Why it’s important to manage Insulin resistance in PCOS

Insulin resistance > hyperinsulinemia > reduce SHBG  + Theca cells enlarge > high testosterone > stops antral development / anovulation > low progesterone

•The more insulin resistance you are, the lower your progesterone

•The more insulin sensitive you are, the better your progesterone levels.

This is what happens:

Insulin resistance from poor blood sugar control, diabetes, PCOS and poor eating leads to hyperinsulinemia which shows up as weight gain, fatigue, lack of motivation, feeling frequently hungry, sugar cravings, having intense cravings of all foods, feeling anxious and poor concentration & focus.

This reduces SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) which in turn makes Theca cells which reside in the ovaries, enlarge!

This contributes to high testosterone and androgens.

This then stops antral development (which means stops the follicles from growing to good size for ovulation).

Leading to anovulation (periods with an ovulation) and ultimately low progesterone.

What and how you eat to support your metabolism matters- and it ABSOLUTELY affects your reproductive hormones.

What can you do about it?

• Exercise

• Change your diet

• Work on underlying nutrient deficiencies that may be at play

• Get a Chinese medicine practitioner to create a personalised herbal blend to help with regulating your insulin and blood sugar

• Take nutraceuticals to help with satiation, cravings and blood sugar

• Reducing your stress levels