Category: PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age. There are a lot of symptoms of PCOS you’re probably familiar with: irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth on the face/body, and weight gain are a few side effects of PCOS that most people don’t understand we face. However, there are a number of unusual symptoms of PCOS, too!

As Cysters, knowing exactly how PCOS affects your body is super important. It can help reveal what type of PCOS you have, what root issues you might be dealing with, and, more importantly, what you need to do to heal your body and reverse your symptoms. 

So, today, I want to talk about skin tags, a lesser-known but common symptom women with PCOS often deal with! Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can affect the skin in several ways, in fact. Let’s discuss why and how you can improve this symptom! 

PCOS And Skin Tags: How They’re Related

Skin tags are still somewhat of a mystery in the medical world—just like PCOS! While their exact root cause isn’t fully understood, we do know that certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing them. Many of these same factors are directly linked to PCOS, which means addressing the root causes of your symptoms can also help improve your skin health!

What Is A Skin Tag?

A skin tag is a small growth that develops on areas of the body where there is friction or skin folds. You’ll probably notice them around your neck, armpits, groin, eyelids, under the breasts, or between stomach folds. They’re narrow, smooth, or slightly wrinkled and don’t cause pain. These “tags” are also non-cancerous and pose no risk to your health. They’re more of a cosmetic issue than a true medical concern. 

Are Skin Tags A Sign of PCOS?

If the only symptom of PCOS you have are skin tags, that wouldn’t be enough to get a diagnosis. However, if skin tags are one of many symptoms of this condition you’re experiencing, it is worth bringing up to your doctor for a possible PCOS diagnosis.

As I mentioned, other skin issues could be due to PCOS, too! The same root issues leading to skin tags often lead to dark skin patches and acne as well. 

Why Does PCOS Cause Skin Tags?

Two of the core issues with PCOS are insulin resistance and hormonal dysregulation. Both can cause skin tags! Insulin resistance is when your body doesn’t respond correctly to insulin. Instead of turning glucose into energy, the body stores the sugar as fat and absorbs it into the bloodstream. This can lead to weight gain, cravings, fatigue, brain fog, skin darkening, and, of course, skin tags! 

Additionally, one of the main hormonal imbalances women with PCOS face is high levels of androgens (male sex hormones). Androgens like testosterone have their place in the female body, but elevated levels can wreak havoc! They can cause some reproductive symptoms like irregular periods, ovarian cysts, and infertility. However, high androgens can also cause skin problems like skin darkening, acne, and skin tags! 

This is because high androgens can lead to excess oil production, an overgrowth of skin cells, low collagen output, and less skin elasticity. All this impacts skin health, leading to acne, skin darkening, and skin tags. Plus, high androgens can even worsen insulin resistance! 

Therefore, one of the options we have to improving skin health and getting rid of skin tags is naturally regulating hormone levels and reducing insulin resistance. 

How To Get Rid Of PCOS Skin Tags 

Make lifestyle changes to manage insulin resistance. 

One of the first steps in any PCOS treatment plan should be increasing insulin resistance! Not only will it help with skin tags, but it’ll help relieve several other PCOS symptoms and even improve other root issues like hormonal imbalance and inflammation. Here are some of the main ways you can take control of your insulin resistance and metabolic health to ditch skin tags and other PCOS symptoms: 

Eat an intentional and balanced diet: 

The best way to reduce insulin resistance is by eating a more balanced diet! Find your carb tolerance range, lower foods that have excess sugar, increase fiber and protein in your plates, stay hydrated, and even try substituting foods or ingredients with gluten and dairy with alternatives. On the blog, you can learn more about my recommended PCOS-friendly diet as a PCOS Registered Dietitian (and fellow Cyster) but you can also download The Cysterhood app that’s full of delicious and PCOS-friendly recipes and meal plans to help you reach your goals! 

Exercise regularly: 

Exercise plays a key role in improving insulin sensitivity, which is crucial for managing PCOS symptoms like skin tags, weight gain, and inflammation. But not all workouts are created equal—especially when it comes to hormone balance.

Slow-weighted workouts are one of the best ways to support insulin resistance and hormonal dysregulation without spiking cortisol levels. Strength training at a controlled pace helps your body use glucose more efficiently, reduces excess insulin in the bloodstream, and prevents it from being stored as fat. The key is progressive overload with proper rest periods—lifting weights with intention while allowing your body to recover. This keeps stress hormones in check while building strength and improving metabolism.

If you’re looking for guided, PCOS-friendly workout routines, you can find plenty inside The Cysterhood app!

Reduce stress: 

Stress isn’t just a feeling—it has a direct impact on your hormones and metabolism. When your body is under stress, it produces more cortisol (your stress hormone), which can throw everything out of balance. High cortisol levels put your body in “survival mode”, slowing metabolism, increasing insulin resistance, and making it harder to manage PCOS symptoms—including skin tags.

Managing stress isn’t about eliminating it completely (because, let’s be real, life happens!). It’s about helping your body handle it better. Try incorporating stress-reducing habits like slow-weight workouts, daily walks in nature, deep breathing, prioritizing sleep, or engaging in hobbies that bring you joy. Small, consistent changes can make a huge difference in balancing hormones and improving your skin health!

Take the right supplements:

Targeting insulin resistance with the right supplements can make a huge difference in managing PCOS symptoms—including skin tags. The Metabolism Plus bundle from Ovafit is designed to fill common nutrient gaps in PCOS and support better insulin sensitivity. It contains key nutrients like:

• Chromium, magnesium, & zinc – Help improve insulin function and blood sugar regulation
• Vitamin D3 & vitamin E – Support hormone balance and inflammation reduction
• B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, folate) – Essential for metabolic health and energy production
• Omega-3s – Reduce inflammation and promote overall hormonal balance

Additionally, probiotics and Ovasitol (a combination of myo & d-chiro inositol) have been shown to support insulin resistance and hormone regulation, making them great additions to your PCOS supplement routine.

When combined with a balanced diet, movement, and stress management, supplements can play a key role in improving metabolic health and reducing PCOS symptoms—including skin tags!

Naturally regulate your high androgen levels. 

The next step to getting rid of skin tags and relieving PCOS symptoms is by regulating your androgen levels. Like with insulin resistance, there’s a lot you can do yourself to regulate hormone levels without medical intervention! Here are some things you can do:

Do slow-weighted workouts:

As mentioned earlier, the right exercise for our PCOS bodies can of course help with insulin resistance, but it also has incredible hormone-regulating effects. Doing low-intensity workouts with weights allows you to workout your whole body, without raising your heart rate. As your heart rate increases, so will your adrenaline and cortisol levels. 

