Dr. Sara Elizabeth Arian on Multidisciplinary Approaches to PCOS
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): A Further Inquiry
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/09/13
Dr. Sara Elizabeth Arian, FACOG, MSc, is a double board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) specialist at Boston IVF’s Quincy Fertility Center. With expertise in reproductive medicine, she focuses on the comprehensive diagnosis and management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and infertility. Dr. Arian emphasizes multidisciplinary, patient-centred strategies that address the reproductive, metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychological complexities of PCOS. She advocates for early diagnosis, lifestyle-based interventions, improved physician education, and integrated behavioural health. Her clinical mission is to enhance care pathways, expand access to fertility treatment, and improve the long-term health and quality of life of women with PCOS.
In this interview with Scott Douglas Jacobsen, the interviewee highlights the urgent need for integrated, multidisciplinary approaches to managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS impacts reproductive, metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychological health, making holistic strategies essential. Lifestyle interventions — diet, exercise, stress management — remain first-line treatments, but barriers such as misdiagnosis, knowledge gaps among physicians, and fragmented care persist. Dr. Arian calls for patient-centred, coordinated systems with improved education, earlier referrals to specialists, community destigmatization, and behavioural health integration to enhance long-term outcomes and quality of life.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What is the importance of integrated, multidisciplinary care strategies for PCOS?
Dr. Sara Elizabeth Arian: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common and perplexing condition affecting metabolic, reproductive, cardiovascular, and psychological health in women. This complex and highly variable endocrine and hormonal disorder affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age. Its impact extends beyond reproductive health and fertility, affecting metabolic, cosmetic, and psychological aspects of a woman’s well-being.
Due to this multifaceted nature of PCOS, an integrated, multidisciplinary approach is considered essential for effective and comprehensive management of this condition. Having this interdisciplinary approach to PCOS will help us address the entirety of this condition, leading to better patient care and diagnosis of PCOS, improved long-term health outcomes, and a higher quality of life for women living with PCOS.
Jacobsen: What emerging treatment options and lifestyle interventions exist?
Arian: Lifestyle modifications are considered the first-line approach to managing PCOS, emphasizing a holistic approach to patient well-being. Some of the basic lifestyle approaches important in managing this condition include educating patients about the condition, dietary modification, weight loss and weight management, regular exercise and physical activity, mind-body awareness, and stress management.
Jacobsen: What about the barriers to diagnosis and long-term management?
Arian: PCOS can be misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms with other reproductive and hormonal conditions and the absence of a single definitive test. Some of the common causes of barriers to diagnosis and long-term management of this condition include a lack of information and education, variable symptom presentation, evolution of diagnostic criteria, and long-term treatment challenges.
The chronic nature of PCOS and its potential impact on fertility, weight, and metabolism can have significant psychosocial impacts, including challenges in the management of weight and metabolic conditions related to PCOS. Previous studies have highlighted widespread dissatisfaction and frustration among women regarding the information and care they receive. Studies have found delays with the diagnosis of PCOS and gaps in knowledge among physicians regarding the accurate diagnosis and management of PCOS.
Jacobsen: How can healthcare systems or providers do better?
Arian: Healthcare systems and providers can improve care of patients with PCOS by focusing on patient-centred care, increasing access to care, enhancing communication and coordination, and promoting preventative measures. Physicians, including primary care physicians and primary Ob/Gyn specialists, need to be well-versed and well-educated on how to diagnose and manage PCOS, as well as when to refer patients to a Reproductive Endocrinology specialist to prevent delays in diagnosis and provide easier access to care.
Furthermore, greater awareness and destigmatization in the general community are necessary so that women can identify symptoms early and have access to support from those around them. Overall, PCOS may be an overlooked and under-prioritized condition, both in the healthcare system and the general community. It is essential to provide comprehensive information at diagnosis and to focus on integrating behavioural health, utilizing technology for better monitoring and diagnosing patients with this condition, and fostering a more proactive, multidisciplinary, and collaborative approach to managing patients with PCOS.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Dr. Arian.
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