When I learned how many women have undiagnosed PCOS, and the kind of pain and long-term health risks associated with the condition, I was shocked. It’s another example of how women’s health issues are so often misunderstood and sometimes even ignored. If you ovulate and you’re experiencing symptoms that affect your quality of life, I want you to feel empowered to advocate for better. And that starts with understanding what’s “normal”, what symptoms are not normal, and what your options are.
For this episode, I’m chatting with Dr. Anne Hussain, a naturopathic doctor and period literacy advocate. She helps her patients optimize their periods, hormones, fertility, and well-being. She practices out of Aurora, ON and provides virtual care for patients all across Ontario. She is the creator of Periodicity, an online program to help menstruators attain peaceful periods. Her personal experience with PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, and beta-thalassaemia drives her passion to empower and educate womxn to practice self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-advocacy.
We discuss:
- What is PCOS and how is it diagnosed.
- What testing should you ask your doctor for (they might not do this on their own).
- Why the pill shouldn’t be your first or only treatment.
- What treatment options you have.
- Lifestyle approaches to symptom management.
- How toxins play a role.
- What to monitor long-term.
Links mentioned in this episode:
PCOS Bloodwork Checklist: www.annehussain.com/pcoschecklist
Instagram: @dr.annehussain
Podcast Episode on Teen Period Literacy with Dr. Erin TeWinkel: https://greenathome.ca/podcast/teen-period-health-and-literacy/
Hormone Disruptor Checklist: https://greenathome.info/hormone-disruptor-checklist