Those high-stress hormone levels increase insulin resistance and throw off all your other hormone levels, including testosterone. So, exercise regularly, but stick to things like slow-weighted workouts from The Cysterhood app or try pilates, walking, or yoga! 

Support your metabolism: 

Struggling with PCOS weight loss? You’re not alone—but here’s the good news: when you target the root causes of PCOS, weight loss becomes easier, and hormone balance follows. High insulin levels and chronic inflammation can lead to excess androgen production, which may contribute to symptoms like skin tags, acne, and hair loss. But by improving insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and supporting metabolic health, you can help your body find its natural balance.

Focusing on nourishing, high-protein meals, slow weighted workouts, and stress management can all help regulate insulin and reduce androgen levels—which not only improves symptoms like skin tags but can also help with sustainable weight loss. Instead of fixating on the scale, shift your focus to building habits that make you feel stronger, more energized, and in control of your health. With time, consistency, and the right approach, real change is possible!

Take the right supplements:

There are quite a few supplements that can help lower testosterone levels in women with PCOS, many of which we have already discussed earlier for insulin resistance! Ovasitol is the best one for addressing hormonal dysregulation, but you’ll also find that vitamin D3, omega-3, and zinc from our Metabolism Plus bundle can help regulate hormones and improve skin health, too. 

Drink herbal tea: 

There are lots of herbal teas out there that have been found to help with hormone balance particularly androgen levels. Instead of trying to fit half a dozen different hormone-balancing teas into your daily routine, try Testosterone Relief Tea! It’s a blend of herbal teas, including spearmint, lemon balm, orange peel, chamomile, rosehip, peppermint, cinnamon, nettle lavender, and calendula, specially formulated to help lower androgen levels! I love to prep a large batch early in the week and leave it cold in my fridge so I can grab it to-go every morning.

Try safe home remedies:

There are a few home remedies that Cysters have tried to get rid of skin tags, with mixed results. Here are a few things you can try:

• Tea Tree Oil: Try diluting tea tree oil in a carrier oil and applying it to your skin tag with a cotton swab and bandage overnight. After a few nights, the skin tags should dry out and fall off. 
• Banana Peel or Crushed Garlic: You can try the same thing but with a slice of banana peel or a crushed clove of garlic under a bandage for a few nights. It’s also meant to dry out the skin tag. 
• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Apply diluted vinegar to your skin tag and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before washing it off. Repeat daily for a couple of weeks to see if it breaks down the skin tag tissue. 
• Vitamin E: Massage vitamin E oil onto the skin tag daily until the appearance reduces over time. 

Consider medical intervention:

A lot of the natural methods of reducing skin tags I’ve explained can prevent new skin tags from forming, but they may not take care of skin tags you already have. Luckily, there are a number of treatment options you can discuss with your doctor that aren’t invasive, difficult, or painful. 

• Cryotherapy: Dermatologists can freeze the skin tag with liquid nitrogen and it falls off within a few days or weeks. 
• Cauterization: A small cauterization tool can be used to burn a skin tag off quickly. 
• Surgical Removal: Dermatologists can use a scalpel or scissors to cut the skin tags off. 
• Ligation: This is when a string is tied around the base of the skin tag and the loss of blood supply eventually causes the skin tag to fall off. 

You can relieve skin tags and other PCOS skin issues naturally!

Skin tags, skin darkening, and acne may not be the most challenging symptoms of PCOS, but these cosmetic struggles can lower our self-esteem and overall sense of self. We hope that with this article, you feel more hope for your health and confidence in what next steps you’d like to take for your PCOS journey.

Start managing all your PCOS symptoms naturally using these tips and other lifestyle changes you’ll find on the PCOS Weight Loss blog and the A Cyster and Her Mister podcast! It’s time to take charge and reverse ALL your PCOS symptoms, including skin tags!

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that can impact a woman’s reproductive system in a big way. Women with PCOS often deal with infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovaries, and sex hormone imbalances that contribute to a lot of chronic common symptoms. 

Since PCOS symptoms can often be rooted to sex hormone levels, often Cysters get put on hormonal birth control pills to “manage” their PCOS challenges. However, hormonal contraceptives doesn’t get to the core of the problem, and symptoms usually return when you get off the pill. In many cases, hormonal birth control pills even worsen PCOS symptoms long-term! (There is even some question if birth control pills can cause PCOS.)

So, if you talk to a doctor and decide hormonal birth control pills aren’t right for you, what do you do if you need contraception? Natural family planning and condoms don’t work for everyone, especially since the effectiveness of those methods aren’t as fool proof as the pill. In recent years, IUDs have become a popular alternative to the pill, but is it right for PCOS? That’s what we’re going to get into today! 

What You Need to Know About the IUD and PCOS

There are lots of reasons people avoid hormonal birth control pills, but one of the biggest concerns is the pill’s long list of side effects. And, many of these side effects correlate directly to PCOS symptoms, meaning hormonal birth control could make your PCOS challenges even harder. Hormonal birth control can cause high blood pressure, nausea, weight gain, hair loss, acne, mood swings, blood clots, and sexual dysfunction. 

As the pill has been decreasing in popularity, more and more women are choosing IUDs! This has prompted lots of Cysters to look at alternative birth control forms too in order to understand if IUDs would be helpful or hurtful for their polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It’s really smart to look into these alternative contraception methods, because they can be much better for your unique body! 

What is an IUD?

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are small T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus as birth control. It’s a long-lasting birth control that can be reversed when needed. Usually, these IUDs can stay inserted and prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. Women do report pelvic pain upon insertion, so make sure you talk to your doctor about pain management before booking your placement. Once inserted, the IUD is 99% effective.

Does IUD Help with PCOS?

If heavy, painful, and irregular periods are a real struggle for you, the IUD could help get your periods on a regular schedule, reduce cramping and PMS symptoms, and lighten your period flow. In some cases, an IUD may even stop your periods altogether. If you do choose to have an IUD or go on birth control, I always recommend making diet and lifestyle changes in the meantime. That way, when you decide to get off of birth control, your PCOS symptoms don’t come back with a vengeance.

