PCOS Diva Podcast

Dr. Erica Armstrong, Md, IFMCP has a realistic, holistic approach to managing cravings and insulin resistance. We agree that willpower is no match for what is physiologically going on in our PCOS bodies. Overcoming destructive cravings must be centered on balancing hormones and blood sugar to prevent cravings from taking over. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss why women with PCOS seem to struggle more than our non-PCOS peers with sugar and carb cravings and tips about how to manage them.

- Why the focus should not be weight loss when working on lowering insulin

- Tips on how to eat to balance blood sugar and manage cravings

- Snack ideas

- Supplements that help manage cravings

- Pitfalls of sugar substitutes

You know how sometimes your mind wants to go, but your body says no? Jenni Hulbert is a holistic fitness specialist, and she helps women “live and sweat in sync with nature.” I love this more intuitive and mindful approach to exercise, movement, and fitness. Exercise doesn’t have to be about training harder, causing stress, overtaxing our system, and creating more problems. Jenni encourages tracking your natural ebbs and flows, whether it is syncing with your menstrual cycle or other natural rhythms. Learning when your body wants to move-it and when it needs rest can be the key to long-lasting habits. Listen in or read the transcript to learn more about how to pair movement with your natural cycles and get the results you are looking for.

The journey from infertility to fertility can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. Dr. Mark Trolice, M.D. is the kind of knowledgeable and supportive doctor we all need. Double board certified in both OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, he shares the wisdom he has gained in his years of research and practice with compassion and a gift for clearly communicating options.

Listen in as we discuss:

- The 4 issues that can impact your fertility

Managing the emotional toll

- Possible impact of endocrine disruptors, caffeine, hot tubs, saunas, and cell phones

- Things your partner should consider

- The Type of doctor to see when you've been diagnosed with PCOS & you want to start trying to conceive

- Financing options for fertility treatments

Histamine intolerance is the root of many symptoms we write off as environmental allergies such as migraines and hives and flushing, vertigo, congestion or runny nose, low blood pressure, dizziness or lightheadedness, eczema, anxiety, menstrual irregularity, and diarrhea. Dr. Becky Campbell has a solution to determine if these symptoms are actually a function of your diet and how to fix it without eliminating otherwise healthy foods that you love. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss:

- The symptoms of histamine intolerance

- The link between histamine intolerance & the development of autoimmune disorders

- High histamine foods

- Histamine v. food sensitivity

- How to manage histamine intolerance

Nicole Zasowski is a marriage and family therapist, and in her new book, Nicole shares her story as she helps find an enduring peace and joy outside of circumstance. Many of us have felt lost after a diagnosis. We've struggled with symptoms and suffered difficulties getting pregnant and maybe even had a miscarriage. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss:

- Keeping perfectionism in check

- Antidotes to anxiety

- 3 things to keep in mind to feel secure in an unsafe or stressful situation

- Seeking the positive

Being a PCOS Diva is centered upon empowering yourself with information so that you can take better control of your PCOS. That information can come from many sources, but there's no better information than the data that your cycles (or lack thereof) give you every month. Cycle tracking is how I discovered I had PCOS and it’s an excellent way to track fertility as well as diet, supplement, and lifestyle changes.

But it is not always simple to track your cycle with PCOS. Most predictor kits don't work for us. In fact, many PCOS patients are told by their doctors that they're not ovulating. Very often that is untrue. PCOS cycles are simply different. New research indicates that there are 3 cycles unique to women with PCOS.

Listen in or read the transcript as our expert guest, Kate Davies, discusses:

- Fertility monitors

- Types of menstrual cycles and what they mean

- How to best communicate about your cycle with your doctor

- Natural interventions to help women with PCOS ovulate

Intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating (TRE) is not a fad. It is a way of eating that has existed for millennia. Is it right for women with PCOS? Dr. Nadia Pateguana explains why it may be the best option for women with PCOS who wish to lose weight and/or balance their hormones. What are the benefits? What are the risks? Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss:

- Intermittent fasting and PCOS

- The optimal diet for PCOS

- Fasting periods- why fasting longer isn't necessarily better

- Is it safe to fast with a history of disordered eating?

- The role of healthy fat and how to incorporate it into our diet

Dr. Anna Cabeca is a perfect person to talk to about diet and lifestyle for PCOS. Not only is she triple board certified and a fellow of gynecology and obstetrics, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine, she has special certifications in functional medicine, sexual health, and bio identical hormone replacement therapy. Whether you are TTC, struggling with perimenopause or menopause, or simply trying to get your PCOS under control, this podcast is for you. Listen in or read the transcript as we discuss:

- Hormones and mental health

- The power of gratitude & mindset

- Intermittent fasting

- Alkalinity and its impact

- Ways to impact your blood sugar beyond medication & diet

Anovulation (lack of ovulation) is one of the hallmarks of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), but it is widely misunderstood. Award winning Fertility Specialist Dr. Rashmi Kudesia returns to the podcast to break down the basics of ovulation, dispel some mythology, and answer some of the most commonly asked questions. Whether you are trying to conceive or just figure out what is going on, tune in (or read the transcript) and learn:

- Why your period may be heavy, long, short, or non-existent

- Ways to increase chances of ovulation

- Supplements & herbs that can help

- The impact of gestational diabetes on you and your children

- Do patients with PCOS enter menopause later?

- Can you have a period and not ovulate?

- Why is a birth control pill period not a true period?

- How should women with PCOS to track their cycles?

- What is the impact of insulin resistance and extra weight?

- Can acupuncture help?

- What is the difference between your OB-GYN and a reproductive endocrinologist?

Dr. Aumatma Shah, ND is a naturopathic doctor, nutritionist, and author. She specializes in helping women naturally boost their fertility and stay pregnant and healthy. Miscarriage is a difficult topic, and her practical and compassionate approach to not only getting pregnant, but maintaining a healthy pregnancy, even after prior miscarriage will resonate with many of us. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss:

- Managing underlying health conditions: IR, hypothyroid, hormonal imbalance, MTHFR mutation, & blood clotting

- How to advocate for tests (including genetic factors) and progesterone therapy

- Folate v. folic acid and the risks of supplements with folic acid

- Tips to prepare for a successful pregnancy

- Natural thyroid hormone replacement suggestions

- Weight loss factors and tips

- Metformin in pre-pregnancy and pregnancy