The alarm has rung three times, yet she remains lying still, eyes fixed on the ceiling. Her body feels heavy, unresponsive, while her mind races through a chaotic stream of tasks she never managed to write down. What was she meant to do today? Eat breakfast. Make something PCOS-friendly. But what does that even mean again?
There is yoghurt in the fridge, but she recalls reading that dairy may be inflammatory. Perhaps a piece of fruit? No, she hesitates concerned that the natural sugars might elevate her insulin levels. Eggs, while an excellent source of protein, feel far too cumbersome to prepare at the moment. The thought of their slimy texture is unappealing. Her mind shifts to the meal plan she bookmarked two weeks prior, still buried somewhere among the countless tabs open on her phone.
She gives up and reaches for toast
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For someone managing PCOS, the advice is simple: improve your diet, move your body and reduce stress. But for someone who is wired differently from the typical brain, often experiencing the world more intensely, who may experience cognitive or neurological differences such as autism or ADHD, the process of doing any one of those things can be riddled with invisible barriers.
“People often don’t see the effort it takes to manage a condition like PCOS when your brain struggles with executive function. Planning meals, prepping food, remembering appointments, tolerating medication side effects or even making it to the doctor in the first place becomes a full-time job,” says Bradley Wagemaker, Medical Director at Lamelle Pharma.
For neurodivergent women, PCOS isn’t just about hormone imbalances. It’s about navigating a health system that often misunderstands both conditions. It’s about being told to “just eat better” when eating at all is sometimes the biggest challenge of the day.
So, what helps?
Dr Wagemaker says that managing PCOS in neurodivergent women must start with empathy and individualisation.
“You can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to PCOS management, especially not in women with ADHD, autism or other neurodevelopmental differences,” he explains. “These women often need tailored support systems, not generic advice.”
For instance, a rigid meal plan filled with unfamiliar ingredients and time-consuming prep can be overwhelming. Instead, what helps is simplifying food choices down to a few familiar, go-to meals that feel manageable and don’t demand too much executive function. These might be meals that strike a basic balance between protein, fibre and satisfaction, without needing to tick every “superfood” box.
Texture sensitivity can also make so-called healthy eating feel like a minefield. Certain vegetables too gritty or too mushy, and some cooked food smells might even trigger nausea. Rather, a cold roast chicken breast, mashed sweet potato, or even a smoothie made with frozen berries and protein powder could be a better way to tick all the right dietary boxes without triggering discomfort.
Ovaria is also a great tool. This myo-inositol supplement is designed to support hormonal balance, metabolic health, and ovarian function. For many women, particularly those with insulin resistance or ovulatory dysfunction associated with PCOS, Ovaria offers a science-backed option that complements lifestyle changes without overwhelming the user with side effects or complexity.
When it comes to exercise, the advice to move more can sound like yet another demand. But low-pressure movement like a few stretches in bed, walking around the block while on a phone call or even dancing to a favourite song counts. Joyful or functional movement is a great way to get into shape without making yourself miserable trying to clock reps at the gym.
“Education is also key for healthcare providers, families and even employers,” says Wagemaker. “When those around someone with PCOS understand the cognitive load they’re carrying, it creates space for more compassionate responses and, importantly, better outcomes.”
It’s time to reframe PCOS as not just a reproductive or cosmetic issue, but one that intersects with mental health, sensory processing, chronic fatigue and identity. For neurodivergent women, PCOS is rarely one condition in isolation but a chaotic mosaic of overlapping challenges that require a more nuanced kind of care.
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Feature Image: Supplied