Hormonal birth control pills have both estrogen and progestin, and for estrogen-dominant Cysters this can be problematic for your symptoms, and raise your blood pressure and blood sugar. If you’re struggling with weight gain, cravings, fatigue, and other symptoms of insulin resistance, increasing your blood pressure and sugar is a bad idea. Not only can this impact how you feel and look, but sustained high blood pressure and blood sugar can actually increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, a common long-term complication of untreated PCOS. 

There are non-hormonal IUD options and the ones that are hormonal use only progestin—no estrogen. This prevents pregnancy, regulates periods, doesn’t increase blood pressure, and relieves some PCOS symptoms like hair loss, troubles losing weight, and insulin sensitivity. If you do decide to go on a contraceptive, IUDs could be a better choice than birth control! 

It is important to note that women with PCOS may be at a higher risk of certain complications like, endometrial hyperplasia and irregular bleeding. So, just keep a close eye on your periods and report any unusual symptoms to your doctor.

Learn more about the best types of birth control with PCOS here!

Does the IUD Treat PCOS?

No birth control (or prescription of any kind) gets to the root of your PCOS symptoms. When you get off the contraceptive, you’ll likely experience all those issues again. That’s why it’s best to work towards reversing PCOS by changing your diet, exercise routine, sleeping habits, supplement intake, and more. Download The Cysterhood app for all the best resources to take control of your PCOS and live symptom-free!

Best IUD for PCOS 

Hormonal IUDs

There are progestin-only hormonal IUDs like Mirena, Kyleene, Liletta, or Skyla. They last anywhere from 3-8 years and work by thinning the uterine lining and thickening cervical mucus to make it nearly impossible for conception to happen. For some people, hormonal IUDs even stops ovulation all together. It’s a contraceptive and it can help temporarily relieve some symptoms of PCOS like irregular periods, heavy flow, cramping, PMS, hair loss, weight gain, and insulin resistance. 

What about the Copper IUD?

There are two types of IUDs. The first one I’ll talk about is the copper IUD from Paragard. This is a non-hormonal option that can remain effective for up to 12 years! The copper in the IUD prevents pregnancy in two ways. First, it creates an inflammatory reaction in the uterine cavity that’s actually toxic to sperm and eggs. Second, the copper ions change the composition of the fluid in the fallopian tubes and uterus, preventing the sperm from swimming to the egg. 

These are often less favorable options for people with PCOS, because without the hormonal component, Cysters may not see change in their symptoms. Plus, it doesn’t have the period-regulation of hormonal IUDs. In fact, copper IUDs can worsen cramps, regularity, and flow. So, I’d steer clear of the copper IUD. Consult your doctor to see what the best choice is for you.

What Other Contraceptive Options Are There for PCOS?

If you’re unsure if an IUD is right for you, remember you have a few other options for contraceptives that don’t negatively impact your hormone balance. Consider one of these other options in your search:

• Male Condoms
• Female Condoms
• Natural Family Planning (Here’s how you can track ovulation with PCOS.)

IUDs can be a great choice for PCOS contraception! 

If you’re a Cyster in need of birth control, an IUD could be a good choice. Of course, talk to your doctor about your specific medical history to make the right decision for you. Just remember hormonal birth control is a temporary bandaid for our symptoms and it isn’t a cure for PCOS, but you can reverse your PCOS and heal your symptoms naturally! You can fix all your symptoms too, not just difficult periods, but everything from acne and excessive hair growth to mood swings and fatigue. Get all the details on the blog, on the app, and on the podcast! 

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that’s best known for its impact on the female reproductive system. Initially, cysts on the ovaries and irregular periods were some of the only symptoms attributed to this disorder. However, after years of additional research and investigating, we’ve realized PCOS affects a lot more than just our menstrual cycles, and not everyone with PCOS develops cysts. 

All that being said, PCOS does have a significant impact on our reproductive health! Getting pregnant with PCOS can be difficult, but it’s not at all impossible (especially when you’re healing your PCOS naturally). Once a woman with PCOS conceives, there are still challenges they may face during pregnancy, including high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, large birth weight, premature birth, and problems breastfeeding. 

You can read more about PCOS and pregnancy here, but in this post, I’m going to focus specifically on PCOS and breastfeeding! If you’re a Cyster and plan to breastfeed your baby, this post is a must-read to help you stay well-informed on keeping your chances of success high and those early weeks as stress-free as possible. 

How To Increase Milk Supply With PCOS

Women of all ages and sizes can face challenges with pregnancy and breastfeeding! However, it can be particularly challenging for women with PCOS. But, what is the connection between lactation struggles and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? That’s what I’ll get into next:

Does PCOS Affect Breast Milk Supply?

It can! Not every woman with PCOS will experience breast milk supply issues, depending on the type of PCOS you have, but lactation problems aren’t uncommon. The issues stem from two main root causes associated with PCOS: insulin resistance and high androgens. 

Insulin Resistance and Milk Supply

Insulin resistance is when your body doesn’t correctly process glucose. Instead of transforming sugar into energy, it stores it as fat and absorbs it into the bloodstream. Up to 80% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance and it causes a lot of chronic symptoms including fatigue, cravings, and weight gain. It can also cause lactation issues. 

Insulin is a hormone, so when your insulin levels are high, it can domino into other problematic hormonal imbalances too. High insulin levels can disrupt the synthesis of prolactin and oxytocin, which are essential for milk production. Milk production can also be delayed or negatively impacted by the reduction of glandular tissue in the breasts due to high insulin levels. Lastly, insulin resistance can lead to a delay in the onset of lactogenesis II (activation secretion), which is the transition from colostrum production to the production of mature breast milk a few days after birth. 

High Androgens and Milk Supply

Another thing many women with PCOS deal with is high androgen levels (male sex hormones). When androgens like testosterone are elevated in a woman, it can result in symptoms like infertility, menstrual irregularity, acne, hirsutism, hair loss, mood issues, and more. It can also cause problems with the production of milk. 

This is because high androgens stunt breast growth and the development of mammary glands, which is important for milk production, of course! Like high insulin levels, high androgens also reduce prolactin levels and impair lactogenesis II. These two common underlying issues of PCOS, insulin resistance and high androgens, are both problematic for successful lactation. 

How To Increase Breast Milk Supply With PCOS

Balanced PCOS Diet

To help improve your milk supply, you need to focus on regulating your hormones (specifically, lowering testosterone) and increasing your insulin sensitivity. The best way to do that naturally is by being intentional about what you eat. I recommend an anti-inflammatory gluten- and dairy-free diet to balance hormones and control our insulin levels. For meal plans and PCOS-friendly recipes that’ll help you conquer your goals, download The Cysterhood app! 

