PCOS Advocate Dr. Thais Aliabadi

Esteemed OBGYN and

PCOS Advocate
for women worldwide
Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, MD

By Angelina Cappiello

Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi is a board-certified OBGYN and gynecological surgeon known for the undivided, compassionate care she provides to patients at her Beverly Hills, California practice. For more than 22 years, “Dr. A,” as patients affectionately call her, has been dedicated to women's health. She has also become a champion for women suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a common cause of heavy menstrual cycles, obesity, and infertility - a disorder that impacts nearly 6 million women in the United States. She co-hosts the podcast https://www.shemdpodcast.com/ with the goal to make every woman their own health advocate.

Dr. Aliabadi is launching Ovii.com, a once a day, multi-action supplement created to address the core hormonal and metabolic challenges that women with PCOS face. This resource caters to women coping with the condition and offers a comprehensive PCOS assessment, informative videos, useful tools, and a distinctive proprietary powder formulated to enhance women’s health optimization.

In a heartfelt interview with Preferred Health Magazine for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the respected gynecologist discusses her personal experience with the disease, how listening to her instincts saved her life and her commitment to empowering women to advocate for themselves in their medical treatment.

PHM: You have an esteemed career and high-profile gynecological practice in Beverly Hills, California. When you began your career as an OBGYN, what expectations did you have for yourself?

Dr. Thais Aliabadi: When I first started as an OBGYN, my main goal was to make a real difference in women's lives. I grew up in Iran and witnessed the lack of rights for women in my home country. So, when I began my medical career, I wanted to offer compassionate, high-quality care and help women become their own health advocates. I aimed to empower them and support them in experiencing something I always felt was lacking in my childhood.

PHM: You've established a practice that includes royal and celebrity patients.

How do you believe you've been able to attain such a distinguished reputation?

TA: I can only speak for myself. My reputation comes from the way I treat every patient with the same level of care. If you come to my office and wear the pink robe, it doesn't matter if you're from a royal family, a celebrity, or just someone who needs help. You'll get my full attention and the best possible care. I think my patients appreciate this about me.

I don't watch TV or read gossip magazines, so 95% of the time, I don't know who famous people are. Sometimes, celebrities walk into my office, and for the life of me, I’ve never heard their names- I've been in my own world for so many years. Ultimately, it doesn’t make a difference to me because when I go into that exam room, I’m a doctor, and they’re my patient. I’ll give them the best possible care regardless. I think that’s how I built my reputation, and my patients know that about me.

PHM: As a doctor, your main focus is always on helping your patients. However, in 2019, you had to shift your focus more towards your personal well-being. Can you share with us the pro-active measures you undertook to combat breast cancer, ultimately saving your life?

TA: In 2019, I realized that I needed to shift my focus to include taking care of my own health, in addition to those of my patients. During my routine mammogram, a questionable lesion was seen in my left breast. I underwent a breast biopsy that revealed atypical lobular hyperplasia, which are atypical cells in the breast that are not cancerous. After a procedure to remove the atypical cells, my doctor told me, "We removed the atypical cells. You're good to go. You don’t have to worry about anything. Come back in six months."

Shortly after my visit with her, I calculated my lifetime risk of breast cancer with the Tyrer-Cuzick assessment, an important tool we use to estimate a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer based on various factors, and I found my score to be 37%. This was concerning, as a 37% lifetime risk of breast cancer is significant. For context, the average risk in the general population is about 12.5%.

I had no family history of cancer, no genetic mutations, and I’ve never been overweight, smoked, or used any drugs. I rarely drink alcohol, and we know that the majority of breast cancers are not hereditary; most women are just like me.

Given those results, I made the proactive decision to undergo a prophylactic double mastectomy, a preventive surgery that involves the removal of both breasts. It took me a year to find a surgeon who was willing to do my surgery. During that time, many people called me anxious, crazy, and paranoid.

I finally found a doctor who was willing to perform the surgery. Against her advice, I underwent a double mastectomy exactly five years ago. Shortly after the surgery, I received the call that they had found stage 1 breast cancer in my tissue that was removed. This experience really highlighted for me how crucial it is to be vigilant about our health and to advocate for ourselves.

To help empower other women , I have posted the Tyrer-Cuzick risk calculator for free on our website, https://www.shemdpodcast.com/risk-calculator , along with educational videos to guide women on what to discuss with their doctors once they understand their risk. In my practice, I use both the Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment for every patient and the Myriad MyRisk genetic test https://myriad.com/getmyrisk/ for patients with a family history of cancer.

PHM: And that's the misconception, right?

A lot of women think that it is strictly hereditary.

TA: It's a common misconception that if breast cancer doesn’t run in your family, you’re in the clear. About 85% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of it. Many factors contribute to breast cancer risk, including age, weight, density of the breast, hormonal factors, and even lifestyle choices. It's important to remember that all women should be vigilant about their breast health, regardless of their family history. Regular screenings and understanding your personal risk can make a significant difference. I advocated for myself and I saved my own life. It’s a reminder for all of us to prioritize our health and speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

PHM: Thank God! What was the feeling finding your instincts were right?

TA: Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer can relate. Your brain shuts down. I couldn’t even listen to anything else because when you hear the word "cancer," you think you’re going to die. I had fought for a year to get this surgery, so I was incredibly emotional, angry and disappointed. I cried, thinking that if I hadn’t pushed so hard for this surgery, I could have died. It was the fear of not having done the surgery that made me so upset, and I truly had to fight hard every step of the way to be my own health advocate.

