Fempower Health | A Women's Health Podcast

Dr. Peter Whorwell, author of Take Control of your IBS, directs the South Manchester Functional Bowel Service and has had a particular interest in the functional gastrointestinal disorders. His unit undertakes research into the clinical, epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of functional gastrointestinal disorders as well as caring for large numbers of these patients from all over the UK. In honor of April’s IBS Awareness Month, dive into IBS and complications around diagnosis and treatment. Given Dr. Whorwell’s book provides a lot of the foundations and is a quick read, we dove into some of the topics he did not go deep into in the book. We do cover some foundations.You will learn this…Challenges with modern medicine impacting IBS diagnosis and how tests don’t solve everythingTypical IBS symptoms and how IBS symptoms are unique from other possible conditionsResearch conducted about endometriosis vs IBSAnother perspective on endo bellyCaution around understanding symptoms, especially around your period versus throughout menstrual cycle so you are not treated for the wrong thingWhy HRT can play a critical role for IBS patients in perimenopause and post menopauseBloating vs distensionGut microbiome and IBS relationshipWhether comprehensive stool analysis is worth itIBS and the impact of fiberWhether laxatives damage the bowel“I can’t cure you, but I can make life better for you. IBS won’t be cured, at least not in my lifetime” - Dr. Peter WhorwellResources:Dr. Peter Whorwell's Book: Take Control of your IBSReview other IBS resourcesResources and episodes on the Gut and Vaginal Microbiome Resources and episodes on Nutrition & Exercise 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** About Dr. Peter WhorwellProfessor Whorwell graduated in biochemistry at the University of London and in medicine at Guy’s Hospital, London. After a series of residencies and fellowships, one of which was in the USA, he was appointed as Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at the University Hospital of South Manchester in 1981 and was subsequently promoted to Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology. Over the years he has had a particular interest in the functional gastrointestinal disorders and now directs the South Manchester Functional Bowel Service. This unit undertakes research into the clinical, epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of functional gastrointestinal disorders as well as caring for large numbers of these patients from all over the UK. It also undertakes a wide-ranging programme of research into new treatment options for these conditions including pharmacological, dietary and behavioral approaches.Professor Whorwell has published over 350 papers and chapters in his fields of interest and serves on a number of international advisory panels and working parties.**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Why is it important to know when you are ovulating? In this episode, Dr. Jerilynn Prior and Dr. Lara Briden return to the podcast to discuss why ovulation, rather than the period, is the main event of the menstrual cycle. They share how the ovulation phase is crucial to your overall health (not just fertility), and how to address hormonal imbalance. Listen to this interesting discussion where they reveal important health facts women of all ages need to know.  What you’ll learn:What happens hormonally during ovulation? Why is it so important?What is the meaning of ovulation and anovulation?Can you have anovulation with regular periods?Female hormones (estrogen vs progesterone) and how they impact ovulationHow to track ovulation What are the signs that you are not ovulating?How to know if you are making too much estrogenWhat is a normal luteal phase?Can you take birth control as a teenager?*“What matters [for women’s health] is releasing an egg and making progesterone— and making it for long enough to counterbalance the effects of estrogen. [Both] are meant to be coordinated. They have fundamentally different actions on different tissues.” - Dr. Jerilynn PriorRelated to this episode:Resources to support Menstrual Health**Similar episodes on the Spotify Podcast Playlists: Women’s Health Foundations and Menstrual HealthShare the article: Women’s Health and the Ovulation CycleFor Healthcare Providers: Managing Menorrhagia Without Surgery (CeMCOR)Why Is “The Pill” Harmful for Bones in Adolescent Women? (CeMCOR)Follow #RighttoOvulate on InstagramGet Dr. Lara Briden’s Books: Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** **The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Non Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) provides insight into the risk of a fetal genetic abnormality, and can help inform pregnancy management before and after birth. However, the value of genetic screening is dependent on whether results are interpreted correctly, appropriate medical follow-up, and access to relevant resources. Genetic counselors help to ensure