These cysts are actually follicles that contain immature eggs.
The problem is that they never mature enough to trigger ovulation to occur….and this means that progesterone and oestrogen levels are going to decrease.
But, it is progesterone that suffers big time! You have to ovulate to produce progesterone!!
Progesterone is pro-gestation. You have to have enough of it to fall pregnant & sustain the pregnancy. This is one reason infertility is such a big issue with PCOS.
I still remember when I was given my PCOS diagnosis. The doctor literally said that I had PCOS and that I was infertile, would never have children and that IVF wouldn't be an option for me. I was 28.
And while I have never been particularly maternal, I always wanted to be the one to make that choice, not have it taken away from me! Great news is that I have healed to where I can now have children should I choose...and I believe you can too!
Now, some women with PCOS can also have oestrogen dominance occurring because their progesterone levels are so low. I did!
There has to be a balance between progesterone and oestrogen. If progesterone is too low, even if oestrogen is at the right level, the body perceives it to be oestrogen dominant.
Oestrogen dominant symptoms include:
Bloating and/or Oedema
Painful and/or Heavy Periods
Mittelschmerz (ovulation pain)
Headaches or Migraines
Weight Gain
Difficult to shift
Prominent around the lower abdomen, hips, bum & thighs
Irritability
Anxiety
Depression
Dysphoria (general dissatisfaction with life)
Low Libido
Hair Loss
Memory Problems
I, personally, had oestrogen dominance with my PCOS and also have an oestrogen dominant condition, adenomyosis. Thankfully my recent tests show everything is in balance, my PCOS is in remission and my adenomyosis is naturally managed.
Other oestrogen dominant conditions include:
- Endometriosis
- Uterine Fibroids
- And in some cases PCOS
While it is very common, oestrogen dominance doesn't always occur with PCOS.
In some women, their oestrogen levels are low as well because aromatisation isn’t happening!
This is where some testosterone pushes through and converts to oestrogen. If that doesn't happen, then oestrogen can be low, but testosterone is high.
This is one of the factors behind women with PCOS having high testosterone.
The only way to know if this is happening is through testing. It is one of the big reasons I recommend & use saliva hormone testing with my clients.
If you are in Australia or NZ and want a saliva test done, just shoot me a DM.
**Remember, if you are one of the first 3 to enrol in my online program, The Healthy Hormone Method, I am going to pay for your cortisol and sex hormone testing! That's $225 worth of testing FREE!!
Not only that, but by entering the code HHWJ, you also get 20% off the program!
This offer is first in best dressed and ends of Oct 10th, 2021 as we are getting started on The Healthy Hormone Method Oct 11th!
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