The PCOS Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Defining constipation 
2. What causes constipation
3. Where should someone start when trying to fix this symptom
4. Tips and tricks for short term symptom relief

LINKS

• Fran Dargaville Function Nutrition: https://frandargaville.com/ 
• Follow Fran on Instagram: @frandargaville
• Are we instagram friends yet? @solainedouglas_nutrition
• Want to work with me on your PCOS? Step 1 – PCOS GlowUp: Easy 3 week program to help you get on top of your PCOS symptoms: https://solainedouglas.com/pcos-glowup 

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Current state of male factor infertility 
2. Trends Steph sees in clinic among her clients trying to conceive 
3. Issues with acceptance of male factor infertility 
4. What factors that negatively affect male fertility 
5. When and how to assess male fertility 
6. Must have diet and lifestyle foundations to improve fertility
7. Stephs most recommended supplements for improving male fertility

LINKS

• Steph Lowe – The Natural Nutritionist: https://thenaturalnutritionist.com.au/ 
• Follow Steph on Instagram: @thenaturalnutritionist
• Are we instagram friends yet? @solainedouglas_nutrition
• Want to work with me on your PCOS? Step 1 – PCOS GlowUp: Easy 3 week program to help you get on top of your PCOS symptoms: https://solainedouglas.com/pcos-glowup 

Heavy periods and prolonged bleeding are two very common PCOS symptoms. In this episode I am breaking down what a normal period is, what is classified as a heavy period (in real word terms), what the common causes of heavy periods are and how you can start correcting heavy periods if this is an issue for you. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• What is a normal period
• What is a heavy period (>80 mLs for the whole cycle) 
• What causes a heavy period with PCOS
• How can you work out what is causing your heavy period

FOLLOW

• Instagram – @solainedouglas_nutrition

HOW TO WORK WITH ME

1. Step 1 – PCOS GlowUp: Go from struggling with sugar cravings, feeling bloated, struggling with stubborn weight and feeling confused about what to eat to help your PCOS, to having stable energy levels across the day, feeling comfortable in your digestion and confident in your clothes and food choices Join the PCOS GlowUp Here.
2. Download my PCOS Testing Guide Here to uncover the must have PCOS blood tests, complete with optimal reference ranges and explanations.  
3. Want to reduce your PCOS symptoms without medication? Watch my free masterclass here

In today’s episode I’m breaking down the 3 most common reasons why you may be struggling with losing weight with PCOS. As an insight into how I think through these symptoms, it always starts with asking why? Why aren’t you losing weight? Can we find out why via testing? If we can find out why, it’s possible to reverse engineer into a strategic protocol that actually addresses the root cause. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• The 3 most common reasons why you may be struggling to lose weight with PCOS
• Specific testing to obtain to work out why you aren’t losing weight
• How to use this testing to reverse engineer into nutrition, lifestyle and supplement strategies that get you results
  
  

FOLLOW

• Instagram – @solainedouglas_nutrition

HOW TO WORK WITH ME

1. Step 1 – PCOS GlowUp: Go from struggling with sugar cravings, feeling bloated, struggling with stubborn weight and feeling confused about what to eat to help your PCOS, to having stable energy levels across the day, feeling comfortable in your digestion and confident in your clothes and food choices Join the PCOS GlowUp Here. 
2. Want to reduce your PCOS symptoms without medication? Watch my free masterclass here

Endometrial hyperplasia is a very common issue in PCOS. It can cause increased risk of endometrial cancers and some awful symptoms like prolonged bleeding. In this episode we cover what endometrial hyperplasia is, why it is common in PCOS, conventional treatment options and natural strategies. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• What is endometrial hyperplasia 
• Why is endometrial hyperplasia common in PCOS
• Conventional treatment options for endometrial hyperplasia 
• What we do inside The PCOS Pathway for endometrial hyperplasia

FOLLOW

• Instagram – @solainedouglas_nutrition

HOW TO WORK WITH ME

1. Step 1 – PCOS GlowUp: Go from struggling with sugar cravings, feeling bloated, struggling with stubborn weight and feeling confused about what to eat to help your PCOS, to having stable energy levels across the day, feeling comfortable in your digestion and confident in your clothes and food choices Join the PCOS GlowUp Here.
2. Want to reduce your PCOS symptoms without medication? Watch my free masterclass here

BBT (basal body temperature) tracking is one of the most effective tools to pinpoint ovulation in PCOS. In this episode I’ll cover why it’s a far better option than using LH strips, how it can help you to accurately check your progesterone levels and the length of the luteal phase. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Why BBT tracking is the most effective tools for checking ovulation in PCOS
• How to start using the BBT method right now
• When the BBT method isn’t suitable 
• Different devices you can use to make the BBT method easier

FOLLOW

• Instagram – @solainedouglas_nutrition

HOW TO WORK WITH ME

1. Step 1 – PCOS GlowUp: Go from struggling with sugar cravings, feeling bloated, struggling with stubborn weight and feeling confused about what to eat to help your PCOS, to having stable energy levels across the day, feeling comfortable in your digestion and confident in your clothes and food choices Join the PCOS GlowUp Here.
2. Want to reduce your PCOS symptoms without medication? Watch my free masterclass here

High insulin is without a doubt the number 1 cause of why you aren’t losing weight with PCOS. There are other possibilities including low thyroid function, but high insulin and blood sugar dysregulation is the most common. 

