The Re:pro Health Podcast

For our final episode of the season, we invited Dr. Simone Lebeuf, a pediatrician specializing in Adolescent Medicine, to talk about pregnant & parenting teens. In this episode, we talk about common societal misconceptions about teen pregnancy, unique challenges faced by this population, and how we can support adolescents navigating pregnancy and parenting. A huge thank you to Dr. Lebeuf for sharing her knowledge and expertise - what a great way to close our season!   Resources: For Young Parents Terra Centre Adolescent Pregnancy Clinic For Providers Guidelines from the Canadian Pediatric Society Guidelines from the Society of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of Canada

CONTENT WARNING: Human trafficking, sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse.    In this episode of the Re:Pro podcast we are privileged to be joined by sisters Monique and Michelle Williams. Monique is currently a second year family medicine resident, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the current chair of the CaRMS board of directors. Our focus this episode will be Monique's sister, Michelle, who shares her story as someone who has experienced human trafficking. How does human trafficking start and what might put someone at-risk of being trafficked? What prevents people from escaping trafficking? How can we recognize signs that someone is being trafficked, not just as healthcare professionals but also as friends and family? What does human trafficking look like in Edmonton? Michelle's story is one of incredible importance and unfortunately, more common than many might expect. We can't thank Michelle and Monique enough for having this discussion with us and helping bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking.    If you or anyone you know may be experiencing human trafficking, please see the following resources:  Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010 Center to Empower All Survivors of Sexual Exploitation (CEASE): (780) 471-6137 or info@ceasenow.org SNUG: (780) 452-6100 or http://www.metischild.com/2019Site/snug.html Sexual Exploitation Working Group: https://www.sewgedmonton.com/community-resources  

For this week's episode, we sat down for an important conversation with Heba, a midwife who spent six weeks this past summer providing reproductive healthcare in war-torn Gaza. We encourage you to listen to Heba's stories and insights, as she reflects on her experiences providing essential reproductive healthcare. We sincerely thank Heba for speaking with us. This episode has a content warning, as descriptions of human conflict including bombing, human suffering, and death are discussed.  Please note that this conversation was recorded on March 8, 2025. On March 18, 2025 the ceasefire was broken and overnight and over 400 Palestinians were killed, many were children. We encourage you to listen to Heba's story and to continue seeking out reliable news sources to stay up to date.

Join us for the newest episode of season 7 of the Re:Pro Health Podcast. We are joined by Dr. Jonathan Tankel to dissect the intricacies of being a male obstetrician and gynaecologist (OBGYN). Patient comfort and preference is always a priority, so what are the options for a patient in labour who would prefer to receive care solely from female physicians? Dr. Tankel practices as an OBGYN at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. Listen in as he shares how to navigate the nuances of providing care in sexual and reproductive health spaces as a male physician. Links to resources:  CMPA Article: When patients make special requests, how should you respond: https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/advice-publications/browse-articles/2019/when-patients-make-special-requests-how-should-you-respond Articles by Dr. Christa Aubrey: Accommodating Immigrant Women's Preferences for Female Health Care Providers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28426597/ Perspectives of Immigrant Women on the Gender of Provider During Childbirth: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29274934/ Gender of Provider-Barrier to Immigrant Women's Obstetrical Care: A Narrative Review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28625284/ 

Join us for this episode as we welcome back Tami-Lee Duncan to chat with us about sexual resilience! What is sexual resilience? What does empowerment through rebuilding sexual resilience look like and how is it achieved? Tami-Lee is a registered psychologist and owner of Transcend Psychological Services. On this week's episode, Tami-Lee shares her extensive experience working with survivors of sexual violence to answer these questions and more on rebuilding comfort and safety in intimacy and relationships. Please note that this episode discusses subject matter that may be triggering or uncomfortable for some listeners and listener discretion is advised. 

On this episode of season 7 of the Re:Pro Health Podcast we chat about sex, guilt, and shame. What's the difference between guilt and shame and why is it so common to experience these feelings about sex? How does a conservative upbringing or religion tie into our feelings surrounding our sexuality? Join us as we welcome Tami-Lee Duncan to discuss these topics using her background as a registered psychologist who specializes in sexual therapy. Tami-Lee is the owner of Transcend Psychological Services and has extensive knowledge and experience with sex-related issues such as sexual health and education, sexual dysfunction, relationships, and more! 

