Podcasts about vaginal

In this solo episode, Jen Delvaux opens up about her deeply personal journey with vaginal estrogen therapy after a breast cancer diagnosis—a topic many survivors fear or avoid. Jen shares how she once refused treatment out of fear, the struggles that led her to reconsider, and the science behind post-treatment symptoms that so many women face in silence. She also breaks down the latest research showing low-dose vaginal estrogen is not linked to increased breast cancer recurrence, and how open, informed conversations with your care team can change everything. Whether you're struggling with menopause symptoms after treatment, feeling unsure about your options, or just want to understand what's safe and supported by research, this episode will empower you to advocate for your own health journey. If this episode helped you, please rate and review — it helps us reach more survivors who need this message.

Send us a textAfter birth, many women are left blindsided by physical changes they never expected. Vaginal dryness, painful sex, recurring UTIs, and even emotional strain can all show up during breastfeeding — but most mothers are never told why. In this episode, we sit down with Sara Perelmuter, a third-year medical student at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Sara currently serves as president of the Sexual Medicine Research Team and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on reproductive and genitourinary health.Sara explains the hormonal shifts that mimic menopause in the postpartum period, why so many women are suffering in silence, and what the research reveals about both the prevalence of these symptoms and the safe, effective treatments available — including pelvic floor therapy, moisturizers, lubricants, and topical vaginal estrogen.These symptoms are common, but they are not inevitable. By naming and studying them, we open the door to treatment and better care.********** Needed

In celebration of the 2nd year Anniversary of the Dr Sophia, ObGyn podcast, my co-host Touseef Mirza is sharing her favorite episode from the last year “Childbirth and vaginal / vulva tears.” In this episode we talk about how childbirth is viewed as a beautiful and spectacular phenomenon. And that at the same time, women need to also know the full scope of normal changes and potential physiological complications that can happen to their vagina and vulva during vaginal delivery. In this episode, we talk about the amazingness of the vagina and what it's able to do during childbirth, the different types of potential vaginal and vulva tears that can occur, what physicians can do to avoid the severity of vaginal / vulva tears or lacerations, etc. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Molly was concerned her interview would be boring because nothing went wrong. I reassured her that people need to know that birth can be very straightforward, even a first birth. We can assume that birth is a medical procedure, when in fact it is a state of wellness. Molly shares with us the power of her preparation, the amazing role her partner played and the tools she used to get through the birth. She didn't experience the sensations as pain, but called them tightenings. An inspiring story that can open our minds to possibilities. Absolutely worth a listen.   Links: Transform Parenting website Transform Your Birth Today Better Birth: Mini Gift Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice  

Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 25 Being Subversive Isn t As Much Fun As It Looks In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels.             Friends stand by you through the struggles your enemies create   "You are depraved and despicable," Mhain seethed. "I get that a lot; now get out," I growled back, "because I have a thousand other bitches who are, scratch that, 999 other bitches, Doctor Kennedy is growing on me; the rest I'm not so sure about, who are making my life miserable." "Don't get your hopes up, Mr. Braxton," Doctor Kennedy warned me. "I'm happily married." "Cool," I responded. "I hope to be like that one day." "Happily married?" Virginia inquired. "No; a female law professor at an all-girls school," I grinned. "It sounds like a real cool job." "Feel free to hit him," Dana interrupted. "I swear that is the only way to get him to learn anything; or the only way we will discuss at this moment." Ah, sex. I thought my life had gone on a bit too long without the mention of sex. "It is also a fun form of stress relief." A painful blow rocked my shoulder and nearly sent me sprawling. "You are right," Gabrielle noted clinically. "I feel better." Fuck, she hits hard. I look at her and try not to get pissed off and say something stupid. She makes my life difficult but my existence at FFU makes her life far too interesting as well. Whack! Someone hit me with a briefcase. "I have to agree," Doctor Kennedy confirmed. "It has a therapeutic quality to it." "Bloody hell," I blurt out. "Everyone, please stop physically abusing