PCOS Diva Podcast

March 23, 2016 “It’s helpful for people to come in and make sure they understand what’s going on, rather than making assumptions or going off of what their friend told them or what they read online. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, unfortunately.” – Dr. Rashmi Kudesia Fertility drives many women to their PCOS diagnosis. Then questions then swirl about the challenges of becoming pregnant, maintaining a healthy pregnancy and ensuring a healthy baby after delivery. Will lifestyle changes help? Is IVF the answer? In this podcast, I spoke with Dr. Rashmi Kudesia, a Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York. She is an award winning, practicing fertility doctor, and she answers some of your most burning questions. Most importantly, she explains what you can do to increase your chances of welcoming a healthy baby. Listen in as we discuss: Who is a good PCOS candidate for IVF? What advice does she give overweight or underweight patients? Are there risks of ovarian hyperstimulation for a woman with PCOS? Do women with PCOS have an advantage as they age? Should we worry about elevated risks during pregnancy? What can you do to boost your health and fertility?

March 23, 2016 “The idea that we have to experience ourselves and be treated as if we are ill and wrong rather than individuals with our inherited physiology with some common experiences related to that is what I want to change our minds about.” Nancy Dunne is a pioneer in holistic handling of PCOS and was instrumental in my own healing journey. Her positive spin on PCOS, focusing on the benefits of being a high androgen, inherently insulin resistant woman are life changing. In her view, “We are human beings with highly androgen influenced nervous systems and fundamentally feminine emotional hearts which is a very beautiful and very powerful combination of characteristics that should be developed and celebrated rather than suppressed and hidden.” In short, women with PCOS must adopt a powerfully positive lifestyle and perspective in order to truly thrive. Listen in as we discuss: The positive aspects of PCOS The 2 steps you must take to alleviate your suffering The importance of spirituality in healing | Read More on PCOS Diva.

March 5, 2016 You have a lot of questions about Ovasitol, inositols and male fertility. I invited Dr. Mark H. Ratner, an expert on all of these topics, to join the podcast and answer your most burning questions. Every woman considering getting pregnant will benefit from his clear explanations and sage advice. Listen in as we discuss: What are Ovaitol and inositols and how do they work? Why many doctors don’t understand the benefits of inositols for PCOS Can I take Ovasitol with metformin or if I am pregnant or nursing? Supplements that benefit sperm quality and motility Current research and clinical trials on inositols, Ovasitol and male infertility Dr. Mark H. Ratner is the Regional Director of Male Reproductive Medicine at Shady Grove Fertility Center in Washington, DC. He is also the Medical Director of Theralogix, a DC-based company which develops products focused on nutrition and reproductive health.

March 5, 2016 Women diagnosed with PCOS are often told that they will suffer the symptoms their entire lives. Dr. Meaghan Kirschling and Health Coach Wendy Borhauer, founders of Beyond the Basics Health Academy, disagree. Diagnosis is just the first step toward balance and healing. Whether you are a teenager being told you will “grow out of it” or woman in menopause, there are actions you can take today to begin healing. Listen in as we discuss: Signs, symptoms and treatment of PCOS in adolescents Why women with PCOS often feel better than ever during menopause 3 things they tell women to do in order to lose weight and balance hormones Why and when you should detox How your relationship with food affects PCOS, no matter your age The supplements they recommend.

