Studies have shown that losing just five percent of body fat can improve the symptoms of PCOS dramatically. While setting a goal of losing five percent of your body fat might seem like it's all too easy, not many people will actually achieve this. Join us today as we hear how Dr. Minni uses goals to achieve her dreams and her advice on how you can too. We dive into the discussion with the definition of a goal (a dream with a deadline), and why goals are so crucial in achieving dreams. The first step is defining your priorities, followed by creating value for the process: if you don't create memories along the way, what do you have to show for it? Next, we learn about Dr. Minni's SMART acronym that helps you define your goals: they need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. We wrap up with where you can find out more and how you can find support for your SMART plan. So, do the smart thing and tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Today’s topic: making SMART goals. 
• How Dr. Minni defines a goal (a dream with a deadline).
• Why planning your life is as important as planning your day. 
• How having an order of priorities is key to setting goals. 
• Setting a goal to help with your PCOS: why losing just five percent body fat can help you with your goals. 
• Why memories are important when achieving your goals. 
• How goals are the motivation to achieve your dreams.
• What SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. 
• Where you can find the support to help you achieve your goals. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

Anchor Wellness Center

The Institute of Functional Medicine

Many women with PCOS also have chronic low-grade inflammation. Recent studies have suggested that this inflammation can be both a cause and a result of PCOS, due to a variety of underlying mechanisms. Today, Dr. Minni Malhotra breaks down the components that contribute to inflammation, and how they form a complicated interlinked system that both causes PCOS, and is worsened by it. From the impact of diet to the cytokines that are most commonly elevated in those with chronic inflammation, to fat as an organ, this episode is jam-packed with information! We hear how hyperandrogenism impacts mononuclear cells, and how these, in turn, affect adipose tissue. We discuss the impact of diet, and how insulin resistance is also caused by inflammation. We dive into the causes and effects of abdominal obesity, and how applying Dr. Minni’s COPE method can treat your PCOS. Don’t miss out on this educational episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What inflammation is and how it’s linked to PCOS.
• The difference between acute and chronic inflammation.
• How adipose tissue causes inflammation.
• The cells responsible for inflammatory cytokine production: mononuclear cells. 
• How hyperandrogenism activates mononuclear cells. 
• The impact of diet on causing a pro-inflammatory state. 
• How obesity can also cause a pro-inflammatory state. 
• The link between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and PCOS. 
• Why insulin resistance is also linked to TNF-alpha.
• How diet increases ROS and atherogenesis. 
• A recap of the mechanisms underlying inflammation in PCOS, and why the COPE method can help treat PCOS. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

Anchor Wellness Center

The Institute of Functional Medicine

Welcome back to another episode of Crushing PCOS, where we share natural and integrative approaches to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. In today’s episode, Dr. Minni brings to our attention some studies that highlight the relationship between menstrual irregularity in PCOS and the risk of ovarian cancer. We dive deep into all the associated risks of having a longer and/or irregular menstrual cycle, as well as the relationship between BMI, oral contraceptive use, and borderline subtypes, and the various scenarios that different cases might present. Towards the end of the show, our host makes sure to explain, in plain language, what these studies mean for PCOS sufferers, and shares the actionable methodology of COPE used in her practice! Tune in today for this fascinating and educational episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How this is a very common hormonal problem for women of child-bearing age.
• Recapping the symptoms of PCOS and what happens in the body.  
• Hear about a study explaining why it creates a risk of ovarian cancer subtypes
• The relationship between PCOS, BMI, oral contraceptive use, and borderline tumors.
• Dr. Minni discusses non-ovulation and some similar studies with inconsistent results.
• What the effectiveness is of oral contraceptives against certain types of ovarian cancer.
• Putting it in plain language; explaining what these studies are saying to us. 
• The COPE methodology; what it can do for you!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