Stress Reduction 

Stress in our bodies manifests as the hormone cortisol! When we get stressed, our cortisol levels rise, putting our body into emergency mode. It triggers insulin resistance and other hormonal imbalances like high androgens that can have a big impact on your ability to produce milk. Try reducing stress by getting out in nature, meditating, exercising, improving your sleep routine, and more!

Slow-Weighted Exercise

Exercise is another way you can naturally lower your insulin resistance! However, you want to do the right kind of exercises. High-intensity workouts can raise your heart rate and cortisol levels, taking you right back to elevated insulin and androgen levels. I recommend slow-weighted workouts that you can find on The Cysterhood app! Another bonus tip is to take 1-minute breaks in between your sets to help balance out your cortisol levels.

Hydration 

Staying hydrated is essential to produce milk, PERIOD. However, it’s especially important for women with PCOS! It helps increase energy levels, support hormone function, and increase blood volume, all of which are important for a breastfeeding mother. Carry a BPA-free, glass, or stainless-steel reusable water bottle to avoid hormone-disrupting toxins, and remind yourself to stay hydrated throughout the day. Hydration also supports hormone regulation, reduces cravings, and improves energy levels for PCOS management!

Improved Sleep 

Sleep and hormone balance go hand-in-hand. When we don’t get enough sleep, our body doesn’t carry out hormone synthesis correctly. You’ll wake up with elevated cortisol, testosterone, and insulin none of which is good for breast tissue development or milk production. Here’s how to get better sleep with PCOS. 

Supplements 

Taking supplements that target insulin resistance is another way to target one of the root causes of low milk production. Some of the best supplements for that include:

• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Chromium
• Omega-3
• Curcumin
• Vitamin D3 
• Inositol 

You can get all of these in a formula specialized for PCOS from Ovafit! 

Herbal Tea

Herbs have been thought to be helpful for medicine for centuries . . . and now we have research to back it up! Herbs like spearmint, lemon balm, orange peel, chamomile, rosehip, peppermint, cinnamon, nettle, lavender, and calendula have all been shown to help lower androgen levels, which in turn can help with milk production. Rather than drinking a dozen different herbal teas, get them all in this PCOS-friendly blend called Testosterone Relief Tea! 

Skin-to-skin contact and Frequent Nursing

If your baby is already here and you want to increase milk supply, skin-to-skin contact and frequent nursing/pumping have also been shown to trigger more milk production! 

Regular Breast Massage

Doing regular breast massages can be a great natural way of increasing milk supply when done in conjunction with these other tips! They can stimulate milk flow, increase blood circulation, prevent blockage, reduce stress, and promote the release of milk-producing hormones like oxytocin. 

Lactation Consultant 

If you’re still having issues producing milk, don’t hesitate to see a lactation consultant. We all know that the longer we go without producing, the harder it will be to up the volume again. These lactation consultants will have invaluable insight to help you reach your goals. Plus, many have support groups and other resources for new moms! 

To increase milk supply with PCOS, focus on reducing insulin resistance and androgen levels! 

PCOS can cause a lot of difficult symptoms, especially for moms trying to breastfeed. If you’re experiencing a low milk supply, try these tips to stimulate production and increase your chances of breastfeeding successfully.

For more PCOS healing tips and insight, browse the PCOS Weight Loss blog and listen to the A Cyster and Her Mister Podcast. With the right know-how, we can reverse your PCOS and help you live symptom-free!

When you find out you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a lot of questionable symptoms suddenly make sense. Since it’s a hormonal disorder that impacts the whole body, PCOS often explains the cause of many of your chronic issues! There are obvious PCOS symptoms including irregular periods, weight gain, infertility, facial and body hair growth, and acne. However, your diagnosis may have you wondering if other problems you’ve been having could be linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), too.

As I mentioned . . . because PCOS leads to hormonal imbalance, inflammation, and insulin resistance, it can cause side effects all over the body. One of the more unusual (but not uncommon) symptoms of PCOS a Cyster like you may encounter is vaginal dryness! 

Today, I’m going to explain what vaginal dryness is, how PCOS causes it, and what you can do about it. Here’s what you need to know:

Does PCOS Cause Vaginal Dryness?

Often women with PCOS have imbalanced sex hormones, which is why so many of the well-known symptoms have to do with menstruation and fertility. Because of this, PCOS can also cause problems with sexual health like low libido, pain during sex, difficulty reaching orgasm, and vaginal dryness. We’re talking vaginal dryness today! And, for more on PCOS and your sex life, listen to this episode of A Cyster and Her Mister podcast. 

What is Vaginal Dryness?

Vaginal dryness is when the tissues in the vagina become thin, dry, and less elastic because of low estrogen levels. This can affect your sex life because it can make sexual intercourse painful and lower your sexual desire. Still, it can also cause general discomfort, itching, and burning when urinating, exercising, or even just sitting. It’s nothing any woman should have to deal with and it definitely shouldn’t be ignored! 

What Does Vaginal Dryness Feel Like?

If you’re not positive if you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, look at these common sensations to see if any of them sound familiar: 

• Your vagina feels dry and there’s a lack of natural lubrication. 
• You have a persistent or recurring itching sensation in and around the vagina. 
• Your vagina burns, especially when peeing. 
• Your vagina feels tight. 
• Throughout the day you feel pain and discomfort in and around the vagina, especially when sitting, exercising, or during sexual activity. 

Can PCOS Cause Vaginal Dryness?

Yes! It’s not at all uncommon for Cysters to experience vaginal dryness. Estrogen is responsible for maintaining the health and elasticity of vaginal tissues by promoting blood flow and the production of natural lubricants. However, often with PCOS, these female hormones are low.

Beyond low estrogen, high androgens (male sex hormones) also contribute to vaginal dryness! These high male hormone levels counteract the effects of estrogen, further reducing the production of estrogen and natural vaginal lubricants necessary for a healthy vagina. 

How To Treat Vaginal Dryness When You Have PCOS

Cut out estrogen disruptors. 

Estrogen disruptors, AKA endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCS) are substances that we consume or come into contact with that can actually mimic estrogen and block its normal functioning in our bodies. So, the estrogen we do have can’t do its job to maintain our sexual and reproductive health. 

