In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you'll explore the emotional and psychological realities behind why so many women with PCOS choose to step away from fertility treatments. Drawing from a research article titled “Dropout of Infertility Treatments and Related Factors Among Infertile Couples”, this conversation dives into the personal reasons behind treatment discontinuation and what that means for women who are still hoping to grow their families. If you’ve ever felt the heavy emotional toll of month-to-month hoping, anxiety and disappointment, this episode offers a compassionate insight into a part of the fertility journey that’s rarely discussed openly.

Needing a Break Fertility Tracking and Treatments

Whether you're undergoing IVF or tracking cycles naturally at home, the journey is often marked by uncertainty, exhaustion, and emotional pain. You'll learn how psychological stress, not just finances or physical challenges, is the number one reason many women choose to take a break or stop trying altogether.

This episode explores a mixed-method study conducted in Iran that analyzed over 400 infertile couples, combining global research, patient data, and in-depth interviews. What makes this study unique is how it blends hard data with emotional insight. While financial and physical stress were certainly contributing factors, the most significant reason women stepped away from treatment was emotional burnout. You'll discover how a lack of communication, misunderstood diagnoses, and feeling dismissed by medical teams created a deep sense of powerlessness that pushed many women to their emotional limits.

The Emotional Toll of Fertility Treatments for Women with PCOS

Women with PCOS often face more intense and prolonged fertility journeys. Between irregular ovulation, hormone imbalances, and metabolic challenges, treatment cycles can be longer, less predictable, and more emotionally taxing. In this episode, you’ll hear how the emotional burden builds and why some women feel like their care becomes a runaway train, something happening to them, rather than a process they are in control of. You’ll also hear encouragement that it’s okay to take a break and that doing so can actually be a powerful step toward reclaiming emotional and physical wellbeing.

Reclaiming Agency in Your Fertility Journey

One of the key takeaways from this research is the concept of agency. In this episode, you’ll learn why making informed, empowered decisions about your fertility care, even when that means pausing or walking away, is essential. Ashlene discusses how women can ask the right questions, advocate for themselves with their care team, and get the emotional support they need outside of medical appointments. Whether that support comes from a therapist, coach, or trusted community, it’s a vital part of the process that often goes ignored in standard fertility treatment plans.

You can take the quiz to discover your root cause here

Dropout of infertility treatments and related factors among infertile couples

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What did you find helpful in this episode and what follow-up questions do you have?

The full list of Resources & References Mentioned can be found on the Episode webpage at:
https://nourishedtohealthy.com/ep-168

This episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, explores the hot topic of Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications and their potential role for PCOS. These drugs are making headlines for their potential to improve weight loss efforts, but how do they truly fit into a PCOS management plan? You’ll learn what these medications are, how they work in the body, and what the current research says about their use in women with PCOS. Most importantly, this episode helps you understand how to think critically about whether a GLP-1 medication may or may not be right for your situation.

What GLP-1s Do and Why They’re Gaining Popularity

GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone in your body, helping regulate blood sugar, slow gastric emptying, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce appetite. Originally developed for diabetes, they’ve recently surged in popularity as weight loss tools. Since insulin resistance is a major root cause for many women with PCOS, it's no surprise these medications have drawn attention in the PCOS space.

Benefits and Limitations

After listening to his episode, you’ll feel more empowered to ask the right questions when discussing GLP-1 medications with your provider. You’ll understand the importance of personalizing your PCOS treatment and how these medications might play a role as one part of a broader strategy. You’ll also hear why understanding your unique PCOS root causes is the most valuable starting point in your healing journey, whether or not medication is part of the path you choose.

You can take the quiz to discover your root cause here

Let’s continue the conversation on Instagram!

What did you find helpful in this episode and what follow-up questions do you have?

The full list of Resources & References Mentioned can be found on the Episode webpage at:

https://nourishedtohealthy.com/ep-167

In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, I’m excited to share Jasmine’s story, a former patient whose struggles with PCOS, body image, and burnout may sound all too familiar. Jasmine’s experience reflects the pressure many women feel to constantly push harder, dieting, overtraining, and trying to force their bodies into submission, only to feel like they’re getting nowhere. If you've ever felt like your efforts weren’t enough or your body was working against you, this episode offers a powerful shift in perspective and practical encouragement.

When Your Body Says "Enough": The Turning Point

At just 26, Jasmine felt completely burned out. Her periods had stopped, her energy was gone, and her hair was thinning. Despite years of eating “good” and intense workouts, her body felt like it was shutting down. Lab results revealed exactly that, low estrogen and progesterone, nutrient deficiencies, and sky-high stress hormones. But instead of labeling her body as broken, Jasmine began to understand that her symptoms were signals. Her body wasn’t failing, it was crying out for help.

Rebuilding from the Inside Out: Food, Movement, and Mindset

In this episode, you’ll discover what Jasmine did differently that finally helped her make lasting progress. How she stopped eliminating things from her diet and began nourishing her body instead. How her exercise routine shifted from punishment to partnership with her body. Along the way, she dismantled the shame and perfectionism that had fueled her yo-yo cycles for years. She didn’t do it perfectly, but she kept showing up for herself in a new, more supportive way.

The Power of Listening to Your Body

One of the most inspiring parts of Jasmine’s story is how her emotional transformation mirrored her physical healing. As her cycle returned, her energy lifted, and her hair thickened, she also began to feel like herself again—confident, calm, and empowered. She stopped measuring her worth by her weight or workouts and started tuning in to what actually made her feel strong, alive, and aligned with her body. That’s the magic of healing from PCOS, not just fixing symptoms, but building a relationship with your body that’s rooted in trust and care.

If you’ve been stuck in patterns of restriction, shame, or frustration, this episode is your reminder that you are not broken. You don’t need to try harder, instead listen, support, and nourish. Jasmine’s story shows what’s possible when you stop fighting your body and begin to work with it. Healing may not be fast, but it is possible, and it starts with intention, not perfection. You’ll walk away from this episode with a renewed sense of hope and clarity for your own PCOS journey.

You can take the quiz to discover your root cause here

Let’s continue the conversation on Instagram!

What did you find helpful in this episode and what follow-up questions do you have?

The full list of Resources & References Mentioned can be found on the Episode webpage at:

https://nourishedtohealthy.com/ep-166