Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is one of those conditions that can show up differently for each person. Some deal with irregular cycles, others with hair changes or skin flare-ups, and many struggle with unwanted weight gain or fatigue that seems to come from nowhere. It’s not always easy to pin down, and that’s part of what makes it so frustrating. While conventional treatments often focus on hormonal regulation through medication, there’s growing interest in supporting the body in more natural and gentle ways—especially approaches that don’t just mask symptoms, but actually help the body move toward balance.
Naturopathic care blends time-tested traditions with thoughtful science, offering supportive options that focus on the whole person, not just the diagnosis. For many people, making a few intentional shifts in daily life can bring surprising relief—and while every journey with PCOS looks a little different, these foundations can offer a starting point for healing that feels less overwhelming and more sustainable.
Balancing Blood Sugar Without Diet Overwhelm
One of the most common threads in PCOS is insulin resistance. Even when blood tests don’t flag it as abnormal, many people with PCOS have subtle signs that their body isn’t using insulin effectively. This can lead to the kind of fatigue that crashes in the afternoon, intense cravings that don’t seem tied to hunger, or even stubborn weight gain, especially around the belly. The good news is that you don’t have to follow a restrictive or punishing diet to help your body find its rhythm again.
Eating to support blood sugar isn’t about cutting everything out. It’s about giving your body steady fuel. Think meals that combine protein, fiber, and healthy fats—simple things like scrambled eggs with spinach, or a handful of almonds with fruit. These small choices can help prevent the rollercoaster of highs and crashes that make PCOS symptoms feel worse. Herbs like cinnamon and gymnema have also been studied for their gentle blood sugar support, and they’re often used in naturopathic care to complement dietary changes.
Instead of chasing trendy food plans, it often helps to get personalized support from someone who can look at your full picture—what you’re eating, how you’re feeling, your energy levels, even your stress. This is where naturopathic consultations in San Diego come in. Practitioners trained in whole-body care can help you figure out a plan that feels realistic, not restrictive, and that works with your life, not against it.
Supporting Hormonal Harmony with Herbal Allies
When it comes to hormones, the body doesn’t always speak loudly—it whispers. It hints through mood shifts, changes in sleep, acne, or hair thinning. These signals can easily be overlooked or brushed off, but in the context of PCOS, they’re often part of a bigger picture. Supporting hormonal balance naturally means getting to know the ways your body is communicating with you and offering it tools to recalibrate.
Herbs have long been used to support menstrual health and hormonal patterns. One that comes up often is chaste tree berry, also known as vitex. This plant has been traditionally used to support regular cycles, especially in people who experience long gaps between periods. Spearmint, interestingly, has been studied for its potential to reduce excess androgen levels, which are often elevated in PCOS and can lead to unwanted hair growth or acne. Licorice root, peony, and white peony combinations have also shown promise for gently nudging hormone levels toward balance.
That said, herbal care isn’t one-size-fits-all. It works best when guided by someone who understands how these plants interact with your body’s unique patterns. Many people exploring PCOS support benefit from working with naturopathic doctors who can design an herbal plan that fits their body, rather than relying on generic blends or random internet suggestions. These professionals can look at lab work, symptom patterns, and lifestyle factors to create something targeted and nurturing—not overwhelming.
Calming the Nervous System to Ease Hormonal Disruption
Stress and hormones have a deeply connected relationship. When stress levels rise—whether from emotional, physical, or environmental factors—cortisol increases. In people with PCOS, elevated cortisol can make symptoms worse, throwing off insulin sensitivity, encouraging inflammation, and even altering ovulation cycles. That’s why stress care isn’t just about feeling relaxed; it’s part of a larger healing picture.
Daily practices that ground the nervous system can be surprisingly powerful. This doesn’t mean you need to become a yogi or meditate for hours a day. Sometimes it’s as simple as adding a 10-minute walk after dinner, taking five deep breaths before responding to texts, or starting the day with a warm drink in silence. These little rituals can have a bigger impact than people often realize.
Adaptogenic herbs—like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and holy basil—can also help regulate the way the body responds to stress. These plants don’t act like caffeine or sedatives; they gently work with the nervous system to bring resilience. For people with PCOS who feel like their stress levels are on a hair-trigger, adaptogens can offer steady, natural support.
Alongside herbs and lifestyle shifts, therapies like IV therapy in San Diego are becoming popular for people looking to replenish nutrient levels quickly and safely. Since many with PCOS struggle with fatigue and micronutrient deficiencies, IV blends designed to support energy and hormone function can offer a welcome boost—especially when combined with other personalized care approaches.
Nourishing the Body from the Inside Out
With PCOS, the body can sometimes feel like it’s working against you, but often it’s just asking for a little more support. Nutrients like magnesium, vitamin D, omega-3s, and B-complex vitamins play major roles in hormonal balance, energy production, and inflammation control. The challenge? Many people with PCOS are low in these nutrients, even when they try to eat well.
Avena’s approach to nutrition focuses on helping people absorb and utilize these nutrients—not just through food, but through targeted supplements and therapies that support the body’s ability to heal. For example, magnesium plays a role in everything from blood sugar regulation to sleep quality. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in flax, chia, and certain fish, help reduce inflammation and may even support ovulation patterns.
If digestion is off—or if stress is hijacking the gut-brain connection—it can be hard for the body to absorb what it needs. That’s where Avena Natural Health shines. Their approach looks at how well the body is actually using the nutrients it’s being given. A personalized plan might include food guidance, gentle detoxification support, or even IV therapies to deliver nutrients directly where they’re needed.
Nutritional support can feel like a reset button when it’s done with care. It’s not about swallowing a dozen pills a day or jumping into expensive protocols. It’s about understanding what your body is asking for and responding with compassion and consistency. That kind of care creates lasting change—not just for your hormones, but for your whole sense of wellbeing.
Wrapping Up
PCOS isn’t just a hormonal condition—it’s a full-body experience. While conventional treatments have their place, many people are drawn to more natural approaches because they want to feel heard, supported, and empowered. Whether it’s herbs, stress care, or nutritional support, these gentle tools can make a real difference in how the body functions and how a person feels in their own skin.
If you’re navigating PCOS and want a plan that’s as unique as your body, consider working with the team at Avena Natural Health. Their whole-person philosophy and emphasis on individualized care can help you take real steps forward—not just in managing symptoms, but in reclaiming your energy, balance, and peace.
Media Credit: All photos licensed from Adobe.
Dr. Laura Kostrzewski, a San Diego native, completed her undergraduate degree at California Polytechnic State University, earning a BS in animal science with minors in Spanish and Psychology. She then earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and taught fifth grade in the central coast of California for two years. After being extremely involved in her grandfather’s journey with Parkinson’s disease and end-of-life care, Dr. Kostrzewski decided to move back to San Diego and enroll at Bastyr University California. Dr. Kostrzewski received her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University California in June of 2019, and then went on to complete her residency at Bastyr. Before AVENA Wellness, DR. K started her own private practice, focusing on management of neurodegenerative conditions, and continued teaching at Bastyr as adjunct faculty, until founding Avena Health.