The PCOS Girls Podcast
By Brigitte and Mel
Join us as we over-share about our lives with PCOS, letting you in on how we have used natural medicine to improve our PCOS, overcome our fertility issues and become mums.
All peppered with tonnes of research, facts and tips.
Brigitte Warne is the founder of PCOS to Wellness and the creator of the hormone balancing Cysterhood Tea and Mamahood Tea.
Melissa Christie is the founder of PCOS Pathways and the creator of The PCOS Journal, a health diary for women with PCOS.
The PCOS Girls PodcastMay 31, 2021
Ep 82 - Top signs you have a zinc deficiency
Ok, it's one of those episodes where we do all the research, we say it out loud and we go...oh man...sounds like me. Lol.
Nothing like a bit of self education, right?
If you haven't discovered the powerhouse that is zinc, this is the episode for you.
Zinc helps us in SO many ways and you may be surprised by the symptoms that show up when you're deficient.
If you're on a fertility journey - pay special attention to this one!
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 81 - Q&A with Mel and Brig
You asked for more Q&A episodes, so we're giving you more Q&A episodes! We absolutely love answering your questions and this ep has some great ones that we think will be helpful for so many of you.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 80 - Our top 6 PCOS hacks!
With all the complexities of PCOS - who doesn't love a simple little hack!!
This is the kind of episode we LOVE making for you guys because we know how much tips like this can help.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 79 - Q + A about all things PCOS
We've got an epic Q+A for you guys! In this ep we covera whole range of topics including:
- Best tips for conceiving
- Topical acne advise
- Improving egg quality
- Coming off the pill
- High testosterone
- Affirmations
- Breast tenderness
We LOVE doing these Q+A eps!
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 78 - How infrared sauna can help PCOS
On today’s episode Brig deep dives into EVERYTHING you need to know about infrared saunas, and how they can help to reduce stress, balance hormones and even manage PCOS symptoms.
We get into the nitty gritty of how infrared saunas can be the perfect detoxification tool, and why many of us may not be sweating enough!
Big thank you to Johannes from Clearlight Saunas who came on to the poddy to share his wealth of knowledge and personal perspective on it all.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 77 - Signs your hormones are struggling
This episode is all about some of the lesser known signs that your hormones are struggling. Because sometimes we have things going on in our body and we don't even realise that it's actually related to our PCOS or to our hormones.
It's all so connected!
And realising the connection can help us to better target our treatments.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 76 - Coming off the pill? This ep is for you!
This episode is for anyone who has recently gone off the pill or any other hormonal birth control OR is planning to.
Because when we came off the pill we had NO IDEA it could have such a huge affect on your body and we wish we had been prepared for it and supported through it.
Coming off birth control is a transition and there's so much you can do to help make it a smoother one and in this ep we give you every tip we've got.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Ep 75 - Our 'go-to' PCOS breakfast ideas
This episode is for anyone needing some inspiration for breakfast ideas that are PCOS friendly (and SIMPLE).
We're all different and we all need to find our own nutritional approach that suits our body and addresses what's driving our PCOS...but these ideas are what work for us and if they feel good for you to try, we think you will love them.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 74 - Standout supplements for PCOS
There are SO MANY incredible supplements that can help PCOS. We believe the absolute key is to find out exactly what's going on within your own body through thorough testing and then working with a natural health practitioner to create a tailored treatment plan that addresses your exact hormonal imbalances and needs.
However, there are some supplements that really standout when it comes to PCOS due to how many benefits they have and we absolutely loved talking about them on this ep!
Please note that these supplements might not be right for everyone and you should absolutely discuss them with your practitioners.
Here's a link to the research paper we referred to in the ep - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1740675720300165
And here's an article about the paper by one of its authors: https://www.larabriden.com/cyclic-progesterone-therapy-for-pcos/
Ep 73 - MUST DO tests for PCOS
Do you know if you've had thorough PCOS testing done? This episode lists ALL OF THEM, including what day of the cycle is best to get them tested.
