PCOS Diva

“It all starts with living in your body again, with you shifting from a place of hostility to one of compassion. Your body and all the cells in it hears everything your brain is saying.” -Aimee Raupp   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 can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. In her latest book, Body Belief, Aimee outlines 3 things you must do to heal and much, much more. Listen to today’s podcast (or read the transcript) as we discuss: Becoming wellness-focused vs. illness-focused Mindsets that keep us from thriving and healing our bodies Genetics vs. epigenetics Her trick to being in the moment and grounded

“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 health.” – Carol Lourie Carol Lourie takes a holistic approach when treating her patients with PCOS. I love her visualization of the syndrome, comparing it to spokes on a wheel. There is the insulin resistance spoke, the hormone imbalance spoke, the emotional spoke, and so many more. Effective treatment of PCOS cannot be accomplished with just a pill. In order to truly heal PCOS, we must approach it from a natural and holistic perspective. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss: Her integrative method to managing blood sugar Laser v. electrolysis When you should fire your doctor Best breakfast and the trouble with coffee Intermittent fasting Benefits of acupuncture & homeopathy

“The anxiety, I came to realize, was my body’s feedback system.” – Megan Buer 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 their physical and emotional pain. She teaches people to harness the power of mindset and working through emotions while listening to their body’s signals. Listen in and see if this is the key to resolving your anxiety.

“Don’t let PCOS define who are you. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a norm. I have PCOS, but I’m not PCOS. It’s just a part of me. I think that they shouldn’t focus so much on having PCOS, just how they can benefit from it and really embrace who they are, even though they have PCOS.” -Sarah Kochiu 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. Sarah is now a thriving college student. Listen in (or read the transcript) and hear about their journey, learn from their story, and know there is hope and you’re not alone. Among other things, we discuss: Talking to friends about PCOS and lifestyle changes The mindset shift that changed everything Tricks for eating PCOS friendly foods at restaurants and college How lifestyle and diet changes affected the family Supplements that work for Sarah Finding the right exercise balance Managing stress The importance of having a supportive partner/mother

“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 exploring and understanding the importance of finding that right fit.” -Angie Lee, Chief Product Officer, Celmatix The Fertilome test is the world’s first multi-gene panel designed specifically to help women understand what their genetic signature may be saying about their reproductive health. It looks at specific markers or variants in your genes associated with common reproductive conditions, including PCOS, endometriosis, Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, and more. These are all conditions that we know can have an effect on fertility and family building in the short and long term. The mission is to give women more complete information so they gain proactive control over their fertility journey. I spoke with two women at the forefront of this new test, Angie Lee and Indrani Chatterjee. Listen in as we discuss: The Fertilome test and how it works Why the genetic component important The difference between Fertilome’s test and others like 23andMe How the Fertilome test can help with the fertility journey Tips for finding the right doctor and the importance of a good fit

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 fatigue The role of emotions and mindset

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 root of their PCOS symptoms. Only then can you find true, lasting relief. PCOS is a broad diagnosis, and testing beyond the basic blood and ultrasound tests is necessary to begin healing your PCOS in a sustainable way. Dr. Carrie Jones joined the podcast this week to recommend the tests we should consider and offers some helpful, practical advice on relieving our symptoms. Listen as we discuss: cutting edge testing options tips for balancing cortisol and getting better sleep recommended lifestyle changes and supplements how stress and cortisol impact other hormones like progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid easy stress busters the DUTCH test and how it can help

Discoveries in quantum physics can be applied to nutrition, wellness, medicine, and the helping professions such as psychotherapy. Understanding vibrational frequency is fundamental to being happy and supercharged in your health, your work, and your relationships. You are vibrating right now. So is your liver, and your brain. So is whoever is sitting next to you. The words you speak have vibration. The food you eat. On the podcast today, Robyn Openshaw explains the power of vibration for women with PCOS. There is a vibrational connection around your food, your thoughts, the people that you spend time with. Harness that power, and you can truly thrive! I love this hopeful message about gaining positivity and control. Listen in as we discuss: Why diet fads like Paleo and Keto only kind-of work The principle of quantum physics which can help you begin to heal in this moment How to choose the right foods for the short and long term Her “6 quick things” routine to boost your vibe

You have sugar cravings, and you often give in to them. Good news- there is a reason. It isn’t that you lack willpower, your body is betraying you, or that you are a weak person. It means something in your body is out of balance, either emotionally or physically. Many, many women with PCOS struggle with disordered eating- be it binge eating, anorexia, bulimia, or something else. Add to that the 43% of women who eat to manage emotion, and you have a real problem. Emotional eating expert and clinical nutritionist, Stephanie Dodier, visited the podcast to discuss: How to identify the source of your cravings Tools for managing cravings when they hit Why no amount of will power is going to help you move beyond poor blood sugar regulation The roles of nutritional deficiency and microbiome imbalances in cravings

