Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones Dr. Sameena Rahman

Do you ever wish someone would break down the complexities of joint hypermobility, sexual pain, and how they connect to your overall health? Well, that's exactly what we dived into in this episode!
🎙 We were honored to have Dr. Linda Bluestein, a former dancer-turned-physician specializing in hereditary disorders of connective tissue, join us to share her personal journey with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Her insights show how a combination of approaches, not a single solution, can lead to better health outcomes.
Highlights:
1. Multifaceted Approaches to Health:
   - Dr. Bluestein underscores that managing health issues, particularly joint hypermobility and its symptoms, often necessitates a combination of methods—ranging from medications and supplements to lifestyle changes and psychosocial support.
2. Joint Hypermobility in Dancers:
   - Did you know a stunning 90% of ballet dancers experience generalized joint hypermobility? We explore how joint hypermobility can lead to symptomatic conditions affecting dancers' performance and quality of life.
3. Sexual Pain and Pelvic Floor Disorders:
   - Learn about the prevalence and management of sexual pain and pelvic floor dysfunction, emphasizing these common issues as part of nearly every treatment plan Dr. Rahman and Dr. Bluestein encounter.
4. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS):
   - Unpack how mast cells and their potential hyperactivity cause distress and inflammation, and how managing triggers like food and exercise can significantly impact health outcomes.
5. Mind-Gut Connection:
   - Hear about the essential mind-gut connection in addressing abdominal pain and bloating, and why treatments like acupuncture are recommended based on individual preferences and experiences.
6. Empowerment and Self-Advocacy:
   - Dr. Rahman emphasizes the importance of not giving up, seeking reliable information, and making use of resources like this podcast to become your own best health advocate.
🙌 How You Can Get Involved:
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Questions or Comments?We love engaging with our listeners! Drop your questions or comment on my Instagram page, and let’s keep learning and advocating for better health together.
Connect with Dr. Bluestein:
Website
Instagram
Get in Touch with Dr. Rahman:
Practice
Instagram
Youtube

While it may seem that menopause has begun to become more open to talking about, there is still a stigma and the idea that women should deal with the symptoms that come with it, including having issues with orgasms. Well, Dr. Lauren Streicher is on a mission to change that. 
Dr. Streicher is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society, and the founding Medical Director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for  Sexual Medicine and Menopause.
In addition to her academic appointment at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Streicher is on the faculty of Northwestern University’s Graduate Program in Reproductive Science and Medicine for students pursuing a Master of Science degree in medical research.
She is a best-selling author and has written multiple books including The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy and Sex Rx: Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever. Inside Information, a series of books about menopause launched in 2021 and includes Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina and Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist’s Guide to Turning Down the Heat. Her next book, Put the O Back into Mojo: A Post-Menopause Guide to Orgasm, is scheduled to be released in 2024.  
We discussed the critical importance of addressing hormone-related issues that impact mental health and sexual function in women. Topics ranged from the concept of "drug holidays" to the potential benefits of Viagra for conditions like sexual dysfunction, SSRI use for menopause management. Dr. Streicher provided invaluable insights into managing these challenges.
We also talked about societal taboos surrounding sexuality and the lack of emphasis on pleasure in sex education. Dr. Streicher shared insights from her collaboration with her daughter, Rachel, on their groundbreaking book about orgasms and libido. This book combines medical and psychosocial perspectives to educate and empower women on these crucial aspects of sexual health.
Highlights-
Importance of hormones in sexual health
Impact of hormone imbalances on sexual function, Hormone replacement therapy for managing sexual dysfunction.
Addressing Misconceptions about Hormone Replacement Therapy
Common misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy,Benefits and risks associated with hormone replacement therapy,Importance of informed decision-making in hormone therapy
Gaslighting and Lack of Education in Sexual Health
Lack of education and information on sexual health.Challenges in accessing comprehensive sexual health education.Addressing misinformation and stigma related to sexual health.
Menopause and Sexual Dysfunction
Impact of menopause on sexual function. Common sexual health issues during menopause.Treatment options for sexual...

