PCOS and Endometriosis: Decoding the Hormonal Mysteries Behind Common Women’s Health Challenges

Despite affecting millions of women, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis remain among the most underdiagnosed, misunderstood, and mismanaged conditions in modern medicine. These aren’t just “period problems” or fertility issues—they are full-body hormonal syndromes with systemic ripple effects that often begin in adolescence with consequences that extend past menopause. PCOS is the most common…

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PCOS: Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation and Mitochondrial Issues

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have increased stress, with an exaggerated sympathetic (fight-flight-freeze-fawn) nervous system and underactive parasympathetic (stay-and-play, rest-and-digest, feed-and-breed!) nervous system. We call these findings autonomic imbalances, including reduced parasympathetic activity, which suggests a potential link to mitochondrial dysfunction. Research indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction is indeed associated with PCOS and may contribute…

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PCOS: Natural Solutions for a Common Hormone Imbalance

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? It is a complex endocrine disorder that affects 20 to 30 percent of women. In medicine, we use the term syndrome to describe a collection of signs and symptoms that don’t necessarily have a single identifiable cause or pathological process. PCOS causes the sex hormones in women to become…

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Infertility 101: Get to the Root Cause

From all my years in practice and speaking with women who are suffering, I know how grave the desperation, anxiety, and loneliness are for those struggling with infertility. Too commonly unaddressed, millions of women suffer in secrecy and begin to doubt their bodies. According to the most recent data from the CDC, 6.9 million or…

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Berberine, Blood Sugar and Weight Loss

Since I saw my first patient in 1989, I’ve refined my approach to health and healing. Probably the biggest needle mover is my growing respect for plant medicine and its role in healing. My enthusiasm for berberine is in lockstep with my personal and professional experience prescribing herbs, but also as the evidence continues to…

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Dr. Sara's Top 3 Questions: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

When it comes to female hormonal conditions, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is probably one you’ve heard of. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, between 1 in 10 and 1 in 20 women of childbearing age have PCOS. That means someone in your female tribe – sister, friend, co-worker –…

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