EVERYONE is talking about PCOS, and for good reason.
Estimates suggest it currently affects 5-18% of women, and new research shows it's climbing to 20-25%.
Frustratingly, around 50% aren’t even aware that they have it (!!) or receive a very delayed diagnosis.
Which is why I do everything I can to share the research linking PCOS, trauma, and the storage of unprocessed emotions in the body. It's something I witness every day working with my 1:1 clients across the world.
The relationship is complicated, but here are a few examples of how this plays out:
Hormonal Dysregulation: Chronic stress from unprocessed trauma or stored emotions can trigger the release of stress hormones like cortisol that disrupt the balance of sex hormones (such as estrogen and progesterone that rule the menstrual cycle) driving PCOS.
Insulin Resistance: Emotional stress has been linked to the development of insulin resistance which is a key factor in PCOS. Additionally, trauma and stress may influence lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity (e.g. over/under eating or exercising) further contributing to insulin resistance.
Inflammation: Chronic stress and emotional trauma can contribute to systemic inflammation which is associated with insulin resistance and implicated in the pathogenesis of PCOS.
Lifestyle Factors: Stress or trauma can influence lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and sleep patterns, all of which are linked to insulin resistance and weight gain which are characteristics of PCOS.
Neuroendocrine Disruption: Stress or trauma can lead to alterations in the release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, which may in turn affect hormonal balance and ovarian function.
If you want to get a handle on your PCOS or early indicators such as insulin resistance, somatic exercises are a NON-NEGOTIABLE.
By effectively tackling stress and anxiety, releasing stored traumas and unprocessed emotions you will finally start to cultivate internal safety in your body.
This is important because then you can then stop allocating resources towards ‘surviving’ (like pumping out stress hormones all the time) and instead focus on ‘thriving’ - getting you back to hormonal balance and boosting your fertility.
Imagine what you could achieve when you wake up feeling like you're FINALLY making progress with your PCOS - working with your body rather than against it.
Let's turn your life back ON in just 30 days - check out my Restore Challenge and make this year the year you finally get your hormones back on track.
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Want to learn more? Check out these resources.
- PCOS and Pelvic Health for Women (academic study)
- PCOS and Childhood Trauma (academic study)
- PCOS and Childhood Trauma (article)
- The Connection Between PCOS and Childhood Neglect Or Abuse (academic study)
- Is PCOS From Trauma? (article)
- PCOS and mental disorders (academic study)
- The impact of childhood maltreatment on women's reproductive health, with a focus on symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (academic study)
- Borderline personality disorder and polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of the literature (academic literature review)
- Early-life adversities and later-life reproductive patterns in women with fully traced reproductive history (academic paper)