Manage PCOS Naturally: 5 Tips

I’ve heard a bit about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) here and there, and I know it’s a condition that many women struggle with. Through the IIN program, I connected with Amy Medling, the “PCOS Diva.” Since she’s an expert in this area, I brought her on board as a guest blogger to tell you what PCOS is, share her story, and give you some tips on how to manage PCOS symptoms naturally! If you’re experiencing any of the below symptoms that Amy describes, or you already know you have PCOS, this is a great resource for you.

Managing PCOS Naturally: 5 Tips

By Guest Blogger Amy Medling

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common female endocrine (hormone) disorders and is a leading cause of female infertility. The condition is caused by an imbalance of a woman’s female sex hormones. PCOS affects as many as 10-15% of women of all women, and half of women with PCOS actually are undiagnosed.

PCOS can cause irregular periods, weight gain, depression, mood swings, acne, excess facial and body hair growth, and ironically, hair loss. It can also cause the absence of ovulation, which can prevent a woman from conceiving.

I have often heard PCOS referred to as the “Thief of Womanhood.” If left unmanaged, it can rob you of your fertility, femininity, health and happiness. I understand this label and struggled with all of the PCOS symptoms. It wasn’t until I realized that a PCOS diagnosis isn’t the end of the world – it is a chance for a new beginning – that my real healing journey began. When I started taking care of myself, loving myself and making me a priority (in spite of my PCOS) I became a new woman. My husband started calling me a diva. What a compliment!

PCOS is most often managed with prescription drugs like birth control and the diabetic drug Metformin, but there is another way. My mission is to help women take control of their own health and life and overall happiness. By altering your lifestyle and following my 5 Fundamentals of a PCOS Diva, you can reduce your PCOS symptoms naturally. After I started living the PCOS Diva lifestyle, I became pregnant naturally at the age of 37 and have a healthy little girl after having 2 boys, both conceived through fertility treatments.

My 5 PCOS Diva Fundamentals are:

• Sizzle in the kitchen: Cook your own food. No crazy diets, just get in the kitchen and start cookin.’
• Have discriminating tastes: Only clean whole foods allowed in your temple.
• Move it: Exercise. The more you move, the better you’ll feel.
• Practice extreme self-care: Love yourself and know you’re worth it.
• Be powerfully positive: Steer clear of perfectionism, self-sabotage and negative self-talk.

The experience of healing myself and regaining my fertility, femininity, health and happiness – and having a healthy little girl – truly launched PCOS Diva. My daughter may inherit my PCOS genes and if she does, I want her to know that having PCOS is not the negative thing I once thought it was. It is an opportunity to live life as a diva!

If you think you have PCOS or someone you love has PCOS, let them know they don’t have to struggle alone. Please visit PCOS Diva for lots of info on how to manage your PCOS symptoms naturally and get involved in the PCOS Diva community on Facebook for positive support.

About the Author: Amy Medling, CHC is a health coach and founder of PCOSDiva.com, an online resource dedicated to helping women understand and manage the symptoms associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.