Nourished to Healthy

Hey! I’m Ashlene.

I help women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome balance their hormones naturally so they can take back control of their health, boost their fertility and ultimately live free from their PCOS symptoms

 

Episode #177: Diet vs. Lifestyle: The Real Key to Long-Term PCOS Health

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of PCOS diets, cutting carbs, counting calories, or chasing the latest “PCOS-friendly” meal plan, this episode is your chance to step back and breathe. In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll discover why food alone can’t solve your hormone imbalances and what it really takes to create lasting change. This episode breaks down the limitations of diet-only approaches and invites you to embrace a root-cause lifestyle that supports your whole body. From identifying hidden hormonal triggers to creating small, sustainable daily habits, this episode will help you shift out of diet mode and into a lifestyle that heals and empowers. If you’re ready to stop starting over every Monday and instead build rhythms that actually support your PCOS healing, this one’s for you.

Episode #176: Folate & PCOS: Not All Forms Are Equal

In this supplement spotlight, you’ll discover the powerful role folate plays in hormone balance, ovulation, mood, and pregnancy, and why not all forms of folate are created equal. From supporting methylation and reducing inflammation to improving egg quality and fetal development, folate is one of the most important nutrients for women with PCOS. But here’s the kicker: many common supplements contain folic acid, a form your body may not be able to use, especially if you have the common MTHFR gene mutation.

Episode #175: Whole-Body Healing: A Holistic PCOS Approach

In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll get a fresh perspective on what it truly means to heal from PCOS, not just manage symptoms or follow a checklist of tips, but to create a whole-body, sustainable transformation. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing “everything right” and still not seeing results, this episode is a must-listen. You’ll learn why healing PCOS isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing the right things together. You’ll walk through the 8 key areas that support PCOS recovery, from nutrition and movement to emotional wellness and stress regulation, and discover how bringing these pieces into harmony can create powerful shifts in your energy, cycle, and overall wellbeing.

Episode #174: Physical Activity & Your Mindset

When time is tight and energy is low—especially around the holidays—exercise can easily drop off your radar. But what if movement wasn’t just another box to check, but a tool to support your hormones and emotional wellbeing? In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll learn how to shift your mindset around physical activity so it feels supportive, not stressful. You’ll discover how even small, gentle forms of movement can reduce cravings, boost mood, and help regulate your cycle—no punishment required. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with practical strategies for building a consistent, joyful routine that aligns with your PCOS healing journey.

Episode #173: Natural or Assisted Fertility: Designing Your Path

In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll gain clarity around one of the most personal and complex decisions women with PCOS face: whether to pursue natural or assisted fertility. Ashlene walks you through the key hormonal factors that influence ovulation and pregnancy with PCOS and helps you understand the role both lifestyle and medical support can play in improving your fertility outcomes. You’ll explore how root causes like blood sugar imbalance or stress can delay ovulation and make conception harder, even if your periods seem “regular.” Whether you’re navigating early fertility challenges or preparing for the future, this episode will help you tune into your body’s signals and choose the path, natural, assisted, or a combination, that feels right for you. Plus, you’ll learn why compassion, testing, and a flexible mindset are essential ingredients for creating a fertility plan that supports your long-term hormone health and emotional wellbeing.

Episode #172: Amanda’s Story: Healing Through Blood Sugar Balance

In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll meet Amanda, a woman who once felt completely stuck in her PCOS journey. Fatigue, intense cravings, and a chaotic cycle left her feeling hopeless. But everything changed when she discovered the real root of her symptoms. Tune in to hear how Amanda used blood sugar balance to transform her energy, mood, and fertility. You’ll learn how small changes like eating breakfast and listening to her body led to powerful healing and how you can do the same.

Episode #171: MD, Naturopath, or Functional? Choosing the Right PCOS Care

In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll learn how to confidently choose the right care team to support your PCOS journey. If you’ve ever walked away from an appointment feeling unheard or unsure of your next step, this episode is here to help. This episode will walk you through the roles of OB/GYNs, primary care doctors, naturopaths, and functional medicine providers so you can understand what each offers, and what they might miss. You’ll discover how to match your current goals, whether it’s fertility, cycle regulation, or hormone balance, with the right kind of support. You’ll also hear how to combine different care approaches and watch for red flags like extreme protocols or false promises. Most importantly, you’ll leave empowered to advocate for yourself and create a personalized plan that supports your long-term health.

Episode #170: Saw Palmetto & PCOS: Can This Herb Help Balance Hormones?

