Our Uncommon Strength

Hello Uncommon Woman. I want to talk about the uncommon strengths of high androgen women. Research into the genetic origins of our physiology describes how the significant benefits we enjoy as individuals also improves life for our families and communities. Every human society has always had a few women who have strong, lean bodies and a reliably longer lifespan. Part of that historical advantage came from having fewer babies, and having our children later in life.

Every day I read research examining in minute detail the ways our bodies work. Every day I struggle with being offended by the language used. We are labeled “abnormal”, and compared to “normal” women. The research clearly and repeatedly demonstrates that when women with PCOS change their habits- that is, when we eat and exercise in the ways we are designed to, OUR BODY CHEMISTRY BECOMES BALANCED AND FUNCTIONAL.

It could not be any more clear that we are not the problem, but rather the changes human societies have made that are ultimately dysfunctional, are revealed first in the experiences of women with bodies like ours. Women with PCOS are NOT ABNORMAL. Our polluted planetary environment, and certain cultural survival strategies like unrestrained child bearing from a young age, are what is abnormal and ultimately harmful, for everyone.

Do not try to fit in to a dysfunctional system! Loving self-acceptance means learning to eat what works for your energy needs, and making room in your day for the kind of physical activity that maintains a muscular and flexible body and a clear mind. If you will give yourself 10 days of committed behavior change, you will EXPERIENCE the positive results. If you maintain your efforts for 3 months, your body will ‘talk back’ in no uncertain terms if you stray from your best choices; if you persist for 12 months, you will have given yourself time to be challenged, lose ground, resume your priorities and be reassured by the reliable responsiveness of your powerfully resilient system. You can do it!

Always remember- There is nothing wrong with you! UnCommon Women with PCOS are like the canaries in the coal mines of yesteryear- our inherited physiology just does not work in modern culture, and our suffering can be understood as the result of what has become abnormal in our environment. Your personal work, to resist adulterated foods, to prioritize family and work schedules that include what you need for your well being, will always contribute to everyone around you also thriving. Just as it was the role of our ancestral grandmothers to bridge between the worlds of the masculine and feminine extremes, we continue to represent strong, flexible, long-lived and experientially wise women who bring invaluable skills and perspectives to every family and every community. Take care of yourself, UnCommon Woman, and everyone will benefit!