Ep. 37 - Letisha

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Today we chatted with Letisha (insta: @endocrinecollective) who is a nurse and in school studying to be a dietitian. She shares her story of having PCOS and being a health coach for others with PCOS!

Notes:

• Overview on PCOS including symptoms and diagnostic criteria

• Health risks of untreated PCOS like diabetes and heart disease if PCOS is not properly managed.

• Challenges with diagnosis including long delays, multiple doctors and lack of provider knowledge in diagnosing and treating PCOS appropriately.

• Patient advocacy and self-education the importance of patients doing their own research, advocating for needs and educating providers about PCOS best practices.

• Preparing for doctor appointments - identify needs and symptoms and have a plan of action. Example of coming prepared to an appointment with previous records and setting the tone by communicating needs and history of being dismissed.

• Asking the right questions - Questions to ask doctors to avoid being dismissed and get all healthcare needs addressed.

• Finding the right healthcare team - Creating a team of different providers and professionals to address all aspects of PCOS care. Different types of doctors and non-doctor professionals that can help with PCOS care.

• Advocacy work for PCOS awareness and research - Details on advocacy work done through organizations to increase PCOS funding, awareness and treatment options.

• Getting Involved in PCOS Advocacy - Discussion of various organizations and ways people can get involved in advocacy for PCOS including legislative advocacy.

• PCOS Diagnosis and Weight Loss Journey - Discussion Latisha’s diagnosis experience and journey with weight loss, bodybuilding, and regaining health including impact of lifestyle factors.

• Managing PCOS Lifestyle with Busy Schedule - Challenges experienced balancing PCOS management, fitness, nutrition, and family responsibilities during undergraduate degree.

• Avoiding Restrictive and Fear-Based Approaches to Nutrition - Discussion of moving past restrictive diets and food fear to balanced lifestyle without eliminating food groups without evidence or individual need. She focus on helping clients improve PCOS without food fear and discussion of how to avoid becoming too restrictive. Acknowledgement that sometimes going through restrictive phases may be needed to progress to a more balanced approach.

• Challenges with Misinformation about PCOS Nutrition - Issues with widespread misinformation about what people with PCOS should and should not eat from unreliable sources online.

• Identity as a Dietitian and Areas of Focus - Discussing challenges with defining an identity as a dietitian and areas of focus like PCOS and balancing weight vs. stigma.

• Managing PCOS and Fear of Food - Discussing challenges patients face with PCOS and fear-mongering about food, and the need to empower patients.

• Parting Advice for PCOS Patients - Providing encouraging words that PCOS is manageable despite challenges and to take breaks as needed on the journey.

• Exercise Recommendations for POTS - Discussing exercise modalities like weight training and low intensity options being better than high intensity for POTS patients.