Understanding PCOS and Fertility: The Hormonal Impact & How to Overcome It

Join us in today’s episode, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Felice Gersh, a renowned expert on PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and women’s health. We will dive deep into understanding PCOS, its root causes, and its impact on fertility.

Felice Gersh, M.D. has degrees from Princeton University and the University of Southern California School of Medicine and is fellowship-trained in Integrative Medicine from the University of Arizona School of Medicine. She is a multi-award-winning physician with dual board certifications in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine.

She is the founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, a practice that provides comprehensive health care for women by combining the best evidence-based therapies from conventional, naturopathic, and holistic medicine. She taught obstetrics and gynecology at Keck USC School of Medicine for 12 years as an Assistant Clinical Professor, where she received the highly coveted Outstanding Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award. She now serves as an Affiliate Faculty Member at the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine, through the University of Arizona School of Medicine, where she lectures and regularly grades the case presentations written by the Fellowship students for their final exams.

Felice Gersh, M.D. is the bestselling author of PCOS SOS and the PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track, and Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know. She has also had numerous scientific articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals.

Let’s Learn why PCOS is so commonly misunderstood, how it affects your hormones, and what practical steps you can take to improve fertility naturally. Dr. Gersh shares her insights into PCOS’s hormonal complexities, including the truth about "estrogen dominance" myths, and why optimizing your health before conception is vital for success, even if IVF is needed.

Key topics covered:

• What exactly is PCOS, and why is it so commonly misdiagnosed?
• Understanding the hormonal imbalances in PCOS (testosterone, estrogen, and AMH)
• The role of inflammation and endocrine disruptors in PCOS development
• Addressing PCOS holistically: diet, sleep, stress management, and more
• How birth control impacts PCOS and fertility
• Why preconception health is essential for successful pregnancy and long-term wellness
• The connection between fertility and overall metabolic health
• Practical steps to restore hormone balance naturally and improve fertility

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