My period was always irregular. Since day dot. I presumed it was just trying to find its groove during my early teenage years but I always knew something wasn’t quite right. Sporadic, painful and often nowhere to be seen – my period (or lack of) made me feel a bit left out and not quite as womanly as my girlfriends.

 Then like most 90s kids, at the age of 16 I was put on the pill microgynon. This did not get off to a good start, like many of my contemporaries it negatively impacted my mental health and I suffered with terribly mood swings, which is not part of my personality. My GP was very helpful in getting me on a more suitable option and I eventually settled with the lilac packeted cilest. As I would bleed every month my period problems were sorted as far as I was concerned, naively not understanding that this bleed was in fact, not a period at all.

 Jump forward to my early 20s I came off the pill and my actual period did not return. Was this normal or things just settling back? Concerned, I went to my doctor and I was told it was nothing to worry about. Still no period over a year later, my weight was fluctuating like never before, my once perfect skin was congested and feelings of anxiety were rife (not that I knew what ‘anxiety’ was back then).

 A routine smear then showed some abnormal cervical cells, so when I got those removed I managed to get an internal scan of my ovaries too. I knew something was off due to my complete lack of period - but what that was, I didn't know. Following this scan and some blood tests came the diagnosis of PCOS – I had not heard of this condition and no one really explained the diagnosis to me either. It was handed to me with the advice of, go back on the pill or just wait it out until I wanted children and then I could go on Metformin or Clomid. Simples. That was it, I took their advice with confidence as they are medical professionals after all and hoped for the best.

 To manage my weight I jumped between one fad diet to the next juice cleanse - I remember once snacking on crab sticks for a whole week and I don't even like crab. This type of inflammatory yo yo diet lifestyle alongside terrible sleep patterns and high stress, unbeknown to me, drove my PCOS and endometriosis to a point where I didn’t want to leave the house. I was told by GPs that I had ‘trapped wind’, that I didn’t have endometriosis, ‘just eat less’, ‘you may not be able to get pregnant but let’s deal with that if and when you want children’ and at one point I was offered anti-depressants when I was not depressed. I actually had stage 4 endometriosis and my PCOS seemed like a lost cause. I felt so overwhelmed, let down and confused about the whole thing something had to change. I remember thinking... this can’t be the only path?

 Everyone has a story that brings them to discover the importance of nutrition, and this was it for me. It was at this point I embarked on a journey of discovery and self-initiated research. What followed was an understanding that nutrition and positive mindset play a leading role when it comes to your health, happiness and all importantly your hormones. The right guidance can be just the tonic to navigate the complexities of endocrine issues. As my symptoms improved, my passion grew momentum and I went back to education and qualified as a nutritionist so I could gain the tools to reclaim my health, become a mum and help other women who have ever felt as lost as I did.

Armed with a wealth of knowledge and expertise I’m now living symptom free with two beautiful children (Otis and Dusty). I founded The Positive Method to create a platform for women who ever find themselves overwhelmed or lost when it comes to their hormonal health. I have the honour of raising awareness of these conditions and changing the lives of women just like me who are ready to take a positive step towards a happier and healthier life.