On Health for Women

It’s a startling and unfortunate reality that too many Americans are unable to access the medications they need for their basic healthcare, and that on top of this, billions of dollars' worth of pharmaceuticals go to waste annually, causing environmental pollution as well. Joining me today is none other than a trailblazer who needs no introduction as she embarks on a transformative mission to create a BETR way!After 19 remarkable seasons on one of the most beloved television series of our time, Grey's Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo has stepped away from her on-screen scrubs to advocate for better access to healthcare. In our conversation today, we explore: What Ellen has learned from fans and nurses about just how broken the healthcare system isEllen’s sense of personal social responsibility and her desire to be a role model to her own kidsHow she is using her recognition from playing a doctor-on-TV for good, with a focus on fixing the broken pharmaceutical industry through BETR RemediesWhy health and social equity are so important to EllenEllen’s non-negotiable wellness habits and finding balance as a working motherNavigating menopause, blood sugar, and moreThe confidence and wisdom that come with getting olderJoin me for this insightful, candid, and thought-provoking episode and get ready to experience Ellen Pompeo like never before as we uncover her passion for healthcare, self-care, and her dedication to creating meaningful change. Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Follow Ellen on Instagram @ellenpompeo and visit www.betrremedies.com

Are you concerned about the impact of birth control pills on your fertility? It's only natural to prioritize the well-being of your body and future fertility. And rest assured, you're not alone. A recent study of over 2,000 women who used oral contraceptives (OCs) found that most women had some worries. Fortunately, there's enough reassuring data that should allow you to breathe a major sigh of relief, all of which I'll delve into today with another special "Let’s Chat About That" episode of On Health.Listen in as I respond to a heartfelt voicemail from a listener who's worried that previous birth control pill use has ruined her fertility.In this episode we'll explore:Common myths and misconceptions about how the birth control pill works, and hint, it's not really by regulating your menstrual cycle.Women's biggest fears about how the Pill and other hormonal contraceptives might affect fertility in the long runWhether there's truth to the fear that the Pill, etc., impacts fertility, with an in-depth breakdown of the dataHow long does it take to get your cycle back when coming off the PillHow to plan and time conception when coming off the Pill, while avoiding unnecessary infertility workups, including what you need to know about OCs and ovarian reserveAdolescent pill use and its impact on long-term fertilitySupport for ovarian and hormonal health after coming off hormonal birth controlWhether you should take "Pill" holidays if you're a long-term OC userAnd more!If you've been on the Pill and are hoping to conceive soon, are already trying, or just want answers to alleviate fears, this episode is the most comprehensive review you'll find.Want to be part of the next "Let's Chat About That?" Do it! Just ring me at (413) 889-4549 and leave a voicemail for a chance to have your question featured in the next one!Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation.

In a recent development, the US Preventive Services Task Force sounded the alarm about the increasing prevalence of hypertensive disorders among pregnant women. They have advised monitoring blood pressure throughout pregnancy since these disorders have doubled in the last three decades, impacting one in ten pregnancies. Unfortunately, the United States lags in maternal health, bearing a troublingly high maternal mortality rate compared to other countries. While the newly recommended guidelines are undeniably important, it is crucial to delve deeper into the root causes that contribute to this and the growing number of other chronic health problems showing up in pregnancy.On today's episode of On Health, I have the privilege of being joined once again by the remarkable Dr. Neel Shah, a forward-thinking OBGYN and the Chief Medical Officer of Maven Clinic. Together, we delve into the heart of the maternal health crisis, exploring its multifaceted origins, and discuss important new ways of thinking about critical problems. We examine the profound societal challenges that impact maternal health and emphasize the urgent need for and significance of personalized care and the promising role of emerging digital healthcare solutions in supporting pregnant individuals. Furthermore, we address the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of forced isolation on maternal health.It is of utmost importance that we continue to raise awareness about maternal health and strive for comprehensive changes that prioritize the well-being of both mothers and babies in this country. By tackling the underlying factors that contribute to these challenges and ensuring access to meaningful care, we can achieve healthier outcomes for all, including the most vulnerable members of society.Dr. Neel and I discuss:COVID-19, lack of labor support, isolation, and other unforeseen obstacles for pregnant peopleSystemic racism and the impact of weathering on maternal mortality ratesDr. Neel’s firsthand experience as a practicing OBGYN during the pandemicThe dangers of generalizing and the importance of working directly with pregnant people on their individual needsA breakdown of what pregnant or aspiring pregnant people deserve from the healthcare systemThe goal of the Maven Clinic app and the potential of digital maternal care optionsDr. Neel’s perspective on the centering pregnancy modelWhy Dr. Neel feels that competence, reliability, and affirmation are required to move the needle in creating systemic change in maternal careThank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Follow Dr. Neel @neel_t_shah, check out the Maven Clinic App and more @mavenclinic