February 18, 2016 “A lot of women who follow this journey are in a lot of pain because of the inflammation. You can’t do a high-impact workout. You can’t do P90X. You can’t even think about Insanity. CrossFit? Don’t even look at the building as you’re driving by.” – Diamond Dallas Page I’m an early adopter of DDP Yoga. It is a strenuous cardio workout that doesn’t overtax my adrenals and leave me exhausted. At the end of a workout, I feel rejuvenated, strong and flexible– exactly the way you should feel after some great exercise. Many women with PCOS are dealing with chronic inflammation and elevated levels of cortisol, as well as weight and joint issues which make it hard to do high-impact exercise. I want everybody to know that there are alternatives (like DDP Yoga)-exercise that you can do at your own pace and level and see real results. Yoga is proven to be very beneficial for PCOS. In a recent study, adolescents with PCOS who spent one hour a day in yoga practice, significantly improved their anxiety, hirsutism, menstrual frequency, glucose and lipid levels, as well as their insulin resistance values. So listen in to my interview with DPP Yoga founder, Diamond Dallas Page and learn how DDP Yoga can transform your mind and body. PCOS Diva is not affiliated with DDP Yoga. I’m just a fan.

January 22, 2016 Fertility is one of the main concerns I hear about from women with PCOS. Not many women clearly understand their fertility cycles and even fewer feel like they have any control over them. Fertility expert Hannah Ransom visited the PCOS Diva podcast this week to share information with other women with PCOS that want to take more control of their fertility using fertility planning and awareness methods. Listen as we discuss: The difference between natural family planning and fertility awareness How to use fertility awareness as a birth control or family planning method The best time to test for pregnancy or progesterone levels What your cervical fluid is trying to tell you Using fertility awareness to make your cycles more regular Helpful fertility app.

January 6, 2016 You likely won’t hear about the MTHFR genetic mutation in your doctor’s office, but 60% of the population has this condition. If you have the MTHFR mutation, it means that (among other things) your body cannot convert folic acid into folate that you need for a healthy baby and your own cell replication. Listen in as I speak with expert, Angela Heap about: what is MTHFR what tests can determine whether you have the MTHFR mutation the difference between folic acid and folate how MTHFR affects women trying to conceive and those that have suffered multiple miscarriages what supplements for folates and B12 you should take if you have the MTHFR mutation.

December 30, 2015 The simple shift in focus from infertility to fertility can make all the difference when a woman with PCOS is trying to conceive, says Aimee Raupp, a well known author, acupuncturist, and herbalist. In her New York practice, Amy has treated countless women with PCOS who have found their fertility by embracing their physical and emotional health first. Listen as Aimee guides us through: the power of optimism and why it works how letting go of grief, fear and jealousy boosts your fertility the wisdom we can gain from the mind-body link of Chinese medicine how self-care prepares a healthy space for your child and you for motherhood.

December 16, 2015 PCOS Diva Menopause “Now is a great time; every day is great time to make a lifestyle improvement and know that there is a payoff that comes with that, regardless of having the PCOS diagnosis.” -Dr. Rashmi Kudesia Menopause is increasingly on my mind. As I enjoy my mid-forties, menopause is looming in my immediate future. I have a lot of questions, starting with, “How will menopause affect me, as a woman with PCOS?” Dr. Rashmi Kudesia, a nationally respected reproductive endocrinologist, accomplished lecturer, and author of numerous scientific research articles and manuscripts in leading medical journals offers answers. In our recent podcast, she answered many of my burning questions about PCOS and menopause and offered her analysis of current PCOS/menopause research. In fact, she answered many of the questions that Divas frequently ask me about the topic. Listen in as we discuss Why women with PCOS and lifelong irregular menstrual cycles often have regular cycles as they approach menopause The differences between women with and without PCOS as they transition into menopause Whether there is an increased risk of cancer, heart disease and type II diabetes as we age The latest protocol for using Metformin, Letrozole, and Clomid Whether women with PCOS have a lengthened reproductive span Recommendations for hysterectomy.

November 25, 2015 Millions of women around the world struggle with PCOS. That number would make you think that PCOS research would be popular and well funded. For many reasons, this is not the case. The good news is that research physician Dr. Frank González and many who share his passion are undertaking research right now that will change the lives of women with PCOS. Dr. Gonzalez is studying the link between PCOS and inflammation. We know that inflammation is the underpinning of most major diseases and health problems (cancer, diabetes, heart attack, stroke). Now we can add PCOS to the list. Listen in as Dr. Gonzalez explains the “epigenetic phenomenon” that leads an overweight mother to predispose her fetus to obesity for their lifetime the effect of inflammation on ovarian dysfunction how to reverse the damage inflammation has caused already and prevent new damage his research on asprin-like drugs on PCOS and inflammation the usefulness of natural anti-inflammatories (like ginger).

