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 likeābecause letās 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 doesnāt always mean youāre 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 indicatorāplus, how low progesterone can impact anxiety, energy, and PMS. If youāve 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.
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Treating the root cause of infertility
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 wasnāt ovulating.Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, Sarah took matters into her own hands. She saw an acupuncturist who suspected PCOSādespite her not fitting the typical profileāand 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.Sarahās story is a reminder that PCOS isnāt just about weight or quick fixes. Itās 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.
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The Truth About Vitamin A in Pregnancy ā with Lily Nichols
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 bodyāwhy itās 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 versionsānot 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 donāt love liver.If youāve been told to avoid liver or skip prenatals with vitamin A, this episode will challenge that adviceāand 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.
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Navigating PCOS: Katherineās Story
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 facedālate 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 ājust lose weightā 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 changesāstarting with something as simple as breakfastātransformed 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 āfixā PCOS or that getting a hysterectomy is the answer. Spoiler: Itās 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.Katherineās journey is one that so many of us can relate toāthe frustration, the trial and error, but ultimately, the hope that comes with understanding whatās really going on in your body. If youāve ever felt stuck, confused, or like youāre 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.
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Perimenopause, Menopause & PCOS: What You Need to Know with Dr. Lara Briden
Ever heard that PCOS gets better with age? Not quiteābut thereās plenty you can do to navigate the changes. In this episode, we are revisiting another conversation with the brilliant Dr. Lara Briden to talk about what really happens to your hormones during perimenopause and menopauseāespecially if you have PCOS.Think of perimenopause as your body adjusting to a new phase, just like puberty (but with more wisdom!). While things might shift, understanding whatās happening makes all the difference. Weāll cover what to expect, common myths, and practical ways to support your body through the transition.No matter your age, this episode will help you feel informed, confident, and ready for whatās ahead.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.
It can be ridiculously confusing living with PCOS, you're constantly reading conflicting advice. Each week, I, Clare Goodwin, will be helping to simplify this for you by sharing with you some actionable steps to take and breaking down the latest research so you can actually understand it. I'll also share some real life stories of women who've improved their PCOS symptoms to give you that weekly boost to just keep putting one foot in front of another. If you have PCOS and you want some real talk about what to do, hit that subscribe button now. Previously: The PCOS Nutritionist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.