When This Dancer Got Out of Step With Her Body Due to PCOS, She Turned To Allara For Help

As a lifelong dancer, Sarah was used to being in perfect sync with her body–so she knew something was wrong when she began experiencing symptoms a few years ago. She shares, “I started rapidly gaining weight and facing challenges like acne, hair thinning, and extreme fatigue.” Determined to confront her symptoms head-on and get some answers, Sarah was upset when countless doctors dismissed her symptoms before finally connecting with Allara to get some answers. She was diagnosed with PCOS, and her journey, sadly, isn’t unique. According to research, despite affecting nearly 5-10% of women of childbearing age, PCOS is frequently misdiagnosed.

Determined to help other women who may be on the same frustrating journey, hormonal health journey, Sarah now shares information about PCOS and the importance of living a balanced life on her TikTok.

Continue reading to learn how Sarah connected with Allara to finally get the answers and help that she needed.

Please tell us about yourself

My name is Sarah. I was born and raised in New York but currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my dog Kobe. I have been a dancer my whole life–I still teach and perform as much as possible! In my free time, I enjoy cooking and going out for coffee. 

What started your hormonal health journey?

My health and fitness journey started a few years ago. I started gaining weight and dealing with other symptoms like acne, thinning hair and extreme fatigue. As a lifelong dancer, I was used to being active and in sync with my body, so these new symptoms were difficult. For the first time, I felt disconnected from my body, and I couldn’t figure out what was going on.

What led you to work with Allara?

Over two years, I visited multiple doctors, trying to get insight into what was going on with my body and searching for answers while my symptoms worsened. The last straw was when a doctor told me that my symptoms were just “part of becoming a woman.”

I discovered Allara while scrolling on TikTok. I came across a video of a woman talking about her journey. She talked about how she was experiencing many of the same symptoms that I was dealing with and said she was able to finally get a diagnosis through Allara. She spoke about how attentive and empathetic her providers were, which was something I was desperately seeking after my frustrating experiences with my doctors over the last few years.

How has your experience with Allara been?

I’ve been an Allara patient for over a year and a half, and it’s been a life-changing experience. I’ve lost 15 lbs and reversed my insulin resistance. My other symptoms, like acne and fatigue, are gone, and I feel like myself again. The care, knowledge, and connection you receive as an Allara patient are truly unmatched.

What advice would you have for others in the same place you were two years ago?

If you are starting your hormone health journey, it can feel so overwhelming at first. There’s so much information out there–some of it is great, some is…not so great (haha), but you have to find what works for you. It takes trial and error, but realize that not every approach will work for every person. 

How do “newbies” cut through the noise and get started on their journey?

I encourage people at the start of their journey to go back to the basics–ditch the complicated advice and drastic changes and just focus on sustainable everyday changes. Focus on balanced meals with mostly whole foods, find movement and activities you enjoy, and try to do them every day. Stay hydrated, and prioritize rest. Really use that initial time to dial in and connect to your body so you can be in tune with what works for you and what doesn't. And don’t be afraid to ask for help; having guidance from the professionals at Allara changes everything!