Author: Tallene

One of the first signs of PCOS is irregular periods. Most of us Cysters realize there’s a problem when we’re teenagers and our cycle length is 35 days or longer. Of course, this can be inconvenient, but it’s also a sign that other things might not be right inside your body! The same root issues that are causing your irregular menstrual cycles are likely causing your other chronic PCOS symptoms, too! 

However, when you decide you want to have a baby, irregular periods aren’t just annoying– they’re getting in the way of optimal fertility. This is because ovulation with irregular periods is hard to track and sometimes doesn’t even occur at all. To conceive, you NEED to know when you’re ovulating! 

So, today, I’m going to discuss how exactly ovulation tracking works with irregular periods! If you’re careful about monitoring your menstrual cycle and can identify ovulation, your chances of getting pregnant are much better.

Here’s what you need to do:

How To Track Ovulation With Irregular Periods From PCOS

Periods with PCOS are a struggle for many of us Cysters. Many of the root issues of PCOS domino into symptoms impacting your period, fertility, and overall women’s health. Heavy, painful, and irregular (and even non-existent) periods are all super common with PCOS! Understanding the factors impacting your cycles can help you regulate your periods, ovulate consistently, and achieve your health goals! 

What Causes Irregular Periods with PCOS?

• Elevated Androgens and Other Reproductive Hormones
• Insulin Resistance 
• Obesity 
• Stress
• Thyroid Problems 
• Medications 
• Polycystic Ovaries 

Do Irregular Periods Affect Ovulation? 

Definitely! When your period isn’t regulated, ovulation may happen at irregular intervals (making it hard to predict), or you may not ovulate altogether! Beyond infrequent or absent ovulation, irregular periods can also worsen egg quality, increase insulin resistance, and prompt cysts to grow on the ovaries. All of this makes conceiving and carrying a child difficult for Cysters! 

How To Track Ovulation With An Irregular Period

Understand the menstrual cycle. 

Before you can track your ovulation, you need to understand your period. There are four stages of your menstrual cycle: your period, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. If you can keep track of where you are in the cycle, it’ll make predicting ovulation much easier! 

Use period-tracking apps. 

Most women track their periods using an app. If your period is regular, a period-tracking app can give you a really good predictor of where you are in the menstrual cycle. However, women with irregular periods may find these apps less reliable. When your period and ovulation occur at different times every month, the app won’t be able to distinguish patterns and therefore isn’t a very reliable method for tracking on its own.

That being said, our goal as Cysters is to heal our PCOS and regulate those periods through lifestyle changes! Even if you’re at the beginning of your PCOS journey, I recommend you still use an app and log when you get your period starts. This way, you’ll hopefully be able to track patterns and any improvements you’re making in getting your period back on track. Plus, a lot of these apps have technology that adjusts the cycle length and other aspects of its predictions based on the data you input. So, on the first day of your period, log that date and start tracking your cycles each month!

Keep an eye on your cervical mucus. 

During each phase of the menstrual cycle, different things are happening internally. Because of this, our bodies produce different types of discharge (AKA cervical mucus). If you pay attention to the color and texture of the discharge, you can get a good indicator of where you are in the menstrual cycle! Here’s our guide: 

• Menstruation: Of course, what you’ll experience more than anything during your period is bleeding! However, just before or right after the bleeding, you may have brownish or reddish discharge. 
• Follicular Phase: Right after your period, your discharge may be white and sticky or slightly damp. Closer to the end of the follicular phase, the cervical mucus will thicken up and turn more creamy in consistency. Expect it to be wet and cloudy. This means you’re getting more fertile! 
• Ovulation: Your discharge will become the consistency of raw egg whites stretchy and clear. This is when you know you’re ovulating!
• Luteal Phase: Once that thicker mucus goes away, the mucus will become more dry or sticky. The color will likely be white or yellow. Then, the cycle starts over again! 

Track your basal body temperature (BBT). 

Cervical mucus is a good indicator of where you are in your menstrual cycle, but it can still be difficult for some women to track. Plus, you won’t be able to determine exactly when you ovulate you’ll just know your general fertile window. 

To get a better indicator of when ovulation occurs, track your basal body temperature! Using a special basal thermometer, take your temperature every morning before getting out of bed at exactly the same time. Your temperature will stay pretty consistent until ovulation, where you’ll see a slight drop in temperature. Then just after ovulation you’ll see the temperature rise up to 1 degree higher than normal.  

By tracking when the temperature drops slightly, you can get a pretty accurate read on when you’re ovulating (which is the ideal time to conceive!) Seeing that temperature rise again will show you did, in fact, ovulate, which is also great for tracking purposes.

Test luteinizing hormone (LH) and pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) regularly. 

