Recently a new PCOS program appeared on my radar called “Freedom from PCOS” written by Katie Humphrey, which promises “three proven steps to naturally overcome Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Insulin Resistance”.

Obviously I was excited to discover it because (a) there isn’t a good digital online resource specifically aimed at PCOS sufferers that I can refer people to and (b) Katie’s approach promises natural methods (and you all know I prefer the natural health approach whenever possible).

But, before I started recommended it I wanted to check it out and give you a detailed review of the resource including what I like (and dislike) about it so you can decide for yourself if it is something you can use to overcome your own PCOS.

What I Liked about “Freedom from PCOS”

1. A personal story I can identify with. Katie’s life with PCOS very much mirrors my own (although she discovered she had PCOS much earlier) and I was drawn into her story and the similarities between us
2. This resource has not been written by someone just trying to cash in on the PCOS market. Katie has PCOS herself and has overcome it. She also works regularly with women who have PCOS, including as a support person for Insulite
3. Katie offers an holistic approach to dealing with PCOS and explains why not everything can be solved with a pill and synthetic drugs
4. She backs everything up with science, experience and the resources of a few well-known health professionals
5. “Freedom from PCOS” offers a sensible method of dealing with PCOS through her Triple Threat approach. There is no magic wand, but she does explain why the right combination of these elements will work a lot better than just dieting or general diet and exercise alone.
6. This isn’t about traditional dieting – HOORAH! In fact, Katie makes an excellent case against doing “diets” and explains why you should be eating well and often. This is about eating the right foods in combination with the other elements of the Triple Threat approach.
7. It isn’t so regimented that you feel you can never have treats or miss a day of exercise. This is a sensible approach at gradually introducing a lifestyle change that will work for life.

What I Didn’t Like about “Freedom from PCOS”

• Actually the first thing is something pointed out to me by someone on Twitter, and that’s the “sales page” for “Freedom from PCOS”. These can be a turn-off for some people although,  as someone who works in marketing, I tend to tune them out and just scan for the vital information. So, if you don’t like sales pages like this you may be turned off or skip to the end – don’t let it stop you buying if you think this may be something that can help you

• When you get to the Nutraceuticals section there is a huge emphasis on the Insulite system, which Katie recommends. Now I think Insulite is excellent but I was initially annoyed that I had paid for “Freedom from PCO”S only to be pushed towards buying a much more expensive program. BUT, she did redeem herself quite well by:

1. still explaining the most important supplements every PCOS sufferer should be taking
2. giving a full rundown of what is included in the supplements that come with the Insulite program
3. explaining that, while they are not cheap, the Insulite system works out as a cheaper option for buying the best supplements for PCOS than actually having to buy all the supplements individually (and they provide them in the right dosages and combinations).

Who Will Benefit from “Freedom from PCOS”?

This program will work for you if you want good sensible advice on dealing with your PCOS and Insulin Resistance, and are prepared to gradually introduce the Triple Threat process into your life (again, Katie is sensible enough not to suggest you do everything all at once).

It’s perfect for anyone who has ever reached a plateau in their weightloss and wondered why they can’t get over it.

This is ideal for you if you want to rid your body of synthetic drugs and find a natural solution to overcoming your PCOS.

Who Shouldn’t Buy “Freedom from PCOS”?

This program will not work for you if you want a magic pill that will solve all your problems immediately. While we’d all like one of those, they don’t exist and Katie is thorough in explaining why traditional diets do not work, or appear to work but are not sustainable and eventually all the weight returns (and more).

This program is also not for you if you need your menus for the next 6 months mapped out for you and to be told exactly what to do and when. Katie offers all the information and sample meal planners etc. you need to get started but the rest is up to you.

(Note: Katie is in the process of setting up a “Freedom from PCOS” Inner Circle to provide support, exercise plans, menus, videos and teleclasses, and members’ forum, so if you are in need of that extra support and information that is probably the ideal opportunity for you and should be available in August 2010)

Am I Happy to Recommend Freedom from PCOS?

Absolutely! I found the whole resource well-written and engaging, and I really connected with Katie’s story and her sensible, natural approach to dealing with PCOS and Insulin Resistance. It will not be right for everyone (see reasons above) but it is the best online resource I have come across that is focused specifically on women with PCOS and offers exactly the kind of natural, alternative and balanced program I recommend here at PCOS Matters.