The solution? Try to avoid estrogen disruptors! They’re often found in things like plastic bottles, plastic wraps, cosmetics, beauty products, household cleaners, pesticides, flame retardants, and nonstick cookware. To cut them out, opt for glass, stainless steel, and ceramic materials over plastic. And for cleaning supplies, look for natural cleaners without synthetic fragrances. When buying food, look for organic, fresh food without plastic packaging. Try to make small changes every day and you’ll likely see a difference in your symptoms long-term! 

For more on this, listen to the episode of A Cyster and Her Mister called How to Remove PCOS Endocrine Disruptors. 

Take helpful supplements. 

It’s also a good idea to take supplements (once you’ve discussed them with your doctor) that can help raise estrogen, lower testosterone, and promote overall hormone balance. Here are some of the best supplements to do just that:

• Inositol
• Omega-3
• Vitamin D3
• Chromium 
• Magnesium
• Zinc 
• Folate

This might sound like a tall order, but don’t stress by heading straight to the vitamin aisle at the pharmacy! My Ovafit supplement line makes it easy to get everything you need to target PCOS symptoms like vaginal dryness. You can also simply sign up for regular deliveries of Inositol Complete and Metabolism Plus bundle to get all of these beneficial nutrients and more to support hormone balance and PCOS management!

Reduce stress levels. 

When we’re stressed, it’s not just a mental experience, it’s actually a physiological one! As you experience stress, your body goes into emergency mode and your cortisol levels rise. Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone for this reason. Our body raises these cortisol levels to protect us from the perceived “emergency/survival” situation we’re facing . . . even if we’re just stressing about a job interview or what to cook for dinner. 

As cortisol levels rise, it throws several other hormones off balance. Stress interferes with the production and metabolism of estrogen, lowering your estrogen levels and reducing its functioning. Additionally, stress can hinder the communication between your brain and your endocrine system, causing your androgen levels to rise. So, basically, stress can make all things with PCOS feel worse. 

Focus on lowering stress hormones by doing low-impact exercises, getting out in nature, meditating, practicing self-care, and reducing your mental load. Your mind and body will thank you! 

Drink herbal tea and prioritize certain herbs. 

Herbs have been used for thousands of years to help with a variety of hormonal struggles. But, this is more than ancient medicine. Research also backs up the health benefits of some herbs for many symptoms of women’s health! A good place to start is with my Testosterone Relief Tea, which is an herbal tea blend that combines the health benefits of many herbs to lower testosterone levels! 

Other herbs that can help balance estrogen and testosterone include:

• Saw palmetto
• Chinese peony
• Black cohosh
• Licorice root
• CInnamon
• Chaste tree 

Try an anti-inflammatory, gluten- and dairy-free diet. 

Diet has a huge impact on your hormone levels, so to combat vaginal dryness and other symptoms of low estrogen and high androgens, start making changes in the kitchen. Opting for an anti-inflammatory, gluten- and dairy-free diet can help reduce inflammation and insulin resistance that worsens hormonal imbalances while supporting overall adrenal health. Trying it for 30 days is a great way to see if works well for your body!

You can find PCOS-friendly recipes and meal plans on The Cysterhood app . . . and, I promise, you don’t have to give up your favorite foods! 

Do slow-weighted, low-impact exercises. 

As I already mentioned, exercise is great for stress relief, but it’s actually great for overall hormone health, too! It can directly improve insulin sensitivity and high androgen levels, which is great for sexual and reproductive health including vaginal dryness. Plus, it can have indirect effects on estrogen by supporting overall hormone health and stress reduction.  

It is important to do the right type of workouts when you have PCOS. I recommend low-impact, slow-weighted workouts to achieve your goals because they help to target the root causes of our hormonal imbalances. You can find tons of PCOS workout videos to follow on the app! 

Get better sleep. 

When we sleep, our body does all sorts of things to maintain our health. This is why we feel like crap if we don’t sleep well, right? One of the primary processes our body does while we sleep is to manage the production and metabolism of hormones. So, when we don’t sleep well, we’re more likely to have even more imbalanced hormones, specifically high androgens, high cortisol, and low estrogen. 

I know getting a good night’s sleep can be hard with PCOS, but work on improving your sleep hygiene to get a more restful 8 hours. You’ll likely see big changes in your hormone health and sex life!  

Seek the help of a medical professional. 

If you aren’t seeing improvements in your vaginal dryness or other PCOS symptoms after about 30 days of making these small lifestyle changes, don’t hesitate to bring that up with your doctor to discuss treatment options. 

PCOS can cause vaginal dryness, but a few lifestyle changes can reverse this symptom and others, too! 

Living with PCOS can be difficult. The list of chronic symptoms is LONG and often doctors don’t give us many hopeful options. Though there is no cure for PCOS medically, there is plenty you can do to naturally heal your body and reverse your symptoms. 

You can find out all about how to start thriving with PCOS on the PCOS Weight Loss blog. If you need a good place to start, read this post on How to Lower Testosterone! Let’s take back your life and health, Cyster! 

If you’re a woman who has experienced a miscarriage, I first want to say that I am deeply sorry for your loss. Losing a baby and struggling with infertility are two of the most difficult symptoms a woman faces with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

Since PCOS is a condition that negatively impacts the balance of reproductive hormones, it makes sense that Cysters experience reproductive-related symptoms like infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, and/or recurrent miscarriages. In fact, the miscarriage rate for women with PCOS is between 30% – 50%, which is higher compared to women without PCOS. 

What can make this even more difficult is that many women are diagnosed with PCOS in the middle of their fertility journey, meaning not only do these Cysters have to mentally deal with the struggles of trying to conceive, but they also have to figure out a treatment plan for their condition. It can be a lot to handle! 

If this is you, know that all of us in The Cysterhood are here for you. But more than that, I want you to know that there is hope for naturally healing your PCOS symptoms and carrying a healthy pregnancy to term! 

Here’s what you need to know about miscarriages and PCOS:

Can a Miscarriage Cause PCOS?

The short answer is no. Miscarriages of any kind, whether recurrent miscarriages, missed miscarriages, early pregnancy loss, late pregnancy loss, or another type of miscarriage, don’t trigger any long-term hormonal imbalances that would cause PCOS. 

However, as mentioned, a lot of Cysters first realize they have PCOS during their fertility journey, which may make miscarriage seem like the cause of their metabolic condition. However you can think of it this way: PCOS usually happens first, and infertility is second. Once a woman starts looking at the symptoms of PCOS beyond fertility, they usually realize they’ve had warning signs and chronic symptoms for years. Some common symptoms of PCOS include weight gain, acne, mood swings, fatigue, irregular periods, and hair loss. 

