The Imperfect PCOS Podcast

There is so much noise and misinformation out there about GLP-1 medications (aka Ozempic) when it comes to weight loss and PCOS. Today we have the pleasure of sitting down and separating some of the facts from fiction with Merris Taylor, a Registered Dietitian who also has PCOS and has been on both sides of the weight loss struggle. She has had her own journey with GLP-1 medication and has had truly incredible results! She’s taken her own personal experience and combined it with her clinical background in nutrition and science to bring us evidence-based insight and strategies to help the medication work better and more efficiently for us. In this exciting episode, we review how the media tends to only focus on the negatives of this medication, but we see so many promising benefits to our health and longevity, including reducing rates of addiction. We read these in clinical trials, but also in the stories of thousands of women with PCOS currently taking these medications. We dispel some of the myths of using GLP-1s, like they’re the “easy way out” and weight regain is “100% unavoidable” after coming off them. On the contrary, Merris reveals how these medications can be a catalyst to healthier habits we can maintain far beyond the point of discontinuing the meds.  We also chat through how GLP-1 medication can quiet food noise and cravings, and really help those with Binge Eating Disorder. And yes of course, we go over some of the potential side effects, but also explore why they’re not always a reason to avoid trying a medication like Ozempic or Wegovy.  Come hang with Merris and I as we delve into the big wide world of GLP-1 medication! Connect with Merris Taylor:  Website |  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/glp1.weightloss/ Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

Jackie has lost over 65 pounds and kept it off for over 14 years. She struggled with food noise, cravings, mindless eating, you name it, and landed herself with a Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Diagnosis at the young age of 19. After that, she decided everything about how she viewed and used food for comfort needed to change. Instead of falling victim to one of those ultra-restrictive yo-yo diets, Jackie took her weight loss journey into her own hands. She discovered the power of mindful eating, and now is ready to teach us how to do the same. Learn with us about “the power of the pause” and implementing “speed bumps” to reroute ourselves into healthier habits with food. Jackie explains how to rewire the way we talk to ourselves, and how this easy strategy can completely transform the results we’re looking for when it comes to weight loss. Jackie taps into our psyche to help us dust off the hunger and fullness cues that came to us so innately as children: eat when we are hungry and stop when we’re full. Sounds simple, but the power of it is immeasurable.  From figuring out how to effectively lose weight using our own internal motivators, to busting through weight loss plateaus, to leaning on an accountability partner, this episode is going to open your mind to new weight management tools you have likely never implemented along the way.  Pull up a comfy chair and let’s do this! Connect with Jackie Kirschen:  Website | jaclyn@eatright4life.com Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/the.mindful.nutritionist Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

When Dr. Harper first started practicing medicine, she realized how many women were coming to her with issues surrounding their sexual health. Complaints like “sex hurts so bad” or “I don’t care if I never have sex with my partner again.” She began to see how many tools and resources we have out there for men, and yet the complete lack of quality support women have access to.  In fact, Dr. Harper has found around 43% of women have a sexual health concern, and this is totally missing from our healthcare experience! So, Dr. Harper created Rosy! Rosy is a digital health platform giving women the education and tools they need to advance their sexual health and wellness. Rose has worked with over 250,000 women and serves a wide variety of needs when it comes to sexual pain, low sexual desire, perimenopause, menopause, PCOS, and migraines.  This fascinating episode explores the gaps we face in women’s healthcare when it comes to our sexual health, reveals many of the disparities of care between genders, delivers supportive tactics and tools to advance our knowledge base, and elaborates on how the Rosy platform can help you NOW.  I am so pumped for this one!!  A gift from Dr. Harper and Rosy: Click this link: https://meetrosy.com/promo?code=IMPERFECT and use the code “IMPERFECT” for one month FREE inside Rosy’s Silver Membership! Connect with Dr. Lindsey Harper:  Website | https://meetrosy.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/meet_rosy/ Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

Acne is a MAJOR issue for so many of us with PCOS. Meg Gaic, leading acne expert, is no stranger to dealing with the frustrating, embarrassing, and not to mention expensive implications of cystic acne and endless breakouts.  The number one reason we can get acne with PCOS is elevated androgens, but when these levels are “normal”, there are SO many question marks that can pop up. Let’s explore potential alternative contributing factors! According to Meg, the core pillars of acne healing are mindset, emotional support, getting to the root cause of “why” and fixing it naturally with food and supplements, and proper skincare. Let’s learn from Meg and let her walk us through how to approach each of these to finally heal your skin. So what do we eat?! Meg is also a holistic nutritionist! According to Meg, we don’t need to eliminate any one food! Instead, making sure we’re focusing on gut and liver health, fiber intake, minerals, and getting back to basics is SO much more important than just randomly taking out a ton of foods we love. In this episode, we go into supplements for acne, optimizing digestion for better skin health, balancing “perfect skin health” with realistic dietary strategies, and your new perfect acne tincture recipe,   I can’t wait for you to hear this one! Connect with Meg:  Website | https://www.getglowmethod.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/getglowmethod/?hl=en Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

