TW: mentions of miscarries and struggles with infertility 

In today’s episode, host Clare, the founder of Ovie and PCOS Explained, sits down with Ovie community member, Belinda Jarvis, to explore her remarkable journey with PCOS. 

Belinda's journey with PCOS began when she was just 19 years old. Despite seeking help from doctors, she was often told to return only when she wanted to conceive. This early dismissal left her to navigate years of irregular periods and the emotional and physical toll of fertility treatments largely on her own. Her path included undergoing five rounds of IVF, experiencing miscarriages, and facing a diagnosis of Graves' disease postpartum.

The turning point in Belinda's story came during the pandemic lockdown. As traditional medical advice failed to provide relief, Belinda began exploring alternative approaches to managing her PCOS. This is when she committed her journey with Ovie (previously the PCOS Protocol). Through a combination of nutritional changes and addressing insulin resistance, she discovered new ways to manage her condition that significantly impacted her well-being.

Belinda’s story highlights the importance of advocating for oneself in the face of conflicting medical advice and exploring all possible treatment avenues. We are sure her journey will leave you feeling inspired and empowered about facing similar challenges.

Take the Ovie questionnaire and figure out the best PCOS management plan for you.

Have you already completed the questionnaire? Are you ready to sign up and take control of your PCOS? Sign up HERE.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we talk about bloating, we’re not just referring to the occasional fullness after a meal. We’re delving into the intense pressure and pain that can accompany bloating and disrupt daily life. 

In this episode, Clare and Emma tackle the complexities of bloating, a prevalent symptom often associated with conditions like IBS and PCOS. They discuss the various underlying causes of bloating, including SIBO, food sensitivities, parasites, and inflammation. They also explore how lifestyle factors, stress, and even childhood habits can impact gut health.

Emma opens up about her personal journey with bloating, sharing her struggles and the strategies she used to find relief after years of challenges. The conversation emphasises the importance of identifying and addressing the root causes of bloating rather than relying solely on elimination diets that offer only temporary relief.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who suffers from bloating and is looking for a comprehensive, holistic approach to treatment.



Take the Ovie questionnaire and figure out the best PCOS management plan for you.

Have you already completed the questionnaire? Are you ready to sign up and take control of your PCOS? Sign up HERE.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After sharing her personal breastfeeding journey, Clare received numerous messages from women concerned about facing similar challenges. Inspired by these conversations, Clare is dedicating this week’s episode to exploring the diverse experiences of breastfeeding.

In this episode, PCOS Explained host and Ovie Founder, Clare, presents a collection of stories from different women, each sharing their unique breastfeeding journeys. Drawing from her own experience of breastfeeding her daughter and navigating a low milk supply, Clare aims to challenge common misconceptions and provide a broad spectrum of perspectives.

We’ll delve into the realities of breastfeeding, discuss various risk factors, and emphasize the importance of being prepared for different outcomes. This episode offers valuable insights and support to women preparing for breastfeeding.

A special thank you to our guests: Steph Wrathall, Lucy Duncan, Isabel Moratiel, and Fannie Cai, for sharing their stories with us.


Take the Ovie questionnaire and figure out the best PCOS management plan for you.

Have you already completed the questionnaire? Are you ready to sign up and take control of your PCOS? Sign up HERE.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ovie’s Senior Nutritionist, Emma sits down with PCOS Explained Host and Ovie Founder, Clare to discuss the challenges and realities of breastfeeding, especially for those with PCOS.

Societal pressures around breastfeeding can be overwhelming, and starting this journey often comes with a lot of stress and confusion. While breastfeeding is a wonderful option for many, it's not the right fit for everyone. Clare opens up about her personal experiences with low milk supply and how her PCOS influenced her breastfeeding journey.

The conversation dives into the latest research on PCOS and breastfeeding, exploring the impact of hormonal imbalances, and identifying potential red flags during pregnancy. Clare offers valuable insights for mothers facing similar challenges and emphasises the importance of support, regardless of your feeding choices.

Tune in for an honest and supportive discussion that highlights the need for compassion and understanding in the diverse experiences of motherhood.



Take the Ovie questionnaire and figure out the best PCOS management plan for you.

Have you already completed the questionnaire? Are you ready to sign up and take control of your PCOS? Sign up HERE.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this week’s episode of PCOS Explained! In today’s conversation, Clare and Emma take a deep dive into one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of PCOS—testosterone. They aim to clarify what testosterone is, how it impacts women with PCOS, and to debunk some of the most persistent myths surrounding this hormone. 

In this episode, we explore: 

• Understanding Testosterone: Explore the role of testosterone in both male and female bodies.
• Common Misconceptions: Discover and debunk widespread myths about testosterone and its effects.
• Diagnosing PCOS: Learn how testosterone levels are linked to PCOS diagnosis.
• Impact of Imbalance: Understand how an imbalance in testosterone can contribute to PCOS symptoms.
• Blood Test Accuracy: Find out why blood tests may not always accurately reflect testosterone's activity.
• Age and Hormonal Contraception: Examine how age and hormonal contraception affect testosterone levels.
• Physiological Differences: Highlight the differences in androgen response between males and females.
• Treatment Options: Get insights into various treatment options for managing high testosterone levels.

Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been managing PCOS for years, tune in to gain a clearer understanding of testosterone’s role and its impact on PCOS. 

