47: Understanding PCOS: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Natural Solutions with Tianna Trinidad

Could PCOS be the reason behind your fatigue, weight struggles, or irregular cycles?

Today on the Wellness with Vanda podcast, I’m joined by Tianna Trinidad, a former bedside nurse turned women’s health advocate and the founder of Loved, Served, Warm. After her own journey navigating PCOS and pregnancy loss, Tianna developed the Healthy PCOS Protocol, helping women balance hormones, improve metabolic health, and optimize fertility.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into:
✔️ What PCOS really is (it’s not just about cysts!)
✔️ How most women find out they have PCOS and why it often takes years to diagnose
✔️ What symptoms to watch for (even if your period seems “normal”)
✔️ How to approach your doctor and advocate for yourself
✔️ Natural ways to start managing PCOS today

Grab The Healthy PCOS Protocol by clicking here.

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Transcript

Understanding PCOS with Tianna Trinidad

[00:02] Hey, hey, welcome back to the podcast! Today, I am joined by Tianna Trinidad, a former bedside nurse turned women’s health advocate. Tianna’s journey began after a devastating six-month pregnancy loss, which led her to take control of her own hormonal health. Now, she is the founder of Loved, Served, Warm and the creator of the Healthy PCOS Protocol, a program designed to help women manage hormonal imbalances, weight, and fertility struggles.

[00:19] Tianna has helped countless women find balance and confidence in their health through her three Ps framework—focused on Periods, Pounds, and Pregnancy. Today, we’re diving deep into PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)—what it is, how it affects women, and what steps you can take to regain control of your health.

What is PCOS?

[00:54] Tianna explains that PCOS is a collection of hormonal imbalances. Many of its symptoms overlap with other conditions, which can make it difficult to diagnose. Although its name suggests polycystic ovaries, the most common symptom isn’t actually cysts—it’s menstrual dysfunction.

[01:32] Around 80% of women with PCOS experience some form of menstrual irregularity. This may look like:

• A regular cycle that appears normal but lacks ovulation
• Missed or extremely long cycles
• Heavy or irregular bleeding

From the outside, everything may seem fine, but internally, hormonal devastation can occur due to the lack of ovulation, which affects progesterone levels and other hormonal functions.

How Do Women Typically Find Out They Have PCOS?

[02:20] According to Tianna, there are two common ways women discover they have PCOS: 1️⃣ When trying to conceive – Many women only learn they have PCOS when they come off birth control and struggle with ovulation and fertility. 2️⃣ When struggling with persistent symptoms – Fatigue, unexplained weight gain, irregular cycles, and metabolic issues often lead women to seek medical answers.

[03:00] Unfortunately, many women dismiss their symptoms or internalize them as personal failures. Common phrases Tianna hears include:

• "I’m just lazy; I need a nap every day."
• "Skipping breakfast is fine because I’m intermittent fasting."
• "Gaining weight is normal as I get older."

However, these aren’t personality traits—they’re hormonal symptoms that deserve attention!

Advocating for Yourself: How to Approach Your Doctor About PCOS

[05:12] If you suspect PCOS, how should you talk to your doctor?

Tianna shares key tips:

• Don’t rely solely on ovulation tests – At-home ovulation kits can be unreliable for women with PCOS due to hormonal fluctuations.
• Know the diagnostic criteria – PCOS doesn’t require blood tests! It is diagnosed based on two out of three of these factors:
  1. Irregular periods
  2. High androgen (male hormone) levels
  3. Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound
• Be prepared for pushback – Many doctors lack proper PCOS education, and women see an average of five doctors over 5-10 years before receiving a correct diagnosis.

[07:00] If you’re facing resistance from your healthcare provider, start implementing natural strategies while seeking additional support.

Where to Start: Managing PCOS Naturally

Tianna shares simple but effective steps to support PCOS symptoms:

✅ Track your symptoms – Not just your cycle, but also your mood, energy levels, and digestion. Patterns can reveal important clues! ✅ Avoid proprietary supplement blends – Instead, focus on individual nutrients that are scientifically backed for PCOS, such as inositol, a research-supported supplement for insulin resistance and hormone balance. ✅ Make 1% daily changes – Instead of overhauling everything at once, small, sustainable changes add up. ✅ Reevaluate your diet – This doesn’t mean going extreme (no need to go vegan overnight), but simple swaps like reducing processed foods and increasing protein and fiber can help stabilize blood sugar levels.

[13:05] Tianna emphasizes that women with PCOS are natural caregivers, often putting others first and ignoring their own needs. This is why gradual, sustainable changes are key to long-term success.

Final Thoughts & Free Resource

If you’re struggling with PCOS symptoms or feel dismissed by your doctor, you don’t have to wait for a diagnosis to take action! Tianna offers a free one-hour PCOS consultation to help women understand their symptoms and begin making progress.

📌 Get Tianna’s free consultation here 

[16:56] Thank you so much, Tianna, for sharing your expertise! We will link all of her resources in the show notes.