Hello

My Story

Living with PCOS: The Invisible Struggle

PCOS is a chronic hormonal disorder that affects as many as 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. It’s characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, elevated androgens (male hormones), insulin resistance, and the presence of small cysts on the ovaries. But PCOS is more than just a reproductive issue—it can disrupt metabolic health, mood, energy, skin, weight, and even long-term heart and endocrine function.

For me, PCOS didn’t just show up in blood tests. It showed up as:

• Unpredictable cycles that left me anxious and disconnected from my body
   

• Weight fluctuations that led to years of body image issues and disordered eating
   

• Insulin resistance that put me on the path toward prediabetes
   

• Declining mental health manifesting through episodes of depression and mental exhaustion that no one could “see”
   

• A growing fear that I would never feel fully well again
   

And yet, through all that, I refused to settle for survival—I wanted to thrive. That’s when I discovered the power of movement, nutrition, and a deeper kind of self-care.

From Patient to Practitioner

Healing started small: I learned how to eat in a way that supported my hormones, designed workouts that helped me gain strength without inflaming my body, and, most importantly, rewrote the narrative I had about myself. I became a certified yoga instructor, falling in love with exercise and movement. I started creating healthy meals, journaling through the setbacks, and learning how to truly listen to my body.

That personal transformation shaped not only my day-to-day life but also my long-term vision for my role in healthcare.

As a future physician, my mission is to help shift our healthcare system toward prevention—where chronic conditions like PCOS, diabetes, and heart disease are addressed before they escalate into life-altering or life-threatening illnesses. A preventive care model isn’t just more compassionate—it’s more cost-effective, scalable, and life-saving in the long run. If we empower patients with tools, knowledge, and self-efficacy early on, we can minimize mortality rates and build a healthier world from the ground up.

That’s why I created Health As A Whole—because I believe that medicine, movement, and mindfulness are not separate. They’re all part of the same equation. This platform is a reflection of that philosophy.

What You’ll Find Here

On this blog, I share:

• Nourishing meals designed to support metabolic and hormonal health
   

• Yoga flows and strength routines that promote mental clarity and physical strength
   

• Evidence-informed guides on managing PCOS and other chronic conditions
   

• Honest conversations about mental health, body image, and healing
   

• Tips for sustainable, compassionate preventive lifestyle changes
   

This is more than a wellness blog—it’s a movement toward whole-body, whole-person care. A place for anyone who has felt overwhelmed by symptoms, dismissed by the system, or disconnected from their health to feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Thank you for being here. Your health matters. Your story matters. And you are never alone in your journey.

With love and strength, 
Dina Shirazi
Founder, Health As A Whole
Certified Medical Assistant | Yoga Sculpt Instructor | (Aspiring) Future Physician