Thorough testing can be game changing for PCOS and importantly, can completely change your treatment approach.
PCOS is complex. There are so many factors at play, so many hormones that can be out of balance and so many treatment options - you don't want to be stabbing around in the dark. Thorough testing is like getting a detailed message from YOUR body about exactly what's going on with it.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 72 - Is inflammation driving your PCOS? The signs + what you can do!
It's fairly common knowledge that inflammation can be a driver of PCOS - but not everyone knows the signs to look for. And some of them are surprising!!
This episode breaks down the signs of inflammation and also shares the powerful ways we can reduce inflammation in our body.
As you will find by our updates in this ep - inflammation has been/IS a huge part of each of our PCOS pictures - we are on this journey just as much as you are.
Hope you enjoy the ep!!
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 71 - 2 potent herbs you NEED to know about if you ever get stressed
Whether your PCOS is DRIVEN by stress entirely or if stress is just a contributing factor...you do not want to miss this ep. It's about 2 herbs that are absolutely game changing for our stress, adrenals and cortisol levels.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 70 - 3 simple yoga poses to help manage PCOS + supercharge your fertility
This week we have a spotlight episode about our favourite yoga poses that can directly benefit PCOS and fertility and keep our hormones happy.
Yoga has been such a big part of our journeys! Sometimes in a regular-classes kind of a way but often, in a just doing a few powerful poses at home kind of a way.
#allyogaisvalid
Would love to hear if you give these a go!
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 69 - Insulin resistance hacks - that ACTUALLY work!
WHO DOESN'T LOVE A HACK?!
About 70% of people with PCOS have insulin resistance driving their hormones out of balance and creating all those symptoms we struggle with - the acne, hairloss, hirsutism, skin tags, weight management struggles, moodiness and cravings.
This ep is all about some little tricks that can help you to balance your blood sugar and therefore stabilise your insulin levels.
So excited to share this because there's a lot in here we've never covered before.
Would love to hear if you give any of these hacks a go!
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 68 - Teas for fertility + PCOS
We've got a mini ep for you this week with 2 of our FAVOURITE teas for fertility and PCOS and in particular - for ensuring your actual reproductive system is as healthy as can be!
Both these teas have helped us IMMENSELY so we're excited to share about them.
This weeks episode is brought to you by Mel's PCOS Fertility Coaching biz! You can book a 1:1 with Mel over here.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 67 - Will inositol help your PCOS?
Most people with PCOS end up hearing about inositol for PCOS at some point but in this episode we share some of the less spoken about ways that inositol can help you - it's honestly mind blowing.
If you're trying to conceive or you're working on regulating your cycle - YOU WILL LOVE THE INFO IN THIS EPISODE.
We really do dive deep on the science of WHY our cycles become irregular and we struggle to ovulate and how exactly inositol fits in.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 66 - Simple weight loss tips for PCOS
Eeee season 4!!! A long time coming. And we've decided to kick the season off with an ep that's been a long time coming too - weight loss tips for PCOS.
Possibly our most requested topic of all time and one we really hope we've done justice to.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 65 - Top signs you have a magnesium deficiency
Not going to lie - making this episode made me (Mel) realise that I have a lot of symptoms of magnesium deficiency. I think I already kinda knew but making this episode really drove it home and made me decide to do something about it!
In this episode we talk about all the signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency, the benefits of having healthy magnesium levels and the various ways we can support our levels.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 64 - Hormone friendly swaps for PCOS
We wish we had this to listen to when we were first diagnosed!
This episode is all about the swaps you can make in your home (and some for in your cupboard) that are hormone friendly and so good for managing your PCOS.
Making your home free from endocrine disrupting chemicals is a journey and most of us can't all dive in all at once but we hope this episode gives you some ideas of where to start.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 63 - Where we're at with gluten
Yep...we've talked about gluten before. But this episode goes into where we are at with gluten now, and why.
If you're confused about whether on not to try going gluten free - this one is for you!
