What’s in a name? What can you really tell from a label like “polycystic ovarian syndrome”? And how much of that is more misconception than truth? The answer, as it turns out, is the former. In this episode, we delve into the world of PCOS, a world that shows us how preconceived notions of health and disease, gender and sexuality can do far more harm than good. For many people with PCOS, this condition violates society’s expectations of how you should look, act, or feel. And the resulting stigma and shame deepens the silence that often surrounds PCOS and leads to inadequate treatment and medical gaslighting. But thanks to the work of some incredible advocates, that silence is slowly fading. Tune in to discover the many lessons that PCOS can teach us, if only we are willing to learn.
| History | Biology |
| Williams, Stacey L. The psychology of PCOS: Building the science and breaking the silence. American Psychological Association, 2023. | Teede, H.J., Tay, C.T., Laven, J.J., Dokras, A., Moran, L.J., Piltonen, T.T., Costello, M.F., Boivin, J., Redman, L.M., Boyle, J.A. and Norman, R.J., 2023. Recommendations from the 2023 international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. European journal of endocrinology, 189(2), pp.G43-G64. |
| Azziz, Ricardo, and Eli Y. Adashi. “Stein and Leventhal: 80 years on.” American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 214.2 (2016): 247-e1. | Teede, H.J., Misso, M.L., Costello, M.F., Dokras, A., Laven, J., Moran, L., Piltonen, T. and Norman, R.J., 2018. Recommendations from the international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Human reproduction, 33(9), pp.1602-1618. |
| Dumesic, Daniel A., David H. Abbott, and Gregorio D. Chazenbalk. “An evolutionary model for the ancient origins of polycystic ovary syndrome.” Journal of clinical medicine 12.19 (2023): 6120. | Joham, A.E., Norman, R.J., Stener-Victorin, E., Legro, R.S., Franks, S., Moran, L.J., Boyle, J. and Teede, H.J., 2022. Polycystic ovary syndrome. The lancet Diabetes & endocrinology, 10(9), pp.668-680. |
| Meczekalski, Blazej. “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Past, Present and Future.” Journal of Clinical Medicine 12.11 (2023): 3808. | Dong, J. and Rees, D.A., 2023. Polycystic ovary syndrome: pathophysiology and therapeutic opportunities. BMJ medicine, 2(1), p.e000548. |
| Stein, Irving F. “Bilateral polycystic ovaries: Significance in sterility.” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 50.4 (1945): 385-398. | Barber, T.M. and Franks, S., 2021. Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome. Clinical endocrinology, 95(4), pp.531-541. |
| Szydlarska, Dorota, Małgorzata Machaj, and Artur Jakimiuk. “History of discovery of polycystic ovary syndrome.” Advances in Clinical & Experimental Medicine 26.3 (2017). | Moghetti, P., Tosi, F., Bonin, C., Di Sarra, D., Fiers, T., Kaufman, J.M., Giagulli, V.A., Signori, C., Zambotti, F., Dall’Alda, M. and Spiazzi, G., 2013. Divergences in insulin resistance between the different phenotypes of the polycystic ovary syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 98(4), pp.E628-E637. |
| Witchel, Selma F., Ricardo Azziz, and Sharon E. Oberfield. “History of polycystic ovary syndrome, premature adrenarche, and hyperandrogenism in pediatric endocrinology.” Hormone research in paediatrics 95.6 (2022): 557-567. | Madan, R. and Varghese, R.T., 2024. Assessing insulin sensitivity and resistance in humans. Endotext [Internet]. |
| Tsutsumi, R. and Webster, N.J., 2009. GnRH pulsatility, the pituitary response and reproductive dysfunction. Endocrine journal, 56(6), pp.729-737. | |
| Franks, S. and Hardy, K., 2018. Androgen action in the ovary. Frontiers in endocrinology, 9, p.452. | |
| Cannarella, R., Condorelli, R.A., Mongioì, L.M., La Vignera, S. and Calogero, A.E., 2018. Does a male polycystic ovarian syndrome equivalent exist?. Journal of endocrinological investigation, 41(1), pp.49-57. | |
| Di Guardo, F., Ciotta, L., Monteleone, M. and Palumbo, M., 2020. Male equivalent polycystic ovarian syndrome: hormonal, metabolic and clinical aspects. International Journal of Fertility & Sterility, 14(2), p.79. | |
| Sánchez-Garrido, M.A., Serrano-López, V., Ruiz-Pino, F., Vázquez, M.J., Rodríguez-Martín, A., Torres, E., Velasco, I., Rodríguez, A.B., Chicano-Gálvez, E., Mora-Ortiz, M. and Ohlsson, C., 2024. Superior metabolic improvement of polycystic ovary syndrome traits after GLP1-based multi-agonist therapy. Nature Communications, 15(1), p.8498. | |
| Teede, H., Moran, L., Morman, R., Gibson, M., Dokras, A., Berry, L., Laven, J.S., Joham, A., Piltonen, T., Costello, M. and Norman, R.J., 2025. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Perspectives from Patients and Health Professionals on Clinical Features, Current Name, and Renaming: A Longitudinal International Online Survey. *PRE-Print not yet peer reviewed. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5163319 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5163319 |
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One thought on “Episode 181 PCOS: Beyond the cysts”
Thank you so much for this episode! I was diagnosed with PCOS when I had a fertility workup at 33, but had clear signs of it from the first years of my period. This episode was affirming, sensitive, and left me with way more information. I had a hysterectomy at 43 due to other issues (that turned out to be adenomyosis among other things), which I’m super grateful for since absolutely no one has ever discussed risks of endometrial cancer with me. I so appreciate your investigations and discussions into a variety of conditions and situations. I also loved that the first hand account was from a trans man! I love your advocacy and your commitment to inclusivity. I am also attaching the post of my blog that I wrote in response to this episode (and also after reading the book “Period. End of Sentence.: A New Chapter in the Fight for Menstrual Justice” by Anita Diamant.) Thanks again! https://findingadifferentpath.blogspot.com/2025/07/periods-and-pcos.html
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