PCOS
WOMEN'S HEALTH · PCOS NATUROPATH GEELONG
PCOS is complex. The pill is not the only answer — and it's not treating the cause.
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects approximately 1 in 10 Australian women of reproductive age. Yet the most common treatment offered remains the oral contraceptive pill — which masks symptoms without addressing the underlying hormonal and metabolic drivers. At The Sana Co. our women's health naturopath takes a root cause approach to PCOS, using comprehensive functional hormone testing to identify your specific drivers and build a personalised treatment plan that creates lasting hormonal balance.
PCOS affects more than just your period
Irregular or absent periods
Unwanted hair growth or scalp hair loss
Acne — particularly jaw and chin
Your cycle is unpredictable — long, very short, or missing for months at a time. This reflects disrupted or absent ovulation driven by elevated androgens and hormonal imbalance.
Androgen-driven acne concentrated around the jaw, chin, and neck that flares with your cycle. Often doesn't respond well to topical treatments because the driver is hormonal.
Androgen-driven acne concentrated around the jaw, chin, and neck that flares with your cycle. Often doesn't respond well to topical treatments because the driver is hormonal.
Weight gain and insulin resistance
Difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise, particularly central weight gain. Insulin resistance — present in up to 70% of women with PCOS — drives both weight gain and hormonal imbalance.
Mood changes, anxiety, and fatigue
Blood sugar dysregulation and hormonal imbalance significantly affect neurotransmitter function, energy, and mood. Anxiety and depression rates are higher in women with PCOS.
Not all PCOS is the same — and treatment should reflect that
PCOS is a heterogeneous condition with different presentations driven by different underlying mechanisms. Key drivers we investigate include:
Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia — the most common underlying driver, stimulating androgen production | Elevated androgens (testosterone, DHEA-S, androstenedione) | HPA axis dysfunction — chronic stress dysregulating adrenal androgen production | Gut dysbiosis and intestinal permeability affecting oestrogen and androgen metabolism | Thyroid dysfunction that can mimic and worsen PCOS | Nutritional deficiencies — magnesium, zinc, vitamin D, and inositol | Low-grade chronic inflammation driving insulin resistance
Our PCOS protocol is built around your specific hormonal picture
We don't apply a standard PCOS protocol. We test, identify your specific drivers, and build treatment around what we find.
Comprehensive hormone testing
Full androgen panel (testosterone, DHEA-S, SHBG, androstenedione), insulin and blood sugar markers (fasting insulin, HbA1c), thyroid function, and inflammatory markers.
Dietary changes targeted at insulin sensitivity, combined with inositol, magnesium, and chromium where indicated. For insulin-resistant PCOS, this is the foundational treatment.
Full androgen panel (testosterone, DHEA-S, SHBG, androstenedione), insulin and blood sugar markers (fasting insulin, HbA1c), thyroid function, and inflammatory markers.
Herbal medicine for hormonal balance
Full androgen panel (testosterone, DHEA-S, SHBG, androstenedione), insulin and blood sugar markers (fasting insulin, HbA1c), thyroid function, and inflammatory markers.
Nutritional medicine
Addressing deficiencies commonly found in PCOS: vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins — each with evidence for improving PCOS outcomes.
Adrenal PCOS requires specific treatment targeting the stress axis — adaptogens and nervous system support alongside dietary changes.
HPA axis and stress support
Tracking ovulation, cycle regularity, and symptom improvement throughout your 5-month program to guide treatment adjustments and demonstrate progress.
Cycle tracking and ongoing adjustment