You may be asking: “But is there a way to know 100% that I am ovulating?” YES! Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) use urine sticks (like pregnancy tests) to measure hormones that indicate whether or not ovulation is occurring. 

When your cervical mucus and basal body temperature indicate you may be ovulating or entering that fertile window, it’s time to start testing! An ovulation test will measure the luteinizing hormone (LH) that will rise during the start of your fertile window, peak at ovulation, and then taper off again. How dark the dye is on your test will give you an indication if you’re moving toward ovulation, ovulating, or moving away from ovulation. It’s the best way to know when it’s time to try conceiving! 

That being said, sometimes women with PCOS experience that spike in luteinizing hormone (LH), but due to other hormonal imbalances, still don’t ovulate. The egg doesn’t release and attempts at conceiving won’t be fruitful. So, it’s a good idea for Cysters to also track pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) after you believe you ovulated. This test will confirm your body not only produced the hormones to ovulate, but an egg was actually released and ovulation did occur. 

There are ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) at all price ranges, but I recommend the Predict & Confirm Kit from Proov that provides tests for LH and PdG. 

Work towards regulating your periods.

At the end of the day, if your periods are irregular, tracking ovulation is hard! Plus, the abnormal menstrual cycles are an indication of other fertility problems and internal issues, including hormonal imbalance, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Luckily, you can reverse all these issues using natural methods like adopting a PCOS-friendly diet, taking the right supplements, and committing to small lifestyle changes. 

For all the best PCOS resources, recipes, and workout routines, download The Cysterhood app and browse the blog for everything you need to know about how to create a life where you thrive even with PCOS! To get you started, begin tracking your period month-to-month and jump into A Cyster and Her Mister Podcast episodes, as well as these blog posts: 

• Period Repair Manual 
• How to Regulate Periods with PCOS
• How to Master Your Cycle & Fertility 
• Fix Your Period with PCOS 
• Tips to Regulate Your Period with PCOS 

There are lots of ways to successfully track ovulation with irregular periods!

There’s no doubt that one of the most difficult symptoms of PCOS for many Cysters is infertility. When you long for a baby, there’s nothing harder than realizing your body is working against you or doctors giving you more bad news. But I’m here to assure you, there is hope! We’ve helped so many women in The Cysterhood app have healthy pregnancies through our method, and we believe this is possible for all our Cysters.

Tracking ovulation is a great first step, but remember that managing all your PCOS symptoms is possible! Take back your fertility, increase ovulation, and live symptom-free with PCOS with the help of PCOS Weight Loss!

The menstrual cycle takes a woman’s body on a hormonal roller coaster. In each phase of the menstrual cycle, you can experience different symptoms that hopefully aren’t too extreme if everything in your body is well-regulated! However, if you have PCOS, your menstrual cycle may already be out-of-whack, making symptoms of each stage more intense. 

One common symptom women experience during the menstruation (period) phase of the cycle is digestive issues like constipation. For some, it’s the first indication their time of the month is here! However, constipation can make an already heavy and painful PCOS period even more uncomfortable. So, today, I’m discussing why your period can cause constipation and what you can do about it! 

P.S. Beyond fixing just constipation, let’s get your menstrual cycle back on track and make those periods a lot more manageable naturally. Read my post called How to Regulate Periods with PCOS and listen to my podcast episode called Period Repair Manual to get started! 

Until then, let’s get those digestive issues under control:

The Connection Between Your Constipation and Menstrual Cycle

If you notice changes in your bowel movements throughout the menstrual cycle, you’re not alone. However, understanding what exactly is causing the variations can help you get your digestive situation back in order. 

Does Menstruation Cause Constipation?

Yes, menstruation can cause constipation! This is because the increase in progesterone levels during your period can slow the digestive system down and lead to constipation. You may also get constipated before your period, since those progesterone levels rise in the luteal phase. (Here’s more on the phases of the menstrual cycle.)

If you’re not sure if you’re experiencing constipation, here are the symptoms: 

• Infrequent bowel movements
• Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
• Straining to pass your stools
• Feeling of incomplete evacuation of stool
• Bloating, cramping, or abdominal pain 
• Blood in your stool 

9 Menstrual Constipation Remedies 

Increase your fiber intake. 

A balanced, healthy diet can do a lot for our bodies especially for our digestive system. Eating a lot of fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes can relieve constipation in two ways. First of all, it adds bulk to your stool by absorbing water, which can stimulate the intestines to move to push stools out faster and easier. That extra water, though, has an additional benefit of softening the stool for easier passing. This is one of the best solutions for fighting constipation caused by high progesterone!

Stay hydrated. 

Drinking more water can help with constipation too! Adequate water intake softens stools and promotes regular bowel movement. Plus, dehydration can cause fluid retention that often worsens constipation, so drink plenty of water to prevent that and keep everything moving regularly. 

