PCOS Diva Podcast

With the holidays upon us, I wanted to chat with nutrition and mood expert, Dr. Corey Schuler to see if he had some tips for us on how to manage Holiday sugar cravings and the Winter Blues. As I expected, he had some wonderful, practical ways to help keep cravings at bay and fend off depression and anxiety. Listen to the 30 minute interview below for all of the details!

Nicole Jardim is one of my favorite menstruation experts and co-host of The Period Party, a podcast that actually makes this sometimes-tough topic fun! Nicole joined the podcast today to break down Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) for us and answer the question, “Are Women with PCOS more likely to have PMS?” Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss this plus: the root causes of PMS the impact o...

Every woman has been touched by breast cancer. It may be you or someone you know or love, but all of us understand, on some level, the physical, emotional, and spiritual impact of the disease. Women with PCOS do not have a higher risk of breast cancer than our peers, though we do have a slightly higher risk of endometrial cancer. Carol Lourie has dedicated her professional life to supporting women...

Dr. Fiona McCullouch is one of my go-to naturopathic doctors when it comes to PCOS. Not only is her fantastic book, 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS, a “mini-encyclopedia” of PCOS, she is up-to-date on PCOS-related research. In this podcast episode, we discuss the latest PCOS news and topics including: The anti-müllerian hormone study- is there a PCOS cure? New research on the connections between mood...

Most women with PCOS are overweight, but it is not necessary to be overweight to have a PCOS diagnosis. Many of us have a version of the syndrome called Lean PCOS. We share all the other symptoms but are often overlooked when doctors are searching for the root of our symptoms. Listen in as lean cyster Dr. Laura Dimler Radziwon and I discuss our experiences with Lean PCOS and: Androgen excess, insu...

Women who are seeking a diagnosis for PCOS will, on average, see two to three doctors before they get a diagnosis. Even after diagnosis, women with PCOS are simply told to lose weight, take a pill, and go on their way. That’s not ok. We deserve better care. Our daughters, sisters, and friends deserve better treatment. Ashley Levinson is a well-known PCOS advocate and joins the podcast to talk abou...

Many women with PCOS have a combative relationship with their body and PCOS. We buy into the calories-in/calories-out myth and attempt to punish our bodies with exercise. PCOS trainer, Erika Volk visits the podcast to bust myths around PCOS and exercise as well as explain the far-reaching (and unexpected) benefits. Listen in as we discuss: - Why exercise and strength training balance your blood su...

Dental health is clearly linked to PCOS and general health. In fact, the mouth is the first point that many issues start to present themselves. Bleeding gums, for instance, is one of the first signs of potential hormone and microbiome changes. Your mouth even communicates what type of vitamin deficiencies you may have. Dr. Steven Lin is on a mission to educate people about the connection between d...

“I just felt like something was wrong with me. I didn't realize there's something wrong with the rules and the process that I was following. It just felt like I was flawed and here I was trying to lose weight and the only thing I was losing was self-worth and self-confidence.” -Cassie Bjork Many dietitians are telling you what Coke (and other big food corporations) want you to hear. It’s not neces...

Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) share overlapping symptoms and are sometimes confused. In this podcast, endometriosis expert, Melissa Turner clears up the confusion and explains the symptoms of endometriosis, how to get a diagnosis, and possible paths to healing. Listen in as we also discuss: - Three areas to focus on when treating endometriosis naturally - Effectiveness of surg...

The birth control pill is the standard prescription when a woman is diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, typically without outlining the risks posed specifically for us. For many, it manages to mask PCOS symptoms. For others, the side effects are immediately intolerable. For all, symptoms resume when we must stop taking it. Worse, many struggle with Post Birth Control Pill Syndrome. So, what...

“We are not what we eat. We are what our bodies can do with what we eat.” - Andrea Nakayama Every person has unique biology and must be treated as such. Andrea Nakayama is a rock star in the field of functional nutrition. She teaches thousands of practitioners and patients a year how to use the principles of functional nutrition to personalize diet and healthcare and heal with sustainable results....

