How I cured my pcos
A few years ago, I was misdiagnosed by a doctor. Well actually, I’ve been misdiagnosed a few times. While I was going through hormonal imbalance I tried to communicate how I felt to my mother and doctor. In the process, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. In reality, my mental illness wasn’t just an illness. I should not have been diagnosed the way I was. Can you relate?
So let’s start from the beginning. There are some people out there discovering what PCOS is. I do not blame you if you don’t know. It isn’t something that should be natural after all. Let me explain it to you.
PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a common hormonal disorder that affects people with ovaries, often during their reproductive years. It is characterized by a range of symptoms and may vary in presentation among individuals. Some common features of PCOS include irregular or absent menstrual periods, excessive androgen (male hormone) levels, and the presence of small cysts in the ovaries.
While the exact cause of PCOS is not fully understood, it is thought to be related to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. PCOS can lead to various health concerns, including fertility issues, insulin resistance, weight gain, acne, and excessive hair growth. The management of PCOS may involve lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, as well as medical interventions, like hormonal birth control or medications to regulate insulin levels. Now, you go to a doctor and this is the treatment recommended to you right? Yeah, I’ve heard that plenty of times. “Just exercise,” or “maintain a healthy diet" as if it is so easy. I am not going to lie and say I allowed myself to get diagnosed and accept my fate. In reality, there’s a chance I do not have PCOS. Unfortunately, I can point to a board of symptoms and say it’s pretty darn close. But technically, currently, I do not have a diagnosis of PCOS. If I were to go to a doctor right now I could be diagnosed.
So why do I refuse to go in? Well, I don’t want to be told the same copycat answer most females have been given and forced to take. I do not want to feel pressured into medication like I was before. As I mentioned earlier, my mother and doctor did not understand me. I tried and cried, begging for a solution. I thought birth control would help me. My mother’s concern was if it would cause me to gain weight. Eventually, I started to take the pill. I was still in high school, and I was on multiple medications. I did not feel like it was helping. I still cried every day, felt stressed, gained weight, and missed periods. The pill helped regulate it, but when I went off my body refused to menstruate for over a year. I felt so drained constantly and depressed - I didn’t even want to go to the doctor again.
One day, I had someone tell me that I looked to have had a problem with my thyroid. How could they tell? I had formed skin under my chin and seemed to produce a double chin despite being skinnier in the face. Additionally, my face began to shape into the “Moon” circle. That alone could not diagnose a problem with the thyroid, but my other symptoms combined did point to a problem. So what is the thyroid?
The thyroid gland produces hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which influence a wide range of bodily functions, including metabolism, energy production, and temperature regulation. Hormone Imbalance: Stress can lead to an increase in the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels can, in turn, disrupt the normal balance of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and their conversion. This disruption can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and changes in mood.
Autoimmune Conditions: Chronic stress can contribute to the development or exacerbation of autoimmune thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease. In Hashimoto's, the immune system attacks the thyroid, leading to an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while in Graves' disease, it results in an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Thyroid Function: Stress can also directly impact the function of the thyroid gland. For some individuals, stress may lead to fluctuations in thyroid hormone levels, causing symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Symptom Exacerbation: Stress can exacerbate the symptoms of thyroid disorders. For example, stress may worsen fatigue, anxiety, or depression, which are common in both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Treatment Response: High-stress levels can affect the body's response to thyroid medications. In some cases, individuals may require adjustments in their medication dosages due to the influence of stress on hormone levels.
Alright, now that this is all explained we can continue to the good part. I did not know anything about my body. As a female, my own mother failed to raise me to understand the signs of my body. I used to get lightheaded all the time, I thought it was vertigo. I did not drink water, and always had issues with hydration. I did not have a period for over a year and had horrible hormonal problems every day. After I was told about my thyroid I did some research. As a female, periods require the use of a lot of blood. But if you are low on Iron, then problems with menstruation may occur. Additionally, low Iron can cause lightheadedness. Problems with the thyroid can cause cortisol levels to be elevated. High stress can cause skipped or delayed menstruation. Once all of these problems started to spiral for me. I knew I had to find a way to put myself back on track. Hormonal imbalances can take forever to balance.
So this is what I did to help myself menstruate and get back on track. The very first month of trying I had started to have my period. I started taking Progesterone. Alright, one more time…What is Progesterone?
SM Nutrition Progesterone Cream
Recommended Product: This cream, meticulously formulated with natural ingredients, offers a convenient and effective way to support progesterone levels. Whether you're navigating hormonal fluctuations or aiming to enhance overall well-being, this cream provides a targeted approach. The easy application and rapid absorption make it a seamless addition to your daily routine.
Progesterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle and the overall hormonal balance in the body. It is often used in hormone replacement therapy for various reasons, including to help balance hormones. Here's how progesterone can contribute to hormonal balance:
Regulating the Menstrual Cycle: Progesterone is responsible for regulating the second half of the menstrual cycle. It prepares the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy. When there is an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, it can lead to irregular or heavy periods, which can be corrected by supplementing with progesterone.
