S2, E1: PCOS, Irregular Cycles & What Your Hormones Are Trying to Tell You

Understanding PCOS, irregular periods, and hormonal imbalance through a holistic women’s health lens.

Welcome back to Aléora and to the start of Season 2.

If you have been reading along for a while, I hope you had a wonderful New Year. And if you are new here, this is a really good place to begin. Aléora exists to help women understand their bodies more clearly, feel more informed about their health, and approach wellbeing through an educated and holistic lens rather than pressure or perfection.

As we move into this new season, there is so much planned. Throughout the year, we will be exploring women’s health in much greater depth, including specific conditions, hormonal patterns, metabolic health, skin, cycles, and long term wellbeing. Everything shared here is grounded in women’s health education, physiology, and evidence aware holistic care, always offered as supportive options rather than strict rules.

Season 2 is about clarity, education, and support. There are no quick fixes, no diet culture narratives, and no fear based messaging. The intention is to offer informed conversations that help you make sense of what your body is doing and why.

If you would like to stay connected, you can follow Aléora across our social platforms, subscribe to the website and mailing list, and join the Aléora Babes on Substack or our blog for deeper education and updates throughout the year.

We are opening this season with a topic that affects many women and is still widely misunderstood. PCOS, irregular cycles, and hormonal imbalance. In this article, we will explore what PCOS actually is, what irregular periods can indicate, and how hormones, metabolism, nutrition, and holistic support fit into the bigger picture.

Let’s begin.

PCOS, Irregular Cycles & What Your Hormones Are Trying to Tell You

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, often shortened to PCOS, is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women, yet it remains widely misunderstood. Many women are diagnosed after years of irregular periods, acne, weight changes, fertility concerns, or feeling that their body is not working the way it should. Others are told they might have PCOS without ever receiving a clear explanation of what that actually means.

This article is designed to bring clarity. Not to overwhelm, and not to offer quick fixes, but to help you understand what is happening inside the body and how hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and lifestyle patterns are connected. PCOS is not a single experience, and it does not look the same for everyone. For many women, it is less about something being wrong and more about the body communicating that it needs support in specific areas.

We are going to explore what PCOS actually is, what irregular cycles can indicate, how insulin and hormones interact, why skin and hair changes occur, and how nutrition, herbal support, and cycle awareness can help women reconnect with their bodies in a more informed and compassionate way.

What PCOS Actually Is and What It Is Not

PCOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition that affects how the ovaries function, how hormones are produced and regulated, and how the body responds to insulin. Despite the name, PCOS is not defined by ovarian cysts alone. Many women with PCOS do not have cysts on their ovaries, and many women without PCOS can have ovarian cysts.

At its core, PCOS involves an imbalance in reproductive hormones. This often includes higher levels of androgens, which are sometimes referred to as male hormones, although women naturally produce them too. These hormonal shifts can interfere with ovulation, which is why cycles may become irregular, infrequent, or absent altogether.

PCOS is also closely linked to insulin resistance for many women. Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells to be used for energy. When the body becomes less responsive to insulin, the pancreas produces more of it. Elevated insulin levels can stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens, which then disrupt ovulation further. This creates a feedback loop between metabolism and reproductive hormones.

It is important to understand that PCOS exists on a spectrum. Some women experience primarily cycle irregularity, while others notice skin changes, hair growth, hair thinning, or metabolic symptoms. Some women are lean, others are not. PCOS is not caused by weight, and it is not a personal failure. It is a complex interaction between genetics, hormones, metabolism, and environment.

Irregular Periods as a Symptom, Not the Problem

A regular menstrual cycle is often viewed as the ultimate sign of hormonal health, but when cycles become irregular, it is not the cycle itself that is the issue. It is a signal.

Irregular periods can include cycles that are consistently longer than 35 days, very short cycles, missed periods, or unpredictable bleeding patterns. In PCOS, irregular cycles usually occur because ovulation is not happening regularly. Ovulation is what triggers the hormonal cascade that leads to menstruation. Without it, the cycle loses its rhythm.

This does not mean the body is broken. It means the hormonal environment needed to support ovulation is not fully in place. This can be influenced by insulin resistance, chronic stress, inflammation, nutrient status, and nervous system load.

Rather than focusing solely on forcing regular periods, it can be more supportive to ask what the body might be responding to. Cycle irregularity is often the body’s way of conserving energy or adapting to internal stressors. When those underlying factors are addressed, cycles often begin to regulate naturally over time.

The Insulin and Hormone Connection in Women’s Health

One of the most important and often overlooked aspects of PCOS is the role of insulin. Insulin resistance affects a significant percentage of women with PCOS, even those who do not have changes in body weight or visible metabolic symptoms.