Let’s unpack what’s happening in the body when you have high insulin:

Insulin and Blood Sugar Regulation:

• Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas in response to an increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels after you eat.
• Its primary role is to help regulate blood sugar by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells, where it can be used for energy or stored for later use.
• When blood sugar levels are high, such as after consuming a meal rich in carbohydrates, the body releases more insulin to lower blood sugar by storing excess glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscles or as fat.

Role of Insulin in Fat Storage:

• When insulin levels are high, it signals the body to store more fat.
• High insulin levels can also inhibit the breakdown of stored fat (lipolysis). This means that even if you’re consuming fewer calories than you burn, your body may struggle to use stored fat for energy if insulin levels remain elevated.

What this all means is that it’s not enough to simply move more or and eat less to lose weight with PCOS. Instead, you need to eat in a way that prioritises blood sugar control. Rather than eating less calories, you need to eat macro-nutrients that stabilise your sugars and allow your insulin to reduce. 

FOLLOW

• Instagram – @solainedouglas_nutrition

HOW TO WORK WITH ME

1. Go from struggling with sugar cravings, feeling bloated, struggling with stubborn weight and feeling confused about what to eat to help your PCOS, to having stable energy levels across the day, feeling comfortable in your digestion and confident in your clothes and food choices Join the PCOS GlowUp Here.
2. Want to reduce your PCOS symptoms without medication? Watch my free masterclass here

This week on the podcast I am answering 4 questions which have been submitted via Instagram about all things using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for PCOS. 

1. How long does a CGM last for? 
2. Why use a CGM for PCOS? 
3. Is it still useful for PCOS if you know you don’t have high insulin?
4. My findings and things that surprised me.

Let me know if you like this kind of episode?

FOLLOW

• Instagram – @solainedouglas_nutrition

HOW TO WORK WITH ME

1. Go from struggling with sugar cravings, feeling bloated, struggling with stubborn weight and feeling confused about what to eat to help your PCOS, to having stable energy levels across the day, feeling comfortable in your digestion and confident in your clothes and food choices Join the PCOS GlowUp Here.
2. Want to reduce your PCOS symptoms without medication? Watch my free masterclass here

This week on the podcast I am answering 3 questions which have been submitted via Instagram. 

1. Why does it matter to have hormones tested on a particular day of your cycle?
2. What causes raised DHEA-S levels & what are the best ways to lower them?
3. Is high androstenedione enough to stop your period if testosterone and DHEA-S levels are normal?

Let me know if you like this kind of episode?

FOLLOW

• Instagram – @solainedouglas_nutrition

HOW TO WORK WITH ME

1. Go from struggling with sugar cravings, feeling bloated, struggling with stubborn weight and feeling confused about what to eat to help your PCOS, to having stable energy levels across the day, feeling comfortable in your digestion and confident in your clothes and food choices Join the PCOS GlowUp Here.
2. Want to reduce your PCOS symptoms without medication? Watch my free masterclass here

Have you considered taking Ozempic? I am genuinely concerned about this drug. It’s taken the internet by storm. Ozempic is being prescribed more and more for PCOS...sometimes, off label as a weight loss drug. 

In this episode I am chatting with Nutritionist Steph Lowe about Ozempic. We cover our concerns around the use of this drug including, not just the commonly discussed side effects like nausea, reflux, vomiting, changes to taste perception, diarrhea and more. But also, the less discussed but wildly serious side effects like risks of thyroid cancers, long-term starvation, rebound weight gain, mental health effects of no longer finding pleasure in food. 

If you are struggling with PCOS and weight loss, I really do understand that it can feel like you have no other option. I also understand that it can feel as though you have tried everything but as we discuss in this episode there is always a reason why your body is not losing weight, and often that reason has not been properly explored. 

FOLLOW

• Instagram – @solainedouglas_nutrition

HOW TO WORK WITH ME

1. Go from struggling with sugar cravings, feeling bloated, struggling with stubborn weight and feeling confused about what to eat to help your PCOS, to having stable energy levels across the day, feeling comfortable in your digestion and confident in your clothes and food choices Join the PCOS GlowUp Here.
2. Want to reduce your PCOS symptoms without medication? Watch my free masterclass here