Hi,

Anybody here struggle with PCOS and had positive results with paleo? I had
PCOS in 2003 but it seemed to be under control after I started with
bio-identical hormone replacement. However, my hormonal balance is off again
and the progesterone I was taking didn't seem to make a difference. At the
advice of a health practitioner ("Heilpraktikerin") in Germany I stopped it
all together. She feels that the body is its own best healing "device" and
synthetic hormones are no good. Since supplements are not paleo I stopped.
But even before I stopped I had done a saliva test where saliva samples are
taken on 11 different days over a 28 day period. According to this test my
progesterone levels were way too high, I am not ovulating, and my
testosterone levels were 38 (normal is 8-20). The lab indicated that high
testosterone levels can be a sign of PCOS and I know back in 2003 that was
the case. For a while my testosterone levels were actually low but now they
are elevated again.

Anyway, I am definitely eating low carb but my protein intake is still
fairly high - 16 - 24 ounces of beef/pork/chicken/turkey/etc a day. I
checked the archives for PCOS but only found old posts dating back to 1999
and 2000. I have been resisting lowering my protein intake because I just
love it but I may have to. In addition, I have food intolerances and there
are a lot of veggies and things I can't eat like eggs, cauliflower,
broccoli, onions, garlic, tomatoes, asparagus, cabbage and more.

I was just wondering if any of the paleo women are dealing with PCOS and how
paleo may have helped.

Also, I am on day 11 of PMS and about to go crazy. This was an issue also in
2003 when PMS used to last 12 to 14 days with 35 to 45 days inbetween PMS.
Then with BHRT I got my cycles to regular 28 days and mild PMS 3 to 4 days.
For the last 6 months it's been going down hill again. PMS is getting worse,
lasting longer almost each cycle, and this last cycle I was down to only 10
days between the end of one PMS and the beginning of this one. It's pretty
frustrating - symptoms are abdominal distention to the point of looking
pregnant, extreme water retention, depression, mood swings, low energy, very
dry skin, and more.

From a paleo standpoint what can I do to get my body to ovulate again? I am
trying to get away from taking supplements and have been reducing what I was
taking slowly but surely. I should add that I am almost 41 years old, have
had a hysterectomy and only have one ovary left. I have also been told I
have adrenal fatigue.

Any thoughts, ideas, are welcome and if you would rather take this off-line
you can email me directly at Kristina dot carlton at gmail dot com.

Thanks in advance!!!!

Kristina