Exercise every day. 

I know, I know . . . the last thing anyone wants to do when they’re on their period is exercise. We’d all rather curl up on the couch and binge watch Monk or something, right? However, exercise has a ton of benefits, such as relieving the side effects of menstruation! 

Slow-weighted workouts can reverse fatigue, boost your mood, relieve pain, improve sleep, and actually promote healthy digestion! Physical activity stimulates the muscles in your intestines to make those period poops easier to pass and more regular!  We have a ton of full body workout videos that are PCOS friendly in The Cysterhood app!

Reduce your stress. 

Stress can actually slow down the movement of food through your body, leading to weight gain, bloating, and, of course, constipation. Plus, stress triggers hormonal imbalance that can drop your progesterone even lower than normal during your period, which, as we’ve learned, leads to constipation, too. So, relieving stress can help keep you regular even on your period! I recommend meditation, spending time in nature, setting the environment for uninterrupted sleep… just more self-care!

Drink peppermint or ginger tea. 

Herbal teas have INCREDIBLE health benefits! In fact, some blends are so powerful they can help regulate your hormones and support your PCOS healing. That’s why I created Testosterone Relief Tea to help women with PCOS target their imbalanced hormones and get the most out of their healthy lifestyle! 

A couple of teas that are particularly powerful for constipation while on your period are peppermint and ginger tea. Peppermint tea after meals has been shown to help with digestion and bloating while ginger tea has been shown to stimulate the digestive system and reduce inflammation that could be worsening gut health. That means both are great for constipation! 

Take a multivitamin with magnesium. 

A multivitamin is essential for any Cyster! Nutrition deficiencies can worsen all your PCOS symptoms and even your period symptoms. A multivitamin like the MetaMulti that has magnesium can really help with constipation not just in the short-term, but it can help keep your digestive system regular month-after-month. 

Magnesium draws water into the intestines, which helps soften stool and encourages its movement through the digestive tract. It also relaxes your intestinal muscles to prevent you from straining and struggling with your stools. If that wasn’t enough, magnesium has more benefits for PCOS, too!

Try probiotics. 

Probiotics are great for maintaining healthy digestion! These can come naturally from food or can be from supplements as well. They help maintain the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut to reduce inflammation, decrease bloating, improve constipation, and better overall gut health! Take them regularly with your Ovafit supplements to keep everything running smoothly. 

Get in the right posture. 

Another way to make stools easier to pass and relieve constipation is to get in the right position. Studies show it’s actually better for our feet to be elevated, so we’re in a squatting position. It helps reduce strain and allow for easier passage of your stool! They even make special stools to keep your bowel movements strain-free!

Ask your doctor about stool softeners. 

If you’re still struggling with constipation after trying these methods, consider talking to your doctor about stool softeners. However, these methods should get things moving like they’re supposed to no matter your stage of the menstrual cycle! 

Periods can cause constipation, but there are plenty of natural remedies that’ll fix it!

Constipation is uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Keeping regular bowel movements will be super important to your PCOS healing process, because it improves digestive health, hormone balance, inflammation, skin health, and your overall well-being!

Use these tips to get yourself back on a schedule and download The Cysterhood app for more resources, recipes, and workouts that’ll help you live symptoms-free with PCOS no matter the time of the month!

If you’ve spent any time online looking up how to lose weight or the best diet tips, you’ve definitely run across the concept of intermittent fasting. Sirak and I have actually talked about if intermittent fasting is good for PCOS on the A Cyster and Her Mister podcast. Every Cyster is different, and for some, strategic intermittent fasting can help them to lose weight.

The word “strategic” is key. Going too long without eating can send your body into fight-or-flight mode and increase inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormone imbalances (worsening all the things you’re trying to improve). Plus, there are other factors to consider when deciding when to fast, like the changing of your body throughout the menstrual cycle!

So, today, I am going to explain how to best fast during your menstrual cycle. Being intentional about your fasting strategy will ensure that you actually reach your goals without worsening any of your PCOS symptoms. Here’s the best way to fast during your period:

What is the Best Time To Fast During your Menstrual Cycle?

First of all, if you’re not super familiar with your menstrual cycle, take a second to jump over to my post explaining each phase of your period. There’s your period, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase, and in each one, different things happen in your body that make fasting more or less beneficial. 

The best time to fast during the menstrual cycle? The follicular phase. In this phase, your insulin levels and energy levels peak, allowing your body to handle a longer fasting window. However, with PCOS, I recommend fasting for 12 hours or 14 hours.

