Myths, Metabolism, and Stress in PCOS
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. So, first let’s clear up some common misconceptions about this condition and then look at how naturopathic medicine can help.
5 Myths About PCOS
Myth 1: 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 woman only needs to meet 2 out of 3 conditions: ovarian cysts, irregular periods, or androgen excess.
Myth 2: 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 3️: 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 4: 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 5️: 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.
How PCOS Disrupts Metabolism
Most people think of PCOS as a hormonal condition, but it actually affects both the hormones and the metabolism.
Hormonal patterns typically seen in PCOS include elevated testosterone (causing hair to grow in all the wrong places or acne beyond teenage years) and estrogen dominance (high estrogen and low progesterone). Here are some ways PCOS interacts with metabolism:
PCOS & Insulin Resistance
Insulin Resistance is strongly associated with PCOS. This leads to elevated blood sugar, high cholesterol, and trouble losing weight.
PCOS & Chronic Inflammation
PCOS is often accompanied by increased levels of inflammation throughout the body. This can make it harder to maintain blood sugar balance and a healthy weight.
PCOS & Thyroid Function
Women with PCOS are more likely than the general population to also be diagnosed with low thyroid function. That translates to a slower metabolism, fatigue, and weight gain.
Why do these things matter?
Because if all we do is look at testosterone and estrogen in PCOS, we are missing a huge opportunity. We need to treat PCOS as the whole-body condition that it actually is. We need to support insulin function and thyroid function while, at the same time, working to quell inflammation.
How Stress Affects PCOS
Sometimes people with PCOS continue to struggle with symptoms even when they’re following a healthy diet, exercising, and taking supplements.
Why?
Because of stress.
On a biochemical level, the culprit is cortisol—the hormone we pump out in response to stress. Cortisol is useful in the short term (to give us energy to respond to stress) but damaging if produced too much for too long.
In PCOS, cortisol can:
Worsen insulin resistance
Increase testosterone even more
Interfere with thyroid function
Decrease progesterone even more
This last point is key. Did you know that cortisol is made in part from progesterone? That means that stress actually steals progesterone to make cortisol. Since progesterone is already low in PCOS, this can make things worse.
It may seem like a small and insignificant thing, but managing stress is an extremely important part of feeling good and thriving despite a diagnosis of PCOS. Small habits every day add up to make a big difference. Things like:
Getting enough sleep
Moving your body
Drinking plenty of water
Taking time to relax
Foods to Avoid in PCOS
Foods can make a big difference in how a person feels with PCOS. Foods influence insulin resistance, metabolism, and hormones. Here are 5 foods that can worsen PCOS:
Sugary Drinks
We’re not just talking about soda here. Sweetened tea, fancy coffee drinks, and juices will all cause the blood sugar to spike and worsen the metabolic issues of PCOS.
Processed Snacks
Snacks like crackers, cookies, and chips are typically high in carbohydrates and unhealthy fats, both of which worsen insulin resistance in PCOS.
Cereal
Boxed cereals and granola can be a hidden source of sugar that is a stress to the body and blood sugar.
Fried Foods
Fried foods are typically high in trans fats, which interfere with the action of insulin and worsen inflammation—problems already present in PCOS.
Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks not only disrupt blood sugar but also place a strain on the liver, which plays a key role in hormone metabolism.
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 naturopathic medicine to support hormonal and metabolic health in PCOS.
Learn how to work with us and get custom naturopathic support for PCOS here→
