This is Infertility is a bi-weekly podcast where we fuse narrative storytelling with experience and science to give you a new perspective on what it’s really like to go through a family building journey. Each episode dives into the emotional, physical, and financial burdens carried by those who experience infertility on their path to parenthood. Be it IVF, IUI, egg freezing, surrogacy, adoption, etc., the path is never the same and it can be long, painful, and lonely. It’s our mission to give those struggling a platform to be heard, a community connection, and an opportunity to raise awareness of the 1 in 8 who, for many reasons, struggle with infertility.
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Episode 14: PCOS and Fertility: Creating Awareness about PCOS

September is PCOS Awareness Month. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that impacts 10% of women of childbearing age. Among the list of frustrating symptoms that PCOS can cause, some of which include weight gain, excessive hair growth, irregular periods, stress, anxiety, and depression, the condition is also unfortunately one of the leading causes of infertility. 

In honor of this month, we’re doing a three-part series on PCOS to spread awareness and share patient stories. In the second episode, we hear from Megan-Marie Stewart, who was diagnosed with the condition at 16 but started experiencing symptoms even earlier.  

When Megan was told to ‘change her outlook on her condition,’ she decided to change the world instead. In this episode, Megan tells us about a traumatic experience that drove her to create the PCOS Awareness Association, how she’s trying to help others with the same condition, and the various resources that are available to individuals living with PCOS.  

Guest: Megan-Marie Stewart, Founder and Executive Director at PCOS Awareness Association 

Expert: Dr. Angie Beltsos, VIOS Fertility 

Host: Julie Hunt, Business Development Associate at Progyny 

For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page, PCOS Awareness Association (PCOSAA), and Vios Fertility. 

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. 

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com. 

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Host

Julie Hunt
Business Development Associate at Progyny

Julie has been working in the fertility healthcare field for the last 5 years. She started her career as a Patient Care Advocate (PCA), a fertility specialist that helps a patient navigate through their fertility journey and was able to grow and transition within Progyny. Today she leverages her PCA experience and passion for the fertility industry to help employers understand and cover infertility as part of their healthcare benefit.

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Guest

Megan-Marie Stewart
Founder & Executive Director of PCOS Awareness Association (PCOSAA)

Megan is a seasoned Businesswoman who resides in Northern Virginia. Born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Seattle, Washington, her passion for all-things business and helping others began early on and has stayed with her ever since.

PCOSAA is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome worldwide. Megan-Marie’s mission is to revolutionize the way people approach education surrounding PCOS awareness. Most importantly, she is extremely dedicated to fighting for women with PCOS.

When she isn’t focused on her multifaceted career and volunteer work, Megan-Marie enjoys taking classes on topics of interest, networking, and discovering new places. Megan-Marie Stewart holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Project Management.

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Guest

Angeline N. Beltsos
MD is the CEO and Medical Director of Vios Fertility Institute

Dr. Beltsos is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI), practicing medicine since 1991. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University in 1995 followed by a fellowship in REI at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, completed in 1997.

She is also the Clinical Research Division Director of Vios and participates in a number of research projects and scientific publications. She has received numerous awards in teaching and has been honored as “Top Doctor” from Castle Connelly for several years. She is a popular speaker, both nationally and internationally, and a frequent media resource on the topic of infertility. Dr. Beltsos is the executive chairperson for the Midwest Reproductive Symposium International, an international conference of fertility experts.

As the REI Division Education Director for the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency programs of Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Lutheran General Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Hospital Chicago, Dr. Beltsos helps educate future OB/GYN doctors. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Illinois at Chicago.

Music From This Episode:

Artist: Kai Engel
Track: Brand New World
URL: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_01_Brand_New_World

Track: Cold War Echo
URL: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_07_Cold_War_Echo

Artist: Steve Combs
Track: A Vital Piece of Music for All Your Soundtrack Needs
URL: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Steve_Combs/Jaw/Steve_Combs_-_Jaw_-_01_A_Vital_Piece_of_Music_for_All_Your_Soundtrack_Needs

Artist: Jahzzar
Track: MainSquare
URL: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/handmade/MainSquare