When insulin levels are consistently high, they can interfere with ovarian hormone production and increase androgen levels. This can suppress ovulation and contribute to acne, hair changes, and cravings. It can also affect energy levels, mood, and how the body stores fuel.

Blood sugar regulation is not about restriction or dieting. It is about stability. Large swings in blood sugar can place stress on the hormonal system and nervous system. Supporting insulin sensitivity often involves gentle, consistent nourishment, adequate protein, fibre, and fat, and reducing long periods without food. Sleep, movement, and stress management also play a significant role in how the body responds to insulin.

Understanding this connection can be empowering. Many women are told their symptoms are purely reproductive, when in reality metabolic health is deeply intertwined with hormonal balance.

Androgens, Acne, and Hair Changes Explained

Elevated androgen levels are one of the hallmark features of PCOS. These hormones influence oil production in the skin, hair growth patterns, and hair follicles on the scalp.

Acne associated with PCOS often appears along the jawline, chin, or lower face, although this is not always the case. Increased oil production can clog pores and create an environment where inflammation and breakouts thrive. Hair growth may increase on the face, chest, or abdomen, while hair on the scalp may thin, particularly around the crown or temples.

These changes can be emotionally challenging, especially when they feel outside of one’s control. It is important to remember that these symptoms are hormonal expressions, not reflections of hygiene, effort, or self care failure.

Supporting androgen balance often involves addressing insulin resistance, reducing systemic inflammation, supporting liver detoxification pathways, and working with the body rather than against it. Improvements tend to be gradual, but they are possible with consistent support.

Nutrition for Hormonal Balance Without Diet Culture

Nutrition for PCOS is often presented in a restrictive or rigid way, which can add stress and disconnection from the body. A more supportive approach focuses on nourishment, stability, and sustainability.

Many women with PCOS benefit from eating in a way that supports blood sugar balance. This can include pairing carbohydrates with protein and fat, eating regular meals, and prioritising fibre rich foods. The goal is not elimination but balance.

Gentle nutrition support can help reduce insulin spikes, support ovulation, and stabilise energy levels. It is not about eating perfectly or following a specific label. It is about creating a pattern of nourishment that feels steady and supportive rather than chaotic or punitive.

Importantly, stress around food can be just as disruptive to hormones as nutritional imbalance itself. Creating a calm, flexible relationship with eating is part of hormonal health.

Herbal and Holistic Support for PCOS

Herbal and holistic approaches can offer gentle support for women with PCOS when used appropriately. These are not cures, but tools that can work alongside lifestyle and medical care.

Spearmint tea has been studied for its potential to support androgen balance. Cinnamon is often explored for its role in supporting insulin sensitivity. Inositol, a vitamin like compound, is commonly used to support ovulation and metabolic health in women with PCOS. Nettle is traditionally used to support mineral status and overall vitality.

Lifestyle rhythms also matter. Supporting circadian rhythm through regular sleep and daylight exposure, reducing chronic stress, and allowing time for rest all influence hormonal communication. The nervous system and endocrine system are closely connected, and ongoing stress can amplify hormonal symptoms.

Herbal and holistic tools are best viewed as part of a bigger picture rather than standalone solutions.

Learning to Work With Your Cycle Again

For many women with PCOS, the menstrual cycle becomes a source of frustration or self judgement. Missed periods, unpredictability, or long cycles can feel discouraging, especially in a culture that frames regular cycles as a measure of success.

Reframing the cycle as communication rather than failure can be deeply supportive. The cycle reflects what is happening internally. When cycles are irregular, it is often an invitation to look at energy availability, metabolic support, stress levels, and overall wellbeing.

Working with the cycle may involve tracking patterns without pressure, learning the signs of ovulation, and focusing on overall hormonal support rather than calendar based expectations. Over time, many women find that as the body feels safer and more supported, cycles begin to find their rhythm again.

A Closing Note

PCOS is complex, but it is not hopeless. With the right information, support, and perspective, many women are able to improve their symptoms, reconnect with their bodies, and feel more at ease in their health journey.

This article is the foundation for our Season 2 conversations. Throughout the week, each of these topics will be explored more deeply, offering education, context, and practical understanding without pressure or fear.

If you would like to explore this topic further, you can listen to the full Glowfully by Aléora podcast episode, where we go into greater depth across all seven areas. You can also subscribe to the Aléora blog and join the Aléora Babes on Substack to stay connected as we continue through Season 2.

Your body is not working against you. It is communicating. Learning how to listen is the first step.