What is Hormone Harmony?

Hormones are made from the foods we eat, specifically from cholesterol and fats. Yes, the same cholesterol we were told to fear! Progesterone, for example, can be significantly boosted with a good vitamin C intake. But making hormones is only half the story. They also need to be cleared properly by the liver and digestive system, and if that's not happening well, hormones can build up and cause imbalances. This is why I often work on both systems together.

It depends slightly on the type of PCOS you have, but generally the diet should be anti-inflammatory, unprocessed, Mediterranean style, and high in fibre, fat and protein. A low carbohydrate diet isn't necessarily right for every type of PCOS.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, so a diet low in sugar, caffeine, alcohol, gluten and processed foods is a good starting point. Beyond that, filling your plate with a rainbow of colourful plant foods gives you the polyphenols that help reduce inflammation. I would also be looking at the root cause, working on factors such as the gut microbiome and the immune system.

Oestrogen dominance happens when oestrogen is too high relative to progesterone, rather than oestrogen being high in absolute terms. It's rarely down to one thing. Poor liver clearance, a sluggish gut, high stress, and exposure to xenoestrogens (from plastics, personal care products and pesticides) can all tip the balance. The knock-on effect for fertility can include irregular cycles, heavy or painful periods, and a luteal phase too short to support implantation. Supporting the liver and gut to clear excess oestrogen, alongside building progesterone naturally, is often central to correcting this.

PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is a much more severe form of PMS, involving intense mood symptoms such as anxiety, rage or depression in the days before your period, severe enough to disrupt daily life. It's thought to be less about hormone levels themselves and more about how sensitively the brain responds to the normal hormonal shifts of the cycle. Nutrition can play a real role here, particularly around blood sugar stability, B vitamin status and supporting the pathways that regulate mood and hormone clearance.

A useful starting panel includes FSH, LH, testosterone, SHBG, prolactin, thyroid function and fasting insulin, alongside a pelvic ultrasound. Many GPs won't automatically test insulin, but it's key to identifying your PCOS type. If your GP is reluctant, I can guide you through requesting the right tests, or arrange functional testing that covers this in more depth.