Fempower Health | A Women's Health Podcast

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune condition, which impacts 1 in 133 Americans, where 60% are women. It is estimated that up to 83% of Americans who have celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions, and it takes 6-10 years for diagnosis.In honor of Celiac Awareness Month, in this episode, Alice Bast, Founder & CEO of Beyond Celiac covers:What celiac disease is, proper diagnosis, and its impact on many women's health conditionsMyths and facts about a gluten-free dietThe difference between celiac and non-celiac gluten sensitivityResourcesResources and episodes on Autoimmune & Chronic Disease Celiac Disease and Women's HealthCeliac Disease, fertility and pregnancyCeliac Disease Testing and Diagnosis in WomenSymptoms checklist🎧 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 Alice BastAlice Bast’s experience with celiac disease began more than twenty years ago, when debilitating physical symptoms, multiple miscarriages, a stillbirth and intense mental and emotional strain began to take over her life. Alice struggled to get a proper diagnosis, and after visiting 22 physicians, the 23rd finally diagnosed her with celiac disease, a serious genetic autoimmune condition that currently has only one treatment—a strict gluten-free diet. In 2003, Alice was compelled to found Beyond Celiac, a patient-centric organization serving millions of Americans. She represents the celiac disease patient voice in key government, research and industry venues. Under her leadership, Beyond Celiac has helped increase the rate of diagnosis from 3% to an estimated 50% and increased the availability and affordability of gluten-free foods, which are now on store shelves across the country. The leading celiac disease patient advocacy organization, Beyond Celiac is now accelerating research for treatments and a cure for this serious genetic autoimmune disease. **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**

40 million women in the US suffer from sexual disorders, that is 35%-40% of our female population. This most common of female sexual dysfunctions involves a lack of sexual interest and willingness to be sexual. Dr. Michael Krychman speaks about sexual health and libido. He is the Executive Director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine, and he is the former Co-Director of the Sexual Medicine and Rehabilitation Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer. You will find him to be extremely knowledgeable, and incredibly compassionate in this conversation. I learned so much and am excited to share it with you. In this episode, Dr Krychman covers:The difference between sexual dysfunction and sexual problemWhat a normal sex life really meansTypes of sexual dysfunction and solutionsWhen it is time to seek professional helpResourcesDipsea appThe Sexual SparkResources and episodes on Sexual 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** **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**Michael L. Krychman's special interests include menopausal health, hormone therapy, sexual pain disorders, and loss of libido, chronic medical illness and medical devices and their impact on female sexual function. Dr. Krychman has published 7 books and has been featured on the Today show, New York Times, US News and World Report World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Health Magazine and many others. He was the creator of the recent WISH Initiative (Women’ Initiative on Sexual Health) and the 2013 recipient of the WISH Outstanding Achievement award given by the ISSWSH. He is also on the professional advisory board for the Patty Brisben Foundation. In 2019 and again in 2020, he was named an Orange County Physician of Excellence by Orange Coast Magazine in Survivorship, Sexual Medicine and Menopause. 

1 in 8 couples struggle with infertility yet answers can be hard to find. In the past decade, those struggling have opened up about these struggles, companies are developing innovative products and solutions. However, we've transitioned into so much information, it is challenging to know where to begin. Dr Aumatma Simmons, a double board-certified Naturopathic Doctor & Endocrinologist specializing in fertility, speaks about the 5 things you won't find on Dr Google but that will help you on your fertility journey. In this episode, Dr Aumatma covers:Why being proactive is important and how to do soWhy the formulation of supplements mattersWhich hormones to test, when and whySimple changes to daily activities like sleep and diet that have a big impactHelpful resources: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** About Dr. Aumatma SimmonsDr. Aumatma Simmons is a double board-certified Naturopathic Doctor & Endocrinologist, in practice for close to 15 years. She specializes in fertility and is the best-selling author of "Fertility Secrets: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About Baby-Making.” Dr. Aumatma was awarded the “Best Naturopathic Medicine Doctor″ award locally in 2015 & 2020, and recognized as a top “Women In Medicine” Doctor in 2020. In addition to supporting couples through individualized care in person and long-distance, she also trains practitioners who want to specialize in fertility. Dr Aumatma has been featured on ABC, FOX, CBS, KTLA, MindBodyGreen, The Bump, etc., **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**