Hormone Imbalance Correction: In some cases, there may be a relative excess of estrogen compared to progesterone in the body, a condition known as estrogen dominance. This imbalance can lead to various symptoms, including mood swings, breast tenderness, and heavy periods. Progesterone therapy can help restore the balance between these hormones.
Supporting Fertility: Adequate progesterone levels are essential for a healthy pregnancy. If there is a deficiency in progesterone, it can lead to difficulties with fertility and maintaining a pregnancy. Progesterone supplementation may be recommended to support pregnancy and reduce the risk of miscarriage.
Managing Menopausal Symptoms: During menopause, a woman's ovaries produce fewer hormones, leading to hormonal imbalances and various symptoms such as hot flashes and mood changes. Hormone replacement therapy, including progesterone, can help alleviate these symptoms and restore hormonal balance.
Bone Health: Progesterone also has a role in bone health by stimulating bone-forming cells. Maintaining proper hormonal balance, including progesterone, can contribute to better bone health.
I would take half a pump of the product I had purchased. Yes, progesterone does not need a prescription from a doctor. Although, please be careful where you buy your medicine/products. I beg of you to be careful and look at reviews. I will link the brands I use below. Anyways, half a pump of the bottle daily and rub it like normal cream on both wrists. Alongside that, I used to take a pill of Iron once every other week. Taking Iron can be very dangerous as too much of it can hurt the body. Naturally, we eat things that have small amounts of Iron in them. Except, if you do not eat enough meat (I like eating jerky, helps with Iron a lot) and some other foods (Ex. Dragonfruit!) you can lack Iron. If your body doesn’t produce enough Iron, then you are anemic.
Anemia is a medical condition characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells or a lower-than-normal level of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
MaryRuth Organics Liquid Iron
Recommended Product: Mary Ruth always kills it with the supplements. She has amazing products and this Iron is an interesting spin. As most know, Iron is in the blood and it can feel funny to take in liquid form. But this berry flavoring definitely sweetens things up! I love it, and the bottle it comes in is amazing and thick glass making it a study product.
These two products helped kick-start my periods, and I started to feel better as my stress levels lowered. I had a period almost every single month for a year with the exception of a month or two. I noticed keeping stress low, and taking my vitamins like B and D, along with the two things I mentioned helped me a lot. Eventually, the roadblock made me feel hopeless. The progesterone was keeping my estrogen intact, and testosterone lowered. Iron was keeping my body in check so I could have a full period. Why was I hitting a roadblock? The next thing I tried to incorporate was Raspberry Leaf Tea. I’ve listed some benefits to trying this tea.
NatureWise Vitamin D3
Recommended Product: Alright, so this brand is so healthy and reliable I love buying my D3 from them. It comes in a little gel capsule which reminds me of fish oil. It is small and easy to swallow!
Menstrual Comfort: Raspberry leaf tea is often consumed to alleviate menstrual cramps and discomfort. It is believed to have muscle-relaxing properties that can help ease uterine contractions, reducing the intensity of menstrual pain.
Regular Menstrual Cycles: Some women find that raspberry leaf tea may help regulate menstrual cycles, making periods more predictable and consistent.
Pregnancy and Labor: Raspberry leaf tea is perhaps best known for its use during pregnancy. It is often recommended in the third trimester to prepare the uterus for labor and potentially shorten the second stage of labor. It's important to note that while it's a traditional practice, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in this regard.
Nutrient-Rich: Raspberry leaves are a source of essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and iron, which can support overall health.
Uterine Health: Some believe that raspberry leaf tea supports overall uterine health and may help prevent conditions like uterine fibroids, although further research is required to confirm these claims.
Digestive Health: The tea is also known for its potential to soothe digestive discomfort, such as diarrhea and stomach cramps, thanks to its astringent properties.
Antioxidant Properties: Raspberry leaves contain antioxidants that can help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, potentially supporting overall well-being.
FGO Organic Red Raspberry Loose Leaf Tea,
Recommended Product: I cannot stress this enough. Please do not get your teas from a large retailer. There is no guarantee of the herbs used or how they were harvested, I really like this brand as there are no artificial flavors and it tastes like genuine raspberry.
Now, lastly the product that helped my thyroid gland the most is Iodine! It is very much needed and was one of the first supplements I took besides increasing my iron right away. I like the Mary Ruth brand, and use their Iodine.
Mary Ruth Iodine
Recommended Product: As I mentioned earlier, Mary Ruth is such an amazing brand. I love this Iodine and use this dropper bottle so often, and when it is other it can be repurposed into an essential oil bottle!
Now, every month no matter if I am consistent, with my cream and vitamins, or not I am fine. My body has enough support that I no longer feel my hormones imbalanced. I get emotional naturally around my period, and sometimes during. Otherwise, I feel completely normal when I am not on it. I get my periods every time even if it is a little late or early. My head feels better and I no longer feel like I am going to lose it whenever I get upset. I do not feel depressed or anxious like I used to. My weight has evened out, and I am starting to shred weight. My cravings are lesser and I can go a long time without feeling the need to eat. I’m sure my story is different from others. But I can definitely relate to a lot of females and I hope my story helped you, whoever is reading this.