EP 186: The Future of Women's Health with Keli Garza

In this episode, Kimberly and Keli discuss the future of women's health. During this recorded live event from Kimberly's living room, we learn about the extensive health benefits of vaginal steaming and how the shortcomings in gynecological training reflect contemporary cultural politics around women's bodies. They discuss how to bridge the knowledge gaps found in western medicine's approach to gynecological health when it comes to menstrual cycles, birth, postpartum, and menopause. They discuss their role in pushing the science forward with their collaborative vaginal steam study. They go in depth about healthy periods, uterine cleanses, the fertility industry, and the importance of new language that evolves Women's health. This conversation helps us understand how tending to gynecological care holistically is a way to tend to our own bodies, to tend to future generations, and to build mother culture.

Bio

Keli Garza has a Masters degree in International Development graduating cum laude with a focus in nonprofit management and human rights. Keli is the owner of Steamy Chick and the founder of the Peristeam Hydrotherapy Institute. Through her company she raises awareness on the benefits of vaginal steaming, makes supplies accessible, conducts research and trains practitioners. Keli is the author of the Vaginal Steam World Map, Pelvic Steam Testimonial Database, Fourth Trimester Vaginal Steam Study and Steamy Chick blog. Some of her notable work includes executive producing the Hot & Steamy Podcast, creating the annual #steamyaugust Vaginal Steam Awareness Month and an upcoming documentary film with the working title STEAM. With over 20 years experience in the nonprofit field, Keli also serves as the founder and president of the Bahia Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to artistic, cultural, physical, educational and financial community wellness as well as the founder of the Good Gynecology Project.

What She Shares:

–Steaming impact on postpartum, infertility, and for all cycles

–Centering cycles and uterus for overall health

–Inadequate medical care for women

–Creating mother culture

What You'll Hear:

–Need for physiological care postpartum

–Using better language to create stronger mother culture

–Vaginal Steam documentary

–Gaps in women's health

–Training practitioners for vaginal steaming

–History of vaginal steaming in U.S.

–Significant blood pressure levels lowered after steaming

–Steaming for preeclampsia, birth injuries, and postpartum care

–Lack of conversations around postpartum recovery

–Disconnect between possibilities of postpartum issues and medical solutions

–Fertility in relation to overall health

–Destigmatizing steaming

–Morality and ideology versus physiology

–Infertility industry

–Tending to postpartum care before crisis

–No structural space for cycles in work, education, and healthcare

–No definition for miscarriage recovery or infertility

–Women's physiology as cyclical not just deviant men

–Menstrual leave policies for workplace

–Period is a uterine cleanse

–Cramps are uterus contracting to clear out residue

–Healthy periods begin and end with fresh red blood

–Lack of consideration in health of uterus during IVF

–Using periods for postpartum practice

–Female brain and female nervous system

–Understanding phases and cycles post menopause

–Importance of endocrine system for overall health

–Viewing the body as a whole not separate parts

–Purposes of the uterus other than reproduction

–Reproductive system as health

–Centering, understanding, and defining the uterus and care

–Other applications for steaming after assault and infection

–Facilitator steaming training

–Building mother culture

- Menstrual health as a vital sign

- Definition of Postpartum Recovery

- Uterus is more than a Reproductive Organ

- Physiological Feminism (different from choice feminism)

- Female systems are more sensitive and resilient than male systems

- Stop normalizing pain with s*x the first time (instead of "it's gonna hurt" "it shouldn't hurt.")

- Build MotherCulture

Resources

Website: www.steamychick.com

IG: @steamychick

www.fourthtrimestervaginalsteamstudy.com