PCOS and thyroid issues often go hand in hand, and who better to break it down for us than Amanda Montalvo, a women’s health dietitian who has both?? Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and let’s chat with Amanda as she uncovers some of the mysteries of the thyroid. What big red flags should we be looking for symptom-wise to see if we might have thyroid problems? What labs are actually helpful to have run to explore the right treatment protocol? Which minerals are most important to get in your diet?  Amanda debunks the myth that adrenal cocktails will solve all your thyroid problems (shocker!) and delves into the incredible impact stress can have on our bodies. She also uncovers for us which medications are most helpful for our thyroid symptoms. This is alllll the info you wish your doctor gave you, but never did. Of course, we can’t talk about thyroid health without talking about minerals! Amanda is an expert on minerals, and if you’ve ever been interested in mineral health testing, the controversy surrounding iodine, and how things like the copper IUD can impact our health, you’re in the right place! I absolutely love this episode, and have wanted to pick Amanda’s brain on this for so long. Don’t miss this special episode to help you better understand your thyroid and overcome associated problems. Connect with Amanda:  Website | https://hormonehealingrd.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/hormonehealingrd/ Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

There’s no way to skirt around this one: dairy has gotten a really bad rap in the health and nutrition space.  But why? And how do we know that what we’re hearing from so-and-so “influencer” on social media or watching in documentaries on Netflix is, in fact, true? I am so ready to dive into the inner workings of our agricultural industry here in the United States, and who better to guide us than Lauren Twigge, who is not only a Registered Dietitian, but actually grew up on a dairy farm and knows the ins and outs of this whole world firsthand? Lauren reminds us that farming and the dairy industry is a lot more nuanced than our current food culture portrays, that dairy can absolutely be part of a healthy diet, and that just because something is “gluten and dairy free” does not mean it’s inherently “healthy.”  In this episode, Lauren does NOT hold back in uncovering some of the biggest nutrition hypocrisies out there surrounding the science behind dairy and inflammation, organic versus conventional farming, and raw milk. And let me tell you, I am so here for it. Pull up a seat and lend your ears to Lauren’s expertise and highly personal connection to this sensitive, and often misinterpreted topic.   Connect with Lauren:  Website | https://www.laurentwiggenutrition.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/nutrition.at.its.roots/ Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

How many of us have heard that weight gain causes our PCOS? Yep, me too. It’s time to bust this myth, and so many others alongside none other than hormone queen Dr. Jolene Brighten. If you’ve been hanging around the women’s health space, you’ve very likely heard of Dr. Brighten. She marries the science and biochemistry behind hormones with her appreciation of nutrition and lifestyle components to create insightful, very clear hormone health advice so many of us need.  Dive into sensitive subjects like PMDD, ADHD, the “band-aid” birth control effect inside our hospitals and women’s healthcare clinics, PCOS and calorie restriction, weight loss drugs, painful sex, faking orgasms, and how BMI is complete BS with us on this jam-packed, information-rich episode.  Dr. Brighten is truly a wealth of knowledge in almost every area within the women’s health space; come learn alongside me today as she helps teach us all the things about our bodies we never learned growing up. It’s time to have the tough conversations; are you ready?! Connect with Dr. Brighten:  Website | https://drbrighten.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

So many of us silently struggle with s*xual pain. Not only can it lead to a loss of libido, it can cause s*xual fear and s*xual distress. If we can’t even admit our issues to our parents or our partners, who can we talk to?! Meet Janelle Howell, Doctor of Physical Therapy and CEO of The Vagina Rehab Doctor. Dr. Howell is no stranger to diving into these topics in depth to erase the shame and stigma, and guide her clients into finally experiencing more comfort, more control, painless s*x, and pleasure.  If you’ve been told to “just kegel!” learn why this is incorrect, lazy, and misguided advice and finally understand what’s driving your pelvic floor struggles, including prolapse, urinary leakage, and tightness along with what you can do to make improvements.   Diet, stress, mindset, emotions, and muscle control are so integral to our healing journey. I know you’re going to LOVE this episode; Dr. Howell’s passion for these topics shines through in everything she does. Pull up a chair and let’s get it going! Connect with Dr. Howell:  Website | https://www.vaginarehabdoctor.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/vaginarehabdoctor/?hl=en Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

