PCOS Archives - Simplistic Chic

PCOS

Why You Should #KillthePill

• By candicess

Hey loves! If you’re on Instagram (you should follow me at @simplisticchic_), you may have read about the #Killthe Pill campaign started by health coach and author, Gessie Thompson (she has helped me numerous times on my natural health journey and really knows her stuff!), Dr. Amsu, and Dr. Amun.

Many women do not realize that birth control may be the main cause of the fibroids, PCOS, ovarian cysts, blood clots, infertility, auto-immune diseases, thyroid issues, or psychological problems they are plagued with.

When I was first diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), I was told that I would have to take birth control pills to “regulate” my cycles and help with the super oily skin and breakouts. Then in the future when I wanted to have a baby, I could come off of the birth control and start fertility meds.

All I could think was, “Ummm…ok.”

Something about that did not seem right to me but, being young and eventually wanting a baby I popped those birth control pills every month (on and off) for about eight years. My symptoms only got worse over time and I was beyond frustrated!

I stopped taking the pill, and began my journey to finding more natural solutions. I changed my diet to a more plant-based one (I eat fish every once in a while), I changed my thinking (let go of some emotional baggage, learned better stress management, and positive thinking), and everything else fell into place. Best decision ever! It was not easy nor did it happen overnight but, one healthy baby later I can say it has all been worth it.

Did you know?

Estrogen-based birth control methods, as classified by the World Health Organization, are Group 1 carcinogens. In layman’s terms, they can be cancer-causing! They only mask the symptoms of hormonal imbalance such as heavy bleeding, cramps, hormonal acne, etc. and put women at a high risk for even worse health conditions later on.

Ladies, please consider non-hormonal birth control options, do your research, and take charge of your health. The benefits in the end will surpass any inconvenience or trial-and-error you will have to do right now.

Click on the hashtag, #KILLthePill on Instagram and share your own birth control nightmare story, if you have one. We all owe it to ourselves, our daughters, mothers, aunts, and friends to educate ourselves on how to live our best lives.

Follow @coachgessie, @dr_amun and @dr.amsu for much more on women’s natural health and the #killthepill initiative.

Are you taking birth control currently? Have you experienced side effects?

Beauty, PCOS

My Holy Grail of Natural Summer Skin Care

• By candicess

Hey loves!

I hope you have been enjoying your summer so far. In my mind, I seriously thought I would be sitting beachside in Florida by now but, things don’t always go as planned. I have been secretly really down about it but, I’m hoping hubby, Benjamin, and I can book a flight down there (or anywhere for that matter) sometime soon to see my side of the family.

I work in Education so I have been off work for a few weeks now, giving me time to love on my baby and work on a few life goals. He’s walking and turning into a real, sociable little person. It’s been amazing to watch! My prayer these days is to make this my life every day while still having a lucrative income (and I’m crazy enough to believe that it will happen).

The name of the game this summer is: New Experiences. I have made it my mission to push fear aside and do new things in my life. This includes taking Benjamin to different places around the city, getting him a passport, and giving him the opportunity to experience new things. He’s only a year old so, almost everything is still new to him right now. Something simple like going to a new park, a new restaurant or our local children’s museum is on my list of summer to-do’s.

With all of this running around in this Georgia summer heat, I have been even more vigilant about my skincare. Forty is a few short years away and I’m trying to protect my skin from any premature aging as much as possible. Coming up a skincare regimen has always been a daunting task for me. Keeping my naturally oily skin healthy without looking like an oil slick has been difficult over the years. On top of that, this natural health journey will not allow me to put just anything on my skin.

Most skincare products on the market contain ingredients that can do more harm than good. Skin allergies and hormone disruption are the most common negative side effects.

After searching high and low, I have come across some great products that are natural and give me that infamous summer glow I’ve been looking for.

My newly found treasures come from the MadHippie and Suntegrity skin care lines.

The Mad Hippie Vitamin C serum is my must-have product every single day. Within a few days of using it, my skin felt like silk! Full of antioxidants, along with vitamin C, this serum helps with discoloration, the appearance of wrinkles, and as a natural exfoliant thanks to the grapefruit extract. The Vitamin A serum is next up on my list of products to try.
Suntegrity sunscreen is a product that’s been on my radar for about a few years now, and I can’t believe I just started using it a few, short months ago. Sun protection is something that I have not always taken seriously because I have brown skin (biggest myth ever) and every sunscreen I tried was greasy and left a not so cute, white film on my skin. Not to mention finding one that was free of toxic ingredients such as oxybenzone, avobenzone,octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate, seemed impossible. Until I found Suntegrity! No greasy feel, natural ingredients, and broad-spectrum protection all-in-one.

What is your skin care regimen? Which natural products do you swear by?

If you’re looking for some natural products for babies, read about my top three picks here.

PCOS

Happy International Women’s Day!

• By candicess

Happy International Women’s day!

I have never felt more blessed to be a woman! Carrying life and being responsible for every facet of another human being has really changed my perspective on everything I thought I knew.

It has been a learning experience already, for sure and I know that I will embrace every part of this journey that I prayed for.

Every day is women’s day when you spend every waking minute thinking about helping women to take charge of their health and lives. I created Simplistic Chic 7 years ago as a place to document my journey with PCOS and it has turned into fueling my desire to see other women push for optimal health and mental wellness. When these areas are thriving, you are much more capable of living the life God desires for you. Let me tell you, there’s no better feeling than knowing you can and will live your best life!

My wish is that every woman knows their power and is not afraid to live their lives with intention.

“You are more than eye candy and male intentions. You are a temple, a home, a sacred dwelling and you should carry yourself like that.” – unknown

Baby, PCOS

One and Done?

• By candicess

Any moms on the “one and done” committee? For those who don’t know what that is, it’s when you have had one baby or child and make the choice to close up shop for good.

I find myself tip-toeing in and out of it every few weeks. Growing up and throughout college, I always envisioned myself with the husband, great career, gorgeous home, and two kids. I’m also the oldest of four kids and it was fun growing up with siblings so, I wanted the same thing for my future babies.

Fast forward to last year when I peed on a stick and found out I was pregnant two weeks before my wedding day! We were beyond excited (and a teeny bit nervous). My journey with PCOS had been long and trying on and off for over ten years. While one of my prayers was to find healing and be in optimal health, I really, really wanted to have a healthy baby naturally. For it to have actually happened, was very surreal!

About 7 weeks into the pregnancy, the slight stomach bug feeling I had initially turned into full-fledged all day sickness. I’m talking about throwing up, gagging at different smells, unable to drink water, or even swallow my own spit. I had to hold my breath when going into the kitchen because I could smell the metal in the sink and the toaster oven, and it would send me into the bathroom dry heaving…..the worst!! I tried every remedy you could think of. Some worked for a short time while others seemed to make me feel ten times worse.

Images were created and copyrighted by Photos by Pru — www.PhotosByPru.com.

This went on for the entire 8 months of my pregnancy on top of working full-time. I tried to remain grateful because I really was but, it really was rough physically and emotionally. I thank God for my beautiful little boy and when I look at him how could I not want another one! He really is a miracle and what I needed at this time. When I think about getting pregnant again though and potentially experiencing the same thing, I don’t know if I have it in me.

Maybe if I do not have to work full-time and I could comfortably afford to stay home longer than the four months I had with Benjamin, I might entertain the idea. Other days, visions of a cute, little girl run around in my head. Ultimately, if it’s God’s will then it will happen. Only time will tell.

Are you a part of the “one and done crew”? If it was a conscious decision, what made you decide to stop at one?