PHM: It's a blessing that you had the strength and determination to make the decision to have a double mastectomy for yourself because it's not a choice made easily.

TA: It’s a blessing that I had the strength and determination to choose a double mastectomy, especially since it’s not an easy decision. I faced a lot of criticism. People called me crazy, and even my doctor labeled me paranoid and anxious. They would ask, "Why are you so scared? Why are you so worried?" It made me feel like I was overreacting. But it reinforced for me the importance of being my own advocate. I had to trust my instincts and prioritize my health, regardless of what others thought.

Dr. Aliabadi's breast cancer scare didn't end there. Less than one month after her double mastectomy procedure she discovered her breast tissue hadn't been completely removed.

TA: Two weeks after my mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, I had a strong feeling that there was still breast tissue left, even though my surgeon assured me everything was fine. I got a breast MRI just to be sure, and the radiologist reassured me that there was no breast tissue left behind. But I felt so traumatized by how my previous cancer was missed that I pushed for a second opinion.

The next radiologist confirmed everything was also clear, and for a brief moment, I felt relief. But when I met with another breast surgeon, Dr. Guiliano, he dropped a bombshell: there was still breast tissue remaining. I was heartbroken. He took me to another expert radiologist who confirmed that the areas I could feel were indeed breast tissue.

I had gone through a 10 hour double mastectomy, where ideally less than 5% of breast tissue should be left behind, but as a gynecologist with years of experience doing breast exams, I knew they had left more than that. So, six weeks later, I had a second double mastectomy. When I woke up, Dr. Guiliano told me they had left 35% of my breast tissue behind and thanked me for being persistent.

This whole experience showed me how crucial it is to trust your instincts and advocate for yourself. Don’t hesitate to seek second opinions or ask hard questions. Your life and health are too important.

PHM: You also specialize in helping women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS, a disorder that is one of the leading causes of infertility. What can you tell us about PCOS and how your practice is helping patients?

TA: PCOS is one of the top causes of infertility and is probably my number one passion in life. It is a hormonal condition that affects 15% of women in this country, and in Middle Eastern countries, that number can go as high as 23%. The sad part is that 75% of these women are not diagnosed. In my opinion, 90% are not diagnosed, and those who are diagnosed are not being treated correctly. It's a significant problem.

PHM: Is it true that women who are overweight may also be suffering from PCOS?

What is the connection?

TA: Many PCOS patients struggle with insulin resistance, which makes it difficult for them to lose weight. In fact, about 75% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese, and many start facing weight challenges as early as their first menstruation. These girls often have symptoms like being overweight, having acne, hair loss or experiencing excess facial and body hair.

These symptoms can really affect their self-confidence and sometimes lead to eating disorders. Unfortunately, many end up needing psychiatric help because they’re not getting the help they need. Many of these women simply need a good gynecologist to diagnose their condition. With the right diagnosis, we can effectively manage their symptoms and help with weight management.

Weight is a significant issue for those with PCOS, but without a proper diagnosis, it’s hard to know how to help these women.

PHM: Right. You see so many jumping on Ozempic for weight loss.

What do you make of that for PCOS patients?

TA: Honestly, GLP-1 medications have been a lifesaver. I’ve been using them since 2014 with my PCOS patients. I started prescribing Trulicity 10 years ago, specifically for weight loss. This class of medications works remarkably well for those with PCOS.

However, there’s an important challenge. When we take patients off these medications, their insulin resistance can cause them to regain the weight back. To address this, I focus on helping them maintain their weight loss with other prescription medications or a supplement that supports their ongoing health. It's crucial for PCOS patients to have a plan in place for long-term success.

PHM: You have a thriving practice in Beverly Hills and you're a mother of four. How do you manage to balance it all?

TA: There are two people who have truly made all the difference in my life. First, my incredible husband, who is the most loving, caring, compassionate, calm, and generous person I have ever met. I’m not just saying that because he’s my husband. Anyone who knows him would agree. It has been a joy to spend 33 years with him, and I believe that behind every successful woman is an amazing partner at home. None of this would be possible without him.

The second is my office manager Kimmy, who has been by my side from day one, providing my patients with the most incredible care. I don’t get a chance to thank her enough publicly, but she has truly made this journey so much easier and more fulfilling for me and my patients. I love them both so much, and I feel so lucky to have them in my life.

PHM: Do you have any advice for aspiring gynecologists?

TA: If you're aspiring to become a gynecologist, my advice is to work hard and always aim to be the best you can be. This field demands dedication and a ton of effort but staying focused and passionate will help you succeed. Keep learning and improving and remember that your impact on your patients' lives is tremendous.

PHM: What would you say to women who may be suffering from symptoms of PCOS?

TA: If you're dealing with symptoms of PCOS or any other symptoms, my advice is to advocate for your health. Make sure you're asking the right questions. Make sure you're seeking out the information you need. If you ever feel like your symptoms are being dismissed or not taken seriously, find another doctor who will give you the attention and care you deserve. Your health is too important, so make sure you're getting the support that meets your needs. They should listen to our episode of the SHE MD podcast where I go over everything they need to know regarding PCOS, so they can go to their own doctors and advocate for themselves. This is exactly why we started the podcast, to put knowledge and information into the hands of women so they can advocate for themselves.

https://www.shemdpodcast.com/episodes/candice-craig-and-dr-aliabadi-on-pcos-awareness-and-self-diagnosing

To learn more about Patient Preferred OBGYN Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi please visit

www.DrAliabadi.com and www.shemdpodcast.com