From Irregular PCOS Cycles to Predictable Ovulation: A Real, Data-Backed Turnaround
When “Maya” arrived at my clinic (name changed for privacy), she felt stuck. Her periods were unpredictable, her energy was low, and her basal body temperature (BBT) chart looked like static—no clear sign that ovulation was actually happening. She’d been told she had PCOS and wanted one thing: a plan that made sense and a body that followed a rhythm.
What we tracked (and why) We anchored her plan to two things:
- Daily BBT readings to show us, in real time, if and when ovulation occurred.
- Targeted blood tests to see which hormones and nutrients were helping—or blocking—ovulation.
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Where we started Maya’s first BBT (Sept 2024) was jumpy and low—often 35.9–36.1°C—with no sustained rise by day 18. That usually means weak or absent ovulation. Her early bloodwork lined up with that story:
- Vitamin D was low (57 nmol/L). Low D can dull ovarian signaling and make progesterone production less robust.
- Androgens (like testosterone) were high, and SHBG (the protein that “binds up” excess hormones) was very low at 12—common in PCOS.
- Fasting insulin and HbA1c nudged toward insulin resistance, which can block regular ovulation.
Before: erratic BBT, no clear ovulation by day 18
What we changed (simple physiology, no fads)
Mediterranean, low‑GI pattern: protein at breakfast, fibre at every meal, olive oil, seafood, nuts, lots of plants.
Goal: steadier blood sugar → lower androgens → easier ovulation.
Lifestyle that sets the body’s clock
- Morning light and consistent sleep/wake times to nudge the brain’s hormone signals.
- Walking most days + two short strength sessions weekly to pull glucose into muscle (less insulin needed).
- Simple stress tools (2–3 minutes of breathing) so cortisol doesn’t drown out reproductive signals.
Smart Supplements
- Inositol to improve how the ovary responds to insulin and FSH—key for follicle development.
- Vitamin D to reawaken hormone receptors and support progesterone.
- Omega‑3s and magnesium to calm inflammation and steady metabolism.
- Berberine to smooth post‑meal glucose and insulin spikes.
The results—what the numbers did
Within months, her labs started shifting in the right direction:
- Oestradiol (day 3) 118 → 198 pmol/L: healthier follicle signaling.
- Progesterone (mid‑luteal) stayed strong: 30.4 → 26.6 nmol/L (still ovulatory and supportive).
- Testosterone 1.3 → 0.8 nmol/L; Free Androgen Index 10.8 → 5.7 (halved): less androgen pressure on the ovaries.
- SHBG 12 → 14: still low, but moving up as insulin control improved.
- Prolactin 214 → 165 mIU/L: less interference with ovulation.
- Vitamin D 57 → 145 nmol/L: now in a fertility‑supportive range.
- Fasting glucose 4.9 mmol/L (solid); fasting insulin 8.8 (just above optimal); HbA1c 5.3% (okay, still room to polish).
BBT: the mirror that proved it
Her charts told the best story:
- Follicular temperatures settled into a calm “valley” at 36.10–36.20°C—less hormonal noise, steadier estrogen.
- Ovulation became predictable around day 15–16. No more guessing.
- Luteal temps climbed and held at 36.40–36.60°C for 12–14 days—classic progesterone support.
- In the latest cycle, early luteal temps were the strongest yet (36.58 → 36.69 by 2 DPO)—a signature of robust ovulation.
How it felt for her:
Once her chart became predictable, the stress eased. Morning energy picked up with better sleep and sunlight. The plan stopped being theory—she could see the line rise and hold, cycle after cycle.
Why this worked
- Lower insulin and androgens = less “static” around the ovary, so one healthy follicle can mature and respond to FSH.
- Adequate vitamin D and magnesium = hormone receptors work better, and steroid hormones are made efficiently.
- Anti‑inflammatory nutrition and omega‑3s = a more receptive ovary and uterine lining.
- A steady body clock (light/sleep) = clearer brain signals (LH/FSH) that trigger ovulation on time.
- The BBT rise is simply the receipt that progesterone is present after ovulation.
What we’re still polishing
We’re nudging SHBG above 30 (ongoing insulin sensitivity, consider zinc; gentle liver support), improving HDL and the total/HDL ratio with Mediterranean fats and movement, and trimming HbA1c a little more—because long‑term cardiometabolic health is fertility health.
Before
After
The bottom line
This wasn’t luck. It was the right inputs, applied consistently, and tracked in real time. The labs moved. The temperatures followed. Ovulation became predictable. With each steady luteal plateau, pregnancy potential shifted from “maybe” to “monthly opportunity.
If your cycles feel chaotic and your chart looks confusing, you can change the story. Book a Cycle & Lab Review and we’ll:
- Map your BBT and run the right tests
- Build a personalised herbal, supplement, nutrition, and lifestyle plan
- Track your data so you can see ovulation become predictable