Why Preventative Care Matters in PCOS — Beyond Diet Myths & Into Real Health Outcomes

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) isn’t just about irregular periods or acne — it’s a complex hormonal condition that can increase the risk for other long-term health concerns if not recognized early and managed well. PCOS affects millions of people worldwide and plays a role in how the body regulates insulin, lipids, inflammation, and reproductive hormones.

PCOS and Chronic Health Conditions: What the Research Shows

When someone has PCOS, the risk of developing metabolic and cardiovascular issues is significantly higher compared with people without PCOS. These include:

• Type 2 diabetes: More than half of people with PCOS may develop type 2 diabetes by age 40.

• Insulin resistance: A common underlying feature of PCOS, which raises blood sugar and metabolic risk.

• Metabolic syndrome: A cluster of conditions — like high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and impaired glucose — that increase heart disease risk.

• Heart disease risk: Women with PCOS have a higher likelihood of dyslipidemia and markers tied to heart health.

  
  

Disparities in Hispanic/Latina Communities

Research shows that Hispanic and Latina women with PCOS often have a more severe metabolic profile — meaning they’re more likely to experience the metabolic aspects of PCOS, like insulin resistance or elevated triglycerides, compared with their peers without PCOS.

This doesn’t mean our food or culture is the problem — not at all. Cultural foods can be nourishing and grounding — especially when eating is tied to community and family — but access to preventative care and early education often isn’t equitable. Many people don’t get screened for issues like prediabetes or heart risk until symptoms are advanced or there’s already a diagnosis.

Preventative Care: Why It’s So Important

Too often, people with PCOS aren’t given preventative care until after a chronic condition shows up — like high blood sugar, high cholesterol, or blood pressure.

What if we flipped that around?

Preventative care means:

• Early screening for insulin resistance and diabetes

• Monitoring blood pressure and lipid levels

• Talk about lifestyle habits before risk becomes a diagnosis

• Support for stress, sleep, and gut health — all hormones are connected

This is why nutrition matters so deeply in PCOS care. A balanced, consistent approach to eating — one that honors your body and your culture — supports insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and helps mitigate long-term risk. It’s not about restriction or perfection — it’s about nourishment that supports hormonal balance naturally.

Nutrition Isn’t the Enemy — Balance Is the Goal

So let’s clear the myth: your cultural foods — tortillas, beans, moles, café de olla, hearty stews — aren’t what causes disease. Most traditional foods are rich in fiber, nutrients, and history. The risk comes when metabolic stress goes unrecognized and unmanaged, often because preventative care wasn’t part of the conversation early on.

When paired with a balanced approach — thoughtful protein, fiber, healthy fats, whole foods alongside your cultural staples — nutrition becomes part of preventative care, not punishment.

This Is Why I Built My Practice

One of the biggest reasons I created Happy Hormones Nutrition was to be part of the preventative care team — especially for communities who are often overlooked.

I didn’t start as a dietitian to control your plate — I started to help you:

• Understand your body before a chronic condition shows up

• Learn how food can heal, not harm

• Embrace balance instead of restriction

• Honor your culture as a source of strength and nourishment

Your food isn’t the enemy. Your lived experience is powerful. And preventative care — including nutrition, early screening, and supportive habits — helps you write a different health story.