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Episode 62 - Easy self-care ideas for PCOS
Today's ep is all about self-care! Specifically, we dive into the self-care practices we personally are LOVING having in our lives right now.
Definitely some we haven't talked about before so we are excited to share!
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 61 - Behind the scenes of pregnancy loss
Bit of a deep one this week. After two months of no episodes, we might as well jump into the depths with you guys.
For a while we've wanted to do an episode where we just talk about the whole experience of pregnancy loss. How we navigated it, the things we've learnt, the things we'd love to see handled differently.
We weren't ready until now but here it is...the real behind the scenes of pregnancy loss.
This one is undeniably for all our listeners who have experienced pregnancy loss, but we think it's also really helpful for anyone to listen to and learn some things that might help them to support someone going through pregnancy loss in the future.
Listening to people who've gone through pregnancy loss is one of the only ways the topic will become less taboo and one of the only ways you can become educated on what to/not to do when supporting someone who's going through it.
To all our beautiful listeners who have experienced pregnancy loss or are in the depths of it now - we feel you so deeply and hope more than anything, that you have all the support you need.
Big content notice on this one obviously xx
p.s. follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Ep 60 - Q + A with Mel and Brig
Another Q + A ep - back by popular demand!
We cover everything from cycles to postpartum to body love (plus teething, weaning and co-sleeping - oh my!).
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 59 - Ayurveda for PCOS with Myra Lewin
This episode is such a special one!
We talk about Ayurveda a fair bit on the podcast and we've both used Ayurveda on our journeys, but this is the first time we've actually brought an Ayurvedic practitioner on to share their wisdom!
And oh my did we bring in an absolutely incredible woman!
To learn all about Ayurveda and how it can be used for PCOS and fertility, we have interviewed Myra Lewin, the founder of Hale Pule -
@hale_pule
www.halepule.com
Myra is an Ayurvedic practitioner and master yogini who has been practicing for 30 years. She is also the author of four acclaimed books on Ayurveda and Ayurvedic cookning, and is the host of two podcasts on holistic healing, “Everyday Ayurveda and Yoga at Hale Pule” and “Spark Your Intuition”.
We learnt so much from Myra - make sure you listen to the end because she shares some incredible, practical, eye opening tips that you can start exploring right away.
Follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Also please leave a review if you're feeling it and subscribe to our podcast!
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 58 - Easy meal ideas for PCOS
Today's episode is entirely serious...aside from the epic laughing fit Mel had when trying to actually start the episode. If you're keen to hear the cut down but still lengthy recording of her absolutely losing all control, make sure you listen to the outtake at the very end!
Once she got it together though, we dove into an episode all about food!
In it we list off our fave easy meal ideas for PCOS. Our diets are fairly different so there's a good range of meals plus some of our tips and hacks for increasing flavour and nutrition.
To register for Mel's upcoming masterclass all about regulating your cycle with PCOS (on this weekend - 25 September!) click here.
To register interest in PCOS fertility coaching with Mel, click here.
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 57 - Managing PCOS with guest Jane Sagui
Today's episode is brought to you by Pollie! Check out Pollie here and use our code PCOSGIRLS for 50% off the first four months of your subscription!
Today we have Jane Sagui from @pollie.co on to chat all about her own journey with PCOS and how that has lead to her becoming the co-founder and CEO of Pollie.
Pollie is an incredible new app for managing PCOS!
Jane has been passionate about women's health, and more specifically hormonal health, since being diagnosed with PCOS nearly a decade ago. She has a background in digital health companies and decided to start Pollie to fix a problem she has experienced firsthand repeatedly: finding proper hormonal health support.
Jane's PCOS journey was really interesting to hear - unique but RELATABLE. And hearing about her epic journey in starting Pollie was really cool.
In this episode we hear all about Jane's diagnosis and journey including experiencing hair fall and her mindset that got her through. We also chat all about health care, symptom management and the importance of personalised advice when it comes to PCOS.
