Guide to PCOS Self Care

If you have PCOS, you know how all-consuming it can feel sometimes. Between the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms it can be a lot. Then, factor in real life with work, school whatever that may look like for you - and self-care is a definite must-do. 

We all know the typical self-care agenda, but how about a self-care day or night crafted for PCOS? 

As a fellow cyster, I’ve compiled together a list of my favorite self-care activities to give you the support you need and deserve. Read on for the activities and choices I try to implement whenever I need that extra boost. Take it from me cyster, it’s well worth it. 

PCOS Skincare 

When I’m working with other women who have PCOS, a common complaint I receive is skin problems like acne or dark spots. Which is not surprising, because YES PCOS can impact our skin. Not only can it cause acne, but PCOS can also cause dry, itchy skin, dark patches (acanthosis nigricans), high oil production, abnormal hair growth (hirsutism), and skin tags. 

So, what can you do to mitigate these and give your skin a little TLC? 

Try out some of my favorite topical skin products to provide you with some much-needed relief:

  • Tru Alchemy: fades dark spots, contains no sulfates or parabens, and delivers long, deep moisture (yes please!)

  • The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser: this is gentle, but powerful, doubles as a makeup remover, and it’s vegan and cruelty-free. 

  • Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Remover: gently exfoliates your pores, melts off makeup with sunflower, ginger root, and moringa, and has recyclable packaging 

  • Beautycounter All Over Acne Treatment: clears and prevents blemishes, soothes your skin without feeling heavy, no questionable ingredients 

  • Acure Brightening Facial Scrub: exfoliates with sea kelp super nutrients, free from parabens, sulfates, and mineral oil, plus it’s infused with brightening antioxidants 

Beyond the topical products, you can go beyond skin deep to treat and even resolve these PCOS skin problems. Acne and hair growth especially can 100% be supported by getting in the right nutrients and supplements. 

My personal favorite, one that I formulated for myself and other cysters, is the VITA-PCOS Androgen Blocker supplement. This supplement was designed for women with PCOS, with the right building blocks to help reduce androgens and give your body room to flourish in balance.


Exercise

You may have heard that exercise, especially some of the more fast-paced, intense ones like HIIT or running can be bad for PCOS. But, babe, that’s just not the truth. 

One of the biggest fun facts I teach women in my courses is that exercise, including higher intensity, improves mental well-being in women with PCOS and insulin sensitivity. And women with PCOS are 3x more likely to suffer from mental health issues. If you find yourself dealing with anxiety and depression, you’re not alone. It’s absolutely exhausting to handle all of the PCOS BS we have to suffer. I almost wish we could bottle up all the mood benefits of exercise into a little pill- it would be the fastest-selling supplement, and most effective out there!

You CAN do the intense exercises, it’s just a matter of how much and when. I recommend a variety of cardio, strength training, and restorative workouts like yoga, hiking, or walking. 

Have an orgasm  

You might be wondering, Cory, how can having an orgasm impact my PCOS? 

Stress relief boo. And it’s worth every second! Here are some of my favorite fast facts to turn some love on downstairs: 

  • Research shows our orgasms may improve as we age. We may be more comfortable with our partner(s), our own beautiful bodies, and what feels good. 

  • Errrryone is different, but they take *on average* 20 minutes to achieve. 

  • The main event usually lasts anywhere between 13 and 51 seconds…thank god for a “repeat button” ya know?!

  • A clitoris has TWICE the nerve endings as a penis. 

With these new facts, it’s time to relieve some stress and practice some true self-love. 

PCOS Nutrition and Comfort Food

I know that recommendations can be helpful, but I’ll always go back to preaching what I know to be true - dietary and lifestyle changes can be some of the best PCOS self-care you can do. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice good ole’ comfort food, maybe it just looks a little friendlier.

Try a few of these favorites I’ve recently shared on my Insta, and give me a follow for more tasty PCOS-friendly treats:

If you’re ready for no-BS, practical, PCOS help from someone who really gets it, I’m here for you. I want to show you how to enjoy food, lose weight, and enjoy yourself PERMANENTLY with PCOS. Self-care can become an everyday occurrence. I hope you can join me on my next launch date of the PCOS Boss Academy - check out the link below to get started.


Cory LevinComment