This is because your body already runs on “emergency mode” pretty frequently, and when your body thinks it’s in danger due to inflammation, stress, or limited food intake, it can actually cause your body to hold on to fat (instead of burning it) and raise insulin resistance in preparation for the coming storm. So, to stay out of that fight-or-flight mode, start by fasting around 12 hours. Gradually increase your fast to 13 or 14 hours, but monitor how you feel and see if it’s right for you. Don’t force it!

How To Fast During Menstrual Cycle

Step One: Identify when the follicular phase is. 

With PCOS, periods are usually pretty unpredictable. Due to low insulin sensitivity, high blood sugar, and sex hormonal imbalances, women with PCOS often experience irregular periods or absent periods. Of course, as you naturally heal your PCOS, you can actually repair your period, track your phases, and get everything back to normal. That’ll be your first step!   

Step Two: Make a plan for a 12-hour fasting window. 

Next, make a plan for your fasting window. I recommend starting your fast after dinner and doing the bulk of your fasting while you sleep. This is a great way to fast effectively without making yourself super uncomfortable! You could even do this long-term at any stage of the menstrual cycle if you find that it doesn’t impact your symptoms negatively.

Step Three: Plan your meals carefully.

Fasting and a balanced diet go hand-in-hand. During your eating window, you want to eat plenty of protein, healthy fats, and vegetables! To feel good during your fast and avoid intense cravings, you need to make the right food choices. You can find tons of great PCOS-friendly (and fasting-friendly) recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time on The Cysterhood app! 

Step Four: Stay hydrated. 

Staying hydrated will help your body maintain its regular bodily functions while supporting detoxification that often happens during fasting. Plus, staying hydrated can reduce cravings and help you fight brain fog during your fasting window. 

Step Five: Keep exercising. 

Don’t stop exercising with your fast! Exercising will actually increase your insulin sensitivity and increase fat burning to make your fast more effective. On top of that, the right kind of workouts can help relieve PCOS symptoms (and PMS symptoms!) So, no matter your phase of the menstrual cycle or the schedule of your fast, keep doing slow-weighted workouts you can find on The Cysterhood app.

Step Six: Listen to your body. 

At the end of the day, your body will tell you if it’s the right time to fast. If it’s too difficult during this phase or 12 hours is too long, don’t push it! It’s really not for everyone, and we have other ways to help you find what works best for your body. Listen to your body and realize there are lots of ways to reach your goals.

The best time to fast during your menstrual cycle is during the follicular phase! 

If you’re wanting to lose weight and improve your symptoms of PCOS, you’ve come to the right place. Figuring out how to navigate your condition isn’t as easy as a quick Google search . . . you need a tailored approach that makes sense for a Cyster’s unique body. Luckily, there are lots of natural ways to reach all your PCOS goals including weight loss, and we are here to help!

For all the best meal plans, workout routines, and resources to heal your body, head over to the PCOS Weight Loss blog and download The Cysterhood app. As a Registered Dietitian specializing in PCOS (and as someone who personally has reversed my PCOS symptoms), my goal is to help you finally live symptom-free with PCOS. Let’s do this!

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone condition that affects women with the disorder in a lot of ways. Unforuntately, one of the best known symptoms of PCOS is infertility. Because of the hormone imbalances that often come with PCOS, conceiving, carrying, and delivering babies can be very difficult. It’s a heartbreaking journey that I’ve seen so many women endure. If this is you, hang tight, because I can help! 

There are lots of ways you can reverse your PCOS naturally and see improvements in all of your symptoms, including infertility. Exercising, changing your eating habits, taking supplements, reducing stress, and getting better sleep can all have big impacts on your hormone balance and help you master your menstrual cycle and get everything back on track. You can learn more about that in our post on how to regulate periods with PCOS and in the episode of A Cyster and Her Mister called “Period Repair Manual.” 

But, as your cycle regularity and PCOS symptoms are improving, you’ll still need to know when you ovulate in order to have the best chances of conceiving. There are a lot of ways to track your ovulation (or lack of ovulation) like using an app, taking your basal body temperature, or interpreting cervical mucus. However, those options aren’t great for PCOS when your period is anything but regular! So, today I’m going to talk about the most reliable method of tracking ovulation with PCOS: ovulation predictor kits. 

I’ll break down what they do, how they work for you, and give you some of the best options for your conception journey. Hopefully, with this information, you’ll learn more about your body and get one step closer to a healthy pregnancy! 

5 Best Ovulation Tests for PCOS

Can You Use Ovulation Tests with PCOS?

Yes! In fact, ovulation tests are super important if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome and you want to get pregnant. Since many women with PCOS have unpredictable cycles, usually apps or calendars that track ovulation on a normal 28-day cycle aren’t reliable. You can’t be sure you’re actually ovulating on those dates. An ovulation test can confirm if you’re ovulating, so it’s clear when conception may happen. 

How Do Ovulation Tests Work?