Curious about how to nurture your bone health?
Today we're joined by the fabulous Dr. Kristi DaSapri, a national leader osteoporosis and menopause management.
We’re tackling a topic today that seriously needs more spotlight—bone health during menopause and the sneaky beast that is osteoporosis.
Did you know osteoporosis often goes unnoticed until you break a bone? Yep, it’s that silent. Today, we’re diving into why your bones are super important, how menopause can be tough on them, and what you can do about it. We’ll cover why early action is key and how estrogen loss impacts your bone density.
We’ve also got some great tips on how to keep your bones healthy with the right food, exercise, and why getting something called a DEXA scan could be a game changer for you.
Whether you’re nearing menopause, already there, or just planning ahead, understanding how to look out for your bones is crucial for keeping you active and injury-free as you age.
So, let’s break it all down in a way that makes sense and might even be a bit fun. And hey, don’t forget to hit subscribe and follow us for more insights. Ready to get smart about your bone health? Let’s go!
Connect with Dr. DeSapri:
Website
Instagram
Get in Touch with Dr. Rahman:
Practice
Instagram
Youtube

Do you ever wish that your sexual condition would be played out in a movie?
Well, that is exactly what our latest guests did. Welcome Bonnie Gross and Nancy Boyd to share their stories and explain why they created a feature film, Lady Parts.
Their film shines a light on crucial women's health issues, particularly focusing on the challenges and misdiagnoses often encountered in female sexual medicine.
Bonnie and Nancy’s story underscores a significant theme discussed throughout the podcast: medical gaslighting and the dire need for healthcare professionals to take women's pain seriously.
Turning frustration into action, Nancy and Bonnie faced significant challenges, including securing funding for a film centered on vaginal health—a topic often shrouded in stigma and shame.
I emphasize the importance of storytelling in medicine. By sharing real-life experiences through accessible media like film, there’s potential to transform patient care and professional understanding.
Lady Parts succeeds in doing just this, portraying not only the struggles associated with conditions like vulvodynia and vestibulectomies but also the healing processes and the vibrant communities that can arise from shared experiences.
Who else would you like me to interview? Remember, this podcast exists so that people are better educated and can advocate for themselves. Please like, share, and give us a 5-star review on Apple!
Highlights:
-Bonnie and Nancy share their personal Journey about pelvic pain and misdiagnoses. They don't hold back on their experiences.
-The Art of Advocacy and Filmmaking: Discover how Bonnie and Nancy chose to self-produce this film to maintain the narrative's authenticity and how they managed the challenges of funding and production.
- Educational Outreach: Understand the importance of spreading knowledge through cinema and education, advocating for better healthcare understanding among professionals and the public alike.
- Awareness is Empowerment: Greater knowledge about women's health issues leads to better advocacy and care.
- Community and Support Are Crucial: The journey of health is not to be walked alone. Community, professional guidance, and personal advocacy play essential roles in navigating the complexities of healthcare.
Lady Parts Links:
Official Site
Instagram
IMDb
Letterboxd
Want to donate to Lady Parts
Connect with Bonnie:
Portfolio & Blog
Instagram
TikTok
IMDb
Connect with Nancy:
Website
Instagram
IMDb
Get in Touch with me:
Practice
a...

