Why PCOS Feels So Confusing
- Dr. Jessica
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Most women with PCOS aren’t confused because they missed something.
They are confused because the information they were given was incomplete.
Maybe you were told to lose a bit of weight.
Maybe you were told to go on the pill.
Maybe you were told not to worry.
Maybe your ultrasound came back “normal” so everything must be fine.
And yet your body kept whispering the same thing. Something isn’t right.
Here’s the truth you were never told.
PCOS has very little to do with ovarian cysts.
It is an endocrine condition.
A metabolic condition.
A nervous system condition.
A whole body conversation between hormones, insulin, inflammation, gut health, and even brain chemistry.
Once you see that, the noise drops. The pattern becomes clear.
It is not just you.
Your symptoms are following a pattern.
Your body has been speaking clearly.
No one has been translating it for you.
What PCOS Really Is
PCOS is what happens when your hormones and metabolism stop communicating well.
The key players include:
• androgen hormones
• insulin and blood sugar regulation
• stress hormones
• ovulation patterns
• inflammation
• the gut microbiome
This is why PCOS looks different from woman to woman. The ovaries are one chapter, not the whole story.
The Three PCOS Patterns
Most women that I see in my practice have a mix of these patterns.
1. The Ovarian Pattern
When the brain and ovaries stop speaking the same language.
Your brain sends stronger signals.
LH rises higher than it should.
Cells around the follicles begin making more testosterone.
You may notice:
• irregular periods
• missing ovulation
• acne
• hair growth on the chin, chest, or stomach
• hair thinning on the scalp
• oily skin
Some women experience a temporary ovarian pattern after stopping hormonal birth control.
2. The Adrenal Pattern
When stress drives high DHEA S.
Some women with PCOS make most of their androgens from the adrenal glands instead of the ovaries.
Common signs include:
• elevated DHEAS
• fatigue
• anxiety
• wired but tired feeling
• disrupted sleep
• sensitivity to stress or overtraining
This pattern often begins early.
Genetics. Childhood stress. A nervous system trained to stay alert.
And it can be missed without testing.
3. The Metabolic Pattern
Most women I work with have some degree of insulin resistance, even when glucose looks normal.
It affects:
• ovulation
• energy
• appetite
• cravings
• metabolism
• brain fog
• inflammation
• mood
Women with PCOS often have less wiggle room. With poor sleep, a skipped meal, your system reacts quickly. Hormones like cortisol and insulin rise faster and stay elevated longer.
This is not a lack of willpower.
It is the way your body protects you.
Another, less common pattern that I see stems from inflammation. It can be useful to test your inflammatory markers to rule this out.
Other Factors That Shape PCOS
Gut Health
Many women with PCOS experience:
• lower beneficial bacteria
• more digestive issues
• more inflammation
• stronger cravings
Your immune system lives right under the gut lining.
When the microbiome shifts, inflammatory signals move through your entire body.
Supportive tools often include:
• soluble fiber
• probiotics
Why PCOS and ADHD Often Show Up Together
Women with PCOS have higher rates of ADHD and anxiety.
Not because you are dramatic or too sensitive.
Because your biology is wired differently.
Factors include:
• androgen exposure during fetal development
• stress shaping the nervous system
• insulin affecting brain energy
• mood shifts around ovulation
• hormonal birth control affecting neurotransmitters in some women
Your brain responds more strongly to hormonal and metabolic rhythms.
What Actually Helps PCOS
First and foremost it is essential that you have the proper testing done. This will help to determine what hormone imbalances you have and your individualized treatment protocol.
Helpful Lab Testing:
• testosterone & free testosterone
• DHEA S
• LH, FSH ratio
• AMH
• fasting insulin
• fasting glucose
• HbA1c
• lipid panel
• thyroid panel
• vitamin D, B12
• Ferritin, ESR
Diet & Nutrition
Balanced meals matter more than perfect meals. A strong foundation usually includes 25-30 grams of protein with each meal, plenty of colourful vegetables and another source of fiber, healthy fats, and a moderate amount of carbs. Carbs aren’t the enemy. What matters is how your body handles them and what keeps your energy steady.
Protein is one of the simplest ways to support hormone balance. It helps curb cravings, steadies blood sugar, boosts energy, supports muscle health, and keeps you satisfied between meals. Most women are eating far less than they realize.
If you need ideas, I put together a list of easy high-protein recipes to help you get started.
Strength Training
Muscle is one of the most powerful tools for PCOS. It improves insulin sensitivity, mood, metabolism, and inflammation. If intense exercise leaves you wiped out, scale back. If you enjoy it and recover well, it can be incredibly supportive.
Supplements
Many women feel better when they add the right supplements to their routine, but the best plan is always personal. Some of the most common options include inositol for cycle regularity and insulin support, berberine for glucose balance, magnesium for stress and sleep, omega 3s for inflammation, and soluble fiber to support gut health and cholesterol. Chaste tree can be helpful in certain cases, especially when cycle timing or progesterone support is needed, but it isn’t right for everyone.
Ideally supplements should be used only after you have had the proper testing done to identify your imbalances.
A Moment to Pause
Before you move on with your day, let yourself notice one thing.
Your body has been communicating with you this whole time.
Not to alarm you.
To guide you.
PCOS becomes so much easier to navigate when you understand the pattern underneath your symptoms.
When you feel seen instead of dismissed.
When someone helps you make sense of what your body has been trying to say for years.
You are not starting from scratch.
You are starting from awareness.
Ready for Support That Looks at the Whole Picture
If you want help decoding your own pattern and building a plan that fits your life, you can book a complimentary discovery call below. We will walk through your symptoms, how I can help you and your next steps, so you know exactly where to go from here.
Remember...
Your body is not working against you.
It simply needs the right support, at the right time, in the right order.
And you do not have to figure this out alone.
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