We also get to hear all about Pollie - how it works, what it's like, the benefits and the incredible results of people who have used their program.
You can find Jane on instagram @pollie.co and you can learn more about Pollie at their website www.pollie.co/ Don't forget to use our code PCOSGIRLS for 50% off the first 4 months of your subscription.
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 56 - A key to healing hormones - the nervous system with guest Jessica Maguire
Today we have Jessica Maguire from @repairing_the_nervous_system on to chat all about a key area of health that is often not even known about - the nervous system.
This is an epic, highly informative episode that is going to really open your eyes to how truly connected our whole body is. It's also going to shed light on what may be a massive factor for you on your healing journey.
Nervous system regulation should not be overlooked - but so many of us don't even know to look at it, which is why we are so excited to be bringing you this episode!!
In it we cover:
- Nervous system 101
- Vagus nerve 101 (soooooo important!!!)
- How the nervous system effects our hormonal system and cycles
- How the nervous system is connected to our mental health
- Signs and symptoms of a dis-regulated nervous system
- Where to turn if we think we need to work on our nervous system
You can find Jessica Maguire on instagram @repairing_the_nervous_system or on her website www.jessicamaguire.com
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 55 - PCOS Friendly Exercise
Today's episode is brought to you by VUSH! Check out the VUSH AURA here and use our code PCOSGIRLS for 25% off!
This episode is all about body movement - the types of body movement we enjoy, how we incorporate it into our busy lives and why we choose the exercise we choose. There's a few exercise choices that might surprise you!!!
The episode somehow covers a lot of ground and you will for some reason hear references to Cher and the Black Eyed Peas and we talk about all sorts of things - from sleeping in to energy healing.
Don't forget to check out the VUSH AURA at https://au.vushwellness.com/products/aura?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=thepcosgirls-aura and use our code PCOSGIRLS for 25% off!
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 54 - Protein options for PCOS
We get asked a lot about what we eat and what we recommend people eat for PCOS, hormones and fertility.
We definitely both believe that nutrition is very much about the individual but thought we would do an episode all about a super important part of our plates - protein.
In the ep we cover:
- Why protein is part of a balanced meal
- What our favourite protein sources are
- Tips and tricks for getting protein into every meal
- Why plant proteins are so important
- How to combine plant protein to get a complete protein on your plate
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 53 - Fertility awareness 101 with Mel Angus from Tempdrop
Today's episide is brought to you by Tempdrop! Our first ever podcast sponsors!
Today we have a very special guest - Mel Angus from Tempdrop on to talk about all things fertility awareness, cycle charting and basal body temperature (BBT) monitoring.
Mel is a Fertility Awareness Educator and she provides SO MANY insights into all things cycle.
In this ep we cover:
- What exactly BBT is and how to track it accurately
- Misconceptions around cycle tracking and fertility awareness
- What we can discover about our hormones and cycle health from charting and tracking BBT
- How to use fertility monitoring postpartum
- Why ovulation tests aren't always accurate for people with PCOS
- How Tempdrop can make cycle charting and BBT tracking way easier and how it addresses some of the key issues people with PCOS face when tracking their cycle.
Tempdrop have given us the code PCOSGIRLS for 10% off their all-in-one wearable fertility monitor. Go to https://www.tempdrop.com/discount/PCOSGIRLS to check it out and follow them on Instagram @tempdrop
Find us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 52 - Birth, postpartum, thyroid and more Q+A's!
We're back!! We've had a nice big break whilst Brig's family has grown and we are so happy to be back on the mic talking all things hormones, fertility and LIFE.
In today's episode we do a big catch up and get to hear all about Brig's birth story for little Willa and what postpartum life has been like.
We also get an update on where Mel is at with her thyroid and mental health journey.
Plus we answer some listener questions!
So happy to be back!!
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 51 - BONUS EP! Pregnancy catch up
We’re back! Couldn’t help ourselves.
We’ve spent the entire season talking about Brig’s pregnancy and it felt wrong to not have one final catch up before the precious little bundle arrives.