In the ever-changing landscape of trends and choices, it's important to separate the fleeting fads from the timeless practices. Today, we embark on an insightful journey, shining a light on two prominent trends that have taken center stage: Intermittent Fasting (IMF) and Time-Based Eating (TBE) and their profound impact on women's bodies.Join me as I peel back the layers, shedding light on the unique methodologies of IMF and TBE. We’ll explore the known benefits and potential risks and provide you with valuable insights to help you make informed decisions that resonate with your individual needs and aspirations, no matter what stage of life you're in.So, take a moment to settle in and let me guide you through the realms of IMF and TBE. Together, we'll navigate the path to optimal women's health and weight management, offering a nurturing and supportive perspective that honors the journey of womanhood. Get ready to embrace a balanced and empowering approach to well-being that will leave you feeling nourished, rejuvenated, and inspired for years to come. In this episode, I talk about:The main differences between and the science behind both IMF/TBEWhat we know (and don’t know) about the benefits – and risks – for women, specificallyWhy I don’t recommend IMF as robustly as I do TBEHow to avoid having a negative impact on your reproductive hormones while doing TBE, especially if you’re very physically activeMy advice for a moderate TBE approach that’s safe and beneficial for pretty much everyoneWho should not practice TBEMy personal approach to TBE and what I recommend in my practiceThank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. 

Over the course of her twenty-year medical career, my guest today, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, noticed a shocking dearth of information and support for women beginning and experiencing menopause. For too long, this crucial stage in women’s lives has been given perfunctory notice in medical schools and is often either a hidden secret or the punchline to a joke—denying women the information and support they need. This disregard, coupled with the unconscious misogyny and ageism that run rampant in our culture, portrays menopause as something to be afraid of, and worse, adds a patina of shame around the blessing of ageing and the beginnings of a new, normal, and enriching phase in a woman’s life. Dr. Suzanne, as her patients call her, believes that the millions of women entering menopause each year deserve thoughtful, candid, modern, holistic information about the physical and psychological issues that arise in this transitional stage, including changes in libido, metabolism, body image, and fears over genetic age-related illnesses. She contends that menopause is a whole-life condition and deserves a wide-ranging approach that combines meditation, yoga, therapy, herbal supplements, along with the most up-to-date science with conventional medical solutions. And this is all part of her approach in her "Menopause Bootcamp" gatherings and book of that title.In this episode of On Health, Dr. Suzanne shares her insights and advice on how to not only survive menopause but also thrive and embrace this new chapter of life. From the importance of community and self-love to the use of botanicals and so much more, Dr. Suzanne's holistic approach to menopause is a game-changer for women everywhere. So sit back, relax, and join us as we explore and gain the tools necessary to take on this transformative and empowering stage of life with confidence and ease. Suzanne and I get into:What ultimately inspired her to shift her focus on all things menopauseThe Menopause Bootcamp and the importance of community during this transitionTaking a closer look at internalized misogyny as womenNormalizing the grieving process for the loss of who we once wereThe link between the mental health crisis and the menopausal transitionThe common symptoms associated with menopause: sleep, weight gain, brain fog, and more.Botanicals, cannabis-based products, and other recommendations to minimize the mood shifts associated with menopauseMentally and physically navigating weight gain during this hormonal shiftThank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Follow Suzanne at @askdrsuzanne and order her book, The Menopause Bootcamp, here!

Are you overwhelmed by the number of birth control options available and wondering which one is right for you? Are you confused about the safety of various contraceptives? Confused about whether to use the Pill or another contraceptive method for PCOS, endometriosis, acne, or another hormonal condition?  There’s no denying that it can be daunting. With so much confusing and contradictory information out there, how can we separate facts from fiction to make an informed decision?Fear not: In today’s episode, I share my 35+ years of experience and research on birth control methods from my vantage point as a midwife and MD who appreciates the range of options available to us to take control of our reproductive lives. I dive into the pros and cons of common forms of contraception, the safest, most effective, and most convenient methods, and, importantly, how to pick the method that best suits your unique, personal needs at this time in your life. No judgement, no fearmongering—just good, honest information.I jam about:The various methods of birth control available from the Pill to IUDs, condoms, fertility awareness, and more.The pros, cons, safety issues, and comparative efficacy of these various methodsMy thoughts on the Pill as a physician —and when I prescribe itHow to choose birth control based on your current needs—and what to take into considerationThank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation.