All that being said, I want to provide you with some hope… many Cysters have had successful PCOS pregnancies! I’ve witnessed it myself in our private interactive group of The Cysterhood app. It’s truly one of the most inspiring updates we read daily and I love when the Cysters all gather online in the comments to share love and support. Here’s more on how PCOS affects pregnancy, and we’ll jump into how to avoid miscarriage and high-risk pregnancies with PCOS:

Things That Increase Risk Of Miscarriage with PCOS

• Obesity
• Stress
• Poor nutrition 
• Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, etc. 
• Advanced age
• Elevated insulin levels
• Elevated testosterone levels 
• Other imbalanced reproductive hormones
• Autoimmune disorders 

How To Support Your Pregnancy With PCOS

Maintain a healthy weight.

Being overweight or obese is one factor that can increase miscarriage risk. However, I know firsthand that when you have PCOS, losing weight can be really difficult! This is because women with PCOS have insulin resistance, which is when your body doesn’t process glucose properly. Instead of converting the sugar to energy, your body stores it as fat and absorbs it into the bloodstream. 

Insulin resistance makes weight loss difficult and raises your blood sugar levels, which increases your risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Gestational diabetes can lead to pregnancy complications and increase your risk of miscarriage, but the right strategies can help you maintain your weight levels appropriate for pregnancy and lower your high blood sugar levels. Remember that this is a hormonal and metabolic disorder, so targeting the root causes of weight gain through small lifestyle changes can help you maintain a healthy weight in each stage of pregnancy. Be sure to talk to your doctor about healthy weight goals throughout your journey.

Eat 3-5 times a day.

You and your baby need fuel to get through the pregnancy! What you eat now will help your baby grow and develop as healthy as possible, to give them a great start to their life. I recommend you eat regularly, meaning 3 main meals and a snack or two in between, if necessary. Follow recipes from the app and prioritize foods that are rich in fiber, protein, iron, calcium, and healthy fats. 

While we recommend an anti-inflammatory, gluten-free and dairy-free diet for most women with PCOS, be sure to talk to your doctor if this is something you can continue during your pregnancy. You can always get back to this lifestyle after you give birth and we will help you every step of the way!

Avoid drinking too much caffeine. 

Excessive amounts of caffeine have been linked to some pregnancy complications. Plus, caffeine with PCOS can worsen hormonal imbalance (such as high cortisol and androgen levels) and insulin resistance. So, it’s best to avoid consuming caffeine or at least opting for decaf options in moderation.

Stay hydrated. 

Drinking lots of water during pregnancy is very important. It prevents dehydration, supports adequate amniotic fluid levels, reduces uterine irritability, and promotes blood circulation. All of this is good for a healthy and successful pregnancy! 

Get plenty of sleep. 

Good sleep is essential for all aspects of health! So, of course, it can help you maintain a healthy pregnancy, too. Improving sleep hygiene can help reduce stress, promote balanced hormone levels, improve immune functions, increase healthy blood flow, and overall reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. And, yes, I know good sleep can be difficult with PCOS, but try these tips to get better sleep with PCOS!

Continue with gentle exercise. 

Of course, we don’t want you to be doing any vigorous, intense exercises when you’re pregnant. Regular, pregnancy-safe exercises can be hugely beneficial for your body! (And, truthfully, high-intensity workouts aren’t good for PCOS bodies whether pregnant or not.) Staying active by doing slow-weighted workouts, yoga, walking, etc. for 150 minutes a week can help reduce your risk of complications like gestational diabetes while balancing hormones, reducing inflammation, and increasing insulin sensitivity.  

Reduce your stress levels. 

High stress levels can worsen reproductive hormone balance, weaken the immune system, lower insulin sensitivity, and increase inflammation, which can all increase the risk of miscarriage and worsen your PCOS symptoms. So, to foster a healthy pregnancy, do your best to reduce stress. Some daily self-care, regular exercise, time in nature, morning meditation, and other lifestyle changes can have a big impact on your stress levels and help you improve your stress management techniques for a healthier body and pregnancy. 

Take supplements advised by a healthcare professional. 

Most pregnant women with PCOS or without are told to get a high-quality multivitamin or prenatal vitamin for pregnancy support. Other supplements like curcumin, omega-3 fatty acids, and Ovasitol have also been shown to be beneficial for pregnancy and overall PCOS health. So, talk with your doctor about taking NSF-certified supplements like mine from Ovafit to give your body tons of extra nutritional support to maintain your pregnancy. 

Avoid harmful substances and discuss medications with your doctor. 

When pregnant, you should avoid all harmful substances like alcohol and any kind of non-prescription drugs. If you struggle with any of these, see a healthcare professional right away. Additionally, if you take any prescription drugs, you need to discuss with your doctor of potential risk factors of taking that drug and whether it’s safe for your pregnancy. Certain medications can be potentially harmful. 

Miscarriage does not cause PCOS, and there are ways you can promote a healthy pregnancy even with PCOS!

Growing a family is an incredible part of anyone’s life journey, and if you’re a Cyster, you are worthy of this milestone too! Despite setbacks from PCOS, there are plenty of ways you can improve your condition naturally to give you a higher chance of having a healthy pregnancy.

For more ways to support your body, reverse PCOS, and conquer infertility, head over to the PCOS Weight Loss blog and listen to the A Cyster and Her Mister podcast. There is hope for all your health goals! 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that impacts women of reproductive age, and has been linked to causing health complications including high blood pressure, heart disease, and even infertility. Generally, we probably think of “reproductive age” as being 20-30, but scientifically, reproductive age actually starts as early as puberty. This means that PCOS can show up as soon as a girl gets her first period! Though many women with PCOS don’t get diagnosed until WAY later (if at all), most will tell you there were signs in adolescence. 

PCOS can be hard to diagnose, and a lot of doctors aren’t even sure how to look for it in young women. So, it’s super important to know the symptoms so that you can look out for them in your teens and help advocate for proper testing if necessary! Small lifestyle changes can make a big impact on your PCOS, and it’s best to learn to manage it young to help prevent any chronic symptoms or long-term complications. 

So, today I’m talking about some common PCOS red flags in teenagers! Here are the symptoms you should look out for: 

10 PCOS Symptoms In Teenagers to Look Out For

If you have PCOS, it goes without saying that you’re being highly aware of PCOS symptoms in your adolescent daughter. PCOS does run in families, and the sooner a diagnosis is given, the better. But, you know all too well how difficult it can be to get that official diagnosis. When you know what early signs to look for, you’ll know when it’s time to push for the right blood tests to help your daughter get the resources and support she needs!