Today we have another doctor and thriver on the show today.
Dr. Shieva Ghofrany who, brings a wealth of personal and professional experiences to her practice. Her journey, from battling ovarian cancer to navigating pregnancy and weight loss, fuels her commitment to women's health advocacy. Beyond her medical practice, Dr. Ghofrany is a sought-after media expert, and over 56k followers on Instagram.  
We delve deep into the challenges and complexities of menopause care, surgical menopause, ovarian cancer and endometriosis. 
The conversation highlights personal health struggles, including misdiagnoses, the impacts of surgical menopause, and the journey through ovarian cancer. Dr. Ghofrany stresses the importance of patient advocacy, education, and empowering women to engage proactively with their healthcare.
From shocking systemic flaws to inspiring personal anecdotes, this episode is a powerful call to action for better understanding and treatment of women's health issues.
Tune in to hear these expert voices share invaluable insights and stories about navigating the healthcare system, advocating for oneself, and the critical need for transparency and early detection in medical practice.
Remember, your health journey is uniquely yours, but you're not alone on this path. Together, let's continue learning, understanding, and advocating for better health practices.
Highlights:
- Dr. Ghofrany shares her personal battle with endometriosis and ovarian cancer, underscoring the complexities and the need for specialized surgical care.
-We discusse the nuances of diagnosing ovarian cancer and the alarming lack of early screening procedures.
- Both hosts explore the systemic issues in healthcare that affect the diagnosis and treatment processes, particularly highlighting the discrepancies in care and outcomes for Black patients.
-Early Detection is Crucial: Recognize and act on symptoms early and advocate for necessary screening to avoid late-stage diagnoses. If something feels off push to get answers. 
-Seek Specialized Care: The importance of finding experienced surgeons and being confident in your healthcare provider cannot be overstated.It’s not just about experience but do you actually like and feel comfortable with your provider?
Get in Touch with Dr. Shiva Ghofrany
Website
Instagram
Get in Touch with Dr. Rahman:
Practice
GynoGirl Website
Instagram
Youtube

Today, we have the incredible Dee Hartmann, a distinguished pelvic floor physical therapist and author. 
We dive deep into the topics of pleasure and healing, exploring how embracing pleasure—beyond just the sexual—can fundamentally transform our approach to treating sexual pain and dysfunction.

Dee brings her expertise and insights from her book "A Pleasure Prescription: A Surprising Approach to Healing Sexual Pain," co-authored with Elizabeth Wood. 

We'll discuss how women can reclaim their bodies, find joy in everyday sensual experiences, and the critical role these play in our overall well-being. From feeling the breeze to appreciating the sky, Dee advocates for a life rich in sensory experiences as a pathway to better health and happier lives.

We also tackle the complex issues of genital self-esteem and the concerning trends in cosmetic genital surgeries. We'll uncover the beauty of vulvar diversity and stress the importance of preserving the sensory and erotic functions of female genitalia.

Get ready to be informed, inspired, and possibly transformed as we discuss the body's capacity for pleasure and the power of a positive mindset. 

The show keeps growing with your support. Please remember to like, share, and give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts.

Highlights:

Dee shares her holistic approach to treating chronic vulvar pain and sexual dysfunction, emphasizing the importance of sensory appreciation and pleasure in the healing process. She shares insights from her book, "A Pleasure Prescription: A Surprising Approach to Healing Sexual Pain," providing practical advice for women to regain pleasure and control over their sexual health.Empowerment Through Sensory Experiences is explored, as is the concept of pleasure beyond sexual interactions. Listeners are encouraged to engage in sensory experiences like feeling the breeze, observing nature, and appreciating the beauty around them to enhance their serotonin levels and overall well-being.Addressing Genital Self-Esteem and Labiaplasty Trends, we talk about this concerning trend of genital self-esteem and the increasing trend of labiaplasty among young women. We advocate for the appreciation of the diversity and natural variation of vulvas, discussing the potential risks of aggressive labial surgeries while highlighting the importance of preserving the sensory and erectile tissues critical for sexual pleasure and function.Integrative Treatment for Vestibular Pain—Dee introduces her integrated approach to managing vestibular pain, which considers psychological, physical, and social factors. She describes a set of five exercises aimed at reducing palpated pain at the opening of the vulva, empowering women to better understand and control their pelvic pain.

Connect with Dee:
Genital Health and Education, Inc 
Co-founder, VulvaLove, Inc
Co-developer of the Pleasure Movement
Book
Get in Touch with Dr. Rahman:
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