Female Hormone Health, PCOS, Endometriosis, Fertility & Breast Cancer | Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi
Huberman Lab
6 DAYS AGO
Female Hormone Health, PCOS, Endometriosis, Fertility & Breast Cancer | Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi
Female Hormone Health, PCOS, Endometriosis, Fertility & Breast Cancer | Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi
Huberman Lab
6 DAYS AGO
In this insightful conversation, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, a board-certified OB/GYN and women's health expert, sheds light on two widespread yet underdiagnosed conditions that significantly impact female reproductive health. She emphasizes the critical need for greater awareness, early detection, and patient empowerment in navigating complex hormonal disorders.
Dr. Aliabadi discusses polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, highlighting their common symptoms—such as irregular periods, acne, hair loss, and chronic pelvic pain—and the frequent delays in diagnosis due to systemic gaps in women's healthcare. PCOS, driven by insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances, disrupts ovulation and increases infertility risk, while endometriosis involves ectopic endometrial tissue causing pain and scarring. Both conditions are often missed despite available tools like AMH testing and pelvic ultrasounds. Early screening, lifestyle interventions, and targeted treatments—including metformin, inositol, GLP-1 agonists, and hormonal therapies—are essential for managing symptoms and preserving fertility. The discussion underscores the importance of patient self-advocacy, comprehensive hormone testing, and rethinking medical approaches to women’s health to prevent years of suffering and improve long-term outcomes.
02:58
02:58
Symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis are frequently dismissed, leading to undiagnosed infertility
09:30
09:30
PCOS and endometriosis, major causes of infertility, can be self-diagnosed.
14:07
14:07
PCOS and endometriosis education must be mandatory in schools
15:28
15:28
High AMH in PCOS doesn't mean good-quality eggs
21:29
21:29
GLP-1s have been used for weight loss in PCOS patients since 2014.
24:36
24:36
90% of PCOS cases are undiagnosed due to systemic barriers in diagnostic imaging.
30:42
30:42
Treating underlying PCOS can improve mood disorders without evidence that antidepressants cause PCOS
38:48
38:48
Only 20-30% of PCOS patients ovulate, and many have poor egg quality.
43:26
43:26
Visceral fat contributes to inflammation and worsens insulin resistance in PCOS, even in lean individuals
49:11
49:11
Androgens in PCOS disrupt dopamine and serotonin balance in the brain
52:33
52:33
High AMH in PCOS may reflect non-ovulating follicles, not fertility potential
58:34
58:34
90% of PCOS and endometriosis cases go undiagnosed despite being leading causes of infertility
1:03:50
1:03:50
High-dose metformin (750mg twice daily) is more effective for insulin resistance in PCOS
1:09:45
1:09:45
GLP-1s like Trulicity have transformed lives by regulating insulin and improving PCOS symptoms
1:17:44
1:17:44
GLP-1s reduce alcohol cravings because they're tied to sugar cravings in brain dysregulation
1:19:14
1:19:14
Over 50% of PCOS patients may also have endometriosis, impacting fertility treatment.
1:26:06
1:26:06
Women with PCOS should freeze eggs before 30 for optimal fertility preservation
1:34:58
1:34:58
Normal AMH and menstruation don't guarantee reproductive normality
1:38:52
1:38:52
Listening to patients achieves 99.9% accuracy in diagnosing endometriosis
1:39:30
1:39:30
Painful periods disrupt life and are a key symptom of endometriosis
1:42:30
1:42:30
A 50-year-old patient suffered for years with classic endometriosis symptoms without diagnosis, exposing critical gaps in women's healthcare.
1:47:04
1:47:04
Endometriosis implants self-sustain through local estrogen production
1:50:37
1:50:37
Inflammation from endometriosis creates a hostile environment for sperm and embryos
1:54:31
1:54:31
Function detected elevated mercury levels in the speaker, leading to targeted reduction strategies.
1:58:48
1:58:48
Normal ultrasound or MRI doesn't rule out endometriosis — diagnosis requires clinical correlation and patient advocacy
2:01:38
2:01:38
Only one in 100 gynecologists is trained for laparoscopic endometriosis surgery.
2:08:00
2:08:00
When a woman says something's wrong with her body, it usually is.
2:15:12
2:15:12
Explaining medications to PCOS patients improves treatment compliance
2:16:09
2:16:09
0.1 of typical AMH units corresponds to one egg, and ultrasound may miss endometriosis
2:20:45
2:20:45
GnRH antagonists are effective for painful sex and periods but limited to two years due to bone loss.
2:22:40
2:22:40
Stromal endometriosis lacks glandular tissue and is often missed in laparoscopy
2:23:54
2:23:54
Endometriosis and PCOS patients are at higher risk for postpartum depression due to their life experiences
2:32:21
2:32:21
Every woman should have an annual pelvic ultrasound as part of a Well Woman Exam.
2:34:07
2:34:07
Patients can perform basic infertility checks themselves, as some doctors may overlook key factors.
2:44:35
2:44:35
A woman with 37% lifetime risk had cancer found during double mastectomy after being denied care
2:50:30
2:50:30
Endometriosis is an autoimmune disease.
2:55:59
2:55:59
Completely cutting carbs is not sustainable, especially for young patients
3:00:16
3:00:16
Endometriosis patients on HRT need progesterone even after hysterectomy to prevent implant stimulation.
3:00:42
3:00:42
Reducing visceral fat and insulin resistance can increase ovulation in PCOS
