeking PCOS support online has meant I’ve met a community of diverse, strong, brilliant, beautiful, effervescent people who enrich my life. This both continues to inspire me and remind me that a person’s heat, worth and happiness cannot and should not be judged by their size, including my own. 🤝
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Having no cure means I’ve gained a determination and resilience I didn’t know I was capable of. Unclear, one-dimensional, and generally lacking support from the medical community over the years has meant I’ve learned to question constantly (even the experts) and not seek a simple solution to a complex problem, owning and advocating for my health. 📚
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For all of this and more, I choose to remember to be grateful. Especially at the times I need reminding the most. 🫂
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What about you? ⬇️

09/04/2022

Trouble tolerating ? 👇🏼
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02/04/2022

Just imagine 💭
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Thank you to the beautiful 𝙰𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚊 𝙼𝚌𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚕 for a well-timed and much-needed reminder of this on her feed yesterday 🙏🏼
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02/04/2022

06/05/2021

Thank you The PCOS Nutritionist. 🧡💪🏼

I couldn’t agree with this more. Such an helpful explanation and perspective.

What are your thoughts? 💭

"There is no cure for PCOS?" This is something that you've undoubtedly been told or read on may websites about PCOS.
I certainly did when I came out of that meeting with my doctor after being diagnosed with PCOS. I had no idea what PCOS was, all I knew is that it had a big name, sounded scary and tumour-like and she'd told me I'd struggle to conceive.

So to then read that line on every medical website I read, left me feeling very defeated for approximately the next 4 years, until I really understood that no cure does not equal not reversible.

Saying there is no cure for PCOS, is like saying there is no cure for obesity or Type 2 diabetes. Just like obesity, and Type 2 diabetes, PCOS has a genetic component, but needs the right environmental factors to present. And just like Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity, PCOS is an inflammatory condition, and inflammation is caused by dietary factors (sugar, food intolerances), poor gut health, high stress etc.

We know that obesity and Type 2 Diabetes are reversible if we treat these underlying causes (yes, it's been proven in studies). But if you go back to living like you were before, then you'll develop it again. This is why there is no 'cure', as a cure means it can never come back.

It's the same for PCOS, no cure, does not mean that it's not entirely reversible.

What do I mean by reversible, well simply that you used to fit the diagnostic criteria of androgens as well as anovolution, and now you no longer do. This is what I mean when I say that I have reversed my PCOS and help other women do the same.

That to me is as good as a cure. So let's focus on that and feel empowered rather than a victim.

Clare x

12/02/2021

We all know the dreaded hangry attacks that come with PCOS - where you just need to eat (usually something sweet). Now of course being in February, everywhere is advertising Valentines Day chocolates and sweet treats - like they're really testing us aren't they?!

Maybe you're doing a virtual Galentines catch up, having a nice day at home with your partner or just struggling with avoiding the sweet treats. Whatever your situation, you don't need to miss out! It's just about tweaking things to suit your insulin resistant PCOS. Maybe you're thinking - "ok so what do I eat then Clare?", which is why of course, I'm providing you with some insulin friendly chocolately treat ideas! Share with me if you try any of these and how they go.

Are hangry attacks and sugar cravings something that you deal with? This is one of the first things I tackle with you in The PCOS Protocol. Because as much as we joke about them, sugar cravings and hangry attacks can be absolutely debilitating and exhausting - and it doesn't have to be that way!

22/01/2021

How many times have you heard it? JUST LOSE WEIGHT!

Maybe you heard it yourself. Maybe you've seen it posted online. Regardless of where you saw it, losing weight IS NOT the end all be all for managing PCOS.

Unfortunately, there are many cases where PCOS patients have developed eating disorders. Some have been pushed into weight loss surgery only to find that the surgery still hasn't helped manage their PCOS.

