http://www.pcoshealthcollective.com/

PCOS Health Collective, 2025 Willingdon Avenue, 900, Burnaby, BC (2025)

09/24/2025

👩‍⚕️ Hi, I’m Dr. Melanie DesChatelets, Naturopathic Doctor and Founder of the PCOS Health Collective, Passionate About Helping People with PCOS.
Today, I want to discuss the common symptoms of PCOS—and why they might vary so much from person to person. PCOS can present in different phenotypic ways, which means that four women diagnosed with PCOS might each have very different symptoms. This variability is why PCOS doesn’t always fit the typical “zebra” version you might expect.
Some common symptoms include severe acne in teenagers or persistent acne well into adulthood, specific types of hair loss (often on the top of the head), hair growth on the face, abdomen, or legs, and irregular or absent menstrual cycles. These cycles can be either too short or too long. Additionally, we consider certain criteria seen on ultrasounds or specific blood work that indicates changes in the ovaries.
This wide range of symptoms makes PCOS tricky to diagnose, often leading to diagnostic delays. That’s why working with practitioners who live and breathe PCOS is so crucial.

🔗 Looking to better understand your symptoms? Download my free PCOS Lab Guide to help navigate your diagnosis and take charge of your health! Click the link to get started. 💙

09/22/2025

Have you ever walked away from an appointment thinking,
“Wait… did they actually check everything they should have?”

When it comes to PCOS, labs can make or break your clarity.
This post explains:
✔️ The labs that help confirm a true PCOS diagnosis
✔️ What to ask for to understand your personal symptom drivers
✔️ How to ask without feeling like you’re “challenging” your provider

👇 Download the free PCOS Lab Clarity Guide + Walk-Through
📥 https://bit.ly/4mfsV1A

Because better care starts with better questions—and you deserve clear, confident answers.

09/17/2025

👩‍⚕️ Hi, I’m Melanie DesChatelets, Naturopathic Doctor with an interest in helping people with PCOS.
Today, I want to discuss diagnostic delay—one of the main reasons why so many people with PCOS feel dissatisfied with their healthcare experience. Diagnostic delay is the gap between when someone first brings up their PCOS symptoms with a healthcare provider and when they actually receive a diagnosis.
Diagnosing PCOS is more complex than other conditions. It requires meeting two out of three specific criteria, with multiple factors under each that can count as positive. Additionally, comprehensive blood work is needed to rule out other conditions that mimic PCOS.
To ensure you get a proper and complete diagnosis, it’s crucial to work with someone who knows how to follow evidence-based guidelines. That’s why I founded the PCOS Health Collective—a virtual Naturopathic clinic designed to help you through this process. Whether you need to review your current diagnosis or suspect you’re in a diagnostic delay, we’re here to you get the clarity you need.

🔗 Are you experiencing a diagnostic delay? Download my free PCOS Lab Guide to get started on your path to answers and better health! Click the link to begin. 💙

09/12/2025

👩‍⚕️ Hi, I’m Melanie DesChatelets, Naturopathic Doctor and Founder of the PCOS Health Collective.

Let’s bust a common myth! 🚫💥 There’s a belief that people with PCOS can’t lose weight, but the truth is they can—though it can sometimes be more difficult, and they may be more prone to weight gain over time.
It’s also important to recognize that focusing solely on weight might not be the most beneficial approach. Many people with PCOS face weight stigma and body confidence issues, which can make the journey even more challenging. That’s why it’s essential to have personalized conversations with your healthcare provider to determine what’s best for you.
There are many ways to manage PCOS and improve your health without making weight loss the primary goal. You can still work on habits that enhance your lifestyle, regardless of whether they result in weight loss. 🌟

🔗 Want to learn more about managing PCOS holistically? Download my free PCOS Lab Guide to explore your options and take the first step toward better health! Click the link to get started. 💙

09/10/2025

Tired all the time... and wondering if it’s “just your PCOS”?

Fatigue has many causes—that’s the tricky part.

But a good place to start? Your labs.

I’m not here to say they’ve been missed.

I’m saying: let’s check what’s been done—and what might still be worth exploring.

Sometimes, everything comes back “normal”—and that doesn’t mean your fatigue is.
But it does help us narrow things down and explore solutions that make sense (instead of more trial and error).

👇 I made a free PCOS Lab Clarity Guide + walk-through to help you:

✅ Review your own results
✅ Understand what matters
✅ And take the next step with more clarity and confidence

Grab it here: [https://bit.ly/4mfsV1A]

09/08/2025

👩‍⚕️ Hi, I’m Dr. Melanie DesChatelets, Naturopathic Doctor and Founder of the PCOS Health Collective.

Today, let’s break a common myth—PCOS cannot be cured. While you can manage the symptoms and improve your overall well-being, PCOS has a complex etiology, which includes genetic factors.
PCOS is also inheritable—if a close family member has PCOS, there’s a much higher chance that you might have it as well. Some aspects of PCOS, like genetics, are completely out of your control.
So, while you can take action to manage your symptoms and reduce their impact, it’s important to understand that this doesn’t equate to a cure—it’s about better management. Recognizing this can help you approach your PCOS journey with the right mindset.
🔗 Want to take control of your PCOS journey? Download my free PCOS Lab Guide to learn more about managing your health effectively! Click the link to get started. 💪

09/05/2025

👩‍⚕️ Hi, I’m Dr. DesChatelets, Naturopathic Doctor and Founder of the PCOS Health Collective, a virtual PCOS clinic.