that NIPT is translated into better prenatal care. However, many women who receive NIPT do not visit a genetic counselor. In this episode, Jennifer Saucier, board-certified genetic counselor who currently serves as the Senior Director of Clinical Genetic Services at Natera, discusses:What is the difference between carrier screening and prenatal screening and diagnostic testing?Who needs prenatal screening, and what week is prenatal screening?Why should patients ask for these screening tests?Does insurance usually cover NIPT? Carrier screening?The future of screening: Can we test for risk of addiction? Can science lead us to gene editing or alteration and if so, what does this mean?What does a genetic counselor do?How do you find a genetic counselor?That first OB appointment expectant parents have is so overwhelming. Your healthcare provider gives a lot of information in a short period of time. - Jennifer Saucier Resources:Resources and episodes on Pregnancy & Motherhood How to Find a Genetic Counselor🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024**  About Jennifer SaucierJennifer Saucier is a board-certified genetic counselor who currently serves as the Senior Director of Clinical Genetic Services at Natera where she oversees a large team of laboratory genetic counselors, telehealth genetic counselors and genetic counseling assistants. Prior to joining Natera, Ms. Saucier gained invaluable experience in all areas of genetic testing (prenatal, pediatrics, cancer and laboratory) working as the sole genetic counselor at a large rural university hospital and later at several maternal fetal medicine offices in Austin, Texas. Ms. Saucier graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Genetics and has a M.S. in Genetic Counseling from The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center. **The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Body Dysmorphic Disorder affects about 1 in 50 people. This means that more than 5 million people to nearly 10 million people in the United States alone have BDD. The body dysmorphia advocacy group, BDD, connected me to Dr. Amita Jassi and Rachel Koutnik, LCSW.In this episode, we cover the following body dysmorphia questions and answers:Body Dysmorphia Definition, including how similar or dissimilar it is to anorexia and bulimiaBody Dysmorphia TestBody Dysmorphia SymptomsBody Dysmorphia and Social MediaHow to help someone with Body DysmorphiaThe relationship to the routines that I had was an issue and nobody caught it. The meaning I made was an issue and nobody caught it. I believed what I believed internally. - Rachel KoutnikResources:Take the Body Dysmorphia QuizFind Body Dysmorphia SupportResources and episodes on Mental Health 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** About Dr. Amita JassiDr Amita Jassi is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the National and Specialist OCD, BDD and Related Disorder Service for Children and Young People (South London and Maudsley NHS Trust). She has worked with this client group since 2006. Amita is the lead for the BDD branch of the service as well as the research lead for the clinic. This is the only specialist service for young people with BDD in the UK. In her clinical role, she develops and delivers individually-tailored treatment packages, including intensive, home-based and inpatient treatment, as well as offering consultation and joint work with clinicians around the country. Amita has taught and trained nationally and internationally on child and adolescent OCD and BDD. She is the author of several books including ‘Appearance Anxiety: a Guide to Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder for Young People, Families and Professionals’ and ‘The Parents’ Guide to Body Dysmorphic Disorder’. She has She has over 35 publications in peer reviewed journals on OCD and BDD and engages in media work to increase awareness and understanding of these conditions. Amita is also a trustee for the BDD Foundation charity.About Rachel KoutnikRachel Koutnik, LCSW is a therapist in private practice in Los Angeles, California. Rachel has been a practicing therapist for 12 years with a background in community counseling with children, adults and families, and emergency room crisis work. She currently works with teens, adults and couples providing outpatient therapy, as well as part time work with adults in an intensive outpatient substance abuse recovery center. Rachel identifies as a wounded healer and has also been in recovery from Body Dysmorphic Disorder and other mental health struggles for the past 20 years. Her own healing journey has led to her integrative approach of evidence based and holistic healing methods.**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

