Living with PCOS often feels like navigating a minefield of misconceptions.
You've probably heard it all: "You're just not trying hard enough"
Or "Maybe if you ate less, you wouldn’t have these issues."
Or the worst one: "You're lazy; if you were more active, this wouldn’t have happened."
But women who deal with PCOS know the truth is far more complex. It’s not just about willpower or workouts; it's about an intricate web of hormonal imbalances that affect every aspect of our lives.
Let me make a few things clear about PCOS: ->
💤 Tiredness & Exhaustion
Ever feel like you’ve run a marathon before noon?
That’s not laziness, that’s PCOS. This condition can leave you feeling utterly drained, making it difficult to even get out of bed and do daily tasks, let alone hit the gym.
👉Exhaustion often occurs due to nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, blood sugar fluctuations, energy crashes, sleep disturbances and even stress.
This is a common symptom. Many women don’t know why it’s happening to them, but with the right nutrition and lifestyle changes, they can live an active life, without constant fatigue or feeling “lazy”.
🌪️ Brain Fog
The struggle to concentrate is real. PCOS often brings brain fog, making it hard to focus on tasks, remembering things, or even form clear thoughts.
👉Nutritional deficiency, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, sleep disturbances & insulin resistance can all be blamed for brain fog in PCOS. It’s not your fault!
Seriously, I've heard women being told to “try harder”, but clearly, the real causes of these symptoms are being ignored.
It’s not that you’re not trying; it’s that your body and brain are telling you something is wrong & needs help!
⚖️ Rapid Weight Gain
Despite your best efforts to eat healthy and stay active, the scale seems to have a mind of its own.
👟PCOS can cause rapid weight gain that’s frustrating and discouraging, making it feel like nothing you do is enough.
I’ve noticed many women doing endless cardio for weight loss, but that doesn’t help. Instead, it’s making things worse.
Ladies, if you’ve been told that daily cardio can help you but it hasn’t been working, you should stop doing cardio and seek a personalized movement plan that works with your hormones instead of against it.
😫 Cravings & Emotional Eating
PCOS is a master at triggering intense cravings, and often, ultra-processed foods & sugary delights are seen as a solution.
Then people will say things like, “You eat a lot, and this is why you have PCOS.”
Food cravings may look like moments of weakness, but many women have insulin resistance with PCOS, which leads to fluctuating blood sugar levels and hence the cravings for carbs and sugar intensifies.
Hormonal imbalances, such as those involving gut hormones like leptin and ghrelin, can lead to irregular eating patterns and uncontrolled cravings at odd times.
✅However, adopting the right eating practices and a holistic, personalized nutrition approach can change your experience of cravings!
💇♀️ Hair Loss & Facial Hair
One of the cruelest aspects of PCOS is its impact on your appearance.
Hair loss can shatter your confidence, while the growth of facial hair leaves you feeling self-conscious & insecure.
People comment, “Why are you growing a beard?” or “Why is your face so rough?”.
Many women don’t understand why this is happening to them. They might relate hair loss to bad shampoo or other products, and by the time they identify the real cause, they’ve lost a considerable amount of hair.
Women with PCOS often have elevated levels of androgens, which can shrink hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle, leading to thinner hair on the scalp. These elevated androgens can also cause an increase in facial and body hair growth, a condition known as hirsutism, resulting in male-pattern hair growth on areas like the face, chest, and back.
You don’t have to suffer with this forever! While hirsutism is one of the most difficult aspects of PCOS to reverse, it’s possible to significantly improve symptoms with a holistic approach!
💭 Anxiety & Mood Swings
PCOS doesn’t just mess with your body; it messes with your mind too.
While people may question “Why can’t you make up your mind about things?” Mood swings come with hormonal imbalances, and as long as your hormones are imbalanced, you’re going to struggle with uncontrollable mood swings.
Many women endure it and don’t know how to deal with it. Elevated cortisol (from stress) can lead to insulin resistance as the body's balance gets disturbed, and this just makes symptoms worse.
Then cravings, irregular sleeping patterns & depression may follow.
Stress and anxiety can disrupt sleep, leading to poor-quality rest or insomnia. Poor sleep further increases cortisol levels, creating a vicious cycle that exacerbates cravings and other PCOS symptoms.
🌸 Acne & Skin Issues
Just when you thought acne was a teenage problem, PCOS brings it back with full force.
Hormonal acne is stubborn, painful, and can be a constant reminder that your body is in turmoil.
Quick fixes like face cream and face wash are often suggested by the same people who call women with PCOS lazy. But, these quick fixes never really work.
Treating Acne is combination of various things and the best way to treat is with a personalized plan that takes into account gut health, hormones & nutrient deficiencies.
Furthermore if PCOS is left untreated, it can even lead to:
Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Liver disease
Hypertension
Sleep apnea
Inflammation
And a high risk of Infertility
✨ But here’s the thing:
PCOS warriors are anything but lazy.
You’re battling against your own body every day, pushing through obstacles that many people don’t even realize exist.
You should give yourself credit for your resilience, strength, and persistence.
🌹Living with PCOS is tough, but you’re tougher.
Embrace the journey, and know that it’s okay to seek help along the way.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the symptoms of PCOS and not sure where to turn, we’re here to help.
Our personalized approach to nutrition and wellness can help you manage your symptoms and take control of your health.
Let’s connect for a free consultation.
Together, we’ll work on creating a plan that’s as unique as you are, setting you on the path to a healthier, happier you.
🚩 Discover if personalized coaching is the missing piece in your path to well-being!
Book your complimentary consultation today to discover if personalized coaching is the missing piece in your path to well-being.
Comments