Due to the complex nature of PCOS, many different medications may be prescribed to you. Tune in today to hear Dr. Minni break down each of the medications commonly prescribed, how they work, and their possible side effects. We dive into the mechanisms underlying the main cause of PCOS (insulin resistance), and which drugs best address this (metformin). We hear when hormone regulators are most effective during the different phases of your menstrual cycle, and why you should not fall pregnant when taking Spironolactone. Find out some of the life-threatening side effects you should be keeping an eye out for! We also take a look at the different treatments available to prevent excessive hair growth and the success that Dr. Minni has seen using her COPE method. Press play now to understand all things medication relating to your PCOS!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why lowering insulin resistance in those with PCOS is key to treatment success. 
• Today’s topic: the conventional medications prescribed for PCOS. 
• Why it can be a challenge to find the right medication for a patient. 
• The hormonal contraceptive: what it contains, how it treats PCOS, and its side effects. 
• Why Dr. Minni favors metformin (a diabetes drug) for PCOS treatment and its side effects. 
• How ovulation-inducing agents like Clomiphene and hCG reduce PCOS symptoms. 
• Alternative medications to Clomiphene: Letrozole, and its benefits. 
• The mechanism of action and the side-effects of Gonadotrophin injections. 
• What Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome is, and the signs and symptoms you should look out for. 
• Dr. Minni’s recommendations for reducing excessive hair growth. 
• The successes Dr. Minni has seen using the COPE method. 
• Where to find out more!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

Anchor Wellness Center

The Institute of Functional Medicine

NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

Environmental Working Group

The prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome is increasing rapidly, and women tend to be presenting symptoms earlier. In today’s episode, we tackle the topic of PCOS and discuss the possible reasons for this unnerving acceleration. We review the current status of PCOS prevalence in our society, and our host, Dr. Minni Malhotra, gives her calculated opinion on the two main suspects: endocrine disruptors and obesity. Dr. Malhotra explains what endocrine disruptors are, the health issues they’re linked to, the everyday products they’re found in, and what’s causing an increase in our exposure to them. She then makes the connection between endocrine-disrupting chemicals and PCOS, before touching on the cause of increased obesity and its link to PCOS. Furthermore, we hear, in detail, the 10 steps to follow to treat and prevent PCOS without simply medicating and suppressing symptoms. Tune in today to get one step closer to crushing your PCOS and transforming your life!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What PCOS is and why it’s so important to get to the root cause.
• How conventional medicine treats PCOS symptoms without seeking solutions.
• What makes united diagnosis difficult among physicians and what appears to be the cause.
• The new average age girls start menstruating and the increasing percentage of women with PCOS.
• The adverse effects of PCOS and which health issues it increases the risk of.
• The ambiguous aspects of PCOS, including the diagnosis.
• The genetic connection of PCOS and the research that could help create a novel treatment.
• Dr. Malhotra speculates why PCOS has increased.
• What endocrine disruptors are, what they do, the health issues they’re linked to, and the everyday products they’re found in.
• How the culture of instant gratification has caused an increase in endocrine disruptors.
• Why there is limited scientific information on the potential health problems for humans.
• Common endocrine disruptors and how people encounter them.
• NIEHS’ research on the effects of endocrine disruptors and discovery of the harmful effects of DES.
• Where to find a list of products that are safe for humans.
• The role of obesity in the prevalence of PCOS.
• The cyclical nature of PCOS and insulin resistance.
• Dr. Minni Malhotra's methodology for treating PCOS.
• 10 steps to follow if you have PCOS.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

Anchor Wellness Center

The Institute of Functional Medicine

NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

Environmental Working Group

While PCOS and iron deficiency anemia are closely linked, PCOS does not directly cause anemia. However, anemia in someone suffering from PCOS can cause complications. Tune in today to find out what iron-deficiency anemia is, and how PCOS and anemia are linked at a physiological level. Dr. Minni Malhotra describes the symptoms caused by iron deficiency anemia, and how it affects every tissue in the human body. We hear how the current medications for treating PCOS simply address the symptoms, and why Dr. Minni’s approach, using COPE, is important in addressing the underlying causes. From the different treatments used in both PCOS and iron deficiency anemia, to the importance of mind mastery, you don’t want to miss this educational episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s topic: iron deficiency anemia in PCOS.
• What anemia is and how an iron deficiency can affect the entire body’s tissues.
• The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. 
• How PCOS and anemia are interlinked.
• Find out some of the complications caused by untreated iron deficiency anemia.
• How your physician can treat iron deficiency anemia. 
• The endocrinopathy underlying PCOS. 
• How the current medications for treating PCOS address the symptoms and not the cause. 
• Using COPE (Cellular detoxification, Optimization of hormone, performance nutrition, and mind mastery) to treat the root cause of PCOS.
• Addressing iron deficiency anemia to prevent other complications like hypothyroidism. 
• Optimizing hormones and the immune system using performance nutrition. 
• Why mind mastery is so important in the treatment of PCOS. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

