app
Cysterhood
**Cysterhood** is a comprehensive PCOS weight loss platform that combines a subscription-based mobile app, supportive online community, and educational content specifically designed for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Founded in 2019 by registered dietitian Tallene Hacatoryan (who has PCOS herself) and her husband Sirak, a certified personal trainer, Cysterhood has become one of the most influential resources in the PCOS community. The platform focuses on helping women manage PCOS symptoms and lose weight naturally through gluten and dairy free meal plans, hormone-friendly workouts, and peer support from thousands of "cysters" worldwide.
## About Cysterhood
Cysterhood emerged from Tallene Hacatoryan's personal journey with PCOS and her professional expertise as a registered dietitian. After struggling with PCOS symptoms including weight gain, irregular cycles, and hormonal imbalances, Tallene developed a method that helped her reverse many of her symptoms through dietary and lifestyle changes. When she met her husband Sirak, a personal trainer, they refined this approach by adding specialized workout routines designed for hormonal balance.
The name "Cysterhood" cleverly plays on "sisterhood," reflecting the platform's core belief in community support among women with PCOS, affectionately called "cysters." Their mission centers on enabling women to "reverse symptoms and lose weight" naturally through sustainable diet and lifestyle modifications rather than relying solely on medications.
Since launching in 2019, Cysterhood has grown into a global community with over 2 million followers across social media platforms and more than 50,000 app downloads. The platform operates on multiple channels including their main app, blog, YouTube channel, and the popular "A Cyster & Her Mister" podcast featuring over 280 episodes of PCOS education and success stories.
## Why Cysterhood is Relevant to PCOS
PCOS affects up to 15% of women of reproductive age, making it one of the most common hormonal disorders. Yet many women report feeling dismissed by healthcare providers or receiving limited guidance beyond birth control prescriptions. Cysterhood addresses this gap by providing comprehensive lifestyle-based interventions that align with medical research showing lifestyle modification as first-line treatment for PCOS.
The platform specifically targets common PCOS challenges including:
**Insulin resistance** - A key driver of PCOS symptoms affecting up to 70% of women with the condition. Cysterhood's meal plans emphasize balanced macronutrients and low-glycemic foods to help stabilize blood sugar levels.
**Weight management difficulties** - PCOS can make weight loss challenging due to hormonal imbalances. The program addresses this through PCOS-specific nutrition and exercise protocols that work with, rather than against, hormonal fluctuations.
**Inflammation and food sensitivities** - Many women with PCOS report improvements when eliminating gluten and dairy. While scientific consensus on this approach continues evolving, Cysterhood provides structured guidance for those wanting to try elimination diets safely.
**Mental health support** - PCOS is associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression. The community aspect provides emotional support and reduces the isolation many women experience with this condition.
## What Cysterhood Offers
### PCOS Weight Loss App
The Cysterhood app serves as the platform's central hub, providing members with:
- **Weekly meal plans** featuring 100+ gluten and dairy free recipes with new additions monthly
- **Follow-along workout videos** designed specifically for PCOS, emphasizing low-impact strength training over high-intensity cardio that might spike stress hormones
- **Habit trackers** to monitor progress with symptoms, energy levels, and lifestyle changes
- **5-step PCOS Weight Loss Method masterclass** teaching the science behind their approach
The app maintains a 4.5-star rating on the Apple App Store, with users frequently describing it as "life changing" and praising the PCOS-specific focus that distinguishes it from generic fitness apps.
### Private Support Community
One of Cysterhood's strongest features is its private online community where thousands of women with PCOS connect, share experiences, and celebrate victories together. Members report that this peer support network provides crucial motivation and accountability during their PCOS management journey.
Tallene and Sirak actively participate in community discussions, providing expert guidance and answering member questions directly. This level of founder involvement helps maintain the personal touch that originally attracted many users to the platform.
### Educational Content
Cysterhood produces extensive free educational content through multiple channels:
**"A Cyster & Her Mister" Podcast** - This weekly show breaks down PCOS science, shares practical tips, and features interviews with medical experts. With over 280 episodes and a 4.5-star rating, it's become a go-to resource for evidence-based PCOS information.
**PCOS Weight Loss Blog** - Regular articles cover topics from PCOS nutrition and supplements to hormone balance and research updates, all written in an accessible style by Tallene's team.
**Social Media Education** - Tallene's @pcos.weightloss Instagram account, with nearly 1 million followers, provides daily tips, recipes, and encouragement for the broader PCOS community.
### Challenges and Additional Tools
Beyond the core app, Cysterhood offers supplementary resources including:
- **7-Day Gluten & Dairy Free Meal Plan Challenge** - A free introduction helping newcomers experience potential benefits of elimination diets
- **"What's Your PCOS Type?" Quiz** - Personalized guidance based on individual symptom patterns
- **OvaFit Supplement Line** - Curated PCOS supplements including inositol powder and spearmint tea for testosterone support
## Expertise and Credibility
Cysterhood's authority in the PCOS space stems from several factors:
### Professional Credentials
Tallene Hacatoryan brings formal nutrition training as a registered dietitian, while Sirak provides certified personal training expertise specifically focused on PCOS. This combination of clinical knowledge and practical experience creates a well-rounded approach to PCOS management.
### Personal Experience
Tallene's firsthand experience with PCOS adds authenticity to her guidance. Her personal transformation through going gluten and dairy free, losing weight, and restoring regular cycles provides credible evidence that the methods she teaches can work in real-world applications.
