This is Infertility

There is nothing more fundamental to life than the urge to continue it. But while it may be the most natural thing in the world, childbirth is far from the easiest and no two fertility journeys are the same. For that reason, we are breaking from the typical podcast form. Each episode is hosted by a different voice who brings their own unique point of view to the complex and ever-changing world of infertility. Our hosts are licensed clinical social workers, patient care advocates, clinical psychiatrists, reproductive endocrinologists, real fertility patients, and others who are, in one way or another, experts in the world of fertility. We fuse narrative storytelling with experience and science to give you a new perspective on what it’s really like to go through this journey.

Episode 13: PCOS & Fertility: Satoya Foster

September is PCOS Awareness Month! Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a frustrating condition that can have symptoms like weight gain, excess hair on the face, stress, anxiety, depression, and…infertility. For this month, we’re doing a three-part series on PCOS. Today we hear from Satoya Foster, Co-Founder of the PCOS Awareness Association, who tells us about when she started experiencing symptoms, her diagnosis, and her infertility struggles. Today’s host is Julie Hunt, Business Development Associate at Progyny.

Guests include: Satoya Foster, Dr. Angie Beltsos, VIOS Fertility

Check out Progyny’s PCOS Infographic.

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

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.

Guests

Satoya Foster is the Co-Founder of PCOS Awareness Association (PCOSAA) and collaborates with the Executive Director to evaluate programming, facilitate meetings within the Leadership Board, and to implement plans for strategic growth and sustainability. Having been diagnosed with PCOS, she is passionate about advocating for PCOS research, educating women about what is necessary to get tested, and providing support for those affected by this syndrome. Passionate about women’s empowerment and personal development, Satoya is the founder of Practicing Redemption - http://www.practicingredemption.com/, an online community that empowers women by encouraging redemptive practices as a virtue for personal growth through intentional daily practices and community click here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/602773146586636/.

Angeline N. Beltsos, MD is the CEO and Medical Director of Vios Fertility Institute. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI), practicing medicine since 1991. Dr. Beltsos 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. Dr. Beltsos 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.