Join us for the 74th Re:Pro Health Podcast episode! We're so fortunate to have Maureen Callihoo Ligtvoet with us as we discuss the revitalization of Indigenous birthing practices and the importance of culturally safe maternity care. Maureen is a community advocate for truth and reconciliation, a human service professional, and the daughter of a residential school survivor. In this episode she shares her knowledge and experience in traditional Indigenous birthing practices as well as where the healthcare system may be falling short in meeting the needs of Indigenous patients. We'll also discuss some of the important historical context that continues to result in numerous poor delivery experiences for members of Indigenous communities and what steps healthcare professionals can take to work towards addressing these deficits in care. It's such a privilege to be part of this discussion and we hope you enjoy listening in!

Join us on the Re:pro Health Podcast for our second episode of season 7 where we chat about sexual health education across the lifespan. What are some special considerations when educating youth on topics in sexual health? What about our adult and senior populations? Let's talk about it! This episode we welcome back the wonderful Heather Cobb! Heather is a trained teacher and sexuality educator with 25 years of experience in sexual health based work. She is also the current President of a non-profit, the Alberta Society for the Promotion of Sexual health.

Welcome to Season 7 of the Re:Pro Health Podcast!  In this episode, our guest Victoria Groves (she/her) is a Nurse Practitioner, a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and founder of the Menopause Wellness Clinic in Edmonton who is passionate about helping patients make informed decisions about their own health.  Join us as we chat about how different cultures view and experience menopause, the do's and don'ts of treatments and remedies used in menopause, and common misinformation you may hear. Have a listen and let us know what you think! 

Today we are joined by Dr. May Sanaee, a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alberta, who chats about chronic pelvic pain. She defines chronic pelvic pain, shares how commonplace it is, outlines symptoms to look out for and treatment options patients can pursue! Thank you Dr. Sanaee for coming on the pod! 

On today's episode, we are joined by Dr. Ariadne (Ariana) Daniel, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree and completed residency training at the University of Alberta, completing further training in Toronto. Join us today to discuss different approaches to infertility, each of their components, new emerging treatments, and common misconceptions about infertility.    

On today's episode, we are joined by Liam and Evan from WiseGuyz. Liam is a public educator who works with the Sexual Assault Centre in Edmonton and is currently completing his Masters in Counselling Psychology. Evan is also a public educator with the Sexual Assault Centre and is the chair of the Indigenous Inclusion Committee. We discuss what WiseGuyz is, what sexual violence is, and how we can further educate and prevent sexual violence.

Today, we're delving into a crucial topic that impacts countless lives: contraceptives. Joining us is Dr. Kaili Hoffart, a dedicated physician and an integral part of our community. Since completing residency in 2014, she serves a diverse patient base with a special focus on women's health and prenatal care. Serving as the physician lead for the CAPE clinic in Edmonton, she is deeply involved in community outreach, collaborating with organizations like ARCH and NAIT. Furthermore, she is a passionate educator and helps shape the future of family medicine through teaching and leadership.

Have you ever heard the term prolapse and wondered what that meant? I know I have. Donna Wilson, RN (she/her) joins us today to chat about all about prolapse, including some mythbusting on prolapse hot topics (no pessaries dont cause infection and yes you can have sex with prolapse!). She also chats about the ins and outs of pessaries. Take a listen and let us know your thoughts! 

On today's episode, we welcome Dr. Kelycia Leimert (she/her), a senior scientist from the Olson Lab in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Dr. Leimert's research primarily seeks to improve the health outcomes of mothers and children affected by preterm birth. Join us to chat with her about what preterm birth is, potential contributors, and some possible up and coming therapeutics for preterm birth!

Today on the podcast we welcome Sarah Conrad (she/her), a physiotherapist who has been working in pelvic health for 18 years, and is now the Alberta pelvic health lead! Sarah chats about what pelvic health physio appointments can look like, does some myth-busting on kegels and shares just how common pelvic floor prolapse is (and what we can do to treat it!). This episode is a must-listen!