Anchor Wellness Center

The Institute of Functional Medicine

Crushing PCOS first requires the correct diagnosis, and today Dr. Minni Malhotra dives into what your clinician should be looking for and how the syndrome differs between women. From the individual hormones and what their normal ranges should be to the systemic changes that can be used to identify someone with PCOS, this episode is full of useful information! We hear how PCOS was first described in the 1930s by Stein and Leventhal and how this complex condition can be masked if doctors test only the ratios of hormones instead of their discrete values. Tune in for a masterclass in endocrinology in this must-hear episode covering all things PCOS!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s topic: hormone testing in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. 
• Why there is no single test that can diagnose PCOS. 
• The importance of measuring HCG in suspected PCOS patients. 
• What the normal range of LH to FSH is, and why ratio testing cannot diagnose PCOS.
• The first diagnoses of PCOS and how these seven women were treated. 
• How different forms of testosterone affect a woman’s menstruation and ovulation.
• Checking prolactin to rule out a pituitary tumor.
• How progesterone affects ovulation and why it should be tested. 
• The impact of estrogen on PCOS symptoms. 
• Why thyroid problems are often identified in those with PCOS.
• How altered insulin and glucose levels predispose PCOS sufferers to diabetes.
• What cholesterol is and how it increases the risk for heart disease. 
• Cortisol dysregulation in PCOS and the underlying mechanism.
• The overlap between hypothyroidism and PCOS, and how to differentiate the two disorders.
• Why it’s important to have access to an advanced functional lab. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

Anchor Wellness Center

The Institute of Functional Medicine

Your body needs iron in order to make hemoglobin, the protein found in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen around the body, but having too much or too little iron can cause a number of complications. The heavy bleeding associated with menstrual disturbances like PCOS can increase your risk of iron deficiency or anemia, which is why, in today’s episode, Dr. Minni Malhotra covers the signs and symptoms of iron imbalance and the various different ways in which you can treat it. Tune in today to learn more about alternative treatments, the importance of a multimodal approach, and how the COPE methodology can help, plus a whole lot more!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Find out what iron deficiency entails and the signs and symptoms of anemia.
• Complications caused by iron deficiency, from heart problems to increased risk of infections.
• Alternative treatments if iron supplementation cannot replenish iron levels in the body.
• Metabolic abnormalities caused by PCOS and some of the most common treatments.
• The importance of taking a functional, multimodal approach to treating PCOS.
• Dr. Malhotra outlines the COPE methodology: cellular detoxification, optimization of hormones, performance nutrition, and enhanced mind mastery.
• The relationship between thyroid imbalances and PCOS.
• How resolving PCOS can also help resolve an iron imbalance.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

Anchor Wellness Center

The Institute of Functional Medicine

If your doctor has performed every test on you and you have already implemented the necessary lifestyle changes to overcome your PCOS, but nothing is working, you might want to look at your estrogen-progesterone ratio. In today’s episode, Dr. Minni Malhotra discusses this ratio and why it is so significant, especially as it is related to PCOS. You’ll find out what the ratio gives you insight into and some of the things you can do to treat the imbalance. Tune in today to hear it all!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What the estrogen-progesterone ratio is and why it’s significant for PCOS.
• Find out how the ratio is calculated.
• An example of what the ratio would be if the levels are imbalanced.
• The negative effects of having high progesterone levels.
• How the ratio can help get to the root cause of hormonal imbalance.
• Some for the ways to overcome the imbalance.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

Anchor Wellness Center

The Institute of Functional Medicine

Welcome back to Crushing PCOS! Today, Dr. Minni Malhotra talks about progesterone and polycystic ovarian syndrome. In order to understand the role that the progesterone hormone plays in PCOS, you have to understand what exactly progesterone is, what function it performs during a normal menstrual cycle, and why you need it. We cover all this and more in today’s episode, including the role that progesterone plays during pregnancy and as women age. Dr. Malhotra also shares some practical tips for augmenting progesterone levels through supplementation, diet, and exercise, so make sure not to miss this informative episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How progesterone levels fluctuate during the course of a normal menstrual cycle.
• How PCOS patients respond to progesterone treatment compared with a control group.
• The relationship between ovulation failure, progesterone deficiencies, and PCOS.
• What function progesterone performs in the menstrual cycle and why you need it.
• The important role progesterone plays in the development of the fetus during pregnancy.
• Progesterone’s role in memory, sleep, energy levels, joint and bone health, and more.
• Progesterone imbalances in women with PCOS and as you grow older.
• How to augment progesterone levels through supplements, diet, and lifestyle changes.
• Using Dr. Malhotra’s COPE methodology to address progesterone deficiency.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

Anchor Wellness Center

The Institute of Functional Medicine