“What else can we be doing to tap into our self-healing capabilities? We can’t just accept and hand over this diagnosis that the doctor gives us. There’s so much more we can be doing that we have control over.” –Joanne Verkuilen- founder and creator of Circle and Bloom Your mind is a powerful thing. The science behind the mind-body connection and how your thinking generates physical response in the body is at the center of Circle and Bloom’s mission and programs. Joanne Verkuilen, founder and creator of Circle and Bloom joined the podcast to discuss how meditation and visualization work and how we can tap into it to help manage our PCOS, fertility, and much more. Self-care like this is critical to living like a PCOS Diva.

I receive questions almost every day about thyroid disease & PCOS. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and other thyroid issues are very common in women with PCOS, and many of us don’t even know we have it because it can take years to show up on a blood test. Hashimoto’s expert Shannon Garrett, explains that Hashimoto’s is a 3-legged stool and how you must balance thyroid, adrenal glands, and sex hormones to truly begin healing. Do you have Hashimoto’s? Listen in as we discuss: The connection of inflammation to Hashimoto’s and PCOS Lesser recognized symptoms of low level chronic inflammation: acid reflux or heartburn, chronic acne, chronic dry eye, recurrent urinary tract infections, PCOS, dermatitis or periodontal disease. Classic low thyroid symptoms like fatigue that worsens over time, weight loss resistance, brain fog, skin change conditions (like scaly skin), or losing hair. What is the best kind of diet for Hashimoto’s (keto? AIP, PCOS Diva)? Role of stress management & proven techniques The 2-3 supplements you should be taking

If you regularly follow PCOS Diva, you know I love the OvuSense monitor. I am all for anything that puts knowledge and power in a woman’s own hands. Recently, I invited Rob Milnes, CEO of Fertility Focus which produces OvuSense, to the podcast to discuss exactly how OvuSense works and why women with PCOS should be especially interested (whether we are TTC or not). Rob has a great way of explaining, in simple terms, the science behind the role of progesterone and the luteal phase in a woman’s cycle as well as exactly how the OvuSense monitor works. He clearly broke down: OvuSense monitor system vs. ovulation predictor kits, the Creighton model, basal body temp. charting or other apps Why OvuSense can have a 96% accuracy rate when predicting ovulation and not give false positives like other products How OvuSense can help diagnose PCOS How to use OvuSense to monitor the effects of supplements and pharmaceuticals on your cycle and health The new pricing structure

Did you know that only .0.1% of the National Institute of Health budget goes to PCOS research despite being the #1 hormone syndrome in women? Two major events are happening in the world of PCOS!  Sasha Ottey, founder of PCOS Challenge, a leading patient support and advocacy group visited the podcast to share the news. First, House Resolution 495 is making its way through Congress. This bill advocates for national PCOS awareness and to make September officially national PCOS Awareness month. Make your voice heard! Listen in to find out easy ways to get in touch with your representative or go to PCOSChallenge.org/resolution or pcoschallenge.org/prioritize-pcos for more information. Second, PCOS Challenge is holding its annual Symposium and BOLT 5K walk on September 15 & 16. This is one of my favorite events of the year. It is an uplifting weekend as women from around the country gather to share information and support. To learn more, visit PCOSweekend.org or PCOS5k.org.

“Think of PCOS symptoms like the rays of the sun. They’re all peripheral to that one pivotal central situation, which is your hormone imbalance.”  -Dr. Margarita Ochoa-Maya, MD Dr. Margarita Ochoa-Maya, MD is a functional endocrinologist, author, PCOS Diva, and personal friend of mine. She joins the podcast to explain why a functional integrative approach to PCOS can be the most effective treatment. If you are looking for a way to treat PCOS which considers your type of PCOS and aims to treat the cause instead of only individual symptoms, listen in as we discuss: The difference between an endocrinologist and a functional integrative approach The role of biology and micro and macro nutrient levels Facilitating the elimination of excess hormones which can relieve acne, hair loss, and more Emotional and spiritual health as an important component of biological health How to develop the best doctor patient relationship “I start with a diet plan, an exercise plan, a mood plan, a sleep plan, and then we also use supplements to further supplement our food and nutrition, and then we come to the use of prescriptions.” -Dr. Margarita Ochoa-Maya, MD

