PCOS Naturopath Brisbane
PCOS is a syndrome not a disease, treat the underlying cause to restore balance and be symptom free, naturally.
About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
I treat many people with PCOS in my Brisbane Based clinic, and a common theme amongst clients is that they don’t know much about it, even though it is estimated to affect 1 in 15 women WORLDWIDE (Manouchehri et al., 2023).
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common, but complex hormonal & metabolic condition that affects women’s health in multiple ways. It involves an issue with hormonal balance, usually with ovulation and/or progesterone levels, which affects how the body balances other hormones, called DHEA, estrogen & testosterone (Sing et al., 2023).
Many women experience irregular periods, difficulty conceiving, unwanted hair growth, acne, weight changes, chronic fatigue and/or mood fluctuations (Sing et al., 2023), and often feel frustrated when symptoms are dismissed or treated in isolation.
Women’s health is complex, and PCOS is rarely caused by a single factor. Naturopathy takes a holistic approach, looking at the whole body to identify the underlying drivers of PCOS. By addressing these root causes, we help restore hormonal balance, improve fertility, and support long-term health.
Figure 1
Diagram illustrating hormonal regulation in PCOS.
Note. From Polycystic ovary syndrome: Etiology, current management, and future therapeutics (Singh et al., 2023, p. 6), Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(4), 1454 (https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041454). CC BY license.
Causes of PCOS
PCOS is influenced by multiple factors, and every body is unique. Many people I meet have not had adequate testing performed to investigate or ‘rule out’ the below causes. Refer to my blog on figuring out your ‘root cause’ for a more indepth explanation: What type of PCOS do you have? ROOT CAUSE approach for treating PCOS naturally. – Guided by Tradition
Common contributing factors I test for in my clinic include:
| Insulin resistance and/or blood sugar issues | This drives excess androgen production and causes weight gain, menstrual irregularity and hirsuitism (Purwar et al., 2022). |
| Anovulation/progesterone insufficiency/luteal phase defect | Ovulation and adequate progestesrone production is key to balancing out other hormones like estrogen and testosterone (Shukla et al., 2025). |
| Thyroid dysfunction | The thyroid regulates communication to the ovaries (Palomba et al ., 2023); thyroid conditions are often a comorbidity, and it is a ‘chicken or the egg’ scenario! |
| Inflammation | Chronic low-grade inflammation drives PCOS (Deng et al., 2024). |
| Gut microbiome imbalances | Drives inflammation, exacerbates metabolic dysfunction (weight, insulin, energy), and affects hormonal balance/detoxification (Li et al., 2025). |
| Stress and adrenal dysfunction | Drives metabolic dysfunction, increases inflammation and shuts down ovulation (Papalou & Diamanti-Kandarakis, 2017). |
| Environmental toxins | Including endocrine-disrupting chemicals that impact hormone regulation. |
| Certain medications | Post-pill PCOS (Briden, 2025) is common, and antiepileptic drugs, specifically valproate (Rasgon & Altshuler, 2004) can trigger PCOS. |
| Diet/Lifestyle | High sugar and carbohydrate/inflammatory diets and sedentary lifestyles drive insulin resistance and inflammation (Shahid et al., 2022). Low body fat can drive PCOS too. |
Natural Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Treatment by an Accredited Naturopath
Naturopathic care for PCOS focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes, rather than simply managing symptoms. Our approach is personalised, evidence-based, and supportive of both fertility and long-term health.
Step 1 – Initial Consultation
We begin with a thorough assessment of your health, lifestyle, menstrual cycle, and fertility history. This includes exploring diet, stress, gut health, and other lifestyle factors that influence hormone balance.
Step 2 – Testing & Investigation
Testing may include blood panels to assess hormone levels, metabolic markers, and nutrient status, as well as functional assessments of gut health and inflammation. This helps us understand the underlying drivers of your PCOS.
Common tests/investigations
| Gut health | A functional gut microbiome test, called a complete microbiome mapping will review the connection between the gut-hormone axis |
| Nutrient deficiencies | Pathology testing, hair mineral and heavy metal analysis can identify imbalances |
| Stress and adrenal issues | Pathology testing, DUTCH testing, and/or saliva hormone test |
| Hormonal imbalances (including blood sugar/insulin, ovulation, & thyroid issues) | Pathology testing, DUTCH and/or saliva hormone testing |
| Lifestyle and environmental factors | Diet and/or lifestyle diaries, environmental questionnaires |
| Medication review | We often refer back to your primary care physician to assess any medication impact |
Step 3 – Individualised Treatment Plan
Treatment is tailored to your needs and may include dietary and lifestyle interventions, herbal and nutritional support, stress management strategies, and gut health optimisation. Our goal is to improve hormonal balance, support fertility, reduce symptoms, and empower you with tools for long-term health.
