Root Causes of PCOS: A Functional Medicine Approach in Overland Park & Kansas City

What Is PCOS?

PCOS is not a one-size-fits-all condition. It’s a syndrome, meaning it can present in a variety of ways, depending on the individual. The most common features include:

• Irregular or absent ovulation (leading to irregular periods)

• High levels of androgens (male hormones), which may cause acne or excess hair growth

• Polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound

Other symptoms include weight gain, hair thinning, mood issues, fatigue, and insulin resistance. Some women struggle with all of these; others experience just a few. This variability makes root-cause evaluation essential.

The Root Causes of PCOS: Functional Medicine Insights

1. Insulin Resistance: The Most Common Driver

Insulin resistance is the most common metabolic abnormality in PCOS. It’s estimated that up to 70% of women with PCOS have some degree of insulin resistance—even those who are lean.¹

When your body becomes resistant to insulin, your pancreas produces more of it to keep blood sugar levels stable. This excess insulin stimulates the ovaries to produce more androgens, which disrupt ovulation and cause many of the symptoms associated with PCOS.

Signs of insulin resistance include:

• Fatigue after meals

• Weight gain (especially around the midsection)

• Blood sugar crashes

• Darkened skin on the neck or underarms (acanthosis nigricans)

Addressing insulin resistance is foundational in any effective PCOS treatment plan.

2. Genetics: PCOS Can Run in Families

Genetics play a major role in PCOS. Women with a mother or sister who has PCOS are significantly more likely to develop it themselves.² Several gene variants have been associated with both insulin signaling and hormone regulation, explaining why PCOS often runs in families.

However, genetics load the gun—environment and lifestyle pull the trigger. This is where Functional Medicine offers the most value: by understanding your unique genetic and metabolic profile and creating an individualized plan to restore balance.

3. HPA Axis Dysfunction (Adrenal PCOS)

Not all women with PCOS have insulin resistance. Some have what’s known as adrenal PCOS, where stress is the primary driver. In this case, the adrenal glands produce excess DHEA-S, a type of androgen, in response to chronic stress.

Women with adrenal PCOS often:

• Have normal insulin and glucose labs

• Report high levels of mental or physical stress

• Experience disrupted sleep or anxiety

• Test high in DHEA-S but not testosterone or androstenedione

Supporting the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) with stress management, adrenal adaptogens, and sleep optimization can be highly effective in this subtype.

4. Chronic Inflammation

Low-grade, systemic inflammation is another contributor to PCOS. Inflammatory markers like CRP (C-reactive protein) are often elevated, and inflammation can impair insulin signaling and worsen hormonal imbalances.

Inflammation may also stem from:

• Poor gut health

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Environmental toxins

• Food reactivity or blood sugar swings

Reducing inflammatory load through targeted nutrition, detoxification pathways, and gut repair protocols is key to sustainable healing.

5. Gut Dysbiosis and Estrogen Imbalance

Emerging research has linked gut microbiome imbalances to PCOS.³ An unhealthy gut can promote systemic inflammation, impair detoxification, and alter hormone metabolism—especially estrogen and androgens.

At EvoHealth, we often use advanced stool testing to identify dysbiosis, leaky gut, or overgrowths such as Candida or SIBO that may be contributing to hormonal disruption.

EvoHealth Functional Medicine Lab Testing for PCOS in Overland Park

Instead of guessing, we test. At EvoHealth Functional Medicine, our PCOS workup may include:

• Fasting insulin and glucose (HOMA-IR calculation)

• Full thyroid panel

• DUTCH hormone testing (for adrenal and sex hormone patterns)

• High-sensitivity CRP and other inflammatory markers

• Nutrient panels (B12, vitamin D, magnesium, folate)

• GI-MAP stool testing (to assess gut health and detox pathways)

• Genetic polymorphism testing (when appropriate)

This level of testing allows us to tailor treatment to your body, your root causes, and your goals.

