PCOS Diva Podcast

November 2, 2016 “If you’re listening and you think that the only way to regulate your cycle and induce ovulation is with Clomid or you’ve been told Metformin’s going to do it, I can assure you that for ninety-five percent of you listening, you can do it in a different way that’s more natural.” – Dr. Marc Sklar What can you do to prepare for a healthy pregnancy? One of my favorite fertility experts, Dr. Marc Sklar, is here to share his philosophy, protocols and wisdom. Every woman with PCOS needs to hear what he has to say about finding “your secret recipe,” of your personal combination of diet, exercise, stress reduction and supplementation needs in order to ovulate and maintain a healthy pregnancy. Listen as we discuss: How does your PCOS phenotype impact your treatment plan? Diet & lifestyle protocols for PCOS, especially to avoid gestational diabetes during pregnancy Suggested tests (including for thyroid and the Dutch test) and how to advocate for the right testing Why women who are under stress during their fertile window, have a forty percent less chance of conception Changes to make to avoid pharmaceuticals (Metformin)

October 29, 2016 Every woman experiences hormonal changes in midlife. For women with PCOS, the challenges are magnified because we are at a higher risk of adrenal issues and the cascade of symptoms that result. Dr. Karen Leggett is a women’s midlife health specialist and has joined the podcast to explain the benefits and challenges of being a woman with PCOS during perimenopause and menopause. Listen as she addresses some very common questions: What is estrogen dominance and what are the resulting health risks? Is natural hormone progesterone supplementation a good idea? What are the concerns with the Pill and Provera? What supplements should I consider? Can my diet help reduce estrogen dominance and my risk of breast cancer? Does alcohol affect my estrogen levels?

October 19, 2016 Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs) are popular whether a woman is trying to conceive or using them for contraception. Unfortunately, not every woman is able to use OPKs, especially if they have PCOS. Why? Our luteinizing hormone (LH) levels show different patterns than non-POCS women, so the average kit most often gives a false positive/negative. It leads to confusion and frustration. So what can we do? Expert, Kate Davies, joined the podcast to explain the hows and whys of OPKs and fertility monitoring. Listen as we discuss: How to use OPKs to self-advocate at the doctor’s office Alternative methods of fertility monitoring Which kit works where others fail Her favorite mobile apps for tracking fertility How to prevent the act of trying to conceive from becoming mechanical and losing the intimate connection between you and your partner.

October 5, 2016 Acne, particularly cystic acne, plagues many women with PCOS. Robyn Srigley, the Hormone Diva, knows how to help. Her story may seem familiar to you. She treated her persistent acne with everything- birth control pills, Accutane, other pills, creams, antibiotics- never finding a permanent solution. She finally discovered the secret through her practice in holistic nutrition and health coaching. She is here to share her best tips and tricks to treat your hormonal acne. Listen in and learn: The link between stress, cortisol and acne Foods to eat and avoid The roles of gut health and food allergies The difference between jawline acne, facial and body acne Suggested topical remedies, treatments and cleanser | Read More on PCOS Diva

September 30, 2016 The connection between PCOS and mood is absolute. In fact, medical literature suggests that the prevalence of depression in women with PCOS varies between 28 to 64 percent, and anxiety rates range from 34 to 57 percent. Trudy Scott is on a mission to educate and empower women about the healing powers of whole foods and amino acids for eliminating anxiety and emotional eating. If you’ve ever thought, “My depression is so serious, there’s no way that food and nutrients could have an impact. I’m the kind of person who definitely needs medication.” Or if you’ve been told that, “You’re going to have anxiety forever. Here’s some medication. Go to therapy. You just need to manage it.” That’s definitely not the case; it can be completely resolved. Listen in as Trudy explains: What your gut, adrenals, inflammation, intolerances, and diet have to do with anxiety What to eat, what to avoid, and whether vegetarianism is the answer The fast, natural way to manage sugar cravings Dosage and timing of amino acids for managing mood, energy and more What are you missing that causes winter blues? Seasonal Affective Disorder? Perfectionism? Effectively kicking caffeine and sugar addiction.

September 1, 2016 There is no pill that can cure PCOS. Why not? PCOS is a very complex metabolic condition. No two women have exactly the same PCOS symptoms, though there are a few common factors we all share. Dr. Fiona McCulloch, one of my favorite PCOS physicians and thought leaders, has written a new book outlining 8 factors to consider and address in order to best treat your PCOS. Listen in as she explains: the single most important factor in healing PCOS exactly why extremely restrictive diets can never work for women with PCOS what the Insulin Index is and why is it more helpful than the Glycemic Index why women with PCOS are better off without dairy the right way to snack and structure meals & a snack combination to absolutely avoid.

August 7, 2016 There is no one-size-fits-all PCOS diagnosis. “To see everyone with PCOS as having the same condition would be like to see everyone who has a headache as having the same condition,” says Dr. Lara Briden. In her years of clinical experience, she has found 5 types of PCOS, each with unique requirements for treatment. Listen as this renowned expert discusses: The 5 types of PCOS Recommended (and not recommended) supplements or herbs for each type (including peony, licorice, Vitex, berberine, Inositols, selenium, zinc and vitamin D) Foods to avoid Questions for your doctor and the right way to ask them The relationship between PCOS, Hashimoto’s, and Thyroid.