Naturopathic guidelines for PCOS include (remember, everyone is unique so you won’t need to treat all of these):
- Addressing inflammation
- Treating insulin resistance
- Balancing stress & adrenal function
- Treating androgen excess
- Addressing hormonal imbalances
- Balancing the thyroid
- Creating a healthy home environment
- Eating a balanced diet
Step 4 – Ongoing Support
Follow-up consultations allow us to monitor your progress, adjust treatments, and provide ongoing guidance to ensure sustainable improvements in your health and wellbeing.
Your PCOS Questions Answered
Do you need to see me in person?
No, my clinic is in Brisbane and if you are unable to travel or prefer an online consultation, I provide this service Australia-Wide.
Can PCOS affect my fertility?
Yes. PCOS can impact ovulation and hormone balance, making conception more difficult. Naturopathic care can help regulate cycles, restore ovulation and optimise fertility.
Is PCOS only about having cysts on the ovaries?
No. While ovarian cysts can occur, PCOS is primarily a hormonal and metabolic condition. Symptoms vary widely among women.
Can lifestyle changes help with PCOS?
Absolutely. Diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep all play a crucial role in managing PCOS and improving hormone balance.
Do I need medication to manage PCOS?
Medication may help in some cases, but naturopathic care often provides effective strategies to reduce symptoms and restore hormonal balance naturally, either alongside or as an alternative to conventional treatments.
Can PCOS symptoms improve over time?
Yes. With personalised lifestyle, nutritional, and herbal interventions, many women experience improved hormonal balance, restoration of ovulation, and reduced symptoms!
Why Naturopathy and Why Choose Us?
Accredited & Experienced Practitioner
You’re in safe hands. As a fully accredited naturopath in Brisbane, I follow professional standards and stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in natural medicine. Your care is guided by expertise and integrity.
Personalised Treatments From A Practitioner That Truly Cares
We understand that health journeys are personal and sometimes challenging. We take the time to listen, understand your unique situation, and provide compassionate, holistic support tailored specifically to you.
Evidence-Based, Results-Oriented Treatments
Our recommendations are grounded in scientific evidence and clinical experience. We combine the wisdom of natural medicine with modern research to create treatments that are safe, effective, and targeted to your individual needs.
If you’re struggling to manage your PCOS symptoms with conventional medicine, or you’re just wanting a more natural way to support your body, I would love to guide you!
REFERENCES:
Briden, L. (2025, April 8). 4 Types of PCOS (a flowchart). The Period Revolutionary. https://www.larabriden.com/4-types-of-pcos-a-flowchart/
Deng, H., Chen, Y., Xing, J., Zhang, N., & Xu, L. (2024). Systematic low-grade chronic inflammation and intrinsic mechanisms in polycystic ovary syndrome. Frontiers in Immunology, 15, Article 1470283. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1470283
Li, C., Cheng, D., Ren, H., & Zhang, T. (2025). Unraveling the gut microbiota’s role in PCOS: A new frontier in metabolic health. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 16, 1529703. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2025.1529703
Manouchehri, A., Abbaszadeh, S., Ahmadi, M., Nejad, F. K., Bahmani, M., & Dastyar, N. (2023). Polycystic ovaries and herbal remedies: A systematic review. JBRA Assist. Reproduction, 27(1), 85-91. https://doi.org/10.5935/1518-0557.20220024
Muhammed Saeed AA, Noreen S, Awlqadr FH, Farooq MI, Qadeer M, Rai N, Farag HA, Saeed MN. Nutritional and herbal interventions for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a comprehensive review of dietary approaches, macronutrient impact, and herbal medicine in management. J Health Popul Nutr. 2025 May 2;44(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-00899-y. PMID: 40317096; PMCID: PMC12049039.
Palomba, S., Colombo, C., Busnelli, A., Caserta, D., & Vitale, G. (2023). Polycystic ovary syndrome and thyroid disorder: A comprehensive narrative review of the literature. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 1251866. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1251866
Papalou, O., & Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. (2017). The role of stress in PCOS. Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism, 12(1), 87–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/17446651.2017.1266250
Purwar, A., & Nagpure, S. (2022, October 16). Insulin resistance in polycystic ovarian syndrome. Cureus, 14(10), e30351. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30351
Rasgon, N. L., & Altshuler, L. L. (2004). The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and antiepileptic drugs: A review of the evidence. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 24(3), 322-334. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jcp.0000125745.60149.c6
Shahid, R., Iahtisham-Ul-Haq, Mahnoor, Awan, K. A., Iqbal, M. J., Munir, H., & Saeed, I. (2022). Diet and lifestyle modifications for effective management of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Journal of Food Biochemistry, 46(7), e14117. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14117
Shukla, A., Rasquin, L. I., & Anastasopoulou, C. (2025, July 7). Polycystic ovarian syndrome. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459251/
Singh, S., Pal, N., Shubham, S., Sarma, D. K., Verma, V., Marotta, F., & Kumar, M. (2023). Polycystic ovary syndrome: Etiology, current management, and future therapeutics. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(4), 1454. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041454