PCOS Symptoms and Hormonal Imbalance
Exploring the Root Causes of Fatigue, Weight Gain, and Irregular Cycles
In my 12-week Hormone Shift Method, we focus on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of hormonal imbalances
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone imbalance that affects how your ovaries work. It’s one of the leading causes of irregular periods, stubborn weight gain, skin and hair changes, and fertility challenges in women of reproductive age.
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PCOS is linked to higher levels of androgens (male hormones), disrupted ovulation, and insulin resistance, all of which can make it harder to feel in control of your body. But not everyone with has the same symptoms, which is why it’s often misunderstood or missed.
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PCOS affects up to 1 in 10 women worldwide, but is often under-recognised and underdiagnosed, especially in women without classic symptoms (Teede et al., 2018).
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If you’ve recently come off the pill, noticed changes in your cycle, you’re in the right place. This page will help you understand the most common signs of hormonal imbalance and what might be going on beneath the surface, so you can take confident, informed steps forward.
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Learn more about how hormones can affect your weight
Thinking about pregnancy? Read this first​
Online Nutritionist Support for PCOS Hormonal Imbalance
PCOS Nutrition
Skin Health Support
Gut Health Support
Blood Sugar Balance
What Are The Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance?
You could have hormone imbalance symptoms without a PCOS diagnosis
Hormonal imbalance happens when the delicate interplay between oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, insulin, thyroid hormones or cortisol is disrupted.
These hormones influence everything from your energy, mood and weight to your periods, sleep and metabolism.
You don’t always need a formal PCOS diagnosis to know that something isn’t right.
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Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
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I support women with a wide range of hormone-related symptoms, including:
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Irregular or heavy periods, or no periods
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PMS, mood swings or low mood before your period
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Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
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Weight gain or difficulty losing weight, especially around the middle
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Brain fog, low motivation or poor concentration
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Sleep issues (struggling to fall or stay asleep)
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Hair thinning or hair loss, hair growth in unwanted places
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Dry or irritated skin, acne or breakouts
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Anxiety, overwhelm or feeling emotionally flat
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Feeling cold, constipated or sluggish (possible thyroid issues)
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Waking in the night, especially between 2–4am (linked to blood sugar or cortisol)
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Gut and digestive problems
Even mild hormone disruption can have a big impact on your quality of life. And while conventional tests may not always reflect the full picture, nutrition and lifestyle changes can offer meaningful support.
A Functional, Personalised Approach to Hormone Health
Personalised programmes for hormonal health & weight loss
As an online PCOS and hormone nutritionist, I take a whole-person view of what’s going on in your body. That means looking at the bigger picture, not just your symptoms, but the possible root causes behind them.
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Together, we explore:
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Your full health timeline and symptom history – not just the last blood test
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Your diet, stress levels, sleep and lifestyle – the daily habits that shape hormone health
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The interplay between blood sugar, stress, inflammation and nutrient status – common drivers of hormone symptoms
This allows us to create a plan that’s tailored, sustainable, and grounded in what’s realistic for you.
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Optional Functional Testing
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If we need more insight, I can guide you through trusted UK-based functional tests (optional, not required), which can explore:
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Thyroid health in more depth – including TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies
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Cortisol rhythm – to assess your stress response and energy dips
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DNA SNPs that affect nutrients, metabolism and hormones
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Cycle hormone mapping – to better understand oestrogen, progesterone and ovulation
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Nutrient and metabolic markers – that influence mood, energy and hormone balance
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Vitamin D and B12 status – often overlooked, but essential for hormonal regulation
These tests go beyond standard medical checks and can help identify missing pieces of the puzzle, particularly for those with subclinical hormone issues.
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If you’re not ready for a full programme, start with The Hormone Shift Membership Hub, or A 4-6 week focused seasonal Reset, self-paced short programmes to help you build the foundations for fewer cravings and sustainable weight loss.
Why Work With a Hormone Nutritionist?
Qualified BANT Registered Nutritionist
Most women I work with have already tried to help themselves, through supplements, online advice, or restrictive diets that didn’t work.
But real progress happens when we:
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Use science-backed strategies to support hormone pathways
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Personalise the plan to your life, preferences, and goals
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Focus on small, achievable changes that lead to lasting results
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Keep things realistic, structured and supportive with ongoing coaching along the way
Nutrition can’t replace medical care, but it plays a powerful role in helping the body rebalance and build resilience. As a BANT-registered nutritionist with over a decade of experience, I’ll help you cut through the noise and focus on what works.
