Every Saturday for the past year, I’ve been doing “ask me a question” on my Instagram (@ShawnTassoneMD). Over time, I’ve noticed specific questions and themes that come up over and over. Now, I’m bringing them to the podcast! Starting with today’s episode, I’m going to create some Q&A episodes where I hit some of the more popular questions and go a little deeper than I can on Instagram. I love responding to your questions, so if you want an opportunity to have your question answered here, head to Instagram at @ShawnTassoneMD on Saturday and ask away! I can't give medical advice specific to you, but I can tell you what I might do for my patients. Today we’re exploring questions like “Do I have to take birth control pills to manage my PCOS?” “Are bioidentical hormones safe?” and “Should I try weight loss drugs like Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic?” Enjoy the episode!   Highlights Q1: I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); why does every doctor want to put me on birth control? What is PCOS, and what are the most common symptoms? PCOS affects 20% to 30% of women in the U.S. Why a multi-pronged approach is needed My treatment approach when working with women with PCOS   Q2: Are bioidentical hormones safe? Confessions of a Male Gynecologist | Episode 12: Does Estrogen Cause Breast Cancer? No medication is 100% safe Potential side effects associated with hormone replacement Protective effects of bioidentical hormones Like anything else, some people could have side effects.   Q3: What do you think of the weight-loss drugs: incretins, GLP-1s, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic? They work on multiple levels How incretin-based drugs work Potential side-effects of these drugs Why it’s crucial to source these medications from the right places   Q4: What are your favorite supplements? Confessions of a Male Gynecologist | Episode 8: 10 Must-Have Supplements for Women The Big 3: maca, fish oil, magnesium glycinate   Q5: What are the different types of hysterectomies? Total vs partial hysterectomy How laparoscopic hysterectomies are performed What you need to know about pelvic floor prolapse Other types of hysterectomies Why I prefer minimally invasive surgeries   Q6: Can you update me on Essure? Why many women chose Essure The three categories of women who had Essure implanted Essure’s removal from the market Confessions of a Male Gynecologist | Episode 4: Working It With The Betty Rocker: Essure, Exercise, and Energy   Q7: What are my options for fibroids? Fibroids are muscular knots that happen in the muscle of the uterus Different types of fibroids and treatment options   Resources Dr. Shawn Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/ Dr. Shawn Tassone's Book | The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/ Dr. Shawn Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Mapping System | Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/     Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.