Journey to U4ia (euphoria) is BrownStyle Magazine’s new column written by Vanessa Simmons. In this candid and inspirational series, the mom and multi-hyphenate entertainer shares her journey to wellness and mindful living.
One of my favorite things to do is travel and meet new people along the journey.
Back in March, I was blessed to visit Utah for a day of empowerment and sisterhood as a part of the Impact Black Women experience hosted by Impact Magazine. The day was focused on wellness and relationships, creating a safe space for women to share their personal testimonies on life. I even had the opportunity to speak about my experiences.
Overall, it was a transformative experience and encouraged me to connect with others. (Connection is the crux of life and can bring joy and enrichment to your everyday life.)
I networked with so many women from different walks of life and made plenty of new connections. This included Jasmine Nelson and her sister, who are Houston entrepreneurs working together to bring awareness to Umber by J Lanay, a skincare brand created by Nelson to help women experiencing hormonal changes like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) naturally reduce facial hair.
(I admired their bond and quickly noted the similarities between me and my sister when we were working on Pastry. It brought back such great memories. There’s nothing like sisters working together to build their dreams.)
Understanding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Now more than ever, women are sharing their experiences with PCOS and bringing new treatments to the forefront. Admittedly, I wasn’t familiar with all of the ways that PCOS can affect women of reproductive age until I began researching.
Statistics say that PCOS affects around 10% of women in the United States. Symptoms can range from irregular periods and excess androgens, which can lead to hirsutism and acne, polycystic ovaries (visible on ultrasound), weight gain, difficulty conceiving, and more.
I’ve experienced some of these symptoms over time, but never thought that it might be connected to PCOS.
Giving Umber by J Lanay A Try
After receiving a sample of Umber by J Lanay as a gift, it sat in my bathroom cabinet, tucked beneath the spot where I sometimes tweezed hairs out of my chin. I thought to myself, it must be a random occurrence or something that happens with age.
One day, I tested the product to get rid of some unwanted hairs, and I was impressed with the results. Within a week, I started seeing fewer hairs growing back.
So far, I’m about two weeks into using the product, and I’ve found that my face feels smoother and doesn’t require as much attention as it relates to pesky hairs in places they shouldn’t be.
This experience encouraged me to dig deeper into PCOS and start asking different questions at my doctor’s appointments. (We have to advocate for ourselves during checkups and know the right questions to ask to get the care we actually need.)
Balancing My Hormones
I’m forever thankful for the opportunity to connect with these young ladies because it led me to solving long-standing symptoms that I once saw as normal.
Even better, I began prioritizing my hormonal health, and so much has changed within me. It’s true that little changes can eventually add up over time. I’m experiencing less inflammation, my weight seems to be more stable, and I have peace of mind knowing that I’m correcting hormonal imbalances. Who knew that a day of wellness and empowerment could lead to taking control of my health?
In addition to Umber by J Lanay’s products, here are a few other methods I’ve been using to keep my hormones in balance:
✨ Spearmint Tea
There are many amazing benefits of this tea that range from healthy digestion to skin health. I usually consume this tea twice a day since research suggests that spearmint tea can help alleviate symptoms of PCOS by reducing inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and oxidative stress.
✨ Exercise
We know that daily movement is vital to overall health, but balance is key. Not all days require intense movement, but sometimes it’s just a 15-minute incline walk, a Pilates class, or a dedicated stretch session. One thing I do recommend is lifting weights twice a week, which can help improve your mood – my favorite!
✨ Diet
What you’re putting in your body is key to managing PCOS symptoms. Personally, I’ve started loading up on fruits and vegetables and incorporating lean proteins like chicken, turkey, lentils, etc., as well as healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and avocado into my diet.
As always, my ultimate goal with this column is to be a voice within the wellness community and spotlight areas that I feel can be helpful to us all.
Thanks for reading my entries, and here’s to health, ladies!
In good health,
Vanessa
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