What Are The First Signs of PCOS In Teenagers?

One of the first symptoms of PCOS you’ll identify in a teenager is irregular periods. Before other health problems or symptoms arise, you’ll probably notice that your teen’s periods are sporadic or sometimes even absent. It’s common, too, that these periods are painful and heavy, even from the start! Keep open communication with your adolescent daughter about their period to monitor if anything potentially unusual is occurring. 

Teens are typically offered birth control as a treatment for PCOS and irregular periods. Unfortunately, many doctors make it seem like this is the only option. Teens end up taking birth control for years, through their 20’s, ignoring PCOS altogether as symptoms are being masked by birth control. Although some symptoms may be masked, like irregular periods, other symptoms may run rampant, like insulin resistance, sometimes even leading to diabetes. It’s important to manage PCOS through diet and lifestyle changes whether or not you decide to take birth control.

PCOS is a hormonal condition and the first line approach for it is diet and lifestyle changes…so I’m glad you’re here. There are many blog posts to sift through about what you can do to reverse PCOS symptoms and thrive.

10 Symptoms of PCOS in Teenagers 

Heavy, Painful, and Irregular Periods

As mentioned, irregular or missed periods that are heavy and painful can be a sign of PCOS. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) impacts the reproductive hormones, which directly influences the menstrual cycle! 

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. However, high testosterone, high estrogen, and low progesterone can lead to periods being between 21-40 days apart, or totally absent. Additionally, women with PCOS may experience an overgrowth of the uterine lining during their menstrual cycle due to these imbalances, which can cause twice as much bleeding as the average woman and lots of additional pain. Here’s more on what periods are like with PCOS.

Hirsutism 

It’s obviously not uncommon for girls in puberty to develop body hair and some hair on the face. That’s normal for everyone! However, high levels of androgens (male hormones) can take that to the extreme. If you see your teen dealing with excessive hair growth on the face and body that’s more similar to what a male should experience, this could be a sign of PCOS. 

Thinning Hair

Like the growth of body hair, some hair loss on the head is normal. However, you shouldn’t see more than some strands on the shower floor or on her pillow. If she’s developing visible bald spots, that’s definitely a sign of a hormonal imbalance beyond the usual puberty changes. 

Acne

I know what you’re thinking: You’re just naming normal puberty symptoms! I totally get the frustration, because this is one of the reasons it’s so hard to identify PCOS early. So, yes, it’s normal for a teen to develop acne, but if the hormonal, cystic acne gets excessive and painful and seems like it can’t be treated with any of the usual skincare remedies, it may be a sign of a deeper issue. 

Excessive Weight Gain

Another potential sign of PCOS in teens is excessive and rapid weight gain. One of the most common root issues of PCOS is insulin resistance. This means the body stops converting glucose to energy like it’s supposed to, and instead, stores that sugar as fat and absorbs it into the bloodstream. This means, that even without too many diet changes from before puberty, your teen may gain a lot of weight. 

Efforts to lose weight are often met with weak results because those insulin levels are just off! Here’s where you really want to be vigilant, because extreme body changes and inefficient attempts to lose weight can not only lead to long-term complications like type 2 diabetes, but they can also lead to the development of eating disorders or other mental health struggles. 

Ovarian Cysts 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is honestly poorly named. Cystic ovaries are just one part of the PCOS experience and there are plenty of Cysters that never even develop cysts, despite the name. That being said, cysts or follicles on the ovaries can appear because of problems with the menstrual cycle. Basically, your eggs don’t shed properly when you skip ovulation or have long periods, and those follicles continue to grow, becoming painful cysts. 

If your teen experiences a lot of pelvic pain and lower back pain throughout their menstrual cycle, as well as bloating and painful bowel movements, they may have a cyst. Most cysts go away on their own, but sometimes they continue to grow until they burst, which can be extremely painful. So, if you think your teen may have a cyst, take them to an OBGYN to have it checked out. Here’s more on ovarian cysts and treatment options. 

Depression and Anxiety

The truth is, many women after years of struggling with the chronic symptoms of PCOS like fatigue, weight gain, and infertility, experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. However, depression and anxiety don’t just come from negative experiences. The hormonal imbalances of your body actually contribute too, so even young people with PCOS can experience mood issues. 

The main contributing hormones are high cortisol, high testosterone, high estrogen, and low progesterone. If you see your teen becoming more irritable, exhibiting mood swings, or showing signs of depression or anxiety, don’t hesitate to see a doctor and start making changes using The Cysterhood app. Working on lifestyle changes to help balance hormones and seeing a mental health professional can make all the difference to ensure those teen years are as joyful as they should be! 

Headaches and Migraines 

Fluctuations in estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol can trigger migraines and tension headaches. If your teen is drinking plenty of water and isn’t experiencing a lot of stress, but is still having chronic headaches and migraines, it could be a sign of PCOS. Try to rule out other causes first, but headaches and migraines are common with PCOS hormonal imbalance.  

Sleep Problems 

Trouble sleeping is common with PCOS, which is unfortunate because poor sleep can worsen hormonal imbalances, stress, mood problems, and other PCOS symptoms and root issues. Of course, teenagers don’t always practice great sleeping habits, but if your teen expresses problems falling asleep followed by excessive daytime sleepiness, it could be due to PCOS. Support them in making good sleep hygiene choices, but if problems persist, it may be time to talk to your doctor about PCOS. 

Fatigue 

Speaking of excessive daytime sleepiness, chronic fatigue can stem from insulin resistance and those pesky hormonal imbalances…not to mention poor sleep! If your teen is constantly sleepy during the day or struggles to get out of bed even after a decent night’s sleep, it could be a result of PCOS. It’s important to remember that teenagers should only need 8-10 hours of sleep to perform at their best! 

PCOS can show up in teens, so it’s important to know the signs! 

Even before a diagnosis, a woman who realizes she has PCOS can take steps to treat the symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. Making important lifestyle changes when you’re young to manage your PCOS can be super beneficial for your future and prevent some symptoms from becoming chronic. 