Zane," Ms. Goodswell snapped. "He's a student, for Pete's sake. He's not subject to corporal punishment." "Virginia, have you ever punched or slapped Zane?" Dana teased. "Give it a try before dismissing it out of hand." "He likes spanking," Barbie Lynn beamed happiness as she skipped by on her way to my/our bedroom. Technically, it is mine, Vivian's, Barbie Lynn's, Rio's, and Mercy's, plus whoever is feeling lonely on a given night. As for the spanking, I'm more of a giver than a receiver, but I doubt explaining that right now would be appropriate. "Uhmm, okay, I think that is my cue to leave," Virginia piped up. "I have rounds to make," Gabrielle added. "I'm going home to my family," Doctor Kennedy headed out. "I'm going to stay here, kick back, and watch some Pay-per-view," Dana grinned. "What are you going to watch?" Hudson inquired. "BBC America has this show called Copper that I've been meaning to catch," Dana informed her. "Mind if I watch an episode with you?" Hudson asked. "Sure, knock yourself out. You can pick the second show," Dana yawned. "It's only Zane's money after all." The rest of my guests filed out and I retired to the showers and then to my room. The day's stress revealed itself as the women curled into bed calmly and soon were cuddled together, including the odd ones out. On the far side we had the rather unusual appearance of Valarie. Next to her was Rio, who had her arms wrapped around Mercy. Mercy was snuggled against Barbie Lynn who held the middle spot. I was on my side, face-to-face with Barbie Lynn. After a few minutes, Vivian came to bed, wedged up against my back, and put an arm over me. I was in close proximity to several beautiful women but as long as no one doused the room with an aphrodisiac, we'd do just fine. "Zane," Barbie Lynn whispered, "my vibrator burned out this morning, and I'm terribly horny." Oh, fuck!   Barbie Lynn gazing down at me, I'm not sure another guy should ever see this because it could break one's heart to see it once and never again. She's built a faint sheen of sweat on her body already and she's looking at me with a definite Zen to fuck. My cock is cocooned deep inside her rectum, rubbing inside as she rotates forward on her hips. The distant, dreamy look in her eyes flashes to alertness as she catches me looking at her; 'hi' she whispers. I nod and smile so she inclines into me so that we can start kissing. She leads in with her tongue along my lips. I touch the tip of her tongue with my own, snaking inside her mouth before we are done. She starts murmuring, deepens our kiss, and begins rubbing my nipples. "Vivian?" Valarie says softly. She snuck around the bed to settle behind my guardian. "Yes?" Vivian replies. She is on her side watching Barbie Lynn and I. "I, umm, Valarie moans. Out of the corner of my eye I catch it as Val's hand brushes Vivian's hair off her neck and her lips start suckling on the exposed flesh. Vivian closes her eyes briefly but doesn't move Valarie away. "Oh, Baby," Barbie pants with barely an inch separating our lips, "I know I say this often but I so love this. You tear me up inside and I want it so bad all the time, it scares me." "Vaginal sex with you scares me," I tease back. "Will it be even better?" she draws in an even deeper, breast flaunting breath. "You never know, but you are so damn good at everything else, I can't imagine you doing anything but haunting my dreams forever," I say, as I coax her movements with my hands on her hips, flanks, and thighs. Barbie shows her appreciation by running her hand through my bangs and pushing my hair back so that she can cover my forehead, eyes and nose with kisses. "You like that romantic shit, don't you, Mercy-slut?" Rio grumbles playfully from the other side. "Yes," Mercy whispers. I know Rio well enough to know that when a spiteful reply isn't immediately forthcoming, she's dusting off (and unchaining) her Better Angel. Mercy is looking at Barbie Lynn and me, her head facing sideways as she lies on her back. Rio crawls on top of Mercy, prompting Mercy to open her legs, and locks her hands over her head to gaze down on her. "Your skin is so pure, your hair so black, and your eyes so full of passion, it breaks my heart to look at you, My Little Whore," Rio begins. She leans in and bites Mercy's earlobe, causing her victim to moan and buck up slightly. "Mercy, you give and give, making me so hot inside that I want to grab you and never let go." "Really?" Mercy gasps. "I, " "Don't get used to this," Rio growls with famished sexual enticement. "But, well, I want you to know that I hope all our children look just like you." Poor Rio was running out of material. It was terribly uncomfortable for me to show her where to go. I ran my hands over Barbie's body, which is an absolute torture I am forced to struggle through repeatedly. I start by massaging Barbie Lynn's tits, rotating three fingers over the nipples before rolling up the whole meaty breast in my palms. Barbie Lynn starts pushing back on my cock harder and grunting to the rhythm. "Damn, Mercy," Rio teases, "I