For many women, the real challenge isn’t just unexplained health problems, it’s being heard when they seek help. Jay sits down with Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, or "Dr. A", to unpack a silent crisis affecting millions of women around the world: undiagnosed PCOS and endometriosis. This isn’t just a discussion about fertility, but a masterclass on hormones, inflammation, mental health, and the painful reality of medical gaslighting. PCOS, a condition shaped by insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance, chronic inflammation, and neurological disruption, is often overlooked, leaving women struggling with anxiety, depression, weight gain, irregular periods, and infertility without answers. Dr. A shares how insulin resistance acts as the “first domino,” triggering a domino effect that impacts everything from ovulation to mood, and emphasizes that true healing requires addressing all four pillars, not just masking symptoms with birth control. Dr. A challenges the outdated belief that painful periods are “normal,” explaining that severe pain, painful sex, chronic bloating, bladder symptoms, and bowel discomfort are signs something deeper may be wrong. She reveals that diagnosis takes an average of 9–11 years, and that many women are told their pain is psychological before they’re ever taken seriously. Through both science and lived clinical experience, she makes it clear: when inflammation and hormones are out of balance, mental health suffers too. Anxiety, depression, brain fog, and eating disorders are not personal failings, they are often physiological signals that something deeper is happening in the body. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Recognize the Signs of PCOS Early How to Reduce Insulin Resistance Naturally How to Tell if Your Period Pain Is “Normal” How to Protect Your Fertility in Your 20s and 30s How to Balance Hormones Beyond Birth Control How to Spot Hidden Symptoms of Endometriosis How to Lower Inflammation Through Lifestyle Changes If there’s one thing to take away from this conversation, it’s this: your body is not working against you, it’s communicating with you. Pain is not weakness. It is a signal and you deserve to have those signals taken seriously. To learn more about Dr. A’s advocacy on women’s health, check out: https://www.shemdpodcast.com/ With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 02:58 Are We Facing a Fertility Crisis? 03:58 What Is PCOS? 07:13 Why PCOS Often Goes Undiagnosed 09:15 The Impact of Insulin Resistance 15:06 Making PCOS Patients Insulin-Sensitive 19:37 The Nutritional Effects of GLP-1 Medications 22:14 High Androgens and Chronic Inflammation 25:39 How Hormonal Imbalances Affect the Brain 29:25 Why Birth Control Alone Isn’t Enough 31:23 How to Know If You Have PCOS 35:01 Painful Periods Are Not Normal 36:47 What Is Endometriosis? 46:07 The Most Effective Treatment Approach for Endometriosis 49:20 The Risks of Ignoring Endometriosis 53:09 How to Use Birth Control Strategically 56:04 What to Do If Egg Freezing Isn’t an Option 57:53 The Link Between Endometriosis and Leaky Gut 01:00:33 Potential IVF Complications Explained 01:04:38 A Scientific Approach to Infertility 01:10:01 What to Do If You’re Not Getting Pregnant Episode Resources: Website: https://ovii.com/ Website: https://www.draliabadi.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrej0PO97bg8GRMogtcKbbA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThaisAliabadiMd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drthaisaliabadi/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