So today we hear all about where Brig is up to –
- Birth plans
- All about home birth
- Where the baby is positioned
- All of the “boy or girl” speculation!
- How Brig plans to manage balancing her businesses and having a newborn
- And most importantly – NAME HINTS!
We also do a quick catch up on where Mel is at but her response is about as messy as her life right now. Definitely going to do a deep dive episode/mini series next year on thyroid health and the whole new journey Mel is now on.
Pretty sure this is actually us for the year now – enjoy the holiday season!! p.s. make sure you're following us on Instagram so you can see when Brig announces the birth of her little bundle!! Eeeeeee BOY OR GIRL???!!!!!!
Ep 50 - Q + A - your most asked questions
Gahhhh - it's the final episode of season 2!
Officially, anyway. It's very likely a bonus episode may come your way at some point!
Today we get deep answering all of your questions and as usual, it's a real mixed bag!
We cover:
- How we regulated our cycle
- How to stay positive when everyone around you is falling pregnant
- What to do to prepare to ttc in a year
- How our partners have helped on our fertility and PCOS journeys
- Tips for low progesterone
- How long to stick with a practitioner before trying someone new
- How/if we addressed stretch marks
Plus a whole bunch more.
It's been such a great year with you guys! Stay in touch with us in our facebook group - The PCOS Girls Podcast Community and let us know how your journeys are going!
AND - let us know what you'd love to see from us - deep dive mini-series? Live podcast events? Workshops? Online workshops? What do you need?
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 49 - How to treat hirsutism
This has been a long standing and repeatedly requested episode that we have quite frankly, been hesitant to do. We really wanted to do it right and given neither of us have much experience with this symptom - we wanted to make sure we'd really looked into things.
But we are so happy the episode is finally here!
In it we cover:
- What hirsutism is and the various causes of it
- How to treat hirsutism from the inside out
- How to reduce hirsutism topically
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 48 - What PCOS "type" are you?
Today we breakdown the different "types" of PCOS!
We look at what the types are, the symptoms of each, how to use testing to figure out your type and the many treatments for each type.
It's a big one!
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 47 - Things we WISH people knew about PCOS
Before PCOS Awareness Month comes to a close, we wanted to share an episode all about the things we wish people were aware of when it comes to PCOS. These are things we wish the general public knew, things we wish our doctors knew and things we wish all women with PCOS knew.
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 46 - PCOS and Anxiety - what's the link?
Given how prevalent it is in the PCOS community and given our own journeys with it - this week’s episode is all about anxiety.
In it we cover:
- Our personal journeys with anxiety
- How miscarriage affected our mental health
- How having PCOS affected our mental health
- Pregnancy anxiety
- Signs and symptoms of anxiety
- Lifestyle practices for anxiety
- Natural medicines for anxiety
- The different types of therapy for anxiety
- What on earth EMDR is
- Food/nutrients for anxiety
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 45 - PCOS tests and HOW to interpret them with guest Dr Samina Mitha
This week we have naturopath Dr Samina Mitha on to talk all about tests!
We get asked about PCOS tests and how to interpret them all the time so we are so excited to bring you Samina's expertise. We also talk about treating insulin resistance.
You can find Samina on instagram @dr.saminamitha.nd and her website is www.saminamitha.com
In this episode we cover:
- How to determine what tests someone with PCOS needs
- What on earth functional tests are and when to get them
- How to interpret the test results
- Optimal test result ranges
- How to use test results to determine the root cause of PCOS
- How to treat insulin resistance
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 44 - Q + A with Mel and Brig (all your burning Q's)
Welcome to one of our fave episodes ever!
We love a good Q + A and hope you love it as much as we enjoyed making it.
In this ep we answer a whole bunch of listener questions including:
- Breakfast ideas to keep you full
- Best advice for someone starting their fertility journey
- How we started our businesses
- How to manage low iodine
- How to know how your PCOS is going
- Tips for breastfeeding with PCOS
- Keto vs Vegan
- Skincare products for breakouts
- Fave herb to lower androgens
- Is vitex good for PCOS
- Books we recommend for PCOS
- Workouts to keep stress levels low
Plus a whole bunch of other random bits and pieces!