Inflammation is at the heart of many of your PCOS symptoms regardless of your body weight. Diet and lifestyle can play an important role in either increasing or decreasing inflammation. Today’s podcast guest, well-known registered dietician Martha McKittrick, shares her approach to help you tame the flames of inflammation with your diet and lifestyle choices. She offers practical and specific nutrition and lifestyle tips to decrease inflammation as well as info about what tests you should request for inflammation indicators and what you should consider when exercising. You will want to take notes on this one. Grab a pen. Listen as we discuss: what causes inflammation (specific foods and lifestyle choices) top lifestyle tips to help decrease inflammation suggestions for an anti-inflammatory diet food sensitivity testing options

Women with PCOS typically have low progesterone. Symptoms include absent, irregular or very heavy or long periods. Unfortunately, it also increases the risk of miscarriage. Whether you are TTC or not, it is important to get your progesterone balanced. Dr. Poppy joins the podcast today to explain why women with PCOS have low progesterone and what we can do about it. Listen in to this important conversation as we discuss: Why the pill is not a good long term choice for women with PCOS Progestin v. progesterone v. Provera Her pregnancy protocol for progesterone treatment What test you should ask for and when you should take it The connection between progesterone, your thyroid and adrenal glands

For me, it’s not about being on the perfect diet; it’s about tuning in to your body and figuring out what your body needs at this time and what’s not serving it. – Dr. Izabella Wentz Women with PCOS are three times more likely to have Hashimoto’s Disease, a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid and the most common cause of hypothyroidism. In fact, there is quite a lot of overlap between Hashimoto’s and PCOS (fatigue, weight challenges, changes in brain function, depression, feeling unmotivated, anxiety, panic attacks, constipation, hair loss). Dr. Izabella Wentz has developed an effective protocol that may be helpful to women with PCOS whether they have Hashimoto’s or not. Listen in as we discuss: Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Diesase and labs you should request The role of toxins, adrenals and gut balance in thyroid and overall health The necessity of detoxification and suggestions for liver support Healing foods and the myth of cruciferous veggies Protocol for healing your adrenal and cortisol issues

“Every body is a good body, and we have to honor this body that we have. No one ever got anywhere, no one ever got happy, hating it into change. Embrace the body that you have and make it the best body it can be.” – Dr. Brooke Women with PCOS are prone to adrenal fatigue and hormone shifts, making exercise a tricky, though very necessary, thing. I asked Dr. Brooke, a well-known expert on metabolic nutrition, fat loss resistance and fitness to help us navigate the delicate balance between our hormones and exercise. During our conversation, we discuss what your symptoms are trying to tell you about your work-out and how you can best tailor your exercise to your ever-changing hormones (whether due to menopause, PCOS, thyroid issues, or stress). Listen as we talk about: If you love intense training (marathons, CrossFit, etc.), how can you avoid exhaustion and adrenal issues? What testing should we consider for adrenal issues? What are your ACES (appetite cravings, energy & sleep) telling you? Have you reached metabolic adaptation or stagnation?

Just like we’re not a victim of our trauma, we’re not a victim of our genetics. We’re not a victim of our circumstances; we actually have the power if we put attention and consider ourselves important enough to heal.” -Dr. Keesha Ewers Low libido is a common concern for women, maybe especially those with PCOS. Why? Dr. Keesha Ewers has researched the topic extensively and developed a theory of 5 root causes. Women with PCOS will almost certainly relate to many of them including “fighting with your body” and feeling it has betrayed you, but it goes much further. As Dr. Keesha says, “What’s in your head goes to your bed.” Listen in as we discuss: PCOS, how it can affect our libidos, and what we can do about it The pill and its impact on libido Five root causes for low libido The biology of stress causing low libido

“Food is medicine, and specific foods are medicine for specific people.” – Dr. Margrit Mikulis As you might expect, I am very careful about the foods I choose. I am living proof that food is medicine. Eliminating inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy made all the difference in healing my PCOS. Inflammation is at the root of many of our PCOS symptoms, and eliminating common irritants can, in some cases, yield almost immediate relief. This summer, I took a food sensitivity test that examined my reaction to 132 foods. The results were surprising, and when I acted upon them, I felt even better! My naturopath, Dr. Margrit Mikulis, understands the link between PCOS, inflammation and diet. Listen as she explains: How food sensitivities increase inflammation in women with PCOS The difference between food sensitivity testing and food allergy testing The correlation between cardiovascular health, gut health and inflammation The difference between food allergies, food sensitivities and food intolerances How to get tested for food sensitivity