Most ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) work by detecting luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. LH levels surge when you’re 24-36 hours from ovulating telling you an egg is about to be released from the ovary. With a regular cycle, ovulatuon occurs about 14 days before your period.

When you take an ovulation test, if LH is present, it’ll show “positive.” Usually, the tests have one control line and a second line will appear if LH is in the urine. It’ll start off faint and then get darker as you get closer to the release of the egg. Then, once the egg is released, you’ll see the second line get fainter again until it’s gone and the level of LH has dropped to an insignificant amount.

Why are Certain Ovulation Tests Better for PCOS?

Most ovulation tests measure only LH levels. However, that can be problematic for women with PCOS that have irregular cycles. LH levels tell us the body is trying to ovulate—typically signaling that ovulation should happen within about 36 hours. But with PCOS, the LH surge can occur without an egg actually being released, meaning ovulation doesn’t happen. When follicles fail to rupture, they can turn into cysts, which is one reason ovarian cysts are common in PCOS.

This can mean your ovulation tests can give you a positive result, but ovulation didn’t actually occur. However, there are some ovulation tests that measure other hormone levels, making the prediction more accurate to avoid false positives. 

A hormone that some test kits cover is pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG). PdG is a progesterone hormone that rises after ovulation and remains elevated during the luteal phase. So, if you successfully ovulated and an egg is released, you’ll get a positive result on a PdG test. Knowing you had successful ovulation will give you insights into the likelihood of successful conception in the last cycle! 

Some tests may also test estrogen-3-glucuronide (E3G) and follicle-stimulating-hormone (FSH). E3G helps you find your 6 day fertile window and FSH can give you insight into your fertility health overall. FSH is responsible for stimulating the growth and development of eggs, so when FSH levels are optimal, you’ll likely experience improved egg quality and a better chance of conceiving. 

5 PCOS Ovulation Tests

Prove, Predict and Confirm

This duo kit is perfect for tracking ovulation with PCOS! The test includes LH tests, of course, but it also has PdG tests! You take an LH test 12-14 days after the start of your period and take it until you receive a positive result. Then, you’ll try to conceive as normal. 

About 7-10 days after you hit peak fertility based on the LH test results and any tracking apps you may be using, you’ll take your PdH test. If that’s positive, you’ll know an egg released and there’s a chance you may be pregnant! At the very least, you’ll know your body successfully ovulated, which is great for maintaining regular cycles with PCOS! As a bonus, this option is pretty affordable and normally used for a few cycles! 

Mira Hormone Monitor

Mira is a super-comprehensive fertility monitor that measures LH, PdG, E3G, and FSH! It also includes an intuitive app to help you gather and interpret all the information on your menstrual cycle. It claims to help identify your 6 most fertile days, predict ovulation, and confirm ovulation. 

Though the little machine may seem intimidating at first, it’s actually really easy to use. You just provide a sample in a disposable cup, insert the wand piece of the Mira into the urine for 10-20 sections, and then insert the wand into the device. In just over 20 minutes, you’ll get comprehensive hormone insights uploaded to the app. 

The device is about $80 and you do have to buy new fertility wands every couple of cycles, and those range from $68-$151 for 20 depending on how many hormones you decide to test each cycle. It’s a bit on the pricier side, but the insights are so worth it!

Inito Fertility Monitor & Hormone Tracker

The Inito is another fertility monitor that tracks FSH, LH, PdG, and E3G! This one connects with your phone, so make sure to get the right version of the device before checking out. Beyond that, it works very similarly to the Mira, using test strips that you insert into the monitor to track insights. Like the Mira, it gives you information about your overall reproductive health, fertility windows, and ovulation success. 

This device is faster than the Mira, producing results in just 10 minutes. It is more expensive, at $150 for the Inito itself and $99 for a box of 30 additional strips. Since you’ll need up to 14 strips per cycle, this option could get expensive while you’re trying to figure everything out, but, again, the insights may be worth your while.  

Oova Fertility Hormone Kit

The Oova Fertility Hormone Kit keeps things simple with classic test strip technology. No complicated and expensive devices! However, they do have a helpful app to help you with tracking and finding resources for various fertility struggles. It’s the perfect balance! 

This Oova kit tracks LH, PdG, and E3G, which are the most important hormones for that conception window! You can either buy it as a one-time thing for $150 or enroll in the membership for about $130. These kits are only good for one cycle, with 30 test strips for one round of trying to conceive. So, though it’s simpler, it could be just as expensive (or even more so) as the devices. 

Easy@Home Ovulation and Pregnancy Tests

For something affordable and easy, try standard ovulation test strips. No, you won’t get the insights of LH, PdG, E3G, and FSH, but this is a good place to start. This box is $130 and comes with 100 LH test strops and 20 HCG (pregnancy tests) to use when you miss your period! You can also use the app Premom Ovulation Predictor from the Easy@Home company to track your results. 