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I support women who are:
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Experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance without a clear diagnosis
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Navigating PCOS changes
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Recovering from burnout or chronic stress
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Managing long-term fatigue, cycle changes, weight gain or mood shifts
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Frustrated by normal test results that don’t explain how they feel
You don’t need to have it all figured out before getting support. If you feel like something’s not quite right, we can begin by exploring what your body might be telling you and build from there.
Supporting Women Across the UK Online
Who I Work With
Although I’m based in Manchester I work with women across Greater Manchester, London, Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham and the wider UK through secure online consultations.
This makes nutrition support more accessible, flexible, and tailored to busy professionals and working mums alike.
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You’ll receive personalised guidance without needing to travel or take time off work, and our sessions fit easily into your weekly routine.
Book a Call
Online hormonal health and weight loss nutrition plans
Not sure what your hormones are trying to tell you? Download my free Hormone Symptoms Self Check.
If you’re not sure where to start, I offer a 30-minute Zoom or phone call to help you explore what might be going on with your hormones and how we can work together.
There’s no pressure or commitment, just a helpful conversation.​
Root Cause & Functional Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
What causes symptoms like weight gain, fatigue or irregular periods in PCOS?
PCOS symptoms are often driven by deeper imbalances such as insulin resistance, inflammation, hormonal shifts and nutrient deficiencies. These aren’t always picked up on standard blood tests, which is why many women feel dismissed. Understanding the root causes allows us to support your body more effectively through tailored nutrition and lifestyle changes.
How does insulin resistance affect PCOS?
Insulin resistance is one of the most common drivers of PCOS symptoms. It can lead to high circulating insulin levels, which trigger more androgen (male hormone) production. This contributes to weight gain, acne, cravings and disrupted ovulation. Nutrition strategies that stabilise blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity can be a game-changer.
Can chronic inflammation make PCOS worse?
Yes, chronic low-grade inflammation is common in PCOS and can make symptoms more persistent. It affects your energy, skin, digestion, and can interfere with ovulation. Anti-inflammatory foods, gut support and simple lifestyle changes can help reduce this underlying stress on the body.
Which hormones are out of balance in PCOS?
Women with PCOS often have high androgens (like testosterone), low progesterone, and sometimes altered oestrogen levels. These imbalances are behind many PCOS symptoms, from missed periods and PMS to mood swings and acne. Supporting hormone clearance and ovulation with food and targeted nutrients can help bring things back into balance.
Are nutrient deficiencies common in PCOS?
Yes, many women with PCOS are low in key nutrients like magnesium, vitamin D, omega-3s, zinc, B vitamins and iron. These play an essential role in metabolic health, mood, energy and hormone production. A food-first approach with smart supplementation can help you replenish what your body needs.
How does stress affect PCOS?
Chronic stress raises cortisol, which can worsen insulin resistance and suppress ovulation. Many of my clients don’t realise how much stress is impacting their hormones until we start working on blood sugar balance, adrenal support and daily habits that calm the nervous system.
What’s the link between gut health and hormone balance?
Poor digestion or gut imbalances can affect everything from skin and mood to hormone clearance. Supporting the gut helps reduce inflammation, improves nutrient absorption and helps your body clear excess hormones more efficiently, especially important for women with irregular cycles or post-pill recovery.
How does your approach to PCOS support the root causes?
I use a root-cause, whole-person approach that supports the body systems influencing your symptoms, like blood sugar, adrenal health, gut function and inflammation. By understanding your individual drivers, we can take a more personalised and effective path forward using nutrition and lifestyle tools that actually work in real life.
Want to go deeper?
If you’re ready to stop chasing symptoms and start supporting your body from the inside out, my 12-Week PCOS Hormone Shift Programme is a structured step-by-step approach designed to help you do just that. Find out more about the programme on the link below.
FREE NO OBLIGATION CALL
Book a Call
A no-obligation discovery call lasts up to 30 minutes via Zoom or phone, it's a great way for us to discuss your requirements and how I can help balance hormones with a nutrition plan for PCOS and hormonal imbalances. You can ask any questions and decide if we are a good fit before working together.