November 21, 2015 “(Management of) stress is just as important as diet and exercise in the management of PCOS. It’s a piece that has to be addressed because, unless you do, you can’t get the hormones in check.” – Dr. Shawna Darou Stress hormones inter-play with the hormones we most often hear associated with PCOS. Progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones either bring your body balance or wreak havoc on your health. For women with PCOS, they often worsen symptoms like abdominal weight gain, acne, facial hair growth, or hair loss on the head. Dr. Shawna Darou recently sat down with me to explain the role of stress on hormones in women with PCOS and left us with some important take-aways on how to reduce stress and its effects. Listen in and learn about: unexpected sources of chronic stress tips for controlling stress how stress effects the thyroid hormones and makes your blood work appear normal when it’s not why stress causes weight around the central abdomen, particularly in women with PCOS the danger of over-exercising adrenal fatigue and how you can test for it.

November 17, 2015 Are you a stress eater? A reward eater? A comfort eater? You’re not crazy. You’re not lazy. This is not about will power. There’s a reason why this destructive eating behavior is going on. Women with PCOS are often told, “You need to lose weight and go on a low carb, ketogenic or paleo diet.” For a lot of us, the thoughts of going on a strict food plan leads to a sense of denial and a cycle of stress/emotional eating. Dr. Melissa McCreery is a well-known psychologist and author who can suggest some reasons for our eating habits and practical ways we can avoid pit falls. Listen to my interview with her and learn: How to live, eat well, and have the health that you want without feeling deprived, miserable and overwhelmed The power of adopting a transformation mindset What’s your why? Is your overeating biological, emotional, a coping mechanism, or all of these? Practical holiday eating tips.

October 28, 2015 “The most critical factor in all of the issues facing women with PCOS is systematic inflammation and its origin which is probably in the gut,” explains Dr. Felice Gersh in our most recent interview. Dr. Gersh is a doctor of integrated medicine and a renowned expert on PCOS. Our conversation was wide ranging as she clearly explained the origin of many of our toughest symptoms. The gut-brain-hormone link can be a delicate balancing act, but once we get it worked out, Dr. Gersh assures, our physical and emotional health will radically improve. Listen in and learn: Why the gut is called the 2nd brain What steps to take in order to calm and treat GI inflammation The impact of stress, emotions and anxiety on your gut and overall health The link between nutrient deficiencies, leaky gut, insulin resistance, acne, hair loss, Hashimotos and other auto immune disorders How mouthwash is ruining your arteries Foods and supplements that can help repair your gut and reduce inflammation The extreme dangers of pharmaceuticals like Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium.

French women are well known for their easy elegance and style. What is their secret to making fabulous look simple? Jamie Cat Callan has made a life’s study out of answering just that question. I was inspired to interview her and learn more about the nuances behind French women’s “joie de vivre” after reading her latest book, “Bonjour Happiness.” The book is a serious, but light hearted guide to capturing the essence of living well. The philosophy fits very well with the PCOS Diva mantra, “A Diva is Powerfully Positive.” Listen to our conversation as we discuss how self-love is the cornerstone of happiness and a positive life how French women eat what they want without guilt the French life-affirming philosophy and methodology around food how finding your “secret garden” will better your life and the lives of those around you.

August 27, 2015 Interview with Dr. Tom O’Bryan, who is an internationally recognized expert on Celiac Disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Inflammation due to gluten sensitivity is a central concern to women with PCOS, so I was thrilled to interview him for our latest podcast