Fertility, General, Women's Health

September is PCOS Awareness Month

PCOS is a condition that 5 -10% of women of childbearing age in the Australia have, experiencing chronic symptoms including:- weight gain- hair loss- hair growing in unwanted places (chin, breasts, lower belly, etc.)- depression- irregular or absent periods- acne

PCOS is also responsible for 70% of infertility issues in women who have difficulty ovulating, as well as increased risks for prenatal problems including miscarriage and gestational diabetes in women who do become pregnant with this condition. For a subset of women, there is also an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

After years of working with women with PCOS, I can say there’s really no end to how this condition can impact quality of life, self-esteem, and mental health. But, in my years of working with women with PCOS, I can also say that there’s actually a lot we can do for PCOS; there is healing, there is relief, and, in my experience, there is actual reversal of the root cause.

Some top tips for the control of PCOS

Balancing blood sugar reduces inflammation and reverses the insulin resistance often driving PCOS, leading to reductions in androgens and related symptoms.

Moderate restriction of fast carbohydrates while increasing protein + healthy fats, decreases testosterone, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces symptoms.🍴

Omega-3-rich fish at least three times a week can reduce insulin resistance + inflammation🍴

2 tbsp. of flaxseed per day to lengthen luteal phase, improve ovulation, and reduce testosterone levels.🍴

Other useful foods
Buckwheat – may be helpful in improving blood sugar balance and reducing insulin resistance.🍴

Sesame seeds – can reduce elevated androgen levels by improving DHEA-S and SHBG (sex-hormone- binding globulin) levels.🍴

Legumes (chick peas, kidney beans, and non-GMO organic soy) are a rich source of inositol

Remember!! this doesn’t have to be an all or nothing approach, you can combine these strategies with conventional therapies to create a protocol that feels right to you.

If you would like personalised support for controlling PCOS and gaining control of your life, I can design a program for you filled with diet and lifestyle changes that can help treat your underlying causes.

General

A bit from Rochelle…

So I’ll put it out there, I love a good medical mystery… no, not the type on TV, but real life cases.

Here’s why I think Naturopaths are good at solving medical mysteries…

Naturopaths, unlike medical doctors, are not constrained by time limits set by Medicare… it is really hard for Dr’s these days to do everything they need to…they are accountable to the Government. We can take the time to take a really thorough history and make some associations that may not have been thought of.

Often in difficult cases, you are referred to numerous specialists who each look at their own area, but do the specialists get to discuss you as a whole? Naturopathic Medicine looks are disease holistically and treats the cause of your disease rather than just as a series of symptoms.

Let me be clear, I am in favour of liaison with Dr’s and specialists, they are integral in the pathway to determining the diagnosis of your medical mystery, however, taking a holistic approach to the investigation and treatment works really well

Now to toot my own trumpet….

As well as Herbal Medicine and Naturopathic knowledge, I have training in Clinical Immunology and Pathology as well as Neurophysiology from Melbourne’s top universities. I have also completed a Masters in Reproductive Medicine and a Masters in Women’s Health Medicine from UNSW. Throughout this journey, I have formed relationships with some of Australia’s top Naturopaths, Medical GP’s and Specialists all on my team to help assist you with your medical mystery!!

If you have a case for me to solve, please feel free to call on 0481 751 610 to book an appointment.


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