Until recently, it was thought a normal cycle for women was 28 days. While data now shows this is not the case, innovative tools continue to be developed to better understand what is "normal" for a given woman. Dr Amy Divaraniya, the CEO and co-founder of OOVA speaks with Fempower Health.In this episode, Amy covers:Myths about women's menstrual cyclesSurprising information OOVA is uncovering about women's cyclesWhy LH is not the only important hormone for fertilityWhat women can do to better understand their personal “normal” cycleThe important role of progesteroneResourcesPROMISE trialResources 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** More About Dr Amy DivaraniyaDr. Amy Divaraniya is the CEO and Co-Founder of OOVA, a women’s health company. She has more than 10 years of experience as a data scientist and has both led and published original research in the areas of personal genomics and biomarker discovery. In 2017, Dr. Divaraniya chose to pivot her career as a data scientist and devote herself to improving women’s healthcare. After facing her own struggles with conceiving her son, Dr. Divaraniya decided to build a solution to help women having difficulty getting pregnant. Today, her and her team have built the first at home test, OOVA, that measures multiple hormones through urine samples and provides personalized results and insights on a woman’s fertility. As a response to COVID-19, OOVA has done an early product release, which has resonated with many women and clinicians and is now being adopted by fertility clinics and hospitals across the country.**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**

Infertility treatments are costly. Even with companies offering coverage, those trying to build families need to prepare for the financial obligations ahead. Barb Collura, the President/CEO of Resolve: The National Infertility Association, walks us through what you need to do to prepare.In this episode, Barb covers:What RESOLVE does to support those building their familiesTypes of insurance coverage to support fertility treatmentsHow you can impact your company's coverage and State MandatesAlternative ways to pay for the cost of fertility treatmentsResourcesNational Infertility Awareness WeekInformation on Insurance CoverageResolve's Facebook GroupFind Support State mandatesResources 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** About Barb Collura and RESOLVEBarbara is a nationally recognized expert on infertility and the family building journey, with a special emphasis on the personal experience of those struggling to build their family. She has worked with The WHO on infertility definitions and clinical guidelines, worked with ACOG on their clinical definitions for infertility, and served on the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at NIH. Barbara is an expert on public policy issues facing the infertility community that impact both patient access and clinical care. She has been a guest on the TODAY Show, MSNBC, Fox & Friends, and Nightline. She is routinely quoted in major media outlets on a variety of topics related to infertility. In 2014, Barbara received the Distinguished Service Award from the ASRM. Barbara is passionate about RESOLVE's mission as the organization was a source of support and information during her own battle with infertility. She can be reached directly at bcollura@resolve.org.**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**

Patients and doctors must collaborate for a successful office visit and ongoing relationship. Public health expert, Christie VanHorne, shares important tips for both patients and doctors on how to successfully navigate the conversation that neither were trained on how to do.In this episode, Christie covers:The history behind why women tend to be dismissedHow to find a doctor to meet your needsHow to prepare for and optimize your doctor appointmentsLessons for both patients and doctorsWhat you can do if you have a bad appointmentNOTE: I made a reference to 2 types of HPV. To clarify, there are multiple HPV types but 2 that indicate a high risk of cervical cancer.Resources:Courses for patients, parents, and professionalsFind a Doctor🎧 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 Christie VanHorneChristie is the President of CVH Consulting and founder of How to Talk to Your Doctor, a project that aims to address health literacy with patients and health professionals. As a consultant, Christie develops health curriculum, leads train-the-trainers for nonprofit and healthcare professionals, and facilitates community coalitions and working groups to improve health outcomes. With 20 years of experience in the health sector, two masters (Education / Public Health), service in the Peace Corps, and appearances on numerous health-focused podcasts, Christie is passionate about bringing her expertise where it is most needed. Christie has consulted for organizations such as the Hemophilia Federation of America, Temple University, National Environmental Health Association, Malcolm X College, Multiple Sclerosis Association, United Way, and Planned Parenthood. She lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley, NY with her husband and two dogs. **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. Mindy Pelz, D.C speaks about how women should incorporate intermittent fasting based on where they are in their cycle and over their life span of reproductive years, perimenopause, and menopause. Dr Mindy is a best selling author, keynote speaker, nutrition and functional medicine expert who has spent over two decades helping thousands of people successfully reclaim their health. In this episode, Dr Mindy covers:What intermittent fast isBenefits of intermittent fastingHow a woman should fast in her reproductive years vs. perimenopause vs. menopauseHer thoughts on drinking ketonesReferenced in the podcast & related episodes:Resources and episodes on Perimenopause & Menopause and sign up for the Perimenopause and Menopause newsletter The Menopause Reset by Dr Mindy PelzHormone Repair Manual by Dr Lara BridenNew England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Article on the Science Behind Intermittent Fasting🎧 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** Guest BioDr. Mindy Pelz, D.C is a best selling author, keynote speaker, nutrition and functional medicine expert who has spent over two decades helping thousands of people successfully reclaim their health. She is a recognized leader in the alternative health field and a pioneer in the fasting movement, teaching the principles of a fasting lifestyle, diet variation, detox, hormones, and more. Her popular YouTube channel combines the latest science with practical lifestyle tools every person can use to reset their health. She is the host of one of the leading science podcasts, The Resetter Podcast, and the author of three best-selling books; The Menopause Reset, The Reset Factor, and The Reset Kitchen. **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. Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and author of the bestselling books Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual. She has more than 20 years’ experience in women’s health and currently has a consulting room in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she treats women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and many other hormone - and period-related health problems.In this episode, Dr Briden covers:Stages of perimenopause and menopauseTruths about HRT and why they are no longer called thatSymptoms women tend to fear and solutions for eachWhy women can and should embrace this stage of lifeResources:Period Repair ManualHormone Repair ManualResources and episodes on Perimenopause & Menopause and sign up for the Perimenopause and Menopause newsletter Fempower Health's Menopause Resources🎧 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**

