PCOS Diva Podcast

October 27, 2017 “Every woman should understand the short and long-term side effects, risks, and recovery. Otherwise, that isn’t informed consent.” -Dr. Poppy Daniels The Depo shot is a widely prescribed hormonal birth control which comes with a litany of possible life altering side effects that are not typically explained to patients before they begin taking the drug. One of my favorite podcast guests, Dr. Poppy, returns to explain the dangers as outlined in her book, The Dangers of Depo: The World’s Most Dangerous Birth Control. Even if you’re not on or considering Depo, listen in to learn more about the risks of Depo and gain a better understanding of hormonal birth control and other options. Did you know? Depo increases risk of: HIV, bone loss, immune system suppression, decreased estrogen, increased testosterone, worsened insulin resistance, hypertension, depression, and breast cancer Depo is a steroid and carries all of the steroid side effects.

October 18, 2017 “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.

September 21, 2017 “Herbs can play a beautiful role of really amplifying and speeding up the healing process so quickly.” My dear friend, health coach Magdalena Wszelaki shares some of her favorite herbs and spices with us and explains how they can help us heal our PCOS and balance hormones. Cinnamon is popular for managing sugar levels, but what type is best and how much do you use? Matcha Tea offers a sustained boost to your energy levels. What’s the best way to prepare it? Chasteberry (Vitex) is popular for restoring ovulation and regulating your luteal phase, but there are some who should avoid it.

September 8, 2017 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.

August 29, 2017 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.

August 22, 2017 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 | Read More on PCOS Diva

July 27, 2017 “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.

May 18, 2017 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.

April 14, 2017 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.

March 30, 2017 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