This test can’t confirm you’ve ovulated, so if you struggle to conceive for a few months or a year, it’s probably a good idea to move to one of the other ovulation test kit options that can at least confirm you’re releasing eggs in the first place. Either way, using these tests will give you valuable insights into what’s happening in your body. 

Ovulation tests are super useful when trying to get pregnant with PCOS! 

Conceiving a baby with PCOS can be difficult, and for someone longing to be a mother, this process can be exhausting and disheartening. However, there are ways to make this work! Reversing your PCOS with natural methods can help you find hormone balance and boost your chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy!

If you want more on fertility and PCOS, here’s what I’ve got:

• How PCOS Affects Pregnancy 
• How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy with PCOS 
• PCOS & Pregnancy: Fertility, Gestation, Postpartum
• How to Increase Ovulation with PCOS 
• Syncing Your Menstrual Cycle with Your Lifestyle 
• How to Improve Fertility with PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal and metabolic disorder that affects women of reproductive age. Though many people think PCOS just affects the ovaries and infertility, PCOS has a lot of day-to-day symptoms that can make life difficult. If you’re a Cyster, you know this! Symptoms of PCOS include excess hair growth, acne, difficulties with weight loss, irregular menstrual cycles, sleep problems, head hair loss, mood swings, and more. 

It’s definitely a lot of symptoms to manage, which can have women with PCOS looking for a cure or life-changing treatment. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, but there are lots of ways to get freedom from your symptoms and thrive despite having PCOS. 

Does a Hysterectomy Cure PCOS

One common “treatment” option that comes up when searching for PCOS solutions is a hysterectomy. That’s what I’m exploring in this post today! I’ll give you all the info you need and provide my opinion on whether or not hysterectomy is a good solution for PCOS.

Here’s what you need to know:

What Is A Hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus. It’s done to treat a variety of feminine medical problems like endometriosis and gynecological cancer. 

What Happens During A Hysterectomy?

Depending on the nature of the problem, surgeons commonly use various types of hysterectomies: 

• Total hysterectomies remove the uterus and cervix, but leave the ovaries intact.
• Hysterectomy with oophorectomy removes the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and potentially the fallopian tubes. 
• Radical hysterectomy is when the uterus, cervix, and top portion of the vagina is removed. Sometimes the tissue surrounding the cervix and the pelvic lymph nodes are taken too. 
• Supracervical hysterectomy is when only the uterus is removed, but the cervix is left (as well as other parts of the reproductive system). 

These surgeries are done either through a large or laparoscopic incision in the abdomen or through the vaginal opening. 

Will A Hysterectomy Cure PCOS?

No. A hysterectomy will not cure your PCOS. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is primarily a hormonal disorder and not attached to the physical organs, so physically removing the uterus will not cure your PCOS!

It might take care of a few symptoms, like difficult menstrual periods and it would reduce the risk of some cancers. However, overall it won’t have much of an effect, because your body will still produce the same imbalance levels of estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, with or without the uterus. 

Even if you go through a hysterectomy with an oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries), you’ll still have hormonal struggles. You can read more about oophorectomy and PCOS here. At the end of the day, you have to get to the root of the problem if you want to reverse your symptoms and heal your PCOS! 

Pros And Cons of Hysterectomy For PCOS

Pros

• Relief from painful and irregular periods
• Reduced risk of ovarian cancer

Cons

• Doesn’t solve hormonal imbalances (and could make it worse)
• Surgery is always risky (blood clots, infection, scarring, heart attack, etc.) 
• PCOS comorbidities like obesity, heart disease, or diabetes can worsen risk
• Potential for early or immediate menopause 
• Could lead to menopause symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness
• No longer able to conceive 
• Reduced sexual function (the vagina will no longer be able to elongate during sex)
• Increase risk for pelvic issues without the support of the uterus 

How Is PCOS Treated?

Eating Balanced Meals

The right foods make all the difference with PCOS. So much of this disorder is centered on the relationship between hormone balance and insulin resistance, so eating well can help you get balanced and feel lots of symptom relief, including heavy periods. Now, balanced doesn’t just mean healthy green vegetables, it means having protein, fiber, carbs, and fat on your plate! 

I recommend trying an anti-inflammatory gluten- and dairy-free diet. And, I recommend cutting caffeine and alcohol where you can. This can help reduce chronic inflammation, boost insulin sensitivity, balance hormones, and relieve plenty of symptoms. However, if you’re intimidated by taking on such a big lifestyle change, download The Cysterhood App! It’s full of delicious PCOS-friendly meals that don’t feel restrictive or boring. Plus, the app has a ton of extra info and a community of women just like you reversing their PCOS! 

