Pulling Down the Moon

Infant Girls of Moms with PCOS Show Signs of Syndrome

April 12, 2016

A new study conducted at Northwestern University found that the infant daughters of women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) show markers of the disease. In this study, data revealed that baby girls born to moms with PCOS produce higher levels of an enzyme that activates the hormone testosterone. Previous studies in animal models have shown that exposure to testosterone in early infancy increases the risk of developing PCOS-like symptoms like insulin resistance in exposed animals.


These findings open new opportunities for treatment of this complex disease, which places women at risk for obesity, pre-diabetes, infertility and other chronic health conditions like heart disease. Currently, PCOS cannot be diagnosed prior to puberty, when it manifests in different ways, including delayed or irregular menses, acne and excess hair growth on the face and body. PCOS also increases the risk of depression and anxiety, which coupled with the physical symptoms, create social and emotional challenges. PCOS is often underdiagnosed because symptoms mirror many of the changes associated with puberty. Many women do not learn they have PCOS until they try unsuccessfully to become pregnant.


Proactivity is key with PCOS. Once diagnosed, PCOS responds extremely well to lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise, which are often enough in themselves to improve insulin sensitivity and jumpstart ovulation and menstruation. Understanding the genetic link to PCOS represents a giant leap in our understanding of this condition and the potential to manage, and even prevent, serious health consequences in a generation of young women.

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Tips for Spring Restoration

February 18, 2025
Spring arrives next month, and with it, more cold days (perhaps even snow)! But March also brings the promise of new life. We love this time of year. The ground starts to smell fresh and ripe. Small green buds begin to swell from the earth reaching up, up, up. Birds chatter in the trees. The sun stays in the sky a little longer each day. After a long, cold winter of hibernation, spring restores nature’s beauty. Spring inspires us to restore ourselves, too and these self-care techniques will lead you to restoration of mind, body and spirit. Hydrate. Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Keeping yourself hydrated helps boost your mood, improves brain power and protects you against disease. Make a gratitude list. Spending just a few minutes a day writing down what you are grateful for can dramatically shift your day. The more gratitude you have, the more open to abundance you become. Breathe. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice breathing. There are so many benefits! Among them, diaphragmatic breathing alleviates stress, reduces pain, strengthens internal muscles and moves blood to organs and tissues. If you’re not sure how to get started, try our Breathe & Restore Workshop or schedule an Soothe the Senses: Calm the Nervous System Fertility Enhancing Massage™ to receive some hands-on breath work coaching. Stretch. Five to 10 minutes of stretching in the morning increases energy levels, enhances circulation, reduces injury and centers your mind. Even better is a regular yoga practice. Get started by downloading the Fully Fertile App today to give you a jump start! Our next Signature Yoga for Fertility Series begins on Monday, February 24th to reduce anxiety and stress by 20% or more in just six weeks. Eliminate something from your diet that isn’t serving you. I nstead of overhauling your entire diet, start by taking out one food that doesn’t nourish your body. Replace it with a different item that supports your desire for restoration. Learn even more by working with scheduling a nutrition consult ! We look forward to seeing you virtually or in-person at one of our centers to help you get started. Many wishes for a beautiful spring!
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