PCOS Diva Podcast

June 11, 2015 The natural treatment of PCOS is a passion of mine. I am happy to share this passion with Dr. Lara Briden, a well respected naturopathic physician. Dr. Briden is my “period guru.” Her new book, The Period Repair Manual, was on my list of vacation reading. For every woman who has ever thought, “I will never have a regular period,” this interview is for you. In our 40 minute interview, she addressed many of the questions I get about herbal supplements for treating PCOS symptoms including insulin resistance, hirstuism and ovulation issues. In our time together, she explained: Why doesn’t the same herb work for all women with PCOS? What herbs are best for different symptoms? Is it safe to take herbs while you are taking fertility drugs, pregnant or breastfeeding? What are the benefits and constraints of herbs such as vitex, peony, licorice, spearmint, turmeric, saw palmetto, myo-inositol, berberine and more?

May 6, 2015 Got stress? Trying to conceive? Dr. Maizes, respected educator, doctor of integrated medicine and author of Be Fruitful: The Essential Guide to Maximizing Fertility and Giving Birth to a Healthy Child recently sat down with me to discuss stress and its impact on women with PCOS, particularly those trying to conceive. During our 45 minute interview, she made clear the link between fertility and stress as well as provided some excellent, easy to use advice and coping strategies. Listen in and hear about: 7 Tried and True Relaxation Techniques The link between stress, your hormones and fertility Managing stress and well-being with Chinese medicine and Ayurveda Preconception care and the “Fetal Origins Hypothesis".

April 23, 2015 Most women with PCOS struggle with fertility; I know I did. I frequently hear from women who are not only concerned about getting pregnant, but about maintaining a healthy pregnancy. I am often asked if there are there increased risks in pregnancy with PCOS and whether supplements help. My recent conversation with Rebecca Murray, APRN, outlined many ways that women can best prepare for pregnancy as well as what they can do to enjoy a healthy, issue-free pregnancy. During our 45 minute interview, Rebecca’s integrative approach to fertility touched on important topics including: 3 things to do before you even think about getting pregnant Tests you should consider before and during pregnancy Progesterone related miscarriage and how to prevent it Supplements you should take during pregnancy Managing your risk of gestational diabetes The link between preeclampsia and magnesium deficiency

March 18, 2015 Pelvic pain is a common symptom for women struggling with PCOS. With multiple organs tucked into a very small space, irritation can become widespread and extremely painful. In my interview with Jessica Drummond, a well-respected pelvic physical therapist and owner of a private women’s health clinical nutrition and coaching practice, she stresses the importance of getting to the root of your pelvic pain including hormone imbalances, endometriosis, cysts, muscle fatigue and stress. No woman with PCOS needs to live with pelvic pain. There are steps you can take now to start relieving your PCOS pelvic pain. Listen and learn about: How stress and elevated cortisol can throw your hormones out of balance and increase your pain 2 types of foods your need to reduce or eliminate to dispel your pain Supplements that may help alleviate your symptoms Effective self-care education and techniques How to find a pelvic physical therapist near you.

March 6, 2015 If you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), you have chronic body-wide inflammation. Recently, I spoke with Dr. Felice Gersh, M.D., a leading expert on the subject. Dr. Gersh is one of the top integrative gynecologists in the United States and an expert in the field of PCOS. Her philosophy involves looking at a patient’s whole being in order to help them achieve optimal health. She believes that doctors don’t heal people; they merely help patients resource their own healing abilities and find the right balance in their bodies, ideally through the right mix of exercise, nutrition and lifestyle. In our recent interview, she delivered cutting edge information about PCOS and its causes as well as practical advice on how to begin healing. Listen and you will learn: How gut inflammation is the root of many of your toughest PCOS symptoms The 5 steps you need to take today to reduce inflammation How to protect your children from PCOS starting even before birth Whether a hysterectomy will cure your PCOS How to monitor your inflammation levels.

February 23, 2015 Most women with PCOS struggle with reproductive as well as metabolic issues including obesity. Questions about how the two might be related are the center of Dr. Dan Dumesic’s work. I was fortunate enough to interview Dr. Dumesic and ask about his research and recent findings. Listen, and you will learn about: How reproductive and metabolic issues may be intertwined Dumesic’s cutting edge research at UCLA examining PCOS in lean women to determine the link between androgen excess and body fat Possible anti-androgen medication to treat PCOS How location of fat in your body can effect different areas of your health What is fatty liver? Medications available, in addition to lifestyle changes, to improve your health. The risk of obesity damaging the long term health of a child.

February 2, 2015 The average doctor examines a woman with PCOS, prescribes the pill, tells her to lose some weight and sends her on her way. Dr. Dian Ginsberg is not your average doctor. Listen to our information-packed 43 minute interview to learn her 5 Magic Elements for treating PCOS. Dr. Ginsberg is a respected traditional doctor who has branched out into functional medicine. Her goal is to help patients heal themselves by understanding the underlying causes of PCOS and achieving balanced wellness naturally. In our interview, she shares a wealth of information about micronutritional deficiencies as well as practical advice about sleep, diet, stress and proper exercise for women with PCOS. Her thoughts on the PCOS diet and the PCOS lifestyle are not to be missed.

December 23, 2014 It is always a pleasure to speak with someone knowledgeable about PCOS, so I was excited to interview Dr. Mark Perloe, an OBGYN and PCOS fertility expert. He shared that PCOS is less about a woman’s ovaries and more about her insulin resistance. His analogies of the way our bodies process insulin to a car engine and subway train rang true and made a complicated issue very accessible. Listen as he explains why treating PCOS is a 3 legged stool involving your exercise, relationship with food and insulin sensitizers. He offers practical advice on the most effective way to exercise to both lower insulin and lose weight, how to change your relationship with food, choose a doctor and what supplements to consider as well as his thoughts on PCOS and pregnancy

December 2, 2014 I recently had the privilege of speaking with well-known Fermentationist, Summer Bock. Our conversation changed the way I think about fermentation and healing of our gut through natural probiotics. While people have long understood the benefits of probiotics and fermented foods, it is only recently that science has begun to link the two and really explore the far reaching benefits of healthy bacteria in our guts. Listen in as Summer reveals the one fermented food we should all be eating daily to help heal your gut. The goal is to establish a healthy ecosystem in your gut which contains a balance of good and bad bacteria. The result will be a stronger immune system, clearer skin, lower sugar cravings and lessened anxiety and depression symptoms.

November 18, 2014 It isn’t often that I hear rave reviews about a PCOS practitioner. I certainly hear lots of horror stories, so when I repeatedly hear wonderful things about a doctor who has a wonderful bedside manner, and treats her PCOS patients with kindness and respect, I have to take notice. For the past several years, I kept hearing great things about Dr. Katherine Sherif, so I invited her to join me on a PCOS Diva Podcast. Katherine Sherif, M.D. is Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She is also Director of Jefferson Women’s Primary Care. Dr. Sherif, an internist, became interested in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the 1990’s when she was studying insulin resistance. She started treating women with PCOS and in 2000, she established the country’s first academic program for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Besides PCOS, Dr. Sherif interests include menopause and hormone therapy, omega-3 fatty acids heart disease in women. She published a textbook on women’s health in 2008, and a medical handbook on hormone replacement therapy in 2013. In the podcast below, Dr. Sherif walks us through typical visit with one of her PCOS patients. She also shares her thoughts on fatty liver and using supplements to manage PCOS. You’ll want a pen and paper ready to take notes!