with @TheWomensDietitian: On PCOS Misinformation And Why Nutrition Myths Persist Online

“Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist—but becoming a registered dietitian takes years of training.”

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran is joined by registered dietitian and PCOS educator Cori Ruth, also known online as The Women’s Dietitian, to break down the difference between evidence-based nutrition advice and the wellness misinformation circulating across social media.

Cori shares how her own PCOS diagnosis led her to build a platform educating more than a million followers about women’s health and eventually write her book, PCOS Is My Power, a guide to understanding PCOS and navigating nutrition for this common hormonal condition.

Together, Dr. Fran and Cori unpack some of the most common myths about PCOS and hormone health online, including claims that birth control causes PCOS, extreme elimination diets for hormone balance, and the persistent idea that weight loss alone can “cure” the condition. They also discuss viral wellness trends like seed cycling, hormone-balancing foods, and the growing number of “PCOS coaches” offering advice without formal training.

The conversation also dives into the realities clinicians face when treating PCOS—a condition affecting millions of women that still has no single medication designed specifically to treat it. Cori shares practical guidance clinicians can give patients around nutrition, including why protein, fiber, and blood sugar regulation play such a critical role in PCOS management.

For anyone trying to navigate hormone advice online—or wondering who to trust when it comes to nutrition and PCOS—this episode offers a grounded, evidence-based conversation.

Cory Ruth's social media: @TheWomensDietitian

Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran