Getting Pregnant with PCOS

by Clare Goodwin

An evidence-based approach to treat the root causes of polycystic ovary syndrome and boost your fertility.

Have you been diagnosed with PCOS and been “You’re going to struggle to conceive” or “Just go on the pill and come back and see us when you want to get pregnant and we’ll deal with it then” or “You just need to loose weight” or conversely “you don’t need to loose weight so changing your diet won’t help”. In Getting Pregnant with PCOS you’ll learn the real truth. PCOS doesn’t make you infertile, you can ovulate and get pregnant naturally and weight loss shouldn’t be the focus. The secret is to get to the root cause of your PCOS. In this book you’ll - The evidence based approach of how to get to the root cause of your PCOS and improve your fertility - The supplements, diet changes exercise and other lifestyle changes that will have the biggest impact for you - The medical treatments available to you, and the pros and cons of each. - And most importantly, not just how to get pregnant, but how to have a healthy pregnancy with few complications and a healthy baby. Clare Goodwin knows from personal experience how debilitating PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is and has seen the devastating impact it can have on women trying to conceive. In Getting Pregnant with PCOS she draws on evidence-based research and her qualifications in exercise, nutrition and fertility treatment to provide a five-step plan for treating the underlying causes of PCOS. Despite suffering unexplained weight gain, out-of-control sugar cravings, unwanted hair growth and loss, acne and painful, irregular or missing periods — many PCOS sufferers are often misdiagnosed or untreated. Clare’s PCOS program is grounded in finding the root cause for these symptoms and creating an individualised treatment plan. Hers is a breakthrough approach which has helped thousands of women who have struggled to find answers elsewhere. Clare will show you how to identify the key factors that contribute to PCOS, and that by addressing these you can improve both your health and your fertility.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Audiobook

460 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2020

Reviews

[Autumn Cockrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“PCOS isn’t a condition of infertility but sub fertility - it might take you slightly longer to fall pregnant than someone without PCOS, but it is very possible.”

I wish I would have found this book before spending several thousand dollars on infertility treatments, meds, ultrasounds, and dietitian programs. This book is a literally gold mine; everything you need to know about PCOS and fertility is right here.

Clare Goodwin breaks down what PCOS is into simple terms while also citing her sources and sharing her own struggle with this metabolic disorder. She helps readers identify their root cause (what is the driver of your PCOS?) and gives detail plans on how to fix it. A lot of the book is spent covering insulin resistance (understandable, considering 80% of women with PCOS are insulin resistance), but also cover adrenal issues, hormonal birth control, inflammation, and thyroid disorders.

It made me feel like I could actually, maybe, POSSIBLE fall pregnant naturally and maybe get to have the number of children I’ve always dreamed of. I have a sliver of hope and this book is to thank for that!

[Lindsay Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best “period repair manual” I’ve read so far for women who have or think they may have PCOS. It completely explains PCOS, the types of PCOS, how it is different than HA, and how many women are wrongly diagnosed with PCOS or something else.

Many of my clients come to me unable to lose weight but do not have any anormal blood work that would diagnose them with a thyroid problem, etc. Goodwin explains how this happens and how the stands tests aren’t actually helpful for diagnosis...

Overall the book is very easy to read but remains academic with references to scientific studies to support any statement she makes. Her kindness, understanding, and compassion shines—Goodwin is clearly one of the most knowledgeable people on PCOS.

Goodwin also provides numerous actionable things you can do to diagnosis yourself and/or get help from your physician to discover exactly what is happening with you.

Generally, she suggests high protein at breakfast such as eggs or a vegan protein shake with no “carbs” to help regulate blood sugar. Lunch and dinner is mostly non starchy vegetables with a small amount of protein and complex carb and a whole fat. She advises 2-3 meals a day, no snacking, and a 12-hour fast. Exercise and total calories depends on the type of PCOS you have.

My only “complaint” was she said b12 only comes from animal sources which is not true. For the record, b12 is produced by soil microbes. It “comes from dirt” and many people (including “meat eaters”) are deficient.

She does also encourage vegans to give up being vegan if they want to be pregnant “what will it take for you to eat some eggs?” She says, but only says this bc she feels without eggs or some fish, the diet might feel too limited or it might be hard to stay “lower carb” and get enough protein or/and that some people have genetic issues that prevents their body from converting x to y.

Her PCOS “diet” is lower carb but not low carb or keto—she says that is harmful for PCOS. 10 servings of vegetables (non-starchy) per day, as the main food, plus the protein (small palm size) and limited complex carbs like quinoa or sweet potato, and some fats like nuts and seeds on top. In the case of Adrenal PCOS, more carbs (30% of calories) are required on her plan. Some women ah also need to overeat and/or exceed 2000 per day.

One thing I’ve noticed is my “lean” ladies with PCOS seem to have reactive hypoglycemia, which seemed odd to me—but Goodwin explained it. If you feel very tired or very hangry 1.5-3 hours after your meal, you might have RH as well, and it’s a type of insulin resistance, though not the kind most think of with PCOS which is more like diabetes/weight gain.

Free with Amazon kindle unlimited. She also offers many courses for a fee on her website and this book is an advertisement for them but still has plenty of useful info and what tests you should get ordered.

[Shelby Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not reading this with the intent to get pregnant, but rather to understand PCOS, and this book delivered (pun intended). From exercise to "diet" to stress management, I feel much more prepared to address PCOS and no longer overwhelmed with this seemingly unmanageable syndrome. Goodwin does an amazing job simplifying terms in the beginning and creating comprehensible analogies, but then progressively goes into more detail. I also love the addition of the case studies of all these amazing women who were able to address their "root cause" and are now living healthy lives; these stories filled me with immense hope.

[Haley Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative!! This book contained a lot of great information on how to manage PCOS. The one thing I did not like though was the continuous mention of her program. It seemed at times like she was saying you would have success only if you did the program. Aside from that, this book was very educational!

[Reviews.with.Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most informative guides to understanding PCOS and fertility! Thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning about what I am currently experiencing.

Highly recommend women who have PCOS and want to understand the “root cause” or are at that stage in their life where they want to start a family to read this.

Very well written with lots of research and supporting evidence.

[Nidhi Vaidya · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I certainly don’t want to get pregnant until my 30s… it does have good info for PCOS even if you don’t want to conceive. But the constant case studies about how great her program is… was extremely annoying.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal anyone living with PCOS. It really helped me to learn more about my body and gave practical advice for reversing the symptoms of PCOS. I gave it 4 stars and not 5 because even though she mentions many times that losing weight isn't the goal and that statistically high percentage of people with pcos suffer from eating disorders, she very often mentions exact numbers in terms of weight loss in her clients (including inches lost off the waist and the amount of time it took them to lose it). This can be very triggering for someone with an eating disorder or in recovery from an eating disorder. If she had left out exact number of pounds lost, this would have been a 5 for me.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was diagnosed with PCOS in August '22 so I've been making my way through a lot of podcasts and literature on the subject so I can give it my best shot at healing my hormones and putting it into remission (there is no cure, but many women, including Clare Goodwin our author here, has gotten to a point of being symptom-free). This book covers how to heal the root causes of PCOS, the main culprit being insulin resistance (which causes syndrome of high androgens). You don't have to be trying to get pregnant to get a lot out of this book, I'd recommend it to anyone with PCOS for any stage of their fertility journey. She uses a lot of quality citations throughout the book, which I appreciate. Some health authors base it off their own experience without the medical backing so it's nice to see the sources of what she is saying so I can research further.

I've listened to Clare's podcast for the past several months and bought this book to help get started on her recommendations. I wanted a physical copy as well to make any notes and to refer back to, but listened on audio through Scribd, which was actually nice since she narrated it and I'm used to listening to her voice on her show, The PCOS Nutritionist. She does recommend her program a lot throughout the book, but she provides so much helpful information regarding healthy living with this syndrome that I wasn't too bothered by it.

Overall recommend if you've got PCOS and need some extra support.

[Carolina Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aunque ya quieras embarazarte o no, si tienes PCOS, o no, en verdad es un libro que me explico TANTO sobre mi cuerpo y me hace reflexionar mucho por qué no nos informan más sobre el funcionamiento y complejidad del cuerpo de una mujer. Muchas veces los síntomas con los que vivimos día con día se pueden cambiar con hábitos pero todos los doctores no nos ponen atención y los hacen pasar como “normal” o “hormonal”. Me encantó leer y aprender tanto sobre mi y darme cuenta que nunca estuvo mal querer levantar la mano para buscar ayuda que no fuera una pastilla anticonceptiva, hay otras formas

[London Bowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would caution reading UNTIL you have a good handle on your diagnosis and are wanting to dive deeper to learn more.

This book is EXTREMELY comprehensive. However, due to this… it has made me feel helpless regarding the new diagnosis… It has made me feel out of control in ways I haven’t felt in quite some time.