Visit the blog for more helpful resources:

• Uterine Fibroids and PCOS: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
• PCOS and Trauma: Breaking the Mind/Body Cycle

I hope this post helped you get a better understanding of the early signs of PCOS so you can help the young woman in your life who may be struggling. And, if a PCOS diagnosis does happen, don’t worry! I’ve worked with Cysters who were able to heal their symptoms even before getting a diagnosis. You never have to wait to start creating a healthy lifestyle designed for you and your teen’s bodies. You can download The Cysterhood app for all the resources and support you need to get your teen through the journey.

For many women with PCOS, losing weight is one of our number one goals. Part of that is wanting to feel happier and more confident in your body, since PCOS can cause lots of unwanted weight gain. However, that’s not all of it! Losing weight with PCOS can actually reduce your symptoms and help you finally get control over your PCOS. So for Cysters, it’s about our entire health, not just the way we look in the mirror. 

Because losing weight is a big part of our journey, you probably find yourself looking at all sorts of diet fads and weight loss hacks, because, let’s be real . . . you feel like you’ve tried it all! Cutting carbs, working out, drinking more water– all the usual stuff feels like it’s not working. However, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is complex and some ways of losing weight are not only ineffective for a PCOS body, but they can actually cause negative side effects that get you further away from your goals. 

Today, I am going to talk about another type of lifestyle that Cysters are looking into called water fasting and whether it’s a good idea for PCOS. We’ll discuss this popular weight loss method and how fasting can affect your menstrual cycle and other aspects of your PCOS. 

Does Water Fasting Affect Menstrual Cycles with PCOS?

The short answer, yes! Water fasting can impact your menstrual cycles . . . and not for the better. As a Cyster, your periods are probably already irregular, heavy, and even painful the last thing you need is something else making them more difficult. I’ll get into more details about why water fasting isn’t a good idea in the rest of the post.  

What Is Water Fasting?

Water fasting is when you only drink water and no other food or drink for 24-72 hours. Though this is a recent fad, water fasting has been around for thousands of years to help with weight loss, heart health, autophagy, inflammation reduction, blood pressure regulation, and more. However, only consuming water for 1-3 days is a pretty extreme dieting method and it can have some unfortunate side effects that outweigh the potential benefits. 

Are There Water Fasting Benefits for PCOS?

Traditional water fasting isn’t a good idea for PCOS. On the surface, it may seem like a good idea because for many people a calorie deficit usually turns into weight loss. However, for women with PCOS when our calorie intake gets extremely low, we put our bodies in a state of stress, and it’s likely we won’t see ourselves losing weight and feeling symptom relief. In fact, our PCOS symptoms may get worse especially when it comes to menstruation and fertility! 

Here’s why water fasting for 24-72 hours is a no-go:

Disrupts Hormone Balance 

One of the main reasons it’s hard to lose weight with PCOS is because of hormonal imbalance. High cortisol and high androgens, for example, worsen insulin resistance, making it harder for your body to convert glucose to energy. And, weight gain isn’t the only symptom of PCOS caused by hormonal imbalance! Everything from menstrual regularity and fertility to acne and mood swings can find hormone imbalances to be at the root of the problem. 

Water fasting can make hormone balance worse, not better, which means it’s not going to get to the root of your weight gain issues and it’ll likely worsen other symptoms too. When our body is deprived of nutrients and carbs of all kinds, it can send our bodies into a totally fight-or-flight mode, disrupting hormone balance. 

Worsens Menstrual Regularity

Irregular periods are another common issue that comes with PCOS due to hormone imbalance. When you water fast, it can stress the hypothalamus, releasing the hormone GnRH (which is responsible for the production of other hormones) in an irregular quantity. This then leads to imbalances of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These two hormones are important for regular menstruation, so all these potential imbalances can lead to irregular periods, anovulation, and even amenorrhea. 

Beyond that, the increased stress on your body and the significant nutrient deficiencies you will likely experience can put your body into a survival mode where it focuses on surviving over menstruating. All around, water fasting impacts menstruation big time!  

Triggers Infertility

The balance of your fertility hormones is the key to reproductive health. However, water fasting can negatively impact a lot of reproductive hormones, including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. When these hormones aren’t in balance, it’s not a supportive environment for conception, ovulation, egg quality, and early fetal development. 

Even if you’re not wanting to get pregnant at this time, our reproductive health and menstrual regularity are a good indication of our overall health as women. It’s a good idea to always consider your reproductive hormone balance and how a potential diet or weight loss fad may impact that part of our feminine health. 

Prompts a Stress Response

When water fasting, our body responds to stress. From an evolutionary perspective, our bodies take “lack of food” as a sign of an emergency situation. All the alarm bells go off and your cortisol levels rise! Cortisol is our stress hormone, and not only do you feel irritable and anxious when your cortisol is high, but a lot happens internally that can trigger PCOS symptoms. 

First of all, when your body becomes too nutrient deficient, those blood sugar levels and your insulin resistance can actually increase! This is because your body is trying to preserve and store any glucose available. (Yes, that means this kind of fasting could actually increase weight gain.) Then, when you start eating again, your body may struggle to adjust with those insulin levels still sky high as though packing on pounds for the winter!  

When we’re stressed, inflammation also increases, as well as other hormonal imbalances like high androgens. Inflammation and high androgens can lead to acne, weight gain, body aches, fatigue, hirsutism, mood swings, sleeping problems, digestive issues, and more. Long story short, this type of fasting just isn’t kind on a PCOS body! 

How To Do Water Fasting During Menstrual Cycle PCOS 

At the end of the day, extended fasting isn’t something I recommend for someone with PCOS! However, that doesn’t mean fasting is off the table altogether! Fasting can actually be a really useful weight loss and symptom management tool when done correctly. You can avoid all these negative side effects and get the benefits if you instead opt for intermittent fasting. 

A good fasting regimen for PCOS looks like this: 

• Fast for between 12-14 hours (this could start after your last meal of the day and continue while you sleep)
• Maintain a PCOS-friendly diet during meals 
• Avoid caffeine and get plenty of sleep 
• Stay hydrated 
• Keep doing your slow-weighted exercises 
• Fast during the follicular phase for best results
• Keep taking your supplements to avoid nutrient deficiencies 

Water fasting can negatively impact your PCOS healing journey try intermittent fasting instead! 

There are a lot of ways you can take control of your PCOS and reverse your symptoms, but water fasting is not the most sustainable lifestyle. Instead, try the routine we suggest above and see how it feels! 

Always listen to your body, some Cysters find lots of success fasting for shorter bursts while making other lifestyle changes too. For more PCOS-friendly meal plans, exercises, resources and support, download The Cysterhood app!