Episode #20: The PCOS Diagnosis Dilemma
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What you’ll learn in this episode
Did anyone ever ask WHY your body was struggling when they gave you the PCOS Diagnosis?
To discover your PCOS root cause we need to start by asking why! Why are you having period problems, infertility, and weight gain? Why?
Doctors seek to label your collection of symptoms with a diagnosis. This leads them to medications and procedural options to address unwanted symptoms. The problem is those medications don’t treat the root of the issue.
Well, in this episode I discuss the difference between being labeled with a diagnosis and getting a full PCOS workup. Let’s dive in so you can start discovering the root cause of your PCOS.
The PCOS Diagnosis
The first place to start with anything is to get clear what you are up against, then you can move on the changing, improving, and healing.
This is where getting diagnosed comes in. It also includes ruling out other possible causes of your symptoms. Then the next step, a very important and often missed step is to ask and discover why!
Why is your body struggling leading to these unwanted symptoms of:
Weight struggles
Infertility
Mood disturbances
Energy slumps
Skin and hair concerns
And so much more.
That is exactly what will cover in this episode – how to uncover the why behind PCOS and not just get a diagnosis.
A Full PCOS Workup
Testing is important to both rule in the diagnosis of PCOS as well as to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms you are having. Imaging for cysts or other causes of irregular cycles and fertility problems. This episode focuses on going beyond testing to interpret your body’s signs and symptoms to discover why. But that doesn’t mean labs aren’t important. They are! What labs are ordered and when you are tested provide very important information.
As promised in this episode, here is a list of labs I recommend testing as well as when during your cycle to test and what the hormone or lab value is.
Labs:
A Natural Approach to Treating PCOS
Then once you have a clear diagnosis and know what hormones your labs show as unbalanced we can go a step deeper into why!
The why is found in the root cause of hormones insulin, cortisol, inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies. In blood work, these often are still in the normal range because your body is doing acrobatics to survive and function the best it can. Over time your body won’t be able to keep up and these lab values will begin to shift toward abnormal. So how do we discover the root cause?
Your symptoms
Looking further into your symptoms will help you discover where your body needs extra care and attention in order to reverse your PCOS at the root cause.
What symptoms should you pay attention to? That is what the PCOS root cause quiz is all about.
And then listen to this episode to learn how to listen to what your body is telling you so that you can provide it the care that it needs. When you approach your PCOS care at the root cause you can:
Optimize fertility
Lose and maintain weight easily
Have easy regular periods
Feel great and have lots of energy
Have healthy skin and hair
That’s why this episode’s topic is so important, hope you enjoy it! Happy listening!
Resources & References Mentioned in this episode
Take the PCOS Root cause quiz to learn what your body needs to heal
Get started eating to nourish with the PCOS Fertility Meal Plan
References:
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test
Results are not guaranteed. Please see Medical Disclaimer for more detail.
Similar Podcasts You Will Enjoy
Episode #180: Why PCOS Symptoms Rarely Show Up Alone
If you’ve ever wondered why PCOS symptoms like bloating, fatigue, acne, or mood swings seem to pile on all at once, this episode will help you make sense of it all. In this insightful conversation, you’ll learn why your symptoms rarely show up in isolation and how recognizing clusters of symptoms can reveal powerful insights into your root causes. From cycle irregularity and inflammation to cravings and anxiety, your body is constantly communicating—and in this episode, you’ll discover how to finally start listening. You’ll walk away with a new lens for decoding your symptoms, identifying patterns, and finding clarity on what your body truly needs to heal. Don’t forget to take the free PCOS Root Cause Quiz linked in the show notes to start mapping your own symptom patterns.
Episode #179: Why “Doing All the Right Things” Still Doesn’t Fix PCOS
If you’ve followed the plans, taken the supplements, cut the carbs, tracked your labs, and still aren’t seeing progress, you’re not alone. In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll discover why doing “all the right things” doesn’t always lead to healing, and why the problem isn’t your effort, it’s the approach. You’ll learn why generic advice often falls short for women with PCOS, how symptoms like fatigue, weight fluctuations, and inflammation are actually adaptive signals, not signs of failure,and why listening to your body with clarity and curiosity is the key to real results. If you’re feeling discouraged despite your dedication, this conversation will help you reconnect with your body, rebuild your confidence, and finally understand what your symptoms are trying to tell you.
Episode #178: Why PCOS Symptoms Aren’t Random (And What They’re Actually Telling You)
In this eye-opening episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll discover how to reframe the frustrating symptoms of PCOS, irregular cycles, fatigue, inflammation, and more, as valuable messages from your body, not random or broken disruptions. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still not seeing results, this conversation will help you make sense of those patterns. By diving into the hormonal communication network behind your symptoms, including insulin, cortisol, and reproductive hormones, you’ll learn how to decode what your body is truly asking for. You’ll explore why common “healthy” strategies like calorie cutting or intense workouts can actually backfire, and how to shift toward a healing path that supports your unique root causes.
PCOS FERTILITY MEAL GUIDE
What I changed to finally get pregnant after almost 2 years of trying.
What the heck to eat to boost PCOS fertility
It’s not a one size fits all
Sample Meal Plan Included
Plan and Prep Guide Included
Go beyond diet & nourish your hormones to boost fertility
I share the steps I followed in this FREE MEAL GUIDE.
About the Show
Welcome to The PCOS Repair Podcast!
I’m Ashlene Korcek, and each week I’ll be sharing the latest findings on PCOS and how to make practical health changes to your lifestyle to repair your PCOS at the root cause.
If you’re struggling with PCOS, know that you’re not alone. In fact, it’s estimated that one in ten women have PCOS. But the good news is that there is a lot we can do to manage our symptoms and live healthy, happy lives.
So whether you’re looking for tips on nutrition, exercise, supplements, or mental health, you’ll find it all here on The PCOS Repair Podcast. Ready to get started? Hit subscribe now