We all know that PCOS impacts the lives of the women who have it. Countless studies (and our own experience) have proven that. In this podcast, Dr. Rashmi Kudesia explains the impact of PCOS on our quality of life in five main interrelated areas: infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding or irregular periods, extra body or facial hair, weight issues, and emotional health and offers steps we can take...

What exactly is a ketogenic (keto) diet and why do people feel so strongly one way or the other about it? In this podcast, we discuss the pros and cons of keto diets, specifically for women with PCOS. Martha McKittrick reviews the current research, offers sage advice, and answers questions women commonly ask me about keto such as: How is keto different from a low-carb diet? Who should avoid keto a...

“The why is equally important because once you understand what goes on in the body and how food can impact the various parts of our body, that impact then the hormones, you are much more motivated to start making changes.” - Magdalena Wszelaki Magdalena Wszelaki is one of my favorite podcast guests and the author of the brand-new book, Cooking for Hormone Balance. She rejoins the podcast to discus...

“75 percent of women report disordered eating behaviors or symptoms consistent with eating disorders; so, three out of four have an unhealthy relationship with food or their bodies” -University of North Carolina Medical School Food is often at the center of discussions involving PCOS. It should come as no surprise that eating disorders are prevalent among those of us living with the syndrome. Carr...

PCOS directly or indirectly impacts all of your relationships. When you’re talking about romantic relationships, whether dating or committed, issues frequently come up around libido, infertility, self-image, depression, lifestyle, and self-care. From initial conversations to advocating for yourself when making diet and lifestyle changes, Dr. Gretchen Kubacky, the “PCOS Psychologist,” has useful ad...

Lara Briden’s book, the Period Repair Manual, is a manifesto of natural treatment for better hormones and better periods. I recommend it all the time, so I am thrilled to have her on the podcast. Dr. Briden provides practical solutions using nutrition, supplements, and natural hormones. We both agree that ovulation matters for all women; it's not just about making babies. So, listen as we discuss:...

Aimee Raupp and I agree- fertility isn't an on/off switch. It’s a spectrum. You might have lower fertility at certain times in your life, but it's improvable. It's changeable. It's not broken. You can heal. While there are many factors at play, we know that your thoughts not only impact your behavior, neuroscience demonstrates that our thoughts actually affect our neurochemistry. So, what we think...

“It's very difficult to recover from PCOS with our standard societal approach, and it's very easy to feel isolated and alone, and then all these negative self-talk voices come in and you have a lot of shame and, "Why don't I look like this?", "Why can't I do that?" PCOS does not have to be a horrible sentence. It's a complex illness, but you absolutely can find the right tools and recover your hea...

Anxiety is something with which many women with PCOS struggle. Lifestyle and food choices can help alleviate it. But if your diet is good, you exercise, and you’re doing everything “right” and still struggling with anxiety, you may need to look deeper. Megan Buer, is an author and founder of Harmony Restored, a company focused on helping individuals heal from the stress that is at the root of thei...

My daughter, Lila, is 9 years old, and I am starting to think more about whether she too will have PCOS. I hear from distraught mothers almost every day. Their daughter has been diagnosed, they are not sure how to help. My podcast guest today was in the same situation not long ago. I had the privilege to coach Linda Kochiu and her daughter, Sarah, through the initial stages of healing her PCOS. Sa...

"Core to making sure that you get the care that you need and deserve is to truly embrace that you are your own advocate for your care and ensuring that you have the right care team who share your commitment to always pushing the envelope and making sure that you're at the forefront of a better understanding of the technologies, tests, and treatments that can be out in the world and really explorin...

January 14, 2018 Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of PCOS. In this podcast, fatigue expert Dr. Evan Hirsch outlines the 15 underlying causes and offers practical advice on what you can do to fix your fatigue and start feeling energized. The relationship between hormones and sleep The role of nutrient deficiencies (magnesium, b12, vitamin D) Labs to request that get to the root of your fa...

November 28, 2017 PCOS is complicated and a lot of women with PCOS have other things. They have thyroid issues, Hashimoto’s, or they have other autoimmune, or they have food intolerances, or just other stuff that ties into the PCOS or is worsening the PCOS, and they just need somebody who can orchestrate and dig deep.” – Dr. Carrie Jones It is important for women with a PCOS diagnosis to find the...