Low-Impact Exercise

When reversing PCOS, exercise is super important—but not any workouts will do. One of the hormones Cysters struggle to balance is cortisol (stress hormones) and intense workouts like kickboxing, running, and spinning get your heart rate up and elevate those cortisol levels. This is not helpful for your weight loss or symptom reversal. 

Instead, opt for low-impact exercises like walking, yoga, slow-weighted workouts, pilates, swimming, and cycling. This will allow you to keep cortisol levels low while you’re working out, which will help you reverse your PCOS symptoms and finally conquer your weight loss goals. You can also find specially curated workout plans for PCOS on The Cysterhood App! 

Quality Sleep

Many Cysters struggle with fatigue due to inflammation and hormonal imbalances. However, getting a good 7+ hours of quality sleep can make a lot of difference! Not only are you getting more sleep, but that extra sleep can help with cortisol and melatonin balance, insulin sensitivity, irregular menstrual cycles, anxiety, and depression. All this can help with fatigue and other PCOS symptoms! Here’s more on how to get better sleep with PCOS. 

Supplements

Nutrient deficiencies can be the source of a lot of symptoms—whether you have PCOS or not. Even with a balanced diet, getting all the right vitamins and nutrients is really difficult. So, targeting what deficiencies you have, talking with your doctors, and finding the right supplements to fill those nutritional needs can definitely help reverse our symptoms and heal your PCOS. 

Research shows that inositol is the best supplement for PCOS. However, there are others that can be really helpful! Here’s a list of the 8 best natural supplements for PCOS. To make it simple, I’ve crafted my own line of NSF-certified supplements specifically curated just for PCOS. You can grab Inositol Complete 40:1 and the Metabolism Plus bundle here! Remember to discuss all new supplements with your doctor before starting. 

Hysterectomies are not a cure for PCOS in any way. 

There is no quick fix (or invasive surgery) that will fix your PCOS. I really wish there was! However, there are plenty of natural ways to reduce your symptoms and heal your PCOS. Believe it or not, there are even more holistic treatment options than what I’ve listed! It just goes to show the power you can have when you get to the root cause of your PCOS and give your body the care it needs. 

For more on living and thriving with PCOS, check out my blog! And, listen to A Cyster and Her Mister podcast, where we discuss various PCOS topics and share stories of success from Cysters just like you! Relief is possible! 

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a disorder that affects women of reproductive age, and unfortunately the medical community really doesn’t understand much about it yet. Though doctors know the symptoms of PCOS stem from the endocrine and immune systems, they’re not sure why these systems aren’t working properly in the first place. For this reason, there’s no cure for PCOS, however, there are plenty of ways to manage it!

Symptom management becomes a big part of a Cyster’s life, but women with PCOS should also be mindful of the long-term complications and additional risk factors of having polycystic ovarian syndrome when symptoms go unmanaged. These include increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer, sleep apnea, and other autoimmune diseases. 

One of the autoimmune diseases that’s common with PCOS is lupus. If you’re struggling with PCOS and lupus, or think you may have this combo, I’m dedicating this post to you! I’ll explain the potential connection between PCOS and lupus and give you some tips for managing your symptoms and reversing your autoimmunity. Here’s what you need to know:

PCOS and Lupus 

It’s not at all uncommon for a Cyster to have PCOS and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In fact, 80% of people with autoimmune disease are female and usually it affects women of reproductive age disproportionately. This is a crazy statistic! 

It seems to suggest a connection between a woman’s sex hormones and autoimmune disorders like lupus, Hashimotos, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). 

Is PCOS An Autoimmune Disorder?

There is a lot of debate in the medical community about the relationship between PCOS and autoimmune disorders. As well as whether or not PCOS is itself an autoimmune disorder. After doing years of my own research, I tend to agree with the doctors that consider it an autoimmune disorder. 

This is because studies have shown that the irregular menstrual cycles that come with PCOS lower a Cyster’s progesterone levels, which plays a role in the overstimulation of the immune system and adrenal system. The result is inflammation and the production of excess estrogen. Then, estrogen dominance leads to the creation of proteins called autoantibodies. 

These are similar in structure to antibodies that help us fight off disease and toxins, but instead these autoantibodies mistake our own healthy cells and body tissues as foreign invaders. The autoantibodies then attack our healthy cells, which can result in more sickness, chronic pain, systemic inflammation, fatigue, and more. 

Research has illustrated the potential relationship between PCOS and autoimmune disorders. Studies show that Cysters are at an increased risk of certain autoimmune disorders, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, Grave’s diseases, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and, of course, lupus. 

Here’s more on the link between PCOS and autoimmune disease. 