[Nina Eberhard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important note upfront:
This book is NOT just for women who want to get pregnant.
It’s actually suitable for… well, pretty much most women (18-50).
Even though it focuses a lot on PCOS (after all, that’s what the author writes about), I’m convinced that every woman can benefit from the insights shared here.

I was looking for answers — answers that no doctor, no matter their specialization , was able to give me. And in this book, I finally found many of them.

Who this book is for:
*For women who want to work on their health (especially hormonal health — but honestly, also physical and mental health in general!)
*For women who feel misunderstood or not taken seriously by the healthcare system
*For women who have realized that the only real help is self-help (combined with the support of doctors, medication, or supplements)
*For women who want to become pregnant — whether now or sometime in the future

So before I start with the actual review:
Yes, this book is primarily centered around the desire to have a baby (and PCOS).
And I understand if that sounds off-putting — I really do.
I felt the same way.

When you’re not trying to get pregnant (especially if you absolutely don’t want to), you might think:
“Well, this doesn’t concern me, why should I care?”
And yeah, the title can be discouraging if pregnancy is the last thing on your mind.
But this book is about so much more.

Even though the overarching topic is fertility and pregnancy, the underlying message is this:
Fertility (in most cases) is a sign of health.

If you still have your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, then a diagnosis like PCOS doesn’t mean the end of the road.

You should still be fertile — because our menstrual cycle is our fifth vital sign, and it reflects how well our body functions.
It’s about time that we, as women, start standing up for our health — all of us, together.
It honestly shocks me that this book offers more help than most gynecologists.

And no, I’m not attacking doctors personally.
But the system itself just doesn’t work — as proven by the countless women desperately searching for solutions.
This book could be the first step in the right direction.

About the book:
I first listened to it as an audiobook — which was a good and interesting start.
But I strongly recommend taking the time to read it and highlight key passages.
Even if you only have mild symptoms or none at all right now, that way you’ll quickly recognize if something starts to go off track.
The earlier you react, the better.

A good example: many women with PCOS struggle with acne and hair loss.
If you wait months or even years to act, those problems can become partially irreversible — which is often unnecessary.

Once you understand what’s going on, you can see when things are getting out of balance — and then you’re more likely to take action and advocate for yourself.

The book covers all the symptoms and problems related to PCOS.
Some information will sound familiar, especially if you’ve already done a lot of research.
But what’s really interesting is how many topics don’t seem related to fertility at first glance — like fatigue, for example.
I had no idea how much irregular or poor sleep can impact overall health.
You hear it all the time, but it only really hit me through the explanations and connections in this book.

That’s how the whole book is — not every chapter will speak to everyone equally, but everyone will find something valuable.
And I’m sure each reader will walk away with insights and inspiration to make real changes.

A small warning:
Some parts are admittedly a bit intimidating.
For example, the author talks about having sweets only once a month — and I know that sounds impossible for many of us.

But, like with any guide, it comes down to this:
You have to make the change yourself.
Not just read — act.

And this book provides the perfect balance between information, motivation, and — honestly — hope.

For all women who want to become mothers:
When you’re diagnosed with PCOS, you often hear things like:
“Oh no, poor you, you’ll never get pregnant,”
or “It’s going to be really hard and take forever.”
Even doctors say that.

The truth is: many women with PCOS don’t have a period — or they have one, but it’s irregular and long, and they rarely or never ovulate.
And without ovulation, pregnancy isn’t possible.

But why doesn’t anyone tell these women how to restore or improve ovulation?
Because it takes patience and effort.

Doctors are trained to solve problems quickly and efficiently — with medication or procedures.
And please don’t get me wrong: it’s great that those options exist.
But in many cases, they’re not even necessary — and the side effects are often not discussed enough.


You can regulate your cycle.
You can get your period back.
You can ovulate again.
Yes, even with PCOS!


And even if you’re thinking, “I don’t even want to get pregnant,”
remember this: we women need ovulation — it’s a crucial hormonal event that affects so many aspects of our overall health.

I think this book is my personal highlight of the year.
I learned so much, and it sparked deep conversations with my friends.
It made me think a lot about why infertility and health issues — including mental ones (because yes, mental health is strongly influenced by hormones!) — are so common today, and what we can actually do about it.

I’m sure I’ll read this book a third, fourth… maybe even fifth time.
And I truly hope that you, too, find the answers and clarity you’ve been searching for.

And to everyone who wants to become a mother:
I wish you healthy, happy children — and that you are healthy and happy, too.
Because it’s not just about getting pregnant —
it’s about having a healthy pregnancy, and a mother and child who thrive long after birth.