Personalized PCOS Treatment Plans in Overland Park & Kansas City

At EvoHealth Functional Medicine, we build every PCOS care plan based on comprehensive lab testing and your unique clinical picture. Instead of offering generic advice or blanket medications, we address the specific metabolic, hormonal, and genetic drivers at play in your body.

Here’s what a root-cause, functional approach to PCOS looks like in our clinic:

1. Strategic, Lab-Informed Dietary Interventions

Nutrition is the foundation of PCOS recovery, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Your food plan is tailored to your insulin sensitivity, inflammation status, gut health, and micronutrient levels, often determined through labs like fasting insulin, CRP, and stool analysis.

Examples of nutrition strategies we use:

• Lower glycemic, anti-inflammatory diets to support insulin sensitivity

• Cyclical carb inclusion for ovulatory support in lean PCOS phenotypes

• Targeted elimination protocols when food sensitivities or gut inflammation are identified

• Increased fiber and polyphenols to support estrogen metabolism and gut microbiome health

All plans are sustainable, realistic, and designed to fuel hormone and metabolic repair—not create more stress.

2. Evidence-Based Exercise Prescriptions

Exercise is a powerful metabolic and hormonal regulator—but only when applied strategically. We tailor movement recommendations based on adrenal status, insulin response, and stress tolerance.

Common prescriptions may include:

• Resistance training 2-4x/week to increase insulin sensitivity and support lean mass

• Zone 2 aerobic training to support mitochondrial health and metabolic flexibility

• Restorative movement (like yoga, walking, or pilates) for adrenal PCOS or high cortisol patterns

• Adjusted intensity and duration based on DUTCH test results and energy availability

Too much high-intensity exercise can worsen symptoms in some PCOS subtypes, especially those with HPA axis dysfunction—so personalization is key.

3. Lifestyle Interventions to Optimize Stress Resilience & Sleep Quality

Chronic stress and poor sleep can directly disrupt ovulation, worsen insulin resistance, and elevate androgens. That’s why we assess and support your HPA axis, cortisol rhythm, and sleep-wake cycles as part of your PCOS care.

Our interventions may include:

• Morning light exposure to regulate circadian rhythm and cortisol

• Sleep hygiene protocols personalized to sleep latency and depth

• Adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola, phosphatidylserine) for cortisol balance

• Mind-body practices like breathwork, meditation, or nervous system retraining tools

These lifestyle interventions are not add-ons—they are central to hormonal healing.

4. Targeted, Evidence-Based Nutraceuticals

We use high-quality, clinically validated supplements to support your body’s healing pathways. Every protocol is customized to lab values, symptoms, and goals—not just general PCOS labels.

Commonly used nutraceuticals include:

• Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol: Improve insulin sensitivity and ovulatory function

• N-acetyl cysteine (NAC): Antioxidant support, insulin sensitization, and ovulation promotion

• Vitamin D: Essential for ovarian function and metabolic regulation (often low in PCOS)

• Berberine: A natural insulin sensitizer and alternative to metformin

• Magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids: Anti-inflammatory and hormone stabilizing

• Zinc and saw palmetto: For androgen-related symptoms like acne and hair loss

Dosing, timing, and duration are adjusted throughout your care based on objective progress.

Why Kansas City Women Choose EvoHealth for PCOS

Our Overland Park clinic serves women across Kansas City, Leawood, Shawnee, Lenexa, Olathe, and Johnson County with both in-person visits and telemedicine across Kansas and Missouri.

Patients choose us because:

• We treat the whole person, not just lab numbers

• We help women take control of their hormonal and metabolic health

• We focus on long-term resolution, not short-term band-aids

• We offer a personalized and science-backed experience that traditional care often misses

Take the First Step Toward Healing Your PCOS

If you’re in the Kansas City or Overland Park area and ready to get to the root cause of your PCOS symptoms, EvoHealth Functional Medicine is here to help. We don’t just manage PCOS—we empower you to reverse it through a personalized, root-cause strategy.

Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today and let’s create a care plan that’s built for your body, your genes, and your goals.

785-448-8796