Lupus and PCOS Connection

PCOS and lupus aren’t uncommon to see together since they both seem to stem from a similar root cause. Something within the body is prompting the production of autoantibodies! 

But, autoantibodies aren’t the only thing that lupus, PCOS, and other autoimmune diseases have in common. Cysters and women with autoimmune disease often have a vitamin D deficiency, chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and sex hormone imbalances. All this suggests some connection between lupus, PCOS, and other autoimmune disorders. 

Tips For Living With Lupus And PCOS

Get in nature, but avoid too much sun. 

Many people with lupus have photosensitivity, which is a strong negative reaction to UV rays (sunlight). Too much sun exposure can cause rashes and lupus flare-ups. These flare-ups usually involve fever, body aches, and inflammation. Of course, this means people with lupus should avoid being out in the sun too often. 

However, don’t stay in all the time! Nature can have a stress-relieving effect that’s really helpful for PCOS and lupus. Spend time outside, but maybe switch out afternoon strolls for nighttime stargazing. When you do have to go out during the day, wear plenty of sunscreen and protective clothing. 

Learn the signs of your flare-ups and prepare for them. 

There are things that can make your PCOS and lupus symptoms worse. However, with lupus, ignoring warning signs that your body needs help could result in a flare-up that may permanently damage organs. Be mindful of your symptoms and identify when you feel new symptoms or chronic symptoms worsening. 

When this happens, get rest, slow down, and try to avoid things that could make the flare-up worse. Try to also take note of the triggers that could be causing your lupus flare-up. Poor sleep, too much sun, infection, and injury are a few potential causes for flare-ups. 

Improve your sleep hygiene. 

Sleep is important for lupus and PCOS. Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule will help reduce stress, lower insulin resistance, regulate periods, improve cognitive functioning, and even help with anxiety and depression. All these things are important for alleviating symptoms and thriving despite PCOS and lupus! 

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s how to get better sleep with an autoimmune disorder. 

Consider changing your diet.

Changes in your diet can have a huge impact on the symptom severity of any autoimmune disease. This is because food can help or hurt inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormone balance, all of which contribute to the development of autoantibodies. If you can reduce the number of autoantibodies produced in your body, you can start feeling relief from lupus and PCOS. Plus, eating healthy has other benefits too!

Because gluten and dairy are both known to be inflammatory, I recommend you consider a gluten- and dairy-free anti-inflammatory diet that consists of intentional foods that fuel your body and help support your autoimmune healing journey. It may sound a little intimidating, but I make it really easy with The Cysterhood App. It’s full of recipes and meal plans specifically designed for a PCOS body. You can learn more about healing PCOS through diet here. 

Ask your doctor about vitamins and supplements. 

Even with the right diet, it can be hard to get all the necessary nutrients for maintaining a healthy body and mind. A few of the best supplements for people with PCOS and lupus are:

• Inositol
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Curcumin
• Probiotics 
• Vitamin D3 
• Magnesium 
• Zinc 
• CoQ10 
• Multivitamin with B6, D, and E

You can learn more about my top, research-backed PCOS supplements recommendations. Of course, before you try any new supplements talk with your doctor.

Exercise regularly.

Like choosing the right foods for you, exercise can do more than just help you lose weight. Exercise can help reduce inflammation, regulate hormones, relieve stress, lower insulin resistance, improve sleep, and more. Since these conditions are triggers for lupus and PCOS symptoms, getting the right kind of exercise can definitely help you with symptom management. 

I recommend low-intensity, meditative workouts like slow-weights, workouts, yoga, pilates, light cardio, and walking. If you download The Cysterhood App, you’ll also find unique exercises and workout plans designed for Cysters like you! 

You can also learn more here about the best exercises for PCOS on the blog! 

Reduce stress and practice self-care.

Stress causes a domino effect in the bodies of women with lupus and PCOS, which can result in a lupus flare-up or intense autoimmune symptoms. Keeping your stress levels low with better sleep, more exercise, time in nature, and the right diet is helpful. You can also go one step further by setting aside time to treat yourself and practice self-care with PCOS and lupus!

Here are a few ideas: 

• Engage in a hobby
• Use essential oils 
• Drink herbal tea
• Journal
• Start a skincare routine 
• Take a day off
• Practice mindfulness

Though there’s no cure for lupus or PCOS, there are plenty of treatment options for managing symptoms! 

Autoimmune disease is not easy, but you can live and thrive with PCOS and lupus. With these tips, you can see significant symptom relief. Talk to your doctor before trying anything new, and make sure to search the blog for more essential PCOS information. My husband and I also have a podcast called “A Cyster and Her Mister” where we discuss PCOS, the symptoms, and the healing process. We’re here to help you achieve your goals and overcome autoimmune disease!