love these titties." She accentuates by sucking the top third of one breast into her mouth and twirling her tongue around it. Vivian gives a visible shiver from her side of the bed; Valarie has done something to her beneath the sheets to turn her on. In the interim while I have been watching Rio and Mercy, Valarie has been working over Vivian, temple to shoulder, with her lips. Now I see Vivian pulling up her left (upper) leg until it is resting snugly against my upper ribs, giving someone easier access to her snatch. She's also put her left arm behind her back between herself and Valarie. I'm starting to wonder if there is something in the air filters of my place, some undiscovered aphrodisiac mold, fungi, or spores that turns nice, virtuous girls into promiscuous bi-sexual vixens. To the best of my knowledge and belief, neither Valarie nor Vivian had the slightest lesbian tendencies before they started coming to my room. I give Barbie Lynn's luscious orbs one final squeeze before migrating my hold down to her ass, giving each cheek a double-slap. Barbie Lynn exhales a huff of ecstatic relief as the impact travels through her. Rio smirks and follows suit, her hand reaching between their thighs, prying Mercy's leg up, up and up until Mercy's knee is nearly at her breast. "Your body is the first female form that I've ever lusted after," Rio murmurs as she rubs and pats Mercy's buttocks. "I think I've always wanted you, to taste you on my tongue, your scent strong in my mind and your sweet, sweet ass under my hand." Mercy brings one hand up to stroke Rio's cheek as she gives a strangled sob. No matter how much Mercy fears loving a woman, Rio can chisel that away and get her to love openly and freely. Barbie Lynn bounces up and slams down on me repeatedly as she is coming to the end of her fuse. "Zane, Zane, oh yeah," she pants. Vivian chooses this moment to sneak her climax in on the rest of us. I am vaguely aware of her biting her lip, rocking her hips under the sheets, and perspiration beginning to bead on her lower lip. "Holy God, Christ, and, my, hot damn, Val, ugh, Oh, God!" Vivian squeals as Valarie vigorously whips her hand in a tight pattern, cloaked from sight but obvious to the knowledgeable. Vivian's clit, lips, and the gateway to her cunt are all supers-stimulated. Valarie cools her down and holds her with enough strength to stop Vivian from rolling face-first into the sheets. "Jesus Loves Me!" Barbie Lynn screams one last time. Her body bows, her breasts thrust forward and up, bouncing so deliciously while her thighs tremble in climax. Her anal muscles rippling from sphincter toward my cockhead are grinding me toward orgasm. Finally, she collapses against me, still twitching and fighting for breath. With my arms wrapped around her, I roll us over toward Mercy and Rio, placing Barbie Lynn on her back. Barbie Lynn has her legs pulling back before I can even move to push them back. While I had never fully pulled out, I was nearly there. I shove my hips forward, forcing my cock back in hard, causing Barbie Lynn to grunt, her mouth to gape open, nostril flaring, as her eyes squeeze shut. "Oh, hell, yeah," Barbie Lynn gasps, "hammer me!" "Oh, fuck," Valarie moans, "I am so lonely." Vivian is still roaming her hands over Valarie's special place, picking up the pace as she's inspired by Barbie Lynn's passion. Rio expresses her perverse nature by going at Mercy slow while the rest of us are going gangbusters. "Here is my baby-smooth, tasty friend," Rio says as she kisses Mercy's bald twat. Rio pushes her thighs apart, her leg muscles taught while laying on the bed. Rio's restraint could only last so long. Every lick became more insistent, every nibble elicited a greater yelp, and every hip-thrust by Mercy into Rio's hungry mouth was more desperate. Valarie gives off one long, cavernous growl, then screams in between Vivian's shoulder blades. "Damn," Vivian whispers, as a sympathetic orgasmic shiver coasts through her body. I'm pushing up on my knuckles, Barbie Lynn's legs between them as I rise up until my bulbous head is fixed in her sphincter; then I slam down once more. She's rocking her hips up to maximize the depths I reach as she cries out, again and again and again. When I finally let go, I feel a volcano of lust, frustration, and fulfillment exploding out all at once. Barbie Lynn's head sways rapidly side to side as she comes unglued. "Zane, Jesus loves me, Jesus Loves Me!" she howls loud enough to shake the glass panels overhead. Those words ringing in my ears are going to haunt me in whatever church I go to. "Ugh, ugh, ugh, Love, right there, feels so good," Mercy drags out with shallow breathes. "Umm, Rio gurgles. Mercy has gotten quite wet and visibly aroused. I'm sure Rio has worked a finger or two into the action and in Mercy's ass. Mercy starts bouncing off the sheets as she hisses out the last of her restraint. "Mother-fucker-god-damn!" Mercy cries out. Rio growls, slurps, and sucks up Mercy's cunt juice while lapping up and down her slit. "That's my baby," Rio's fluid