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 43 - All about Endo with guest Bridget Hustwaite
So excited to be bringing the incredible Bridget Hustwaite to your ears!
Of course, if you've ever listened to Triple J, then Bridget's voice probably isn't a new one.
Beloved radio presenter and author of the super successful How to Endo, Bridget joins us today to share absolutely EVERYTHING about endometriosis.
In it we cover:
- Bridget's own journey with endometriosis and how it led her to start the @endogram instagram account.
- What causes endometriosis
- The most common and the least common symptoms
- How to get diagnosed with endo
- How to support someone with endo
- The main differences between endo and PCOS
- The reason Bridget's book How to Endo is so different to others out there and who it is for.
You can find Bridget on Instagram @bridgethustwaite and her endometriosis account is @endogram. You can get her book from bookdepository.com or booktopia.com.au and Bridget's website is www.bridget-hustwaite.com
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 42 - PCOS Gut Health and Inflammation
Today's episode is all about the ins and outs of PCOS and inflammation and becomes quite a deep dive on gut health.
In it we cover:
- The causes of inflammation
- The symptoms of inflammation
- The wide effects inflammation has in the body
- Anti inflammatory foods and nutrients
- Supplements for reducing inflammation
- The gut -> inflammation -> immune system connection
- The effect of bad bacteria on inflammation
- What is leaky gut, what does it do and how can you treat it
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 41 - A dietitians approach to fertility with guest Caitlin Johnson
On today's episode we have Caitlin Johnson, a dietitian who specialises in helping women with PCOS balance hormones and get pregnant.
It's an epic episode that covers advice from when you have PCOS but are not yet trying to conceive, to trying to conceive and then early pregnancy.
Caitlin is kindly offering our listeners 10% off her PCOS + Cycle Tracking course and her PCOS and Pregnant course when you use the code PCOSGIRLSPODCAST - it needs to be all caps. You can find Caitlin's courses at www.pcosfertilitynutrition.com/mini-courses and you can follow her on instagram @pcosfertilitynutrition
In this episode we cover:
- What Caitlin looks for when she first meets a client with PCOS
- Food and lifestyle advice for someone who has PCOS but is not yet trying to conceive
- Things your partner can do to optimise their health and fertility
- Food and lifestyle advice for someone who is trying to conceive
- Recommended tests for early pregnancy
- Food and lifestyle advice for early pregnancy.
The tracking app Caitlin refers to in the episode is www.Cronometer.com
And a recipe for "Egg roll in a bowl", which Caitlin refers to is here: www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/keto-egg-roll-in-a-bowl/
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 40 - Our own experiences with traditional Chinese medicine
This week we share all the ways we have used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on our PCOS journeys.
In it we cover:
- A brief overview of what TCM is and how it is practiced
- How we used TCM to conceive our babes
- Herbs, granules, acupuncture, massage, cupping and Qi gong – what we’ve done and how they’ve helped
- How Mel used TCM to get her period back post miscarriage and then later postpartum
- How TCM approaches are used to heal gut issues
- How we have used TCM outside of our PCOS and fertility journeys
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 39 - the metabolic approach to PCOS and how it works with guest Jessica Ash
We are so excited to be bringing you this episode today. We are joined by functional nutritionist Jessica Ash who not only specialises in treating PCOS but who also has an entirely different approach to treating PCOS.
You can find Jess on instagram @jessicaashwellness and you can learn more about what we talk about in this episode by going to https://www.jessicaashwellness.com/podcastlisteners
Jess's approach is centered around metabolism and she shares SO MUCH INTERESTING INFORMATION.
Plus, Mel has been implementing some of Jess's tips over the past couple of months and shares how this has effected her.
In the episode we specifically cover:
- What really determines a healthy woman with vitality (HINT: it DOESN'T all come down to your weight!)