July 14, 2016 Persistent acne is the bane of many women with PCOS. If you believe the ads, there are countless magical products out there which will give you a perfect complexion in 30 days. “It’s pretty preposterous,” says master aesthetician, Valerie Tukey. Val successfully treats many clients with PCOS and finds several common elements, particularly inflammation. Listen in to our conversation as she explains the expected and unexpected (pillowcases & toothpaste!) ways that your pores become clogged as well as: How to find a knowledgeable aesthetician Things that you can do to improve cystic acne 3 supplements she recommends to her clients Foods to avoid if you’re acne prone Is coconut oil the best natural moisturizer alternative?

July 14, 2016 By popular demand… When Dr. Lana Asprey learned that PCOS would keep her from conceiving, she began a journey of research and experimentation that led to 2 healthy children and a protocol for helping other women with PCOS achieve health and fertility. A combination of diet that crowds out inflammatory foods, carefully chosen supplements, and gentle detoxification is the key to her success. Listen in as Dr. Asprey shares about: Her battle with PCOS and candida Liver and gut health and their effect on hormones and estrogen dominance Endocrine disruptors, their impact, and the unexpected sources Recommended tests Epigenetics and using lifestyle to control those factors that might influence our offspring.

July 14, 2016 “You can’t hate yourself happy, and you can’t criticize yourself thin, and you can’t shame yourself healthy. That’s the strategy that so many women are using and it’s important to address the emotional side of weight loss and to take a different approach.” –Jessica Ortner Who am I to take care of myself when so many people depend on me? I hear this all the time. The fact is that self-care is not a reward. It is an essential ingredient to living, to surviving, to having a healthy life. “Tapping” is a technique I use myself of literally tapping with your fingers on acupressure points in order to relax your body and/or change your mindset. It is useful for alleviating cravings, stress, anxiety, and much more. Tapping expert Jessica Ortner stopped by the podcast to explain how tapping can help a woman understand the motivation behind certain behaviors and consciously reprogram her response. Listen as we discuss: The practice of tapping and how to begin The critical importance of self-care and pleasure Why we feel that we need to practice diet and deprivation The reason behind the clenching feeling in our stomach, back pain, or insomnia.

May 26, 2016 Erin Stutland has cracked the code. She has developed a method of exercising which will inspire you, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Her unique combination of joyous movement (imagine looking forward to your work-out) and mantras comes together in a powerfully positive mind/body experience that can change how you feel about, well… everything. You’re only one workout away from feeling good again, but it has to be the right type of workout. Listen as we discuss how movement in your body creates movement in your life.

May 13, 2016 “Honoring yourself is not about why and how to pamper yourself, and it’s not about turning your back on those who need you. The issues surrounding giving and receiving are much deeper. When you honor yourself you are respecting, appreciating, and giving birth to your best self, so that you can give creatively and abundantly in ways that honor others.” –Patricia Spadaro Self-care is possibly the most important part of thriving with PCOS. Without it, all the diet and lifestyle changes are diminished. It also may be the hardest part for many women (like me). Ask yourself: Am I “allergic” to saying no? Do I confuse constantly being busy with being strong? Is constant giving the source of my chronic stress? Where am I on my to-do list? Do I feel guilty when taking time for myself? Is sacrificing an excuse to avoid rejection or confrontation? Patricia Spadaro says it is time to open your heart and say, “I deserve to bring forth my gifts.” In this podcast we discuss how to establish the healthy habit of honoring yourself. It is a habit that will improve your life; I promise.

April 20, 2016 I often interview men and women who are on the front lines of PCOS research, finding innovative solutions so women with PCOS can move forward. Sonya Satveit is such a trailblazer. Her latest initiative, Open Source Health, is focused on building a bridge between the latest research, the greatest experts and providers, and patients in order to close the gap and eliminate the fragmentation of service in health care. Listen as we discuss a study her team is about to begin, employing the latest in Precision Medicine for research in PCOS. What is Precision Medicine? How can analysis of your DNA be used to personalize care? Can Precision Medicine offer earlier detection of life-altering diseases or suggest preventative measures? How can you help or be involved in this study? | Read More on PCOS Diva

April 11, 2016 “Our responsibility is not to match the standard of beauty that we’re given in the advertising world. Our responsibility is to feel well enough so we can go out and do what’s purposeful and passionate for us.” -Rosie Molinary I think of PCOS Diva and the work that I do as helping women move beyond the pain, struggle and symptoms of PCOS so that they, in turn, can live the life they were meant to live and shine their light without PCOS holding them back. Self-acceptance is a really important piece of that. I often recommend Rosie Molinary’s book, Beautiful You: A Daily Guide to Radical Self-Acceptance to my clients, family and friends. Rosie’s message of radical self-acceptance is powerful and potentially life changing. Listen in as we discuss: How to build a positive, healthy relationship with ourselves Recognizing that your worthiness is your birthright The body warrior pledge Defining your own beautiful.

March 23, 2016 I sat down with fertility expert, Brigit Danner and asked her one key question. “If a woman with PCOS who is trying to get pregnant has changed her diet and her lifestyle, has added some appropriate nutritional supplements and is seeing a fertility specialist, but she’s still having a hard time getting pregnant, what are some of the other factors that she should be thinking about and considering?” Listen in as she shares some fertility considerations and tips you may not have thought about including: How does your age but also the age of your partner factor into fertility? Does a partner’s stress, nutrition, supplements and lifestyle impact his fertility? How can you best approach discussing fertility with your partner? What role does your relationship with your partner and your own mindset play?