PCOS and Functional Medicine: A Personalized Path to Healing

Explore the Root Causes of PCOS — from Hormones and Insulin to Stress, the Gut, and Genetics

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women of reproductive age. Yet the diagnosis is often delayed, misunderstood, or reduced to a “hormone problem.” Many women are told their symptoms are “just part of being a woman” or are offered generic treatments that suppress symptoms but fail to address the root causes.

At DNA Care, we approach PCOS differently. From a Functional Medicine perspective, PCOS is not a single hormonal issue — it’s a multisystem imbalance involving insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, gut dysfunction, stress dysregulation, and genetic sensitivity. The good news? These systems can be supported, regulated, and even reversed.

In This Guide, You’ll Learn:

• The four functional types of PCOS and how to identify yours
• The most common root causes: insulin resistance, inflammation, post-pill changes, and stress
• How advanced lab testing can uncover your specific imbalances
• What you can do — through nutrition, lifestyle, supplements, and targeted Functional Medicine support
• Why PCOS doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle, but a starting point for real healing

The Four Functional Types of PCOS: What’s Your Profile?

At DNA Care, we use targeted lab testing to distinguish four common PCOS subtypes — because each woman’s presentation is different. Identifying your unique profile helps us tailor your treatment with precision.

1. Insulin-Resistant PCOS
• Common signs: weight gain, cravings, acne, fatigue, irregular ovulation
• Key labs: fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, low SHBG, C-peptide, leptin, homocysteine

2. Post-Pill PCOS
• Common signs: acne and missing periods after stopping the pill (especially formulations containing drospirenone, such as Yaz or Yasmin, or cyproterone acetate, such as Diane-35)
• Key labs: mildly elevated LH/FSH ratio, elevated androstenedione, typically normal insulin

3. Inflammatory PCOS
• Common signs: gut issues, skin flare-ups, PMS, mood swings, elevated hs-CRP
• Key labs: hs-CRP, zonulin, IgG food reactions, gut microbiome balance, histamine, TNF-α

4. Adrenal PCOS
• Common signs: lean body type, elevated DHEAS with normal testosterone, stress sensitivity, often regular cycles
• Key labs: elevated DHEAS, cortisol curve, ACTH, 17-OH-progesterone, HRV

💡 Note: These types can overlap. Thorough intake and functional testing are essential to determine your individual pattern and develop a personalized care plan.

PCOS as a Systems Condition: Insulin, Stress, Gut, and Epigenetics

While PCOS often shows up as acne, missed periods, or hair growth, these symptoms are just the surface. Underneath lies a web of systemic dysfunction. At DNA Care, we explore how the following patterns may be contributing to your PCOS:

• Insulin resistance, which increases ovarian androgen production and disrupts ovulation
• Chronic stress, affecting the HPA axis, sleep, immune balance, and hormonal signaling
• Low-grade inflammation, which alters insulin sensitivity and reproductive hormones
•Gut dysbiosis, driving inflammation, estrogen imbalance, and nutrient deficiencies
• Epigenetic factors, such as early life stress or toxin exposure, influencing gene expression

By understanding PCOS as a systemic, not isolated, condition, we can support healing from within — not just suppress the symptoms.

What the Science Is Telling Us

New research continues to expand our understanding of PCOS. It’s no longer just about hormones — it’s about the interaction of metabolism, immunity, stress biology, and genetics.

🔬 Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Function
Women with PCOS often show signs of increased oxidative stress, which affects egg quality, endometrial health, and insulin response. Nutrients like CoQ10, omega-3, NAC, and melatonin are being studied for their role in restoring mitochondrial balance and fertility.

🧬 Gut Microbiome and Short-Chain Fatty Acids
Studies show reduced microbial diversity in women with PCOS, especially fewer SCFA-producing bacteria (like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii), which impacts inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and reproductive outcomes.

🌙 Circadian Rhythm Disruption
Sleep, light exposure, and late-night eating all impact hormonal rhythms. Poor circadian alignment has been linked to LH suppression, poor ovulation, and blood sugar instability.

🧠 Trauma and the HPA Axis
Women with PCOS report higher rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Early stress may permanently alter HPA axis activity, increasing cortisol and DHEAS — hallmarks of adrenal-type PCOS. Trauma-informed care and nervous system regulation are essential components of recovery.