- The metabolic approach to PCOS - what that means and what it looks like
- Is metabolism a PCOS trigger? Or is it even the trigger of the other triggers like insulin resistance and inflammation?
- What causes our metabolism to slow down (this is SO interesting)
- How to tell if your metabolism has slowed down
- What foods and nutrients can help us heal our metabolism
- What changes Mel has made recently and the surprising effect it has had on her health
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 38 - How to address an elevated LH:FSH ratio
This is a hugely requested topic by you guys so we are so happy to finally deliver on it!
Today's episode is all about balancing out an elevated LH:FSH ratio (Luteinising Hormone : Follicle Stimulating Hormone ratio).
In the ep we cover:
- how exactly LH becomes elevated
- just how connected each of our hormones are
- how insulin resistance and estrogen levels link in
- the HPO axis - what it does and how it is linked to elevated LH
- specific supplements that can help balance LH:FSH ratio
- how Mel addressed her elevated LH:FSH ratio
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
P.s. we do want to note here how sorry we are that Mel's audio isn't quite as clear as it usually is! Microphone struggles are real sometimes. We still felt it was good enough to release into the world though and hope you all agree!
Ep 37 - Busting period myths and menstrual education with guest Demi Spaccavento
Today's episode features the incredibly insightful and wonderful teacher and women's health educator, Demi Spaccavento from Bright Girl Health.
Demi is at the absolute forefront of advocating and actually enacting period, cycle and hormonal health education for students in Australia and worldwide and we absolutely LOVE what she is doing for the future of women's health.
Demi goes to schools in person and now also offers online presentations to educate students on everything we wish we had been taught about in school - from cervical fluid to hormones to cycle length and cups.
In today's episode we cover a lot of ground including:
- period myths/misconceptions
- common gaps in menstrual knowledge
- Demi's personal history of period and hormone health
- Issues with the education system and ways we can empower people going forward
- hormone health
- starting a business
You can follow Demi @brightgirlhealth and to find out more info about Demi's programs head to her website brightgirlhealth.com - if you are a teacher or are the mother of someone in highschool, you could advocate to get Demi's online presentations offered at your school.
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 36 - Are you sure it's PCOS...or could it be HA?
Today we talk all about the differences between PCOS and Hypothalamic Amenorrhea.
There are a surprising amount of similarities but some really key differences your doctor may have missed, that can help you work it out.
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 35 - BRIG IS PREGNANT! And answering all of your Questions
Oh hey, welcome to our FAVOURITE EPISODE EVER!
Today, Mel asks all YOUR questions about Brigitte's newly announced pregnancy and it is SO FUN and so insightful and moving and real.
The due date
Pregnancy symptoms
How she found out
How she is navigating her pregnancy after loss
Pregnancy anxiety tips
"Scan-xiety"
HOWWWW Brig got pregnant (pre-conception routine etc)
Pregnancy diet
Pregnancy herbs/supplements
BIRTH PLAN
Plus so many random in-between pieces of our pregnancy journeys and life and trying to conceive and all the rest.
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 34 - How to tell your loved ones about PCOS
Sometimes you want people to know, sometimes you don't, sometimes you don't know how to say it, sometimes you really don't want to have to say a thing.
In this episode we breakdown how this tricky topic can be navigated, how we have personally approached it and tips for in the moment.
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo
Ep 33 - How to manage stress and decrease cortisol levels
Today is all about STRESS. In particular, ways to reduce that beautifully complicated hormone called cortisol.
In this ep we cover:
- Supplements for decreasing cortisol and improving our reaction to stress
- Lifestyle practices to manage stress and reduce cortisol levels
- The practice that is helping Mel reduce her stress IN THE MOMENT – and that is actually working in a really significant way
- What you can do if you’ve just had a really stressful moment, to help reduce the effect cortisol has just had on your body
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @thepcosgirls and come and join the conversation in our private podcast community at www.facebook.com/groups/thepcosgirls
Mel and Brig xo