PCOS Explained

Today, we are revisiting another conversation with Dr. Lara Briden. In this episode, Lara joins us to break down what a normal period actually looks like—because let’s be honest, most of us were never taught this.We cover how long your period should last, how much blood loss is normal, and what symptoms might signal a hormonal imbalance.A big takeaway? Having a period doesn’t always mean you’re ovulating. If your cycles are long, irregular, or your period lasts more than seven days, you might not be producing enough progesterone, which plays a huge role in balancing hormones, mood, and metabolism.We also discuss heavy periods, post-pill cycles, and why your period is a key health indicator—plus, how low progesterone can impact anxiety, energy, and PMS. If you’ve ever wondered whether your period is normal, this episode is for you!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.

On this episode of the PCOS Explained, we are revisiting a conversation with Sarah, who, like so many women, faced the heartbreak of struggling to conceive. After coming off birth control, she expected her body to naturally regulate, but instead, months passed without a positive test. Doctors offered quick solutions: first medication, then a fast track to IUI and IVF. But no one stopped to ask why her body wasn’t ovulating.Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, Sarah took matters into her own hands. She saw an acupuncturist who suspected PCOS—despite her not fitting the typical profile—and she joined the PCOS Protocol, now called the Ovie Plus plan, to dig deeper. What she discovered was a game-changer: her insulin was the missing piece, even though standard tests never flagged it. With small shifts in her diet and movement, her body finally started to work with her.Sarah’s story is a reminder that PCOS isn’t just about weight or quick fixes. It’s about really understanding your body and giving it what it needs.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.

Today, we are revisiting an important conversation with Lily Nichols, registered dietitian and author of Real Food for Pregnancy, to unpack the confusion and controversy around vitamin A in pregnancy.In this episode, Lily breaks down what vitamin A actually does in the body—why it’s essential for fetal development, immune function, hormone production, and even organ formation in a growing baby.A big takeaway? The fear around vitamin A largely stems from outdated studies using high-dose synthetic versions—not food-based sources like liver. While fewer than 20 cases of vitamin A-related birth defects have been reported in the last 30 years, over 700,000 babies have been born with a serious birth defect tied to vitamin A deficiency in just the past two decades.We also cover the difference between preformed vitamin A (retinol) and beta-carotene, why many people (especially vegetarians and vegans) struggle to convert plant-based vitamin A into a usable form, and how you can meet your needs even if you don’t love liver.If you’ve been told to avoid liver or skip prenatals with vitamin A, this episode will challenge that advice—and help you feel confident in making more informed choices during pregnancy.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, we are revisiting a conversation with Katherine, who bravely shares her story of navigating PCOS from her teenage years into her forties. She opens up about the struggles she faced—late diagnosis, dealing with weight gain, sugar cravings, fatigue, and the emotional toll of trying to figure out what worked for her body.We talk about the frustration of being told to “just lose weight” as a solution, the confusion around conflicting PCOS advice, and the moment she realized that insulin resistance was at the root of her symptoms.Katherine shares how small but powerful changes—starting with something as simple as breakfast—transformed her energy levels, reduced cravings, and gave her a whole new perspective on managing PCOS.We also dive into some common PCOS myths, like the idea that menopause will magically “fix” PCOS or that getting a hysterectomy is the answer. Spoiler: It’s not. Instead, we discuss why focusing on the root cause is the real game-changer and how taking control now can make a huge difference in long-term health.Katherine’s journey is one that so many of us can relate to—the frustration, the trial and error, but ultimately, the hope that comes with understanding what’s really going on in your body. If you’ve ever felt stuck, confused, or like you’re just meant to struggle with PCOS forever, this episode is for you.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.

Joining the discussion is Dr. Lara Briden, a naturopathic doctor and author of the Hormone Repair Manual. She reveals the truth about hormone fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause, especially for women with PCOS. Dr. Briden debunks myths around PCOS improving with age and delves into the significance of understanding menstrual cycles. She also addresses how hormonal changes can intensify symptoms like weight gain and hirsutism while stressing the need for personalized management strategies through lifestyle adjustments and holistic approaches.

Ever felt like you're doing everything "right" but still not seeing results with your PCOS?In today’s episode, we’re revisiting a conversation with Dimity, a psychologist who, despite doing all the things—F45, spin classes, strict diets—still struggled with fatigue, weight gain, acne, and irregular cycles. When she was diagnosed with both PCOS and endometriosis, she was told to simply lose weight and prepare for fertility struggles.But here’s the twist—once Dimity started addressing the real root causes of her symptoms (hello, insulin resistance and stress!), everything changed. And when she saw just how much stress and sleep impacted her blood sugar—even when eating the exact same meals—she had a major lightbulb moment.If you've ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like you're on a never-ending rollercoaster of restrictions, this episode will open your eyes to a whole new approach.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 terrified at the idea of eating more, even when deep down you know your body needs it? You're not alone. This fear is so common, especially if you’ve struggled with weight gain in the past or have been bombarded with conflicting advice about PCOS and restrictive eating.Today, we’re revisiting a conversation between Clare and Emma, our Senior Nutritionist at The PCOS Nutritionist, as they share their personal journeys of breaking free from the restrict-repeat cycle. They open up about what it’s really like to rebuild trust with your body—and why eating more might actually be the missing piece in your PCOS journey.If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of eating less, only to feel exhausted, anxious, and frustrated by your body’s response, this episode is for you.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.

Today on PCOS Explained, we’re revisiting a fascinating conversation with my good friend Angela Heap, a leading fertility nutritionist, who shares groundbreaking research on how the microbial balance in the vagina and uterus could influence everything from conception to miscarriage risk.We’ve all heard about the gut microbiome, but did you know that your vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in reproductive health? Angela breaks down how specific bacteria help protect against infections, support implantation, and even impact pregnancy outcomes. She also explains why women with PCOS often have a disrupted vaginal microbiome, how this could contribute to fertility challenges, and what steps can be taken to restore balance.We get into the latest testing options for assessing the vaginal microbiome, why misdiagnosed recurrent infections could be harming your fertility, and how a tailored approach—not a one-size-fits-all treatment—is key to restoring a healthy environment. Plus, Angela shares real-world case studies where microbiome interventions have led to successful pregnancies.If you’ve struggled with recurrent thrush, bacterial vaginosis, unexplained infertility, or multiple miscarriages, this episode is a must-listen. We also discuss practical ways to improve your microbiome through nutrition, probiotics, and targeted treatments—without falling for ineffective, trendy “fixes” like vaginal cleansing products.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.

Dr. Lara Briden, a women's health expert and author of Period Repair Manual, delves into endometriosis and PCOS treatment strategies. She critiques the common prescription of hormonal birth control, suggesting alternative approaches like micronised progesterone. Natural treatments shine, with anti-inflammatory strategies and supplements such as turmeric and NAC gaining traction. The importance of excision surgery and post-operative inflammation management are also discussed, offering practical solutions for those battling these conditions.

Dr. Lara Briden, a naturopathic doctor and hormone health expert, discusses the complexities of endometriosis, often misdiagnosed but sharing symptoms with PCOS. She highlights the essential differences between the two conditions and the challenges in diagnosis. Dr. Briden also delves into the roles of systemic inflammation and immune dysfunction in endometriosis. Listeners can expect insights into the urgency of recognizing endometriosis as a serious health issue and the importance of awareness for better diagnosis and relief.