Welcome to the sixth season of The Re:Pro Health Podcast! In this episode, we are joined by Meaghan Ray (they/them), a graduate student in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, as they discuss their journey as a patient navigating non-traditional family planning and assisted reproductive therapy in Canada.    Take a look at Meaghan Ray's YouAlberta spotlight here: https://www.ualberta.ca/youalberta/2024/01/innovator-spotlight-meaghan-ray-peters.html

This episode will finish off the fifth season of our podcast. In this final episode, we are joined by Dr. Brotto a leading researcher and expert on mindfulness and its impact on sexual health and well-being at UBC, to discuss how mindfulness can improve sex lives post illness such as cancer or in day-to-day living.    Thank you for supporting this season of our episode. Please leave a review for our podcast and share your thoughts and suggestions for a chance to win a $20 gift card. This giveaway is open until Friday, June 16th, 2023. 

Join us as we welcome back Dr. Chronopoulus to chat all things regarding LGBTQ+ sexual health with helpful tips and resources. If you are interested in revisiting our previous episode "Providing Transgender Care" with Dr. Chronopoulus where we had a conversation about providing care for gender and sexually diverse patients please us the link below. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1U2IeZcRQhuN78S4g7FXgS?si=-ovHFf5tQtK1Dq2TnUiv3Q

Join us in discussing the support of loved ones as they experience menopause in advance of Mother's Day weekend. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Beate Sydora and Dr. Sue Ross to learn more about menopause and how it impacts women's quality of life. 

In this week's episode, we are joined by Dr. Ina Park from the University of California, San Francisco to discuss the multifaceted history of sexually transmitted infections. We hope that this episode can build on our previous episode 56 on STIs and Monkeypox and help learn more about STIs. 

We are delighted to be joined by Dr. Jessica Kirkwood on this week's episode to explore inner-city reproductive health. Dr. Kirkwood, speaks on harm reduction in the inner city population. 

Join us as we continue our conversation on abortion access in Canada. In this episode, we are joined by TK Pritchard, a leading expert on access to abortion in Canada and a champion for sexual health and reproductive justice. We discuss some challenges and barriers to abortion access in Canada and more. 

Our latest episode is here and we are joined by Dr. Angel Foster a leading advocate for reproductive health and abortion access to discuss how recent changes have influenced abortion access in Canada in the United States' abortion care laws.  *This episode was recorded on November 4th, 2022. 

Join us together for another episode with Dr. Ameeta Singh, a clinical professor from the University of Alberta with a special interest in sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Listen in on our conversation about the transmission of currently circulating STIs and the new Monkeypox infections. 

Join us together with Dr. Phil Bach from the University of Alberta to start our new season of the podcast with a chat about male reproductive health, fertility and erectile dysfunction. Challenges with male reproductive health and fertility are widely under-recognized and we hope this episode brings this to light. 

Join us together with Brenda Kerber from The Traveling Tickle Trunk to chat about leading a happy and healthy sex life. Sexual health is an important part of everyone's wellbeing and today we chat about how it can be made safe, supportive, and fun! Link to infographic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/180ftlDXBCCcX7an7P_NTb0tWMtOclWk4/view?usp=sharing 

Join us this week as we speak with psychologist Tami-lee Duncan about healthy sexual function and dysfunction. She gives us an excellent overview of her “sex lecture” and how the mind affects our body in sex. We also explore myths and and how to have conversations about sex! Link to Infographic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g_WGCJN8W8uCbHX3iEDozW8ZKy6Xyixz/view?usp=sharing 

Joining us this week is Dr. Lina Roa, who focuses her practice and research on women's health through a global health lens. Listen in to learn about discrepancies in women's health across the globe, including maternal mortality and abortion access.  Link to Infographic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iksNCq4umO2lf99YXNWJ_rrYV9LlE20L/view?usp=sharing 

Join us in conversation with Dr. Shawna Stafford to discuss how important body inclusivity and body positivity are in a ObGyn practice for patients and practitioners alike. She shares her own experince as a physician with us along with more pearls of advice. Link to Infographic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xa24jk_sWSwoBgsojwll0uWveeO7w9VD/view?usp=sharing 

Join us as we speak with Dr. Laura Sycuro, whose work on the vaginal microbiome has shown her the importance of female reproductive health research, barriers to its development and funding implications. We explore how advocacy plays a role in research to improve healthcare! Link to Infographic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12ygJd5f34jM33FmuKCH2WRQzwAay7mOl/view?usp=sharing 

