This week’s episode is on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Andropause as they relate to the gut.
We will discuss the underlying mechanisms of PCOS including androgen dominance, obesity, and insulin resistance. Also, we will discuss Andropause as it relates to males having lower testosterone and elevated estrogen levels, and why taking testosterone is not always the best fit for male patients.
Then we will tie in the gastrointestinal tracts relationship to one of the key mechanisms for both of these disorders, obesity. This is a must listen if you or a loved one suffers with PCOS or Andropause.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:13 — 46.9MB)
You say to start to lose weight when a patient has PCOS they need to focus on gut health but HOW do you fix your gut bacteria? Take ProBiotics? I have PCOS and have been eating strictly gluten free and organic for two years now and GAINED weight. I eat a TON of vegetables and when I exercise I gain weight. It’s so frustrating and my fiance thinks I am not determined enough, that I don’t have enough drive to lose the weight but nothing I do matters. I am so frustrated. I am literally trying everything and am currently taking Pregnitude (MyoInositol and Folic Acid), NAC, Iron, Metformin, Vitamin D, and thinking about implementing ProBiotics if you think this will help. The only time I have ever been able to lose weight in the past is with Phentermine but I hate the side effects and get horrible headaches with it. Anything you can help me with would be fantastic as I am at a dead end. I am currently 275-272 depending on the day but I haven’t seen the 260’s in a year. I am 5’5″. Thanks.
First thank you for your comment about PCOS and not being able to lose weight. Secondly, we are sorry to hear that this weight issue is causing such great anguish on a number of levels. So commonly we see this as the case.
The weight loss starts with the gut bacteria in our opinion, however it is a complicated issue. In our experience this can be far more involved than probiotics and eating gluten free. Or a better way to say it is that if you have done those things and they are not working, then obviously factors with the bacteria are probably being missed.
Also, hormones are extremely significant in PCOS relative to weight loss. In some cases we find even with correcting the bacterial issue, until the Testosterone (from whatever source) is corrected, weight loss will not progress.
What state do you live in? We may be able to direct you to a good practitioner, and if we do not know anyone in your area then you may want to do a consultation with us.
Please let us know if you have any more questions.