PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, but the name does not tell the whole story. It’s one of the most common conditions to affect the menstrual cycle and reproductive health, yet it’s also frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed.
I’ll be doing a series of posts on PCOS, but first let’s clear up some common misconceptions about this condition:
Myth 1️⃣: Everyone with PCOS has ovarian cysts.
Nope. It’s possible to have PCOS with no ovarian cysts, and it’s possible to have ovarian cysts without PCOS. To be diagnosed with PCOS, a person only needs to meet 2 out of 3 conditions: ovarian cysts, irregular periods, or testosterone excess.
Myth 2️⃣: Everyone with PCOS should take the birth control pill.
Nope. The pill is commonly prescribed to women with PCOS, but it is far from the only option and does not address the whole picture. Whole-body strategies that rely on nutrition, lifestyle, and stress management can also be powerful ways to manage PCOS.
Myth 3️⃣: Everyone with PCOS is overweight.
Nope. While it’s true that PCOS causes many women to gain weight, this is not an absolute. Also, weight loss becomes easier when we address the deeper metabolic patterns of PCOS, like changes in cortisol and insulin resistance.
Myth 4️⃣: You can’t get pregnant with PCOS.
Wrong. Even though PCOS is a common cause of infertility, it does not mean that pregnancy is impossible—particularly if you work to support your hormones and reproductive health through diet, lifestyle, and functional medicine.
Myth 5️⃣: PCOS will go away at menopause.
Nope. PCOS disrupts far more than the menstrual cycle. Its effects on insulin resistance, cortisol, inflammation, and weight gain continue (and may even worsen) after menopause.
Want the bottom line? ⤵️
Even though PCOS is a complex condition disrupting numerous hormones and metabolic pathways, it does not mean you need to feel bad for the rest of your life. We have an extensive set of tools in functional medicine to support hormonal and metabolic health in PCOS.
Be sure to like and save this post so you’ll see more in this series on PCOS 📌
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