To pick up your own copy of “Freedom from PCOS” by Katie Humphrey click here, and make sure you come back and tell us about your own experiences with it.

In this video I talk about my experiences of natural treatment for PCOS.

In most cases, our doctors do a good job, but they tend to treat symptoms rather than the whole body. Alternative therapies are much more holistic and look at everything happening to the body, not just the symptoms.

If you feel uncomfortable about giving up your medical treatment then don’t. The two can work together.

To explore natural ways to reduce your PCOS symptoms take a look at Freedom from PCOS.

The system offers a Triple Threat approach to naturally overcome Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Insulin Resistance, addressing the root cause of the problem and not just the symptoms. You can tackle your PCOS using a natural, holistic approach… Click here to find out more

In my last video, I shared a little about my journey with PCOS. In this video I talk about my experiences with the traditional medical route for PCOS treatment.

I was disappointed with my initial doctor’s response to discovering I had Polycystic Ovaries i.e. he offered no help whatsoever, so I went and found a new doctor who was more interested in PCOS. I recommend you do the same, and if you can you should ask for the referral to an Endocrinologist.

More doctors are accepting PCOS as a condition that should be taken seriously, but not all of them. And some of those that recognise the problems of PCOS are not educated well enough in it to offer any further solutions.

I urge you to find the best PCOS doctor/specialist possible and make sure you are satisfied with the treatments they offer.

Sorry, if you have been patiently waiting for an update on my last consultation with Trisha Stewart and what the outcome of having done the 30 Day Detox is. Work got a little hectic over the past week and I just didn’t have time to post.

Well, I maintained the detox completely up until seeing Trisha last Tuesday. She performed another health screening and overall there were some good improvements, but she was still picking up problems in the jaw and throat area.

Although I lost 9lbs during the 30 days, most of that was earlier in the process and Trisha was worried things were already slowing down and that we need to work on getting the thyroid and adrenals to function better.

What Happens Next?

We agreed that I would continue to follow the main basis of the 30 day program but that allowing myself other non-Vegan foods occasionally would be ok as long as I keep a well balanced, nutritious diet. She also gave me a homeopathic remedy to help with my metabolism.

Plus, I need to keep up the exercise.

I haven’t weighed myself yet this week, but I feel better in my clothes (and some that haven’t fitted for ages are now fitting well) and that is always a good thing.

I have had some grilled plaice in the last week when I went out for dinner, as well as some coleslaw, a little cheese and even a couple of pieces of chocolate, but overall I have stuck to the foods I enjoyed during the detox such as bean chili, rice and quinoa pilafs, and salads.

Don’t forget, to keep up with what I am doing on a daily basis, follow me on Twitter at: PCOS Matters

Treatments for Polycystic Ovaries vary depending on the doctor or specialist you are seeing. However, there are 3 main categories of treatment you may be offered.

1. Contraceptive Pill

This is still one of the most popular treatments for PCOS, although it doesn’t treat the underlying cause of the problem, it simply masks the symptoms. There are any number of birth control pills you may be offered and it is important that you read the information contained with the pills, especially if you experience any side effects. Some contraceptives put you at a greater risk of Thrombosis so it is important to try and maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking.

The advantage of taking the contraceptive pill is that it gives you a regular menstrual cycle meaning you are less likely to be at risk of endometrial cancer or problems resulting from a build-up of the womb wall.

2. Fertility Drugs

Clomid (or Clomiphene) is the most popular treatment given to women with PCOS who are trying to conceive. It encourages the body to create certain hormones that then tell your body to ovulate. It has a good success rate, with 70-90% of women ovulating within their first 3 cycles after starting on the drug. Clomiphene is a short term treatment and is usually only taken for around 6 months. There are other fertility drugs that your doctor may also consider prescribing, but Clomid is the most popular.

3. Diabetes Medications

A number of diabetes drugs are now available to women with Polycystic Ovaries, and the most popular of these is Metformin (Glucopage). These drugs have been proven to improve the symptoms of PCOS, by controlling blood sugars and reducing androgen production. Many women with PCOS have reported good results and it is the treatment most likely to be offered to you if you consult with an endocrinologist.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of treatments but they are the main drugs given to PCOS sufferers, which you may be offered by your own medical practitioner.