If you’ve ever wondered about how your body will change during perimenopause and menopause (or if you’re currently in the thick of this and struggling), this episode is going to be your new audio bible. From crappy sleep, to mood changes like deeper depression and anger, to thinning hair, to just feeling “blah” - we’re sitting down with expert Dr. Carrie Jones to help us understand exactly why we change so much, and what we can do to navigate and optimize this delicate time in life.  Dr. Jones explains that there are over 100 different menopause-related symptoms out there (ever heard of itchy ears? Yeah, that’s a thing!) BUT, she affirms that there is SO much we can do to mitigate these unwanted side effects of aging as women.  She also spills the tea on our gut microbiome and how it affects our hormones (like helping boost our mood), how to actually impact it to help bring about changes in how we experience our hormones, how testosterone and estrogen changes where fat is deposited and our metabolism, and the 411 on using bioidentical hormones. Let’s get into it! Connect with Brooke:  Website | https://www.drcarriejones.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dr.carriejones Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

Ovarian cysts, heavy periods, and fibroids- oh my. What DON’T we deal with as women?! Fibroids can cause heavy and painful periods, bleeding in between periods, back pain, bladder and bowel pressure, pain with sex, and even miscarriage.  Today Brooke Davis, a Registered Nurse and Holistic Nutritionist, sits down to help us understand the driving force of fibroids, how they impact our health, and what we can do to prevent and treat them. Brooke has been fibroid-free for six years now, and has two healthy kiddos. Join us today to learn all about the major risk factors for fibroids like high blood pressure and low vitamin D, the right dietary changes and diet myths we might hear like “you have to go vegetarian”, anti-inflammation strategies, and how to optimize your gut for healthier hormones.  Pull up a chair and let’s do this! Connect with Brooke:  Website | https://www.herholisticwellness.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/her.holistic.wellness Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

Poor sleep (or not enough shut eye) can negatively impact our energy levels, mood, hormones, workouts, and even our weight! Plus, women with PCOS are at a higher risk for both insomnia and sleep apnea. Bottom line: getting enough deep sleep can absolutely make or break your health journey.  Today Rebekka Wall, a Certified Adult Sleep Consultant, joins us to dive deep into why some of us aren’t sleeping as well as we should and how to achieve higher quality ZZZZ’s for optimal hormone health. Learn your sleep archetype, create healthier sleep habits, and minimize roadblocks you may not even know exist that may be keeping you from higher energy levels, less stress, and a better state of mind.  You’re going to love this one! Connect with Rebekka:  Website | https://sleepwiseconsulting.com/consultants/adult-rebekka-wall/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sleepwiseinseattle/ Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

Sick of generic advice from a doctor’s office pamphlet? I get it.  A functional approach to your PCOS fills the gaps and targets the root cause of your symptoms, so you can FINALLY understand how to get back to feeling like YOU again. Join me and women’s health expert Melissa Groves Azzaro, RDN, LD, as we explore personalized PCOS management, ditching the one-size-fits-all approach.  Say goodbye to the 'just lose weight' mantra and embrace tailored nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle plans.  From busting “gluten and dairy are the devil” myths to addressing mental health and perimenopause symptoms, we cover it all! Connect with Melissa:  Website | https://thehormonedietitian.com/about/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/the.hormone.dietitian Connect with Cory:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

Wondering what’s on the menu for a healthy pregnancy? Join the club! With so much misinformation floating around, it's like trying to find your way through a maze blindfolded.    But don’t worry, Mama. Ryann Kipping, MPH, RDN, a.k.a. The Prenatal Nutritionist is coming on the show today to ease your mind.    In this episode, she’s dishing out answers to those burning questions you've been Googling at 2 AM. "Can I still have my morning coffee?" and "Is sushi off limits now?" – consider them cracked wide open.   This episode is your golden ticket to feeling in control, armed with knowledge, and ready to embrace your cravings without the constant fear of compromising your little one's health.    Tune in and say goodbye to unnecessary food restrictions and hello to a happier, healthier pregnancy journey!   Connect with Ryann:    Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prenatalnutritionist/ The Prenatal Nutrition Library | https://new.theprenatalnutritionlibrary.com/ Connect with Cory:    Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/   Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

Unsure why your period is missing?   Google may have let you down so far but my friend and trusted colleague, Lindsey Lusson won’t. Lindsey is a Registered Dietitian who specializes in Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA), period recovery, and fertility.    Listen in today as she dives into:   The nitty gritty of HA, or period loss related to over exercise and/or under eating The key differences between PCOS and HA  Her story – from being dismissed by a fertility specialist to healing her HA and getting pregnant 3 times naturally  Her best tips for period recovery    …and so much more!    Connect with Lindsey:  Podcast | Period Recovery and Fertility Podcast   Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/food.freedom.fertility/ Connect with Cory:    Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/   Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