Take the Ovie questionnaire and figure out the best PCOS management plan for you.

Have you already completed the questionnaire? Are you ready to sign up and take control of your PCOS? Sign up HERE.


Linked podcasts: 

• Understanding ovulation
• Breaking down what's driving your PCOS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One person says this, and another person says that… sometimes it feels overwhelming trying to wrap your head around all the contraception options! Join Clare and Emma in this week’s PCOS Explained episode as they provide a comprehensive guide to your contraception options.

In this episode, we delve into various contraception methods, including hormonal, non-hormonal, barrier methods, and emergency contraception, to help you make informed decisions based on your needs.

We discuss:

• How Contraceptives Function: Learn how different methods work and their effectiveness.
• Options Available: From oral pills and injections to implants, IUDs, and the fertility awareness method.
• Side Effects: Understand potential side effects and their implications on your physiology.
• Emergency Contraception: What you need to know about handling urgent situations.
• Contraception and PCOS: Special considerations for those with PCOS.
• Myths and Misconceptions: We debunk common myths and clarify misconceptions surrounding contraception.
• Mental Health Considerations: Highlighting how some methods may affect mental health.

This episode emphasizes the importance of listening to your own body and understanding its signals to find the contraception that suits you best.


Take the Ovie questionnaire and figure out the best PCOS management plan for you.

Have you already completed the questionnaire? Are you ready to sign up and take control of your PCOS? Sign up HERE.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, Clare and Emma delve deep into the topic of ovulation, exploring the importance of understanding when you are ovulating, regardless of whether you are trying to conceive, avoid pregnancy, or become more in tune with your body. 

Ovulation is something we should’ve been taught at school, but weren’t! And as a result, there are many common misconceptions, such as the assumption that all women ovulate on day 14 of their cycle. In today’s episode, Clare and Emma unpack these common misconceptions and reveal why methods like ovulation predictor kits and certain apps may not be reliable, especially for women with PCOS.

The episode emphasises the significance of being in tune with one’s body and highlights how identifying ovulation accurately can provide valuable insights into your health and fertility. 

In this podcast we'll be diving into:

• The phases of the menstrual cycle and explaining hormone fluctuations
• The importance of ovulation
• Challenges with PCOS and ovulation
• Common misconceptions and tracking methods

Take the Ovie questionnaire and figure out the best PCOS management plan for you.

Have you already completed the questionnaire? Are you ready to sign up and take control of your PCOS? Sign up HERE.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt frustrated when your blood tests come back normal, despite experiencing a range of troubling symptoms? You’re not alone.

In this week’s episode of PCOS Explained, Clare and Emma dive into the disconnect between feeling unwell and receiving 'normal' test results from medical labs. They unpack the limitations of standard blood tests and explain why many of us end up with 'normal' results. 

The discussion also covers:

• The problem with broad reference ranges
• Difference between normal and optimal health 
• The importance of timing when getting tests done
• Challenges in getting access to the right tests
• Listening to your body and trusting your symptoms

If you’re struggling to find answers for your health concerns, this episode will offer valuable insights on how to advocate for your health and navigate the complexities of medical testing. Tune in and empower yourself with knowledge to better understand and manage your health journey.


Take the Ovie questionnaire and figure out the best PCOS management plan for you.

Have you already completed the questionnaire? Are you ready to sign up and take control of your PCOS? Sign up HERE.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you find yourself thinking about food all day long, believing it's just the norm? Isabel thought so too until she learned more about her PCOS.

Isabel took part in our programme to improve her relationship with food, manage her weight, and understand why all her exercising was pushing her in the wrong direction.

She found inner peace through the programme and felt so free after letting go of many things that had been taking over her life.

*TW (miscarriage): After just a few months of the changes, Isabel started getting her regular periods, and shortly after, she became pregnant. However, it wasn't all that straightforward due to low progesterone levels during her first pregnancy.

This in-depth conversation with Isabel about her pregnancy and breastfeeding experiences delves into the raw and real details that many people go through but don't talk about enough! We thank Isabel for being so open with us during this conversation and simply love her positive attitude and energy. We're taking notes on this one, and we hope you can take something from it too.

*Trigger warning - please be aware this episode contains conversation about miscarriages.

Take the Ovie questionnaire and figure out the best PCOS management plan for you.

Have you already completed the questionnaire? Are you ready to sign up and take control of your PCOS? Sign up HERE.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to staying healthy, we're often told it's all about diet and exercise. But here's the scoop: sleep plays a huge role too, especially for those dealing with PCOS.

In this week’s episode of PCOS Explained, Clare and Emma sit down to delve into the topic of sleep, particularly focusing on sleep disruption in individuals with PCOS. Their conversation highlights the power of a good night’s sleep. 

The discussion stems from an article Clare wrote for Stylist Magazine and explores different manifestations of sleep disturbances including difficulty falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, and that frustrating feeling of not being rested even after a full night's sleep.

The episode addresses potential causes such as circadian rhythm disruptions, high stress hormones, low blood sugar levels, and sleep-disordered breathing like sleep apnea. It also delves into the interplay between insulin resistance, hormone imbalances, and their effects on sleep quality.
 

Take the Ovie questionnaire and figure out the best PCOS management plan for you.

Have you already completed the questionnaire? Are you ready to sign up and take control of your PCOS? Sign up HERE.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.