Is PCOS a metabolic condition?

For most people, yes, and that's the part that changes what's useful. Insulin resistance is present in a large share of cases including in women who aren't overweight, and it drives the androgen picture rather than sitting beside it.

Can I get pregnant with PCOS?

Many people with PCOS do. Ovulation is often irregular rather than absent, which makes timing harder rather than impossible, and it's one of the areas where naturopathic and medical care work well together. Carmen Farrugia works across fertility and preconception.

PCOS Naturopath Melbourne | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common hormonal condition affecting women of reproductive age. The name points at the ovaries, and for most people the centre of it is metabolic.

It’s diagnosed on the Rotterdam criteria — two of: irregular or absent ovulation, raised androgens on bloods or by symptom, and polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound. You don’t need the cysts.

Why insulin matters here

Insulin resistance is present in a large proportion of PCOS, including in people who aren’t overweight. Higher circulating insulin pushes the ovaries to produce more androgens, and that shows up as irregular cycles, acne, unwanted hair growth and hair thinning at the scalp.

That’s why work on blood sugar tends to move several symptoms at once rather than one.

What your naturopath works on

Blood sugar and insulin. What’s eaten with what, meal spacing, and the resistance-training and walking that change insulin sensitivity directly.

Cycle regularity, tracked properly so there’s something to measure against.

The androgen symptoms — acne, hair growth and scalp hair loss — which generally follow the metabolic work rather than lead it.

Nutrient status, including vitamin D, B12 where metformin is prescribed, and inositol, which has a reasonable evidence base in PCOS.

Weight, where it’s relevant and only then. A modest change in body weight improves ovulation rates in the research; a punishing regime that doesn’t hold is worse than none.

The long game. PCOS carries raised risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and that’s a reason to work on the metabolic picture now.

Mood, which is affected more often in PCOS than is usually acknowledged.

⚠ Diagnosis and monitoring are medical

PCOS is diagnosed medically, and other causes of irregular cycles and raised androgens — thyroid disease, raised prolactin and adrenal conditions — need excluding first. Periods that stop for more than three months, or very heavy or prolonged bleeding, should be assessed.

Where specialist or fertility care is the next step, we’ll refer you with a detailed letter setting out what was found and who we believe is best suited.

Who you’d see

Carmen Farrugia works across fertility, preconception, pregnancy, postnatal and hormonal health, and holds AHPRA registration as a midwife and Division 1 nurse. Jessica Pensa works across thyroid, autoimmune and hormonal conditions including hormonal acne.

PCOS