Could PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) be causing your acne? I have helped hundreds of women clear their acne over the years, and many of them have had PCOS. PCOS may sound dangerous and intimidating, but is is really just a description for the symptoms that can arise when you are not ovulating optimally. This is a condition that is absolutely reversible and it is a sign that your body needs to be re-balanced. How do you know if you have PCOS? You must have all three of the following the be officially diagnosed with PCOS:
- Irregular periods OR polycystic ovaries on ultrasound
- High androgens on a blood test OR symptoms of high androgens (acne, hair loss, hair growth on your face)
- Other reasons for high androgens have been ruled out
I also like to run a very simple blood test that measures both lutenizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) between days 1-3 of your cycle (day 1 is your first day of bleeding). If the ratio of LH:FSH is higher than 3, PCOS may be part of your picture. Women with PCOS often have high levels of LH secretion. High levels of LH contribute to the high levels of androgens (male hormones such as testosterone), and this along with low levels of FSH contributes to poor egg development and an inability to ovulate. How do you solve PCOS? Balancing insulin levels, reducing inflammation in the body, learning how to manage stress and properly detoxifying the body will all gently nudge your body and your hormones back into balance, solving your acne and other symptoms of PCOS. Do you have PCOS? Do you suspect it? If you need help re-balancing your body be sure to check out my 7-Week Clear Skin Program and also my 1:1 Clear Skin Sessions – both designed to help you rebalance your body and help heal your PCOS. Questions about working with me? Shoot me an email at stacette@rogers.com – I can’t wait to hear from you! xoxo