Endometriosis impacts 1 in 10 women and takes an average of 7-10 years to diagnose. Given it is Endometriosis Awareness Month, I thought this was the perfect time to hear from Melissa Boudreau.As an advocate for women’s health, Melissa Boudreau, uses her free time to increase awareness about endometriosis, through her podcast, The Cycle. Melissa shares:Her endometriosis storySuggestions for finding the right doctor for youThemes she's learned through her advocacy work and podcastTools to support you in your journeyResources:Nancy's NookEndometropolisI Care BetterBody Belief by Aimee RauppGluten free apple cider donuts recipeRecommended Books on Chronic and Autoimmune Diseases Resources and episodes on Endometriosis Resources and episodes on Autoimmune & Chronic Disease 🎧 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 Melissa BoudreauMelissa Boudreau grew up in Detroit, MI, and is a lover of Detroit, the Caribbean, NYC, and Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management from Ashford University and a Master of Arts in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communications from Michigan State University. Melissa is considered an expert in social media marketing, print media and certified in YouTube and Google AdWords through the Michigan State New Media Driver’s License.Melissa and her husband, Bryan, reside in Royal Oak, MI, and together enjoy traveling, Detroit Lions football, and of course, going to the movies.**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**

Listen as Dr. Jill Krapf shares insights about vulvodynia, a condition that affects millions of women with chronic vulvar pain.Episode SummaryIn this enlightening episode of the Fempower Health Podcast, host Georgie Kovacs sits down with Dr. Jill Krapf to discuss the complexities of vulvodynia, a condition affecting millions of women worldwide. Dr. Krapf explains the various aspects of vulvar pain, offering deep insights into its causes, symptoms, and possible treatments. Learn as she sheds light on a topic that’s often covered in mystery and misdiagnosis and empowers women with knowledge on how to address this condition.Key TakeawaysWhat is vulvodynia, how common is it, and how to raise awareness among patients and healthcare providersChallenges in diagnosing vulvodynia and stories of women who visit multiple healthcare providers without receiving proper careVulvodynia treatment and management options such as hormonal, physical, and nerve-related therapiesThe importance of improving women’s outcomes through education about sexual health symptoms, intimacy concerns, and vulva pain Ways to encourage dialogue between patients and healthcare professionalsHow to access vulvodynia specialists and other experts for individualized treatment Ways to make the most of available healthcare resources and develop a vulvodynia self-care plan“When a woman comes to me and she says, 'I have burning, irritation, rawness, discomfort in this area, mainly with insertion, with intimacy, with sex,' but also, she may have discomfort at other times too—maybe inserting a tampon is uncomfortable, or maybe it's completely unprovoked, meaning you don't even have to touch the area, but just wearing tight clothing or simply sitting can be painful. These symptoms indicate a complexity that requires a thorough examination and personalized approach to treatment.” - Dr. Jill KrapfRelated to this episode:Resources on Sexual HealthLearn more about Dr. Jill Krapf and follow her on InstagramLearn about Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders - Offers comprehensive information and resources on vulvar pain.Check out International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) - Provides educational resources for providers and patients.🎧 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** Guest BioDr. Jill Krapf is a board-certified Obstetrician Gynecologist specializing in female sexual pain disorders at The Center for Vulvovaginal Disorders in Washington, D.C and Florida.   She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The George Washington University. Dr. Krapf is active in research and has published chapters and peer-reviewed articles on vulvodynia and vulvar lichen sclerosus.  She is Associate Editor for the medical journal Sexual Medicine, as well as for the textbook Female Sexual Pain Disorders, 2nd Edition.  She is a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), serving on the Education Committee and the Social Media Committee.  She shares educational content on her Instagram page @jillkrapfmd.**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**