While there are many fabulous doctors out there who can help, let's be honest, not everyone knows enough about PCOS to help. So let me help you understand WHY doctors say "JUST LOSE WEIGHT" when they are aware of just how difficult this may be for many.

Here's the science... insulin resistance occurs in some patients with PCOS. It is a precursor to diabetes, so it's important it is addressed. Insulin resistance (IR) can cause our bodies to hold onto fat - especially in the belly area, sometimes referred to as a spare tire.

When you have IR, essentially it means that your cells aren't receptive to insulin. So they won't absorb the glucose from your bloodstream. Instead, the glucose levels rise.

What happens? It makes it much harder for our bodies to initiate weight loss. Our bodies are sending the signal 📢 "DON'T 🔥 BURN FAT!"

The fix: ADD MUSCLE 💪

🤔 Studies have found that regardless of body size, having more muscle mass can protect the body against insulin resistance and prediabetes. Just an 10% increase in muscle mass can decrease your risk by 11-12%

So as PCOS patients with IR, it is to YOUR BENEFIT to add more muscle mass to your body. Muscle absorbs glucose and helps to regulate blood sugar levels.

Get this ‼️ Further research has shown that increasing the muscle mass in your body may be even MORE IMPORTANT than fat loss when attempting to control high blood glucose and insulin resistance.

So, pick up some weights and get started!
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Last note, it's also important to follow a PCOS friendly nutrition plan. If you aren't sure where to start, head over to .pcos.dietitian. Her PCOS Lifestyle and Blueprint course is starting soon. Join now and get the option to work with me, too!

05/01/2021

Quite possibly, the *BEST* 17 minutes I’ve spent perusing PCOS-related media in a long while! 👏🏼👏🏼

Hayley is brilliant 🌞, bright💡, hilarious 😆 and unapologetically authentic 🙌🏼. Thanks to her this clever doco-short had me howling with laughter whilst sharing [+educating!] 📖 about PCOS in an engaging, totally refreshing and creative way.

Great introduction to this complex, chronic endocrine disorder including — give it a crack 👀!

The standout message for me was:
◽️ The importance of friendship & community — you’re NOT on your own. 🥰

With that, I’m sending you all much love! Keep safe, be kind and take care of one another [elbow-bump!] ✌🏼❤️
📸 IG:

MC: Comedian Hayley Sproull is sick of having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and is on a mission to uncover the mystery behind this common women's issue. She wa...

09/12/2020

Hands up if you are battling with high testosterone? (also, sneaky announcement below!!)

High testosterone is SO common in women with PCOS and treating it is a big part of the picture for many of us.

High testosterone is responsible for a few of the really difficult PCOS symptoms - acne, excess facial and body hair (hirsutism) and hair fall on the scalp (alopecia) are the first to come to mind...but it can be treated!! 🎉

I hear from a lot of women struggling with these symptoms and with high testosterone and they're receiving little to no help from their doctors to address it specifically.

But as you can see when we turn to complementary medicine, there are actually SO many options for us. Who knew?! 🤷‍♀️

And really, complementary medicine offers us a huge range of supplements for EVERY aspect of PCOS and it has helped me SO much...which is why I'm kind of obsessed with researching it and sharing what I learn.

Which brings me to my sneaky announcement...😃😃😃

I've created a FREE GUIDE for you guys!! 🎉🎉🎉

It's called "Powerful Supplements for PCOS" and it covers all of my favourite herbs and supplements for PCOS, what they do, where you can get them and the type of women with PCOS that they can help.

So all the supplements in the graphic below are included and explained along with a whole bunch more 😍😍😍

This is a guide I've been thinking about creating for literally like 2 years but have just never gotten to it. But I've finally written it and I really hope it can be helpful for you.

I didn't just want to let you know what the supplements can do. I wanted you to also know what type of practitioner can help you get them and the specific symptoms and PCOS triggers they could address.

So click the link below and let me know what you think!

Mel xo

http://www.pcospathways.com/free-pcos-supplements-guide/