Fertility, Egg Quality, and Mitochondrial Health

Fertility challenges in PCOS are not just about ovulation. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress reduce egg viability, implantation potential, and endometrial receptivity. At DNA Care, we support fertility with:

• Age- and profile-specific supplement strategies
• Targeted Functional Medicine testing to assess oxidative stress and antioxidant reserves
• Nutritional and mitochondrial support to improve egg quality

The Forgotten Link: Stress, Trauma, and the PCOS Axis

Chronic stress and unresolved trauma are often hidden drivers behind PCOS. A dysregulated nervous system can lead to:
• Gut inflammation and leaky gut
• Hormonal disruption via the hypothalamus and pituitary
• Difficulty restoring cycles, even with nutrition and supplements

That’s why we often integrate nervous system support into PCOS care, using methods like:
• EFT and vagus nerve stimulation
• Breathwork and somatic therapy
• Trauma-informed coaching or collaboration with mental health professionals

Because healing your hormones starts with feeling safe in your body.

Sleep, Rhythm, and Hormonal Balance

Your internal clock plays a vital role in PCOS recovery. Evening insulin resistance, cortisol imbalances, and suppressed melatonin all interfere with reproductive health.

At DNA Care, we help restore your circadian rhythm through:
• Consistent sleep and meal timing
• Morning light exposure
• Natural movement during the day
• Evening screen hygiene and light reduction
• Time-restricted eating (e.g. within a 10–12-hour window)
• Supporting melatonin production with gentle evening rituals
• Aligning activity patterns with your natural energy cycles

These rhythm-supportive practices don’t just improve hormonal timing — they also influence gene expression via epigenetic pathways. In other words: your daily habits help shape how your body regulates hormones, sleep, and metabolism from the inside out.

Genetics and Epigenetics in PCOS: Personalized Insight

Genetic testing can help uncover why some women are more vulnerable to hormonal imbalance, inflammation, or detox issues — even with a healthy lifestyle. Combined with lab data and clinical history, it forms the foundation for individualized care.

When Genetic Testing May Help:
• Family history of PCOS, infertility, diabetes, or autoimmunity
• Persistent symptoms despite lifestyle changes
• Fertility preparation or IVF support
• Desire for precision-based care

What We Can Assess:
• Methylation and detox: MTHFR, COMT, GSTM1
• Insulin regulation: IRS1, TCF7L2
• Androgen conversion: CYP1A1, SRD5A2
• Estrogen metabolism: CYP1B1, CYP3A4
• Inflammation sensitivity: TNF-α, IL-6, SOD2
• Chronotype and stress: CLOCK, NR3C1

Genetics doesn’t determine your fate — but it can guide your path. Understanding your genetic blueprint helps us personalize your care with greater precision.

For Referring Providers

DNA Care collaborates with physicians, gynecologists, fertility specialists, and integrative practitioners. Our approach is science-based, collaborative, and designed to complement conventional care. We offer:
• Comprehensive hormonal and metabolic testing (fasting insulin, SHBG, microbiome, cortisol curve)
• Support during natural and assisted fertility journeys
• Detailed reporting and communication with your care team
• Trauma-informed, multidisciplinary collaboration

If you have a patient with PCOS, subfertility, or complex hormonal symptoms — we welcome your referral or inquiry.

In Summary: PCOS Requires an Integrated Approach

This framework of PCOS subtypes is informed by the work of Lara Briden, ND, who first proposed a functional categorization of PCOS based on underlying drivers such as insulin resistance, post-pill effects, inflammation, and adrenal patterns.
• PCOS is not just a hormone imbalance — it’s a whole-body systems disorder
• There are four functional subtypes, each with unique causes and treatment strategies
• Recovery is possible — but starts with the right questions and the right entry point
• Nutrition, lifestyle, supplements, gut health, and stress work are all powerful when personalized
• At DNA Care, we combine science, compassion, and precision to support your healing from the inside out

Ready to Understand Your PCOS from the Inside Out?

If you’re tired of generic advice and want a plan that truly fits your body, DNA Care is here to help. Together, we’ll explore your PCOS profile, uncover root causes, and guide you toward hormonal, metabolic, and emotional balance.

📞 Schedule an intake consultation or reach out for more information.

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