PCOS and Insulin Resistance: Why Periods Go Irregular in Women? | Dr. Aimee Browne | Podcast скачать в хорошем качестве

PCOS and Insulin Resistance: Why Periods Go Irregular in Women? | Dr. Aimee Browne | Podcast

Hormones don’t stay constant across a woman’s life and when they shift, metabolic health can shift with them. In this episode of the Five Rivers Podcast ( sponsored by Heald ), Dr. Sumeet Arora (Pediatric & Adolescent Endocrinologist, American Board Certified ) sits down with Dr. Aimee Browne, MD (Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility + Lifestyle Medicine) to explain PCOS in a way that finally makes sense. PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is one of the most common metabolic disorders in women, yet it’s still misunderstood. Many people think PCOS only means “cysts on the ovaries” or that irregular periods automatically equal PCOS. In this conversation, Dr. Browne breaks down what’s actually happening under the hood: the “triad” of insulin resistance, inflammation, and weight gain that can disrupt brain-to-ovary signaling leading to irregular cycles, skipped periods, high androgens (male hormones), acne, hair growth, fatigue, and fertility challenges. One of the most powerful moments in this episode is Dr. Browne’s insulin resistance analogy (the “nightclub and bouncer” model), showing how glucose struggles to enter cells when insulin resistance is present—creating ripple effects like fatty liver, disrupted ovulation, and hormonal imbalance. You’ll also learn why lifestyle factors matter hugely for treatment, but they’re not the original cause—and why some women respond very differently to the same foods due to underlying metabolic programming and genetics. If you’re searching for answers about irregular periods, PCOS symptoms, insulin resistance in women, fertility and PCOS, or how to prevent long-term risks like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, this episode gives an evidence-based, practical framework. We also cover why PCOS can feel “confusing” across life stages (and why the diagnosis can appear to change), plus what to test, what labs rule out PCOS “impersonators,” and why early screening matters—especially after gestational diabetes. TAKEAWAYS • Irregular or missing periods are a health signal—don’t ignore them. • PCOS is tightly linked with insulin resistance, inflammation, and androgens. • Lifestyle is the #1 treatment lever (nutrition, movement, sleep, stress), even if it’s not the root cause. • Early screening (blood sugar, lipids, liver) helps prevent future diabetes, fatty liver, and pregnancy complications. FOLLOW & CONNECT 1) Follow us on Instagram:   / heald_lifestyle   2) Subscribe to our channel:    / @heald.diabetes   3) Website: https://www.iheald.com 4) Check us out : https://linktr.ee/heald.diabetes TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Hormones across life: puberty to menopause 01:14 – What is PCOS really? 01:51 – PCOS basics: prevalence + why it’s misunderstood 02:46 – The PCOS triad: insulin resistance, inflammation, weight 03:34 – How brain-ovary signaling gets disrupted 04:45 – Symptoms: irregular cycles, hair growth, acne, fatigue 06:01 – Is PCOS a lifestyle disorder? 07:09 – Insulin resistance explained (nightclub & bouncer analogy) 09:34 – Why PCOS may have been protective historically 11:29 – Genetics & metabolic programming 13:26 – Why some women gain weight “more easily” 16:55 – Is PCOS lifelong? 18:34 – PCOS diagnosis: 2 of 3 criteria + exclusions 21:39 – Do you need ultrasound? AMH testing explained 22:51 – “PCOS labs” = ruling out impersonators 24:31 – Metabolic safety labs: sugar, cholesterol, liver 26:44 – PCOS and fertility: ovulation + medication success rates 29:11 – Pregnancy risks: gestational diabetes, miscarriage, preeclampsia 31:20 – Gestational diabetes: the metabolic stress test 37:28 – The “NEST” framework for a healthier household 44:47 – Women’s metabolic “stress tests” across life 49:52 – Practical takeaways: what to do next #PCOS #InsulinResistance #IrregularPeriods #HormonalHealth #WomensHealth #podcast #explore #facts #medical #growth