Ain’t nobody got time for counting calories (especially us workin’ women). In fact, it isn’t even necessary. You can lose weight and keep it off without obsessing over every bite you take.    Take it from today’s guest, Katie Pekera, a Registered Dietitian nutritionist who has had her own 40lb weight loss.   In this episode, Katie is sharing her playbook for taking the overwhelm out of weight loss. She’s revealing her tried-and-true methods for losing weight without sacrificing good foods, avoiding after-work stress binges, staying on track while traveling, and so much more.    Connect with Katie:    Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/theweightloss.nutritionist/reels/   Website | https://www.theweightlossnutritionist.com/   Connect with Cory:    Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/   Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

Alright, buckle up because we're diving into a topic that's as crucial as it is overlooked – pelvic floor health. Seriously, why aren't we getting the 411 on this before AND during pregnancy and postpartum?    This is a topic that gets the feminist inside of me fired up. That’s why I’m so excited to sit down with an expert who is filling this major gap in women’s healthcare on the daily.   We've got the fantastic Marcy Crouch, PT, DPT, WCS, a badass Mama and Doctor, on the show today. She's on a mission to give women's healthcare the glow-up it deserves. Get ready for some pelvic floor realness – red flags, debunking myths, and tips for a smoother ride through birth and recovery.

“Why can’t I stop emotional eating?” This is something I hear from clients all of the time, and If you find yourself asking the same question, this episode is for you.    Meet Michelle Yates, RD, LMNT. With her personal triumph over an eating disorder and body dysmorphia, she brings that priceless "I've been there" perspective.   Listen in as Michelle shares her own journey and talks about the difference between emotional and binge eating. She’s also chatting about the most common root cause of binge eating and the simple switch that can help you conquer it for good.    Grab your headphones and get ready for insights that’ll help you finally relax around food and love your body in a way you never thought possible.    Connect with Michelle:    Website | https://www.yatesnutrition.com/about-me   Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/yatesnutrition/   Connect with Cory:    Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/   Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/

PCOS ladies listen up: 50% of us will develop type 2 diabetes by age 40.    Scary, right? But here's the deal: Simple tweaks to how you eat, move, and handle stress can change the future for you.    That’s why I’m bringing on Dietitian & Certified Diabetes Educator, Kristie Messerli to share simple and SUSTAINABLE lifestyle tweaks to help you manage your blood sugars (and lose weight) that don’t involve a life sentence of salad eating.    She’s also diving into some hot topics like why the advice “just lose weight” to manage your blood sugar is crap, why carbs should have a place in your diet, how insulin resistance can impact your libido, and so much more.    Connect with Kristie:  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist/ Website | https://dietitiankristie.com/   Connect with Cory: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/

Questions like:   ‘Will gaining too much weight hurt my baby?’ or ‘Did I bring gestational diabetes on myself?’ or ‘Did my PCOS cause this?’ are sadly real questions I’ve gotten from expecting mamas who are scared that by doing normal things like eating carbs or indulging a pregnancy craving or two will hurt their baby (so not true!!).    It's high time we debunk these fears and replace them with cold, hard facts and equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to tackle this diagnosis.    That’s why today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Casey Seiden. Casey is a RDN and certified diabetes care and education specialist who helps women balance their blood sugars before, during, and after pregnancy.   We're chatting about how diet quality matters more than counting carbs, calories, or obsessing over the number on the scale.  Plus, we’re diving into simple but powerful ways to manage blood sugar levels and keep you feeling amazing during pregnancy and beyond!    So, grab your favorite snack (yes, you can still enjoy those!), kick back, and let's conquer these pregnancy fears together.  Connect with Casey: Website | https://www.caseyseidennutrition.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/eat.well.together/

If hormonal acne and/or hair loss are killing your confidence, I see you. I get it- girrrrl I’ve been there.    I know, there's nothing that can make you feel more self-conscious and powerless than buying endless products and praying that one will finally make you feel (and look) like you again.    But what if I told you that you have more power to tame this beast than you might think?    Meet Care Clark. Care is a Registered Nurse and hormonal acne specialist who has also been there and brings real, actionable solutions to the table (plus a TON of wisdom and hair/skin product recommendations).    Listen in as she reveals how to tackle these issues from the inside out. It's time to reclaim your skin and hair confidence!   Connect with Care: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/careclarkbsn/ Free Hair Loss Guide | https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64b0775626d35119ca2dcdfd   Connect with Cory: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/ Website | https://thewomensdietitian.com/