Phase to Phase is a podcast hosted by naturopathic doctor Anne Hussain. She's on a mission to empower and educate women to better understand their menstrual cycles and hormonal health.
Anne’s passion for menstrual advocacy and body literacy began in Pakistan where she received no education about periods or reproductive health growing up. Navigating her own polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also inspired her to become an ND and write The Period Literacy Handbook.
Anne hopes to guide women through all phases of their hormonal health with this podcast, from their very first period to beyond perimenopause. Drawing on her training as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Anne will support listeners through symptoms ranging from mood, sleep and flow changes, to the impacts of hormone change on your skin, metabolism and bones.
Anne reminds us that your health journey is unique and may be different from your mother, your neighbour, or your best friend. At the heart of it all, she believes that learning about your body and having agency over your health is not only an act of care for yourself, but also for each other and the world we share.
Listen for new episodes every other Thursday starting in September 2025. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health.
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Phase to Phase is a podcast hosted by naturopathic doctor Anne Hussain. She's on a mission to empower and educate women to better understand their menstrual cycles and hormonal health.
Anne’s passion for menstrual advocacy and body literacy began in Pakistan where she received no education about periods or reproductive health growing up. Navigating her own polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also inspired her to become an ND and write The Period Literacy Handbook.
Anne hopes to guide women through all phases of their hormonal health with this podcast, from their very first period to beyond perimenopause. Drawing on her training as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Anne will support listeners through symptoms ranging from mood, sleep and flow changes, to the impacts of hormone change on your skin, metabolism and bones.
Anne reminds us that your health journey is unique and may be different from your mother, your neighbour, or your best friend. At the heart of it all, she believes that learning about your body and having agency over your health is not only an act of care for yourself, but also for each other and the world we share.
Listen for new episodes every other Thursday starting in September 2025. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health.
Understanding PCOS: Symptoms and Solutions Explained
Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show
31 minutes
4 weeks ago
Understanding PCOS: Symptoms and Solutions Explained
In this episode of Phase to Phase, Dr. Anne Hussain dives deep into Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a topic near and dear to her heart as someone who has PCOS herself. This common yet complex condition affects so much more than your ovaries, menstrual cycles, and fertility. She emphasizes that PCOS is a lifelong, multi-system condition that requires a comprehensive approach to management that will evolve over time. She breaks down how PCOS is diagnosed, the role of insulin resistance and inflammation, how your PCOS is not your fault, and the impacts on your long term health–from weight and skin to fertility and heart health. Dr. Hussain also highlights the role of nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management in managing PCOS, as well as potentially beneficial medications and supplements. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or have been managing symptoms for years, this episode is a must-listen to help you advocate for yourself and build a sustainable plan rooted in science and self-compassion.
Takeaways
It’s not just about your ovaries, periods, or fertility. PCOS is actually a multi-system, lifelong hormonal and metabolic condition that impacts your mood, energy, skin, and long-term health.
You don’t need to have polycystic ovaries to have PCOS! PCOS requires us to rule out conditions that look like PCOS, while meeting two of the three Rotterdam diagnostic criteria of: (1) irregular or anovulatory menstrual cycles, (2) hyperandrogenic symptoms or labs (like acne, hirsutism, and hair loss, or high testosterone and DHEA in blood), (3) polycystic ovaries on ultrasound or high AMH in blood
PCOS comes in all shapes and sizes. Symptoms of PCOS can vary from person to person and these symptoms can change over time! The common signs and symptoms seen in PCOS include irregular periods, acne, hair loss, hirsutism, fatty liver, abdominal weight gain, infertility, gestational diabetes, mood dysregulation, higher risk of heart disease, and more
Insulin resistance is the biggest underlying factor in PCOS and contributes to the hormonal dysregulation that is often seen in PCOS. PCOS is influenced by genetic, environmental, familial, and lifestyle factors. You did not cause your PCOS!
Managing your PCOS often requires a multimodal approach with a focus on foundations like nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental health support, stress management, and more. Medications and supplements can be layered on top depending on your, your goals, and your health.
Chapters
(00:00) Understanding PCOS: A Lifelong Journey
(02:56) The Diagnostic Criteria of PCOS
(06:12) Symptoms and Manifestations of PCOS
(08:59) Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Dysfunction
(11:49) Root Causes of PCOS
(14:55) Building a Health Plan for PCOS
(18:11) Nutrition and PCOS Management
(20:59) Exercise and Lifestyle Changes
(23:46) Sleep and Stress Management
Resources:
https://annehussain.com/pcosacne
Grab Dr. Anne's Period Literacy Handbook:
https://annehussain.com/plh
Connect with Dr. Anne Hussain, ND:
https://phasetophase.ca/
https://annehussain.com/
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Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show
Phase to Phase is a podcast hosted by naturopathic doctor Anne Hussain. She's on a mission to empower and educate women to better understand their menstrual cycles and hormonal health.
Anne’s passion for menstrual advocacy and body literacy began in Pakistan where she received no education about periods or reproductive health growing up. Navigating her own polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also inspired her to become an ND and write The Period Literacy Handbook.
Anne hopes to guide women through all phases of their hormonal health with this podcast, from their very first period to beyond perimenopause. Drawing on her training as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Anne will support listeners through symptoms ranging from mood, sleep and flow changes, to the impacts of hormone change on your skin, metabolism and bones.
Anne reminds us that your health journey is unique and may be different from your mother, your neighbour, or your best friend. At the heart of it all, she believes that learning about your body and having agency over your health is not only an act of care for yourself, but also for each other and the world we share.
Listen for new episodes every other Thursday starting in September 2025. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health.