Join us in conversation with Dr. Fiona Mattatal as we discuss what it meaans to be a health advocate, the ups, downs, and everything in between. Dr. Mattatal speaks on her own inspirations and shares tips for anyone looking to become an advocate too! Link to Infographic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hTjch582Zir60arVdWc_1iiJwZc-a2YX/view?usp=sharing 

We're delighted to be back with Dr. Julia Chronopoulos, who today shares with us her insight and experience as a healthcare provider for gender and sexually diverse patients. If you are interested in learning some skills to become more confident working with this patient population, this episode is full of tips and resources to get you started! Link to Infographic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AKW1_SuZ1zJYudRg6Xujb_NUFNWSE0Oe/view?usp=sharing 

Our latest episode is here and we are joined by Marni Panas, LGBTQ activist as she shares her journey and takes us through the different experiences of transgender people. We also dive into various ways to support and create positive spaces for all!  Link to Infographic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AXD-SIPkHI-kz602or6tg_xH6KIcDBSZ/view?usp=sharing 

Join us as we speak to MLA and activist, Janis Irwin, about the journey of exploring and living as one's true self. Through Janis's own story, we explore the struggles our diverse youth face and how we can best support them! Link to Infographic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XsjNrulxQ8LBDt_bCXCAOxE-VTdv52gV/view?usp=sharing 

Welcome to the 3rd season of The Re:pro Health Podcast! We're kicking off this season with Dr. Julia Chronopoulos, who discusses the intricacies of adolescent healthcare. Puberty, patient confidentiality, self acceptance...it's all covered right here! Links and Resources:  100 vulvas: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/Why_I_Photographed_100_Vulvas Puberty: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/puberty.html Tanner Stages: https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/stages-of-puberty#tanner-stage-3 Tanner stages for females: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Noel-Mueller-2/publication/258327803/figure/fig2/AS:651176785739778@1532264052767/2-Female-Tanner-stages.png Tanner stages for males: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-illustrations-of-Tanner-stages-printed-on-flash-cards_fig1_241695423

Join us as we recap menopause and talk to Dr. Susan Prendergast about hormone replacement therapy and what to expect from your healthcare provider to help you manage menopausal symptoms. For more information, check out https://www.menopauseandu.ca/ To find out more about Susan Prendergast's clinic, visit https://www.ellithia.com/ Infographic

What is perinatal mental health? Is it more than just postpartum depression? Why is accessing care for perinatal mental illness important? Join us as we embark on this journey with Dr. Lucy Barker, a psychiatrist from the University of Toronto, to explore perinatal mental health. Infographic If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. Hotlines: 780 482 4357 (Edmonton and area) 403 266 4357 (Calgary and area) 403 327 7905 (Southern Alberta) 1 800 232 7288 (Rural Alberta) 1 833 456 4566 (Canada) www.postpartum.net/

Join us this week as we discuss the wonderful world of vaginal discharge with Dr. De Melo. When is it normal? When should you be concerned? What might you expect from your doctor? Find out in this next installment of our WAP series! Note: In our discussion, we describe trichomoniasis as a fungal infection, however, it is actually a parasitic infection. Infographic

With this episodes we dive deeper into the menstrual cycle and how changes (e.g. discharge and temperature) can give clues into fertility. Joining us is Dr. Vanessa DeMelo, a family physician with an interest in low risk obstetrics and women's health. Infographic.html 

Join us as we learn more about the menstrual cycle from Dr. Jane Schulz, the current chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alberta. We will leave no stone unturned, and will explore questions about what normal periods look like, common misconceptions, PMS, bleeding, missing a period, and when to go see a physician. Infographic.html 

What is pelvic floor health? What happens when one's pelvic floor does not work properly? What are things we can do proactively to keep it healthy? Joining us is Mary Wood, a physiotherapist specializing in pelvic health from Cura Physical Therapies. Listen in for some takeaways that you can implement immediately at any stage in your life for a healthy pelvic floor. Infographic.html

In this episode, we will be exploring sex work and common myths and misconceptions surrounding it. Joining us are Lula Blue, a full service sex worker for 4 years, and Karyn Jackson, the Team Lead, Prevention & Support at HIV Community Link. Listen in to learn more and challenge your beliefs about sex work. To learn more, see our Infographic

Have you heard of the GOOP or Wellness Industry? Have you considered their practices or wanted to learn more? In this episode, we go over some myths and practices promoted by this industry. Before you listen, let's play a game of true or false:  1. Steaming should be used to cleanse the vagina  2. Pineapples make vaginal discharge taste and smell better 3. Eating bread causes yeast infections 4. Jade eggs inserted in the vagina are magical  To learn more, see our Infographic. 

