Dr. Fiona McCulloch shares about Insulin, Genetics & Why PCOS Symptoms Get Worse After 30

Dr. Jolene Brighten and naturopathic physician Dr. Fiona McCulloch uncover the truth about androgen excess, insulin resistance, neurodivergence, gut inflammation, and why PCOS does not disappear after menopause. Dr. McCulloch explains how in-utero exposure to stress hormones, environmental toxins, and maternal insulin resistance can “switch on” PCOS genes for life, and why the myth that PCOS is caused by weight gain is medically wrong.

Chapters

00:00 – PCOS Explained: Why It’s an Endocrine Disorder, Not Ovarian Cysts
05:15 – Ovary vs Adrenal Testosterone: How to Read Androgen Labs
10:00 – Why the Adrenals Overproduce DHEA-S
14:45 – Brain–Ovary Signaling Problems: LH, Insulin & Ovulation Failure
19:20 – Top Supplements for PCOS
23:50 – Building a PCOS Metabolism
28:55 – When Low-Carb Diets Make PCOS Worse
33:40 – Genetic Tests (MCAD) & Why Some Women Can’t Burn Fat for Fuel
38:30 – Age, Perimenopause & Changing Carbohydrate Tolerance
42:50 – PCOS After Menopause: Why It Doesn’t Go Away
47:10 – Heart Disease Risk in PCOS
51:55 – Exercise Myths: What PCOS Women Should Actually Do
57:40 – Cycle-Syncing Myth Debunked (New Research)
1:03:20 – Glucose Spikes, CGMs & Why “Never Spike Insulin” Is Wrong
1:09:10 – In-Utero Origins: How Pregnancy Shapes Lifelong PCOS
1:14:20 – PCOS & Neurodivergence
1:19:05 – Birth Control, Mood Changes & ADHD Sensitivities
1:24:05 – PCOS Genes in Men: Insulin Resistance & DHT Patterns

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💫 Follow Dr. Fiona McCulloch :
📸 Instagram:   / drfionand  


👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:
💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com
📸 Instagram:   / drjolenebrighten  
🎥 TikTok:   / drjolenebrighten  
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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely my own and do not represent those of my employer or any affiliated organization. The discussion is intended for general educational purposes about women’s health and endometriosis care on a global level. References to challenges in diagnosis, access, or treatment reflect systemic issues in medicine as a whole and are not directed at any specific institution or provider. No patient information or organizational data are discussed.

#pcos #pcosawareness #pcoslifestyle