The supplement inositol is a superstar for treating polycystic ovary syndrome. It’s also been clinically trialled for weight loss, thyroid disease, anxiety, insomnia, and premenstrual mood symptoms. In episode nine of my podcast/YouTube video, I look at “what is inositol?”, how you can get it from diet, the difference between myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, and why ... Read more Lara Briden's article Inositol for Mood, Sleep, and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary ..read more

What do post-pill acne, hair loss, and weight gain all have in common? They can all be the result of a temporary surge in androgens when trying to come off certain types of hormonal birth control. In episode eight of my podcast/YouTube video, I discuss post-pill androgen symptoms including why pills like Yasmin are the ... Read more Lara Briden's article Help for Post-Pill Acne, Hair Loss, and Weight Gain appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary ..read more

There can be a strong hormonal component to abdominal weight gain. And in most people, that hormone is insulin. In episode six of my podcast/YouTube video, I discuss insulin resistance including why you could have insulin resistance even if your blood sugar is normal, the role of mitochondria, and all the ways to lower insulin ... Read more Lara Briden's article The Most Common Cause of Weight Gain appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary ..read more

Were you told you have polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS based on a pelvic ultrasound? That may or may not be an accurate diagnosis because PCOS cannot actually be diagnosed or ruled out with ultrasound. In episode three of my podcast/YouTube video, I discuss PCOS including topics such as: why PCOS is an umbrella term, ... Read more Lara Briden's article PCOS Cannot Be Diagnosed by Ultrasound appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary ..read more

Progesterone has beneficial anti-androgen properties and can help to promote ovulation. That makes progesterone potentially therapeutic for polycystic ovary syndrome, as described in my recent paper The central role of ovulatory disturbances in the etiology of androgenic polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—Evidence for treatment with cyclic progesterone. Progesterone is real progesterone, also called body-identical progesterone or ... Read more Lara Briden's article Cyclic Progesterone Therapy for PCOS appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary ..read more

Progesterone is beneficial because it lightens periods. It also reduces inflammation, regulates immune function, and supports healthy thyroid, brain, bones, and breasts. Do you make enough progesterone? Are you sure? The only way to make progesterone is with ovulation and a healthy luteal phase. What is a luteal phase? A luteal phase is the approximately ... Read more Lara Briden's article Roadmap to Progesterone appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary ..read more

What is the difference between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothalamic amenorrhea? PCOS is the condition of androgen excess when all other causes of androgen excess have been ruled out. It can also cause irregular periods. Hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) is the loss of periods due to undereating. It can also present with mild acne, facial ... Read more Lara Briden's article Is It PCOS or Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (Undereating)? appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary ..read more

To treat PCOS, you need to know what’s driving it. In other words, you need to know your type of PCOS. You could have insulin-resistant PCOS, post-pill PCOS (which is temporary), inflammatory PCOS, or the far less common adrenal PCOS. First things first, what is PCOS? Despite the name, polycystic ovary syndrome has nothing to ... Read more Lara Briden's article 4 Types of PCOS (a Flowchart) appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary ..read more

A menstrual cycle is, by definition, an ovulatory cycle in which ovulation is the main event and progesterone is made. Any other kind of bleed is either an anovulatory bleed or a pill-bleed — neither of which are real menstrual cycles. Ovulatory cycles are the only way to make progesterone which is important for general ... Read more Lara Briden's article Ovulation Is the Main Event of the Menstrual Cycle appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary ..read more

Vitex (also called chaste tree or chasteberry) is a herbal medicine prepared from the berries of a large Mediterranean tree (Vitex agnus-castus). In ancient times, it was used to suppress the libido of monks, hence the name. Fortunately, it does not have that effect on women. Vitex is effective medicine for breast pain, irregular periods, ... Read more Lara Briden's article The Dos and Don’ts of Vitex for Period Problems appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary ..read more