Everything You Need To Know To Navigate PCOS & Fertility Issues With MyOva
Did you know that one in ten women suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known as PCOS? If you didn’t, that’s because all too often PCOS is misdiagnosed, misunderstood or completely ignored, leaving sufferers to face any potential challenge on their own. We spoke to MyOva’ founder, Leila, who was one of them.
By Anna Myers / Jul 13, 2023
Having spent years struggling with PCOS symptoms and knowing that they could impact her fertility, she wasn’t satisfied with her GP’s unhelpful warning that she would find it difficult to have children.
Leila experienced a lightbulb moment when she found out that natural food supplement myo-inositol could help treat her symptoms and improve her chances of conceiving, and she’s now a proud mother and the force behind MyOva.
Her story gives hope to so many PCOS sufferers who find themselves in a similar situation, and her company’s premium range of supplements, from bestselling Myoplus formula to award-winning all-in-one Preconception supplement, was formulated by experts to help women with PCOS naturally rebalance and restore their hormones.
why myova?
We’re so excited to partner up with MyOva, an incredible brand with a purposeful mission and putting-the-power-back-in-your-own-hands approach to women’s wellness.
Their supplements are completely vegan and free from animal-derived ingredients, and designed to target different hormones with a great blend of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that can make a real difference to people’s day-to-day lives.
MyOva takes a 360-degree approach to wellness, so that every part of you can feel healed, heard and whole. Their ethos is also one of community, guidance, and support: MyOva is the place for you if you’re looking for inspiring stories by PCOS warriors and advice from people who have been there, too.
what are the symptoms of pcos?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal disorder that sees sufferers develop multiple cysts on their ovaries, and as a result, a variety of uncomfortable symptoms and metabolic dysfunctions. We spoke to Jodie Relf, MyOva’s registered dietician, to get a clear overview of PCOS symptoms and how they show up in different people.
Starting with an excess of the male sex hormones, also known as androgens, many people with PCOS will experience increased levels of the predominant and most active androgen, testosterone. As Relf explains, this is what causes some of the more common symptoms of PCOS in women, such as male pattern baldness, hirsutism (male pattern hair growth, which is to say an excess of hair on the face, back, and rest of the body), and acne or oily skin.
Moving on to insulin resistance, Relf tells us that it is thought that the majority of those with PCOS have some level of insulin resistance. This causes frustrating symptoms such as fatigue, carbohydrate cravings and difficulty losing weight.
The hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS cause absent or irregular menstrual cycles, and finally, mood disorders, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders are also very common in PCOS sufferers.
what are the fertility options for women with pcos?
If you have PCOS and have been unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant for six months, Relf recommends a visit to your GP, so that you can request blood tests. “You don’t have to be trying for 12 months before having tests done,” she advises, and “as I’d encourage everyone to get a full panel of blood tests when they are ready to start trying. It’s worth asking your GP, but be prepared they may say you’ll need to wait for six months.”
Make sure to have your partner tested, too — it takes two to tango! Knowing that they are producing healthy sperm is essential for a successful TTC (trying to conceive) journey, and takes some of the pressure off of people suffering from PCOS.
Relf recommends having sex every 2-3 days, for a very simple reason. “Although it’s definitely helpful to know when you are ovulating, this can be tricky with PCOS and we don’t always ovulate at the same time every month,” she says. “By having sex every 2-3 days you are increasing the chances of catching that ovulation window.”
Track your cycle to better help you identify your usual patterns and to enable you to have a rough idea of when you might ovulate. It also gives you information to take with you to a GP consultation, should you need to. Support your journey by taking the right supplements, as, for example, inositol has been shown to help regulate ovulation and in turn increasing your chances of conceiving.
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Available Until 31st August
Award-winning Preconception tablets by MyOva include 2000 mg Myo-inositol, plus all the vitamins and nutrients needed to balance, repair and prepare your body for pregnancy. A best-selling all-in-one solution for anyone trying to conceive.
£36.00
Developed to help regulate, rebalance and restore your hormonal and menstrual health, MyOva’s best-selling Myoplus formula is an all-in-one myo-inositol combination supplement, with 4000 mg of Myo-inositol, 200ug of Folate to support immunity and energy levels, and 100ug of Chromium to stabilise blood sugar levels and help manage sugar cravings.
£32.00
how to prioritise your wellbeing when trying to conceive with pcos
“There are so many factors that impact PCOS,” says Relf, “that it’s important to take a holistic approach, focusing not only on the foods you eat but also sleep hygiene, stress management, self-care and movement.”
She recommends having regular meals and snacks, which is important for balancing blood glucose levels and helps improve insulin resistance. Exercise also helps improve insulin sensitivity — remember, even doing 10 minutes a day can make a big difference!
As for supplements, Omega 3 tablets can help reduce the chronic low grade inflammation we see in PCOS, whereas Inositol can help improve insulin sensitivity and regulate ovulation. Folic acid is important for the baby’s development, and Jodie recommends you start taking it 6 months before you start trying to conceive.
Of course, sleep is a huge factor! When we don’t sleep enough we tend to crave high energy foods high in sugar and carbohydrates which is not great for balancing blood glucose levels. And finally, as cortisol (our stress hormone) actually worsens PCOS symptoms, Relf highlights how important it is to try and reduce cortisol levels when possible, and focus on stress management as well as reduction.
Finally, remember to “stay positive and give yourself time! Know that even for those without PCOS, it may take them 12 months to conceive,” so time is all you may need alongside plenty of emotional support from family and friends.
Remember that you’re not alone on your journey to conceive with PCOS, and MyOva is going to be here for you through it all!
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