The Connection Between PCOS and Insulin Resistance

How Blood Sugar Imbalances Drive
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders in women, affecting 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. It’s often associated with irregular periods, weight gain, acne, and infertility, but what many people don’t realize is that PCOS is deeply connected to insulin resistance.

Most conventional doctors treat PCOS by prescribing birth control, Metformin, or fertility drugs, but these approaches only manage symptoms—they don’t address the root cause. At Intentional Wellness, Inc., I take a functional medicine approach to PCOS, focusing on how insulin resistance fuels hormone imbalances—and how to restore balance naturally.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a hormonal and metabolic disorder that affects the ovaries, leading to:
✔️ Irregular or missing periods
✔️ Ovarian cysts (not always present but common)
✔️ Elevated male hormones (androgens), leading to acne, facial hair, and hair loss
✔️ Difficulty losing weight or unexplained weight gain
✔️ Infertility or difficulty conceiving

Many women don’t realize that PCOS is more than just a reproductive disorder—it’s a metabolic condition tied to insulin resistance.

How Insulin Resistance Fuels PCOS

Insulin resistance means that your cells stop responding properly to insulin, the hormone that helps move sugar from your bloodstream into your cells for energy. When this happens, your body compensates by producing extra insulin—which has major effects on hormone balance.

🔹 High Insulin Levels Trigger Excess Androgens (Male Hormones)

• The ovaries have insulin receptors, and when insulin levels are too high, the ovaries respond by producing more androgens (like testosterone).

• Excess testosterone leads to facial hair, acne, scalp hair thinning, and irregular ovulation—hallmark symptoms of PCOS.

🔹 Insulin Resistance Disrupts Ovulation

• Ovulation is a finely tuned process that depends on hormonal balance.
• When insulin is too high, it disrupts the normal signaling between the brain and ovaries, leading to irregular or absent periods.
• Many women with PCOS don’t ovulate regularly, making it harder to conceive.

🔹 Blood Sugar Imbalances Make Weight Loss Difficult

• Women with PCOS often struggle with weight gain or difficulty losing weight, even with diet and exercise.
• This is because high insulin promotes fat storage—especially around the belly.
• PCOS-related weight gain is not just about calories—it’s about hormonal imbalances caused by insulin resistance.

🔹 Cravings, Fatigue, and Mood Swings Are Common in PCOS

• Blood sugar spikes and crashes caused by insulin resistance lead to intense sugar cravings, fatigue, and irritability.
• Many women with PCOS feel like they can’t control their appetite—but the real issue is unstable blood sugar and hormonal imbalances, not lack of willpower.

Why Most Doctors Miss the Root Cause of PCOS

Many women with PCOS are prescribed birth control to regulate periods or Metformin to lower blood sugar, but these don’t actually fix the underlying metabolic dysfunction.

🔹 Most Doctors Focus Only on Symptoms, Not Causes

• If you have irregular periods, acne, or infertility, your doctor may prescribe birth control—but this only masks symptoms instead of fixing insulin resistance.
• If you have high blood sugar or trouble losing weight, you might be given Metformin—but without diet and lifestyle changes, it won’t fully correct the metabolic dysfunction.

🔹 Standard Blood Sugar Tests Often Miss Insulin Resistance

• Many women with PCOS have normal fasting blood sugar levels, so doctors don’t test insulin levels.
• However, fasting insulin often rises years before blood sugar becomes abnormal—so you could have insulin resistance even if your glucose and A1C are “normal.”

🔹 The Right Tests for PCOS and Insulin Resistance

To truly understand what’s driving PCOS, I recommend testing:
✔️ Fasting Insulin (should be under 5—many women with PCOS have levels above 10)
✔️ HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance Score) to measure insulin sensitivity
✔️ Free and Total Testosterone to check androgen levels
✔️ DHEA-S and Cortisol to assess stress-related hormone imbalances
✔️ Fasting Glucose and A1C to check long-term blood sugar trends

The Functional Medicine Approach to PCOS: Restoring Insulin Sensitivity Naturally

Instead of just managing symptoms, my approach at Intentional Wellness, Inc. focuses on improving insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and balancing hormones naturally.

🔹 Balance Blood Sugar with Smart Nutrition

• Prioritize protein and healthy fats with every meal to stabilize blood sugar.
• Reduce processed carbs and added sugars, which spike insulin levels.
• Eat fiber-rich foods (like vegetables, nuts, and seeds) to slow glucose absorption.
• Try carb cycling—some women with PCOS do better with moderate carbs, while others thrive on lower-carb diets.

🔹 Use Movement to Improve Insulin Sensitivity

• Strength training is one of the most effective ways to lower insulin levels and improve hormone balance.
• Walking after meals helps muscles absorb glucose without needing extra insulin.
• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can be helpful, but too much exercise can stress the body—so balance is key.

🔹 Reduce Stress and Balance Cortisol

• Chronic stress raises cortisol, which worsens insulin resistance.
• Prioritize sleep—poor sleep disrupts blood sugar and hormone regulation.
• Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.

🔹 Support Metabolism with Targeted Nutrients

• Inositol (Myo & D-Chiro) – A powerful supplement for restoring insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS.
• Magnesium – Helps improve insulin function and reduce sugar cravings.
• Berberine – Works similarly to Metformin for lowering blood sugar naturally.
• Omega-3s – Reduce inflammation and balance hormone production.

Take Control of Your PCOS and Metabolic Health

PCOS is not just a reproductive disorder—it’s a sign of metabolic dysfunction. The good news? By improving insulin sensitivity, balancing blood sugar, and reducing inflammation, many women can reverse PCOS symptoms naturally.

At Intentional Wellness, Inc., I help clients:

✔️ Identify the underlying causes of PCOS and insulin resistance.
✔️ Develop a personalized nutrition and lifestyle plan for hormone balance.
✔️ Support metabolic health naturally without relying on medications alone.

🚀 Struggling with PCOS symptoms or insulin resistance? Let’s work together. Schedule a consultation today!