Today, I want to address a common belief I often encounter—the idea that the birth control pill can cure PCOS. While the pill can help manage symptoms and give you a predictable menstrual cycle, it’s essential to understand that it doesn’t cure PCOS. Once you stop taking the pill, the symptoms of PCOS can return.
It’s also important to note that the bleeding experienced on the pill is known as a withdrawal bleed and doesn’t indicate natural ovulation or regular menstruation. That said, birth control can be a helpful tool in managing PCOS, and it’s vital to have a conversation with your healthcare provider to weigh the pros and cons and see if it’s the right choice for you.
Let’s keep the conversation going—understanding your options is a critical step in managing PCOS effectively! 💊💙

09/03/2025

👩‍⚕️ Hi, I’m Dr. Melanie DesChatelets, Natruopathic Doctor and Founder of the PCOS Health Collective.

Let’s bust another myth! 🚫💥 There’s a common misconception that all women with PCOS have ovarian cysts and may even require surgery. However, this is not true. The name “PCOS” can be misleading. Our understanding of PCOS has evolved, and it’s not about having multiple cysts on the ovaries. What you might see on an ultrasound are follicles, not cysts, and they don’t need to be treated.
Moreover, it’s possible to meet the diagnostic criteria for PCOS without having a positive ultrasound. Not everyone with PCOS will have the “string of pearls” appearance on their ultrasound. And, if a positive ultrasound is the only indicator without meeting other criteria, that alone does not qualify as PCOS.
Understanding these nuances is key to managing your health effectively. Follow along for more information and insights! 🌟

09/02/2025

👩‍⚕️ Hi, I’m Dr. Melanie DesChatelets, Naturopathic Doctor and Founder of the PCOS Health Collective.

Let’s bust a common myth! 🚫💥 Many people think that an irregular menstrual cycle automatically means PCOS, but the diagnosis is far more complex. While PCOS can cause irregular cycles, other conditions can as well. Diagnosing PCOS correctly requires a comprehensive workup—typically, this includes meeting two out of three criteria and doing blood work to rule out other conditions that can mimic PCOS.
If you’ve received a PCOS diagnosis based on just one symptom, it’s possible that the workup wasn’t complete. Getting a clear and accurate diagnosis is essential for taking the right steps to manage your health effectively.
Make sure you trust your diagnosis and are on the right track to managing your symptoms! 🌟

08/29/2025

👩‍⚕️ Hi, I’m Dr. DesChatelets, Naturopathic Doctor and Founder of the PCOS Health Collective, a virtual clinic.

Today, I want to address fertility—a topic that often brings concern for those newly diagnosed with PCOS. It’s concerning to think that PCOS might impact your fertility, but I’m here to provide some clarity and context.
A 2018 study revealed no significant difference in the number of desired children, unintended pregnancies, live births, abortions, or miscarriages between women with and without PCOS. However, it’s important to note that people with PCOS may face higher risks during pregnancy, experience more miscarriages, and might take longer to conceive.
Approximately 70% of people with PCOS will need some assistance to conceive, often through non-invasive medications—not necessarily IVF. And remember, 30% will conceive naturally!
Another critical point—if you have PCOS, contraception is essential if you’re not planning on having children. I’ve seen too many unplanned pregnancies because of misunderstandings about PCOS and fertility.
Let’s work together to navigate these challenges and ensure you’re informed and empowered! 💙

08/29/2025

🩺✨ Welcome to the PCOS Health Collective - A BC Virtual Clinic for people with PCOS! ✨🩺

I'm excited to share why I'm here and the mission behind the PCOS Health Collective. As a founder, I saw a significant gap in how people with PCOS were provided information at diagnosis and the delay in receiving this diagnosis. Research showed widespread dissatisfaction among those with PCOS and inconsistencies in best practices among Ob-Gyns.

This realization fueled my passion to create a space dedicated to empowering individuals with PCOS. Our goal is to enhance your quality of life, provide thorough education on associated comorbidities, and ensure patient-centered care. True to evidence-based guidelines, we emphasize the importance of space, time, and meaningful conversations.

Too often, I see extreme, all-or-nothing advice online. We aim to bridge that gap with balanced, personalized support. Join us in transforming your relationship with PCOS and elevating your quality of life. Together, we can make a difference!

🌟 Join our movement today! 🌟

08/27/2025

👩‍⚕️ Hi, I’m Dr. DesChatelets, a Naturopathic Physician and Founder of the PCOS Health Collective.

Today, I want to talk about a critical aspect of diagnosing PCOS—the exclusion criteria. Many conditions can present symptoms that look like PCOS but aren’t. That’s why the guidelines emphasize not only looking for PCOS criteria but also ruling out other possible causes.
When you come to me with a PCOS diagnosis, I make sure it aligns with the guidelines and that all exclusion criteria are met. This way, we can be sure we’re treating the right condition and planning the best steps forward.

If you’re doubting your PCOS diagnosis or just want a second opinion, I’m here to help. Open appointments are available—let’s work together to get the clarity you deserve! 💙

PCOS Health Collective

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