The Dr. Brighten Show

Why your PCOS Got WORSE after 30 and How to FIX it | Dr. Fiona McCulloch

Nov 20, 2025
Guest
Dr. Fiona McCulloch
Dr. Fiona McCulloch, a Naturopathic doctor and PCOS expert, dives into why PCOS symptoms often worsen after 30. She explains the interplay between insulin resistance, adrenal stress, and brain-ovary signaling, shedding light on the condition as a survival adaptation. Listeners learn about the significance of individualized nutrition, the role of inositol for hormone signaling, and the implications of prenatal influences. Dr. McCulloch also discusses the impact of lifestyle on insulin resistance and the importance of culturally sensitive care.
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INSIGHT

PCOS Is Largely Epigenetic

  • PCOS has strong epigenetic origins: prenatal androgen exposure and in utero insulin resistance can program lifelong traits.
  • Environmental toxins and maternal stress also influence PCOS risk.
INSIGHT

PCOS May Be A Famine Survival Program

  • PCOS genes may be adaptive survival traits from famine, promoting energy storage and spaced reproduction.
  • That survival programming mismatches modern environments and increases metabolic disease risk.
INSIGHT

Higher ADHD Rates In PCOS

  • PCOS co-occurs with higher ADHD and neurodivergence rates, possibly driven by prenatal androgens.
  • ADHD in PCOS often presents with impulsivity and hyperactivity traits.
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