PCOS impacts 1 in 10 women yet it is still underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed. Dr. Jerilynn Prior, of the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR), is a Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of British Columbia, with 40 years experience in women’s health. She brings an interesting perspective to what might happen if we considered PCOS to primarily be a hormone imbalance rather than a disease.In this episode, we cover the following:Difference between ovarian cysts and PCOSWhy PCOS is not the best term to describe the conditionWhat is the main cause of PCOS?What are the first signs of PCOS?What is the diagnostic criteria for PCOS?How having multiple criteria (e.g., Rotterdam and International) for diagnosing PCOS creates confusion leading to multiple cases of delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosisCan PCOS tests be wrong?Can birth control make PCOS worse?Can birth control cause PCOS?Is PCOS genetically inherited?“To me, this is the hopeful message. PCOS is a hormone imbalance, not a disease.” - Dr Jerilynn PriorResources:Resources and episodes on PCOS 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** More about Dr. Jerilynn PriorJerilynn C. Prior BA, MD, FRCPC investigates women’s menstrual cycles, population variability of ovulation and physiological associations of ovulatory disturbances within regular cycles with osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer and endometrial cancer risks. She also studies the hormonal and experience changes in perimenopause and treatment of perimenopausal and menopausal hot flushes with progesterone. She is the 2019 recipient of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Aubrey J. Tingle Prize awarded to a “BC clinician scientist whose work in health research is internationally recognized”. She is Scientific Director of the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR, since 2002) with its website (www.cemcor.ca) providing practical evidence-based information through a mean of 3,000 page-views/day. She has led the British Columbia Centre of the population-based Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos) since 1994. In addition to authoring over 200 peer-reviewed papers (H Index 65), Dr. Prior is the author of the award-winning book, Estrogen’s Storm Season: Stories of Perimenopause (2005, 2nd ed. 2018), a novel written to inform/empower women with perimenopause information.**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Dr. Nicole E. Williams is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist. With the philosophy of marrying both alternative and traditional medicine, Dr. Williams opened The Gynecology Institute of Chicago in July 2013 and recently published This is How You Vagina.In this episode, we cover the following:Tour of female body parts and misconceptions about the female bodyVaginal odor: what is normal and when to see a doctorSitz bath benefits and how it differs from vaginal steam and douchingYeast infection symptoms and treatmentsHow your vagina changes during pregnancy, after birth and in menopauseTips for which lubricant is best and probiotics for women“There is no such thing as a pretty labia. There is what an ideal might be. We now know that most of the pictures in textbooks of women’s labia, thanks to Dr. Netter, picture them as small, which is not the case at all for almost every human female. ” - Dr. Nicole WilliamsResources:This is How You Vagina bookWomen’s Health Foundations Spotify Podcast PlaylistCurated products to support your specific needs🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** **The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Shawn Tassone, MD Ph.D. is a double-boarded physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Integrative Medicine. Dr. Tassone believes it is time for women to understand fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, irregular periods, fibroids, decreased libido, and burnout are not permanent situations. In this episode, our conversation focuses on understanding our hormones.We discuss:Determining you hormonal archetypeWhich hormones may be out of balance based on your symptomsPossible ways to have hormone balanceWhich tests can you try to understand your hormones The effectiveness of various test types: saliva, blood, and urineDr Tassone’s the top 3 supplements for women“The human body was made to heal itself and the medical model should involve more patient-centered care with an active patient and passive healer.” - Dr. Shawn Tassone Resources:The Hormone Balance Bible Spiritual Pregnancy: Develop, Nurture & Embrace the Journey to MotherhoodHands Off My Belly! The Pregnant Women’s Guide to Surviving, Myths, Mothers, and Moods, Contraception DeceptionHormone Archetype QuizResources and episodes on Hormones & Menstrual Health 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** More about Dr Shawn TassoneHe is a practicing OBGYN, speaker, patient advocate, and author. His books are written on topics of spirituality in medical care, hormone balance, various aspects of women's health such as birth control and pregnancy, and he is an advocate for whole foods to heal the human body. Dr. Tassone served as a faculty member at the University of Arizona and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center