Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary
Leading the change to better periods
Excess androgens in women can cause acne and hirsutism or unwanted facial hair. Causes include insulin resistance, adrenal androgens, and high prolactin. Natural treatments include zinc, DIM, inositol, and natural progesterone.
PCOS is the condition of androgen excess when all other causes of androgen excess have been ruled out. It can be associated with irregular periods or no periods.
Hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) is the loss of periods due to undereating. It can also present with mild acne or facial hair.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) cannot be diagnosed by ultrasound because polycystic ovaries are not cysts. They’re follicles or eggs which are normal for the ovary.
It’s normal for all women to sometimes have a higher number of follicles. It’s normal for young women to always have a higher number of follicles because young women have more eggs. That’s why the new international PCOS guidelines state that “ultrasound is now not recommended in diagnosis in those within 8 years of the start of periods.”
Read morePolycystic Ovary Syndrome Cannot Be Diagnosed by Ultrasound
Prolactin is a pituitary hormone that promotes lactation. It’s also involved in ovulation, orgasm, breast health, immune function, and mood. High prolactin is called hyperprolactinemia.
Symptoms of high prolactin include irregular periods or no periods, premenstrual mood symptoms, loss of libido, headaches, breast pain, vaginal dryness, acne, and hirsutism or facial hair. It’s one of several causes of excess androgens that can be mistaken for polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS.
Struggling with hormonal weight gain around your middle? It’s a common problem with PCOS, menopause, and birth control, but it’s not caused by estrogen. In women, estrogen is beneficial for weight loss.
Instead, abdominal weight gain is caused by insulin, testosterone, and androgenic progestins.
Here’s what you need to know.
Read moreHow Insulin and Testosterone Cause Weight Gain in Women