On Health for Women

In this episode I address the overall risks of COVID-19 with various autoimmune conditions, as well as risks for those of you on immunosuppressive medications. This information is not meant to replace your doctor’s advice, and should merely serve as a starting point for a conversation with your health care provider, and to raise your personal health awareness. And I hope it provides you with a sense of support and reassurance. To read an accompanying article go to avivaromm.com/covid-19-autoimmune-disease/

While herbs are an important part of my life and work, this is really a time to be cautious about who you listen to and conservative about what you try. In this episode I urge everyone to follow the CDC precautions for the prevention of COVID-19, adding in the importance of eating well and getting enough rest. For those of you who want to try herbs and supplements to support your immunity, I discuss which herbs and supplement are safe and have enough evidence in supporting immunity that they seem worth a try. For a companion article, go to avivaromm.com/covid-19-natural-prevention/

If you’re pregnant, naturally, you’re concerned about COVID-19 for your own health and your baby’s. Who wouldn’t be? While a thorough search of the medical literature and the CDC website for data on COVID-19 and pregnancy shows just how very little is known at this time about the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, the good news is that what we do know so far is generally reassuring about the risks to otherwise healthy pregnant women and their babies. For an updated article and podcast, visit avivaromm.com/covid-19-in-pregnancy/

The only treatments doctors usually recommend for endometriosis include pain medications, hormonal therapies, and surgery. These treatments have big risks, and aren’t always effective. In this episode I share four supplements and herbs that have been scientifically shown to not only help relieve the pain associated with endometriosis, but actually to reduce lesions and cysts. These natural approaches can be used alone or in combination with conventional treatments. If you, or someone you know, has been suffering from endometriosis, tune in to learn how to take control of your health naturally!To read the accompanying article go to avivaromm.com/endometriosis-herbs-supplements/

Many women have never experienced an orgasm. Many women don't know what they like in sex or how to ask for it. And a lot of women are struggling with chronic pelvic pain and other issues from endometriosis and other conditions that can make traditional sex very uncomfortable. Many of those women think this means they can't experience sexual pleasure. For one company, vibrators and sex toys aren't just about the business of pleasure. It's about helping women find empowerment and getting beyond sexual shame. In this episode I speak with Alexandra Fine, CEO of Dame Products.The mission of this company is to design well engineered sex toys to heighten intimacy and to openly empower the sexual experiences of womankind. Their products are also regularly prescribed by doctors as a drug free affordable solution to low libido, arousal disorders, and sexual function issues for those recovering from abuse, cancer, and more. Go to avivaromm.com/vibrator/ for a transcript and the show notes.

Hair loss. It fills our hair brushes, our sink drains, and our nightmares. It also brings a lot of women to my medical practice. Up to 50% of women will experience significant amount of hair loss in their life. In this episode we explore the common causes of hormonal hair loss and what you can do about it. For the accompanying article and show notes, go to avivaromm.com/hormonal-hair-loss/

Being a new momma can feel over the top exhausting at times - a lot of the time, in fact. But being a new mom with a thyroid problem can feel like holding baby while pushing a piano up a hill. Over the top. And it’s not just a slow functioning thyroid that can be making this time in your life feel crazy. An overactive thyroid can be keeping you from getting sleep and can riddle you with anxiety. You should not have to suffer. Neither should any new mom you know.Welcome to Natural MD Radio episode 120 - What New Moms Need to Know About Their Thyroid - to learn about a problem that’s affecting 1 in 12 new moms, and for which they are notoriously told by doctors and even well-meaning friends and family that “it’s just being a new mom” that has you feeling this way. It’s not, and there’s something you can do.Read the companion article at avivaromm.com/new-moms-thyroid/

Healthy thyroid function is essential to the physical and emotional health of pregnant women and to new moms. It’s also critical for the health of the baby.This is such an important topic that I’ve brought this popular podcast episode and blog back for an encore. I discuss the risks of undiagnosed thyroid problems for mom and baby, how thyroid function changes during pregnancy, and why it’s important for all pregnant women to get complete thyroid testing.You’ll also learn how to advocate for yourself to get the testing that you need, and the steps to take once you have your results.Read the companion article at avivaromm.com/thyroid-in-pregnancy/

Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid problem and the autoimmune form, Hashimoto’s disease, is the most common form of all. We know that 28 million individuals in the US alone are affected, and it's suspected that about 50% more are affected, have symptoms, and remain undiagnosed.Yet many doctors seem reluctant to do an adequate work-up of thyroid function. Some even refuse to give the tests that would help demystify whether you have hypothyroidism or another thyroid problem. This seems strange given how common thyroid problems are, and yet they are quite willing to freely prescribe antidepressants, when it's estimated that 15% of people on an antidepressant are depressed due to a hypothyroidism - which hasn't been diagnosed in them!Sadly, so many women are left believing that their symptoms of depression, fatigue, joint aches, weakness, weight gain and more are all in their head! Perhaps this has even happened to you.There are 6 key tests that can unlock the mystery of your thyroid function and are what your doctor should be looking at. In this encore presentation of Natural MD Radio I’m talking about what thyroid labs I run to diagnose patients and what labs you should ask for if you suspect you might have a thyroid problemShow notes at avivaromm.com/hypothyroid-testing-need-know/

While nobody wants to ever have a medical diagnosis, the diagnosis of hypothyroidism (or Hashimoto’s, the autoimmune form), which is now so common that 1 in 8 women can expect to receive a diagnosis in her lifetime, is readily ‘figureouttable” and with the right approach, generally very straightforward to manage and live with. Having Hashimoto’s doesn’t mean you’re not healthy, it’s definitely not a death sentence, nor does it automatically relegate you to a life of medications, frequent medical appointments, or ongoing testing. I’m going to walk you through the answers to the most common questions women have after getting a thyroid diagnosis - just as I do for patients in my practice.To read the companion article, go to avivaromm.com/hashimotos-diagnosis/