In this episode of On Health, I dive deep into the science and culture of our menstrual cycles with Kate Clancy, PhD, period researcher and expert in the field of reproductive biology who has dedicated her life’s work to advocating for menstrual health and wellbeing.We explore the myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation, as well as the social stigma that often accompany it. Kate sheds light on the latest research in menstrual biology, from the role of hormones to the microbiome of the uterus. We also discuss the cultural and historical factors that have shaped our attitudes towards menstruation and how these attitudes impact women's experiences today.But we don't stop there. We also delve into the controversial topic of COVID-19 vaccines and how they may affect our menstrual cycles. Kate shares her insights based on the latest research, her own personal experience, and a survey she did which received 165,000 responses.Kate and I discuss:Why she decided to study and dedicate her life’s work to menstruationIron deficiency and periods: is there a correlation?The nuanced topic of period suppression and the implications of birth control Her infamous tweet about the COVID-19 vaccine, her findings, and her own personal experienceVaccine trials, research, and the dangerous lack of menstrual inclusion and acknowledgementDispelling some of the myths surrounding what is considered "normal" and "abnormal" as it pertains to menstrual cyclesThe importance of paying attention to our bodies while also understanding that levels of variation in our cycles are to be expectedDr. Clancy's work is a reminder that menstrual health is an important and often overlooked aspect of overall health and well-being. By increasing awareness and education surrounding this topic, we can break down the societal stigma and empower individuals to better understand and care for their bodies.Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm to join the conversation. Follow Kate at @clancy_kate and check out her book at www.kateclancy.com

CONTENT WARNING: Sexual assault Did you know that it takes only 3.5 years to sail around the world but up to 10 years to get an endometriosis diagnosis? That three out of four women experience pain during intercourse at some point in their lives? Or that nearly half of all women aged 18 to 35 have trouble reaching orgasm with a partner, and most women don't score their sexual satisfaction as very high? These statistics are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the vast spectrum of issues that women face with regards to their reproductive and sexual health. And did you know that women, like myself, who try to talk about this -- and even things like birth and breastfeeding, on social media platforms have been censored while overtly sexual ads for male issues are overtly promoted?Unfortunately, this pervasive culture of censorship silences crucial information from being shared among women and hinders progress towards achieving equity and wellbeing around important women's health issues.  Enter Jackie Rotman, founder and CEO of the Center for Intimacy Justice. Jackie is an inspiring activist and creative whose work on social media equity has been instrumental in changing policies so that women's voices can be heard and women's health needs can be more openly discussed on Meta (Facebook, Instagram). Join me for this latest On Health episode where Jackie and I discuss: The pleasure gap: what it is and why it needs to changeWhy women's reports of sexual satisfaction are so much different than men'sHow internet censorship around women's health affects our knowledge and empowerment The personal experiences that inspired Jackie to focus her substantial intellectual power on internet censorship and sexual health bias How stifling and censoring women's health affects the reach of business by women, for women, and favors the growth of men's businesses into the women's health space. This is a must-listen episode for all of us trying to find health information and thrive in our modern internet world. Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Follow Jackie @jackierotman1 and check out The Center for Intimacy Justice  

As parents, it’s instinctual that our number one priority is to ensure that our daughters grow up as happy and healthy as possible. So with the very real phenomenon of early puberty on the rise, it's understandable that many of us have growing concerns about it.On today’s episode of On Health, we'll be exploring early puberty, including the various environmental and social factors that could be contributing to this trend, what we can do starting at a young age to promote healthy hormonal and reproductive functioning, as well as how to recognize the signs of early puberty and address them in a non-judgmental and supportive way.Whether you're a parent, grandparent, healthcare provider, or just want to know about this important topic, I know you'll find this episode informative and reassuring. In this episode, I talk about:Factors causing or contributing to the rise of early puberty in our girlsWhy we think the COVID-19 pandemic increased the rates of early puberty around the worldEarly puberty as a 6th Vital SignThe signs of early puberty that parents and physicians should know and recognizeBest health and life-style prevention practicesDe-stigmatizing puberty and practicing open communication with our girlsThank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Together, we can give our girls the support and protection they need to emerge into womanhood with confidence and ease.Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, body size, and other factors have a significant bearing on whether you will be diagnosed and treated correctly. And health-care bias can mean the difference not just between suffering and relief but between life and death. On today’s episode of On Health, my guest, Angela Marshall MD, a board-certified internist, founder of Comprehensive Women's Health, Inc., and the author of the new book, Dismissed: Tackling the Biases that Undermine Our Health, shares the personal tragedy she experienced as a young mother and medical student that transformed the way she was to practice medicine, brings us front and centre into some of the core biases getting in the way of people getting good healthcare, and offers pragmatic solutions for providers to address and overcome their biases within a broken system. Angela not only explains what so many people feel so profoundly—that the system is working against them. It also reveals what healthcare practitioners, patients, and society in general can do to make it right.For anyone who has ever felt vulnerable while navigating the healthcare system, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we delve into this vital topic and shed light on the ways in which biases impact patient care. Angela and I discuss:How the death of a dear friend - a black woman MD, due to medical dismissal and the loss of her own infant son, also due to medical dismissal, have now galvanized her approach to being a physician.The deep-rooted indoctrination into biases that continues to exist within medical education and the healthcare system - and what needs to be done to enact real changeFat shaming and the importance of finding a provider you feel comfortable and safe with in a medical settingHow we can better advocate for ourselves when we are in medical settings, and when it's time to break up with your doctorHow we can find grace and compassion for ourselves when we've experienced medical dismissal. Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Follow Angela @angelawmarshall, find her book and learn more about Premedical Explorers at www.angelamarshallmd.com