[Vicky Olavarria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone with PCOS, I think the title was a mistake, I don’t want to get pregnant yet and the information here was extremely valuable anyway.

I understand the author wants to sell her program across the book, but she stills gives you enough information to start making changes in your routine and lifestyle (especially what and how you eat) without the need to join her program.

[Samantha Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on the menstrual cycle I’ve read, especially if you have PCOS! I don’t but since balancing your blood sugar, and reducing stress and inflammation in general is huge for hormonal balance and feeling good overall, I still found the info in this book super helpful. She covers pretty much everything you could think of and goes into great detail about it all. Highly recommend!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been diagnosed with PCOS for 18 years, and no medical professional has been able to explain the condition to me as well as Clare Goodwin. Of all the social media influencers, websites, obstetrics, and endocrinology experts I've consulted, no one beats Clare. I had done the protocol back in 2022 but really wanted a place to house all the information provided so I could refer back to it from time to time. When I saw the audio book was on Spotify, I jumped at the chance for a refresher and started listening to it in the car. This is not just a book for those trying to get pregnant but for anyone diagnosed with PCOS. In recent years, as the condition has been studied more and more, I've had more friends become diagnosed in their 30s, including many who have no desire to have children, and I cannot stress enough how important of a read this is. This book is about understanding hormonal imbalances and how they affect your overall health. I can not recommend it enough for those with PCOS and even those who think they might have it. Clare also addresses similar disorders and illnesses and how to tell them apart from PCOS. If you've been looking for more detailed analysis around this condition or if your medical providers just aren't specialized enough to provide you with the information you want or need, read this. Now.

[Eliza Bacelar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book with extensive resources on PCOS and research-based, exactly how I prefer. I also like nutritionist authors as they tend to have a more lifestyle and diet problem-solving approach. I've implemented many things from this book, and would actually recommend the Audible version, as it comes with a very comprehensive printout PDF and it is narrated by the author with the loveliest of accents from Australia.

[Cass | booksandspots · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much more than getting pregnant. It's ovulation and the importance of it. It's general health. It's nutrition. This information is invaluable.

The way Clare communicates this information is why I love this book so much. While it's research driven and full of medical terms way above my head, it's written as if you were talking to an old friend. It was a breeze to read this and so easy to follow Clare's advice.

[janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧

⭐️⭐️✨/5
(2.5/5)

information was decent but lower score is due to the insistent plug of her business every three minutes.

could have definitely gone into more detail as well for many things.

this is a nice place to start if you’re absolutely clueless on reversing pcos, proper nutrition, etc. but there are other books that I liked more. especially with her constant case studies on how “amazing her program is” (which gave vague details for the most part)

[Nicole Bonfante · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredibly helpful and informative. I’ve listened to many books and podcasts on this topic but this was the most evidence-based, yet easy to understand at the same time. The author has PCOS which made the advice much more personable. She really empathizes with her audience and handles every topic with care.

I wish more doctors would read this book or learn about these topics in medical school!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved all the info and am going to start tracking what I can even though I’m not planning to try & conceive for a few years. Only thing I wasn’t a fan of was all the case studies in between. Overall, definitely opened my eyes to some things I had NO IDEA about.

[Alecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an approachable, well researched book with lots of actionable tips to get your PCOS under control. The fertility advice was good but it's also one of the more helpful books I've read about PCOS in general.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really informative. Clare really knows her stuff. I've bookmarked a lot of pages to refer back to when I need to. Thank you.

[Olivia Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really changed my whole understanding of PCOS!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly informative. It has changed my entire viewpoint and I am hopeful going forward. I’m excited to use her advice.

[Vicki S Dehner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource

Concise, evidence based, well organized reference. Thanks Claire!
I have learned so much from your podcast and now this book.

[Theresa loves books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sehr gut recherchiert - alle Quellenangaben zu zitierten Studien finden sich ebenfalls im Buch.

[Joanna (Liversiak) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dużo informacji które skompensowane są w tą jedną książkę.

[Citri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had some information I had never heard of in all my years of reading about PCOS so this was a helpful read about a very emotional topic

[Taylor Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone with PCOS who doesn’t want to be pregnant, I still found this book very informative and plan to implement what I learned from this book.

[Wunniebee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful, clear for those that aren't 'medical filed' savvy. Great book to take notes from and start a journey.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful

Really helpful for understanding more about pcos. I recommend if you have pcos even if not trying to get pregnant.