In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll discover how saw palmetto may help reduce stubborn PCOS symptoms like acne, unwanted hair growth, and hair thinning. You’ll learn how this herbal supplement works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT, a potent androgen that often drives these symptoms. This episode also explores when saw palmetto might be appropriate, how to use it safely, and why it’s not recommended if you’re trying to conceive. If you’re looking for natural support to balance lingering androgen levels, this episode will help you decide whether saw palmetto has a place in your PCOS care plan.

Episode #169: Insulin, LH, and PCOS Hormonal Chaos: Understanding the Connection

Wondering why your ovulation is inconsistent or why your LH tests are confusing? In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, we dive into the connection between luteinizing hormone (LH) and insulin, and how their interaction can disrupt your cycle. You’ll learn how elevated insulin impacts testosterone and LH levels, preventing proper ovulation. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with simple, practical tools to support better insulin regulation through food, movement, stress management, and supplements so you can restore hormonal balance and regain control of your cycle.

Episode #168: PCOS and Fertility Treatment Dropout: What Comes Next?

This episode explores the emotional toll of fertility care for women with PCOS, inspired by research exploring why many choose to stop treatment. From IVF to natural cycle tracking, the process can feel like a constant rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak. You’ll hear how emotional burnout, not just medical or financial reasons, is often the true reason women take a break. If you’ve felt overwhelmed, unheard, or unsure how to move forward, this conversation offers comfort, clarity, and practical ways to reclaim agency in your fertility journey.

What the Heck to Eat to Repair PCOS Fertility?

PCOS after Birth Control: Recovery 101

PCOS after Birth Control: Recovery 101

Birth control such as the pill, IUD, or ring can be difficult to recover from especially if you have PCOS. Previous symptoms will return and it may take months to regain your cycle. Here is how to recover your cycle and fertility after birth control.

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Did I Ovulate? How to know with PCOS

Did I Ovulate? How to know with PCOS

PCOS is the most common reason for not ovulating. The hormone imbalance of PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, leads to ovulation irregularities or not ovulating (anovulation). This makes it hard for women with PCOS to get pregnant. Fortunately natural methods of care can lead to spontaneous ovulation.

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How to Choose Your PCOS Supplements

How to Choose Your PCOS Supplements

How do supplements fit into my PCOS treatment? Supplements might fit into managing your of PCOS but not all supplements are suitable for every woman, and thank goodness because there are so many options. What PCOS supplements are worth the money and will they help my symptoms? Can supplements improve PCOS fertility?

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Why Food Matters to Conceive With PCOS

Why Food Matters to Conceive With PCOS

Healthy food is as much as 64% more effective than infertility treatments for conceiving with PCOS. The first step to producing healthy hormones is providing your body with the tools it needs. Watch this video to learn what to eat to improve your PCOS and fertility.

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Supporting Your Partner During Infertility

Supporting Your Partner During Infertility

Starting a family is a special time. You probably thought you and your partner would enjoy a closer bond. Instead, the stress, fear, and devastation of not being able to get pregnant creates a barrier. Your romantic relationship becomes a clinical process of timing, doctors, and temperature taking. How can you get the support you need, support your partner needs, and maintain the fun, love, and joy in your relationship?

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Creating a Conceivable Cycle

Creating a Conceivable Cycle

The hormone imbalance of PCOS creates chaos that interferes with having conceivable cycles. Your cycle can be a key indicator of health and what your body needs to improve and repair your fertility.

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How To Repair Your PCOS Fertility To Get Pregnant

How To Repair Your PCOS Fertility To Get Pregnant

Irregular periods, infertility, and trying to conceive with PCOS can feel hopeless. But it’s not! During this 5-part series, you will learn what you need to know about PCOS.

It all starts with getting diagnosed properly so that you can stop getting bounced around and finally start getting the care you need to improve your fertility and get pregnant.

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PCOS Hormone 101 For Getting Pregnant Naturally

PCOS Hormone 101 For Getting Pregnant Naturally

Healing your PCOS and repairing your fertility starts by understanding your hormones and to know where your body is struggling.

Hormones are the way your body communicates with itself and the world around you. PCOS is a result of a few or many hormones being unbalanced.

In this article, you will learn about how to get proper hormone testing and evaluation to start your fertility repair journey

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Tracking Your Basal Body Temperature

Tracking Your Basal Body Temperature

Your basal body temperature (BBT) is your body’s lowest daily temperature. And it occurs after at least 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep. In women, your BBT rises and falls with your hormones allowing you to track your cycle and fertility.

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