### Large Engaged Following
With nearly 1 million Instagram followers and over 2 million total social media followers, Tallene has built one of the largest PCOS-focused audiences online. This growth through consistent, evidence-based content demonstrates sustained trust from the PCOS community.
### Positive User Outcomes
Thousands of women report success using Cysterhood's methods, frequently sharing "non-scale victories" like regular periods, improved energy, reduced acne, and better overall quality of life. These testimonials consistently highlight that the approach feels sustainable rather than restrictive.
### Industry Recognition
Tallene was ranked the #1 "PCOS influencer" to follow in 2025 by Feedspot, topping a list of 60 PCOS experts. The platform has also received mainstream media attention, including coverage by BBC News noting Tallene's significant online influence in popularizing lifestyle interventions for PCOS.
### Evidence-Based Approach
Cysterhood's methods center on strategies supported by research, including balanced nutrition for blood sugar control, appropriate exercise for hormonal health, and evidence-backed supplements like inositol. While some specific recommendations like universal gluten and dairy elimination remain debated in medical literature, the platform emphasizes individual experimentation and working alongside healthcare providers.
## How Cysterhood Compares to Similar Resources
Several features distinguish Cysterhood from other PCOS resources:
**PCOS-Specific Focus** - Unlike general health apps that might include some PCOS content, every aspect of Cysterhood is designed specifically for PCOS needs, from recipe development to workout programming.
**Community Integration** - While many health apps offer meal plans or workouts, few combine these with robust peer support communities where users can connect with others sharing similar experiences.
**Founder Accessibility** - Unlike larger health platforms where users rarely interact with founders, Tallene and Sirak maintain active involvement in their community, personally responding to member questions and concerns.
**Holistic Lifestyle Approach** - Rather than focusing solely on diet or exercise, Cysterhood addresses multiple aspects of PCOS management including nutrition, fitness, stress management, and emotional support.
**Elimination Diet Guidance** - While controversial, Cysterhood provides structured support for those wanting to try gluten and dairy free approaches, with proper meal planning and recipes to ensure nutritional adequacy.
## Getting the Most from Cysterhood Resources
For those considering Cysterhood's approach, several strategies can maximize benefits:
### Start with Free Content
Before committing to the paid app, explore free resources like the podcast, blog, and 7-Day Challenge to determine if the approach resonates with your needs and preferences.
### Work with Healthcare Providers
While Cysterhood provides valuable lifestyle guidance, it's not a replacement for medical care. Use the platform's resources to implement lifestyle changes while maintaining regular contact with healthcare providers for medication management and monitoring.
### Focus on Sustainability
The platform emphasizes sustainable changes over quick fixes. Approach new habits gradually rather than attempting to implement all recommendations simultaneously.
### Engage with Community
The peer support aspect often proves as valuable as the meal plans and workouts. Actively participating in community discussions can provide motivation, accountability, and practical tips from others with similar experiences.
### Track Non-Scale Victories
PCOS improvements often extend beyond weight loss to include better energy, clearer skin, regular cycles, and improved mood. Monitoring these changes can provide motivation even when scale progress seems slow.
### Be Patient with Dietary Changes
If trying elimination diets, allow adequate time (typically 30-90 days) to assess impacts on symptoms before making decisions about long-term dietary changes.
## FAQs
**What is the Cysterhood app and how does it help with PCOS?**
The Cysterhood app is a subscription-based platform providing PCOS-specific meal plans, workouts, and community support. It helps with PCOS by offering weekly gluten and dairy free meal plans designed to stabilize insulin levels, specialized low-impact workouts that don't spike stress hormones, and access to a supportive community of women with similar experiences. Users report improvements in weight management, energy levels, and PCOS symptoms through the comprehensive approach.
**How much does Cysterhood cost?**
The Cysterhood app operates on a subscription model with monthly plans around $28-29 USD and annual subscriptions for approximately $199 USD (roughly $17 per month). While the app download is free, full access to meal plans, workouts, and community features requires paid membership. The platform occasionally offers free trials or challenges as introductions to their approach.
**Is the gluten and dairy free approach necessary for everyone with PCOS?**
Cysterhood recommends gluten and dairy elimination based on many users reporting reduced inflammation, improved digestion, and easier weight management. However, scientific consensus on universal gluten and dairy elimination for PCOS remains evolving. The platform encourages individual experimentation - trying elimination for 30-90 days to assess personal symptom improvements, then making informed decisions about long-term dietary choices based on individual results.
**Who founded Cysterhood and what are their qualifications?**
Cysterhood was founded by Tallene Hacatoryan, a registered dietitian with PCOS, and her husband Sirak, a certified personal trainer. Tallene developed the approach after successfully managing her own PCOS symptoms through dietary and lifestyle changes. Her formal nutrition training combined with personal PCOS experience provides both clinical knowledge and real-world understanding of the challenges women face with this condition.
**How does Cysterhood's approach differ from medical PCOS treatment?**
Cysterhood focuses on lifestyle interventions including nutrition, exercise, and stress management, which complement rather than replace medical treatment. While doctors often prescribe medications like metformin or birth control for PCOS management, Cysterhood addresses the lifestyle modification component that medical research identifies as first-line PCOS therapy. The platform encourages working alongside healthcare providers, using lifestyle changes to potentially enhance medical treatments rather than substituting for professional medical care.