Female Hormone Health, PCOS, Endometriosis, Fertility & Breast Cancer | Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi
Andrew Huberman
Nov 24, 2025
Episode description
My guest is Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, MD, board-certified OB/GYN, surgeon and leading expert in women's health. We discuss polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, two very common yet frequently undiagnosed causes of female infertility. Dr. Aliabadi explains the symptoms, underlying causes and evidence-based treatments for both conditions, including supplement and lifestyle interventions. We also discuss breast cancer risk and screening, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause, and the hormone tests that women should request. This conversation offers empowering, potentially life-changing information for women of all ages to take control of their hormone, reproductive and overall health.Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/mDpyoTsThank you to our sponsorsAGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/hubermanLingo: https://hellolingo.com/hubermanOur Place: https://fromourplace.com/hubermanJoovv: https://joovv.com/hubermanLMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanFunction: https://functionhealth.com/hubermanFollow Huberman LabInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlabX: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-hubermanWebsite: https://www.hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletterDr. Thaïs AliabadiMedical website: https://www.draliabadi.com SheMD podcast: https://www.shemdpodcast.com/episodes SheMD website & resources: https://www.shemdpodcast.com The Women’s Health Blog: https://www.draliabadi.com/womens-health-blogOvii Health: https://ovii.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drthaisaliabadi/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrThaisAliabadi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThaisAliabadiMd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-thais-aliabadi-1232a392 Timestamps00:00:00 Thaïs Aliabadi00:02:56 Why Endometriosis & Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Go Undiagnosed00:08:16 Infertility, Tool: Early Screening00:10:54 Sponsors: Lingo & Our Place00:14:07 Women’s Health Education Gap00:15:24 PCOS Overview: Symptoms, Diagnosis, AMH, Disordered Eating00:21:28 Irregular Periods, Teenage PCOS Diagnosis00:24:36 Diagnosis, Pelvic Ultrasound; PCOS Naming00:27:49 Thinning Hair & Acne; 4 PCOS Phenotypes; Mood & Treatment00:35:54 Underlying Pillars of PCOS; HPA Axis, Androgens, Menstruation & Ovulation00:40:30 Insulin Resistance & PCOS, Visceral Fat & Inflammation00:46:30 Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & Joovv00:49:10 PCOS, Chronic Inflammation, Genetics & Lifestyle; Mood00:52:31 PCOS, Fertility, Freezing Eggs, Tool: Egg Count & AMH Range By Age00:58:34 Women’s Health Education, AI, Clinicians; Cataracts Analogy01:01:20 Stress; PCOS Treatment, Birth Control, Insulin Resistance & Metformin01:06:44 PCOS Risk Calculator, Supplements, Lifestyle Factors; GLP-1s01:12:32 Berberine, Metformin; GLP-1s, Food Anxiety & Alcohol01:19:13 PCOS Prescriptions & Fertility; PCOS Co-Occurrence with Endometriosis01:21:56 Sponsor: LMNT01:23:16 PCOS Treatment, Freezing Eggs, Egg Quality; Advocate For Your Health01:32:02 PCOS Key Takeaways: Symptoms, Tests, Supplements & Lifestyle01:36:03 Undiagnosed Endometriosis, Fertility01:39:26 Endometriosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Painful Periods, Infertility01:42:30 Male vs Female Health Issues, Undiagnosed Endometriosis01:47:01 Inflammation, Ectopic Implants, Chronic Pelvic Pain; Adenomyosis01:50:36 Egg Quality, Endometriosis, Tools: Egg Counts; Pelvic Ultrasound01:54:29 Sponsor: Function01:56:13 Pain & Health Testing, Tool: Endometriosis Symptoms, Screening & Tests02:01:32 Treatment, Surgery, Different Types of Endometriosis02:05:22 Endometriosis Causes, Inflammation; Incidence, PCOS02:11:58 Obstetrics & Gynecology Separation, Surgery 02:16:00 Endometriosis Key Takeaways: Symptoms, Treatment & Diagnosis02:17:04 Treatment, Estrogen & Progesterone, Birth Control, GnRH Antagonists02:22:39 Endometriosis Stage & Pain, Endometriosis Types02:23:49 Pregnancy; Postpartum Depression, Menopause; Frustration for Patients02:29:55 Fibroids, Surgery, Uterine Septum, Tool: Pelvic Ultrasound02:34:05 Tool: Assessing Your & Partner’s Fertility; Autoimmune Conditions02:37:51 Breast Cancer, Tool: Lifetime Risk Calculator & Breast Imaging; Mastectomy02:49:47 Endometriosis Tests, Autoimmune Disease; Brain Fog & Menopause; Inositol02:53:06 Undiagnosed Infertility; PMDD Treatment; Fasting & Low-Carbohydrate Diets02:57:21 Hair Loss & Perimenopause; Egg Quality; Endometriosis & Menopause03:00:40 Increase Progesterone; Diet, Hormone & Menopause; Prolong Fertility03:04:54 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter#HubermanLab #Health #HormoneHealthDisclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Recognize high AMH as a potential PCOS indicator
Contrary to popular belief, a very high AMH (egg count) can be a sign of PCOS and poor egg quality, not superior fertility.
Recognize connection between PCOS and endometriosis for better diagnosis
Dr. Aliabadi hypothesizes that over 50% of patients with PCOS also suffer from endometriosis, a connection often missed by doctors.
Recognize recurrent UTI symptoms as potential endometriosis indicator
Experiencing recurrent bladder or UTI-like symptoms that consistently result in negative cultures is a major red flag for endometriosis.
Utilize pulsatile SSRIs for effective PMDD management
For PMDD, antidepressants like Prozac or Zoloft can be taken in a 'pulsatile' manner for just 10-14 days a month and still be highly effective.
Recognize estrogen withdrawal bleeding as non-ovulatory period
Many women with PCOS experience regular bleeding that they believe is a period, but it's often just estrogen withdrawal bleeding as they are not actually ovulating.
Utilize Tyrer-Cuzick tool to assess breast cancer risk
Every woman should use the free Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment tool to calculate her lifetime risk of breast cancer, as this number dictates screening protocols.
Consider SLYND for PCOS management due to anti-androgenic effects
The progesterone-only birth control pill SLYND is a good option for some PCOS patients because it is anti-androgenic.
Take free online PCOS assessment at OVI.com
A free online quiz at OVI.com, created by Dr. Aliabadi, can help women assess their likelihood of having PCOS.
Start annual breast imaging at 30 if lifetime risk is 20% or more
If your lifetime breast cancer risk is 20% or more, you qualify for annual breast imaging starting at age 30, not the standard age of 40.
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