Have questions about sexual violence? Where to get help? What to do when someone shares their experience of sexual violence with you? Joining us is Daniela Chavez Vega, one of the Education Programme Coordinators at the University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre.  For those who need to reach out, support services are available at: Assaulted Women's Helpline 24/7 toll-free at 1.866.863.0511. Further resources are available on our infographic, as well as on your local official provincial health websites. Infographic.html

Have you ever wondered what happens after sexual abuse? Who are the people looking out for others when something like this happens? How does the system currently work, and how it's being made better? Joining us is Aileen Holland, a registered ER nurse making a difference in the field of sexual assault investigation.  For those who need to reach out, support services are available at: Assaulted Women's Helpline 24/7 toll-free at 1.866.863.0511. Further local resources are available on your local official provincial health websites. Infographic: What to do after Sexual Assault

Has the thought of freezing your eggs crossed your mind? Joining us is Dr. Caitlin Dunne from UBC, a recipient of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 Award. She will discuss options to preserve fertility and in vitro fertilization. Infographic: IVF Infographic

Joining us for this episode is Neelam Punjani who will discuss the sexual and mental health of adolescents in conservative cultures. She draws a focus on hidden voices as well as exploring ways to improve communication with youth. Infographic: Sex Ed.html Resources: https://www.sexandu.ca/

Joining us on this episode is Dr. Jason Hamm, who shares his approach to navigating interactions with individuals who identify as non-binary and/or transgender, as well as exploring the unique challenges and barriers they often encounter.  Infographic: Trans(cending)_Health_Infographic.html Resources: 1. Edmonton Pride Centre Phone: 780-488-3234 Email: hello@pridecentreofedmonton.ca Address: 2nd Floor, 10618 105 Avenue NW Edmonton AB, T5H 0L2   2. Access 24/7 (Royal Alexandra Hospital) Phone: 780-424-2424 Address: 10959 102 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5H 2V1   Chest binding resources: The Quiltbag and The Travelling Tickle Trunk. The Travelling Tickle Trunk also carries other affirming trans wear such as Gaffs and packers. 

Experiencing anxiety, or know someone who is? Learn about the signs, treatments, and misconceptions! Joining us is our special guest Dr. Helen Bondurant. Resources: Anxiety Canada: https://www.anxietycanada.com/  Stigmatizing attitudes towards people with mental disorders: findings from an Australian National Survey of Mental Health Literacy and Stigma: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22023236/  Anxiety.org: http://anxiety.org/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad  UptoDate Summaries: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search  Generalized anxiety disorder in adults: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, course, assessment, and diagnosis Approach to treating generalized anxiety disorder in adults Patient education: Generalized anxiety disorder (The Basics) Psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder in adults Pharmacotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder in adults Link to infographic: Anxiety.html

Join us as we explore the importance of pap tests, what really causes cervical cancer and how you can protect yourself. We'll be discussing the latest guidelines in Canada so you know when your pap is due, how your immune system can fight cervical cancer, what you can expect if you have an abnormal pap, and more!  Featuring Dr. Schepansky a Gynecologic Oncologist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alberta. Her practice is based at the Cross Cancer Institute and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. She has done work as the Chair of Colposcopy Quality Improvement Committee for the Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program. Resources:  (1) Screening For Life (includes info on cervical cancer and a risk assessment tool): http://screeningforlife.ca/cervical-cancer-at-a-glance/ (2) Choosing Wisely: https://choosingwiselycanada.org/pap-tests/ (3) Canadian Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/diagnosis-and-treatment/tests-and-procedures/pap-test/?region=on (4) My Health Alberta: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=tw9600 (5) Alberta Health Services - A Patient's Guide to Colposcopy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57EXw9oU9TA&feature=youtu.be Summary Sheet: CervicalCancerandPapTests.html