teaching residents and medical students. Dr. Tassone was also an instructor in Integrative Medicine at Arizona State University. **The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Episode SummaryAutoimmune diseases impact over 24 million people in the U.S., yet many struggle for years without clear answers. From misdiagnoses to ineffective treatments, patients often feel lost in the system. In this episode of Fempower Health, Dr. Nicole Bundy, a board-certified internist and rheumatologist, and Dr. Millie Lytle, a naturopathic doctor and epidemiologist, break down the complexities of autoimmune disease. With their expertise from Mymee, they explore why autoimmunity is so challenging to diagnose, how lifestyle and medications impact healing, and what patients can do to advocate for themselves.If you’ve been dismissed by doctors or are cycling through medications without real improvement, this episode is for you. Tune in to uncover the answers you need to regain control of your health.Discussion Points:How common are autoimmune diseases, and why are they so difficult to diagnose?What are the first signs of autoimmune disease that people often miss?How does family history impact your risk of developing an autoimmune condition?What should you do if your doctor says they can’t help you?What type of doctor should you see for proper diagnosis and treatment?How do medications and lifestyle changes impact autoimmune disease management?What does the future of autoimmune disease research and treatment look like?“If you find yourself routinely taking 3-5 medications just to get through your day (e.g., pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, antihistamines, sleep aid) for symptom control, that is a sign something is not in balance. Putting these band-aids on signals it is time to take a deeper look.” - Dr. Nikki BundyResources:Resources and episodes on Autoimmune & Chronic Disease Resources and episodes on Mental Health 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** About Dr. Millie LytleDr. Millie Lytle is dedicated to innovatively preventing and reversing the epidemic of chronic disease. She earned her 4-year post grad ND from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and a Master's in Public Health (MPH) in Hamburg, Germany. In addition to 15 years of private practice, Millie is a published researcher and conference speaker. At Mymee, Dr. Lytle manages the coaching program, including all care delivery.About Dr. Nikki BundyDr. Bundy is passionate about improving care for autoimmune and other chronic diseases. She has 15+ years of experience as a practicing rheumatologist and clinical researcher, and is focused on developing innovative solutions that leverage the growing understanding of the role that lifestyle and diet play in the development and course of autoimmune disease. Her interest in functional medicine and preventative rheumatology come from her experience working with patients as well as personal struggles with her own health. At Mymee, Dr. Bundy sets clinical and research directions, supervises ongoing clinical studies, serves as a subject matter expert for a number of autoimmune diseases, and builds external collaborations with clinicians, researchers, and other key partners.**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Dr. Tamer Seckin is a world-renowned endometriosis surgeon and founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America. He is the author of The Doctor Will See you Now: Recognizing and Treating Endometriosis. In this powerful interview (a shortened version from Season 1), he describes his journey into this calling and the realities he encounters about how women with endometriosis suffer. . . and what can and should be done about it.We discuss:How endometriosis manifestsOptions for endometriosis diagnosisHow toxins impact your body and endometriosisFinding a surgeon specializing in endometriosisDetermining whether hysterectomy is the right decision when struggling with endometriosisEndometriosis' impact on fertility“One of the most common causes of repeat surgery is incomplete surgery.” - Dr. Tamer SeckinAre there women in your life who suffer from endometriosis? All of us should be better informed to seek the right care and support other women. Share this episode with the women in your life. Resources:Resources and episodes on Endometriosis Resources and episodes on Women's Health-Related Pain Resources and episodes on Pelvic Health Resources and episodes on Fertility and Trying to Conceive 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** **The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Dr. Dan Martin, expert in pelvic surgery for endometriosis, discusses dysmenorrhea, endometriosis vs. adenomyosis, issues with estrogen, proper diagnosis, treatments, and when to see a doctor. Emphasizes the importance of seeking medical advice when pain worsens. Exploring the complexities of diagnosing endometriosis and addressing the prevalence of pelvic pain in women.