PCOS Diva Podcast

Many women with PCOS suffer with digestion issues like IBS, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. In this podcast, Dr. Marisol offers simple solutions for digestion issues that aggravate our PCOS and make us feel crummy. Her 5-step solution and suggestions for “micro-maneuvers” will help alleviate symptoms by getting to the root of the problem. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss:

What is the perfect poo?

What it means if you’re a hyper-wiper or your poo is very smelly

Why the birth control pill and metformin damage your gut and what to do about it

How fixing your gut may make getting pregnant easier

The impact of stress on digestion

In this episode, we discuss one of my favorite things, using essential oils to soothe PCOS symptoms, with one of my favorite people, inspirational doctor and best-selling author, Dr. Mariza Snyder. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we take a deep dive into essential oils for managing PCOS including suggested blends to:

Manage hormones

Morning ritual/wake up

Elevate mood

Reduce fatigue

Energize

Reduce stress

Control sugar cravings

and Mariza’s “superwoman blend”

Like any other vital sign, your menstrual cycle is an indicator of your overall health. If your cycle is falling outside of normal parameters on a regular, consistent basis, then that is a sign of something very specific happening health wise. Tracking my cycles was actually how I found out that I had PCOS. Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, certified fertility educator and holistic reproductive health practitioner, explains how to monitor this critical vital sign and what your pattern might be telling you. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss:

the menstrual cycle as a diagnostic tool

what a “normal cycle” looks like

how thyroid issues affect your cycle

What you should know if you’re on the pill

light exposure’s impact on your cycle

the lowdown on toxicity and menstrual products

“The underlying mission of PCOS Diva, isn't just to help women thrive with PCOS and reclaim their fertility, femininity, health, and happiness. It's to help women move beyond the pain and struggle of PCOS, so they can live the life that they were meant to live, and do the work that they were meant to do in this world without PCOS holding them back.”

In this, my 100th PCOS Diva podcast, we turn the tables. My husband, Cliff Medling, interviews me about my 10-year journey with PCOS Diva. If you’ve ever been curious about how PCOS Diva began, what my typical day is like, or what’s coming next...

We're taking supplements, exercising, working on stress reduction, and eating clean. So where do essential oils fit in to our PCOS lifestyle? I use them as a part of my daily regimen. Research shows that oils can help with everything from insulin and blood sugar control to hormone balance, stress reduction, and even help decrease the cortisol that's prevalent with PCOS women. Essential oils can also help with other common PCOS symptoms such as GI inflammation, candida, yeast, anxiety, and depression. I invited Dr. Meaghan Kirschling to explain some of the basics. Listen as she explains:

How to choose the right oils and dosages for your symptoms

How to identify a well-made pure essential oil

When and how to choose a carrier oil

Safe and effective methods for using oils

I cannot overemphasize the importance of thorough lab work. The more information you have, the better decisions you will make, the better questions you will ask, the better care you can demand. On today’s podcast, Dr. Alan Hopkins discusses labs highly recommended for women with PCOS that you doctor may not have mentioned and explains to gravity of the ones they probably have already recommended. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss:

the basic PCOS labs

labs to request if you take metformin

importance of testing for the MTHFR genetic mutation, vitamin D, inflammation markers, and food sensitivity testing

tests to request for thyroid or if planning a pregnancy

Your 2019 mantra: “My health practitioners are absolutely important. They're integral to my journey. But I'm at the head of this helm.” – Melissa Christie

Will 2019 be your year? Melissa Christie shares practical wisdom and tools to help make this the year you see real improvement in your positivity and PCOS symptoms. It’s all about planning, tracking, and being mindful. Make this the year you improve your relationship with your body. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss:

- Her unique PCOS journey

- Tricks for managing bad habits & building sustainable positive ones

- Harnessing the power of reflection with an End of Year assessment

- The 2019 PCOS Day Planner designed to help women with PCOS manage, track, understand, and take ownership of their health

Dr. Becky Campbell is a board-certified doctor of natural medicine with expertise in functional medicine and clinical nutrition. Her new book, "The 30-Day Thyroid Reset Plan" has great information for women with PCOS whether you have thyroid issues or not. Listen in as we discuss the 7 triggers that are keeping you sick. Get ready for an “ah-ha” moment or two as she connects the dots.

The leaky gut- thyroid link

What to do before checking for food sensitivities

The stress/sleep disruption/ insulin resistance/ inflammation connection

Suggested tests to tailor treatment

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 of stress, diet, nutrient deficiency, and environmental toxins

relationship to blood sugar instability, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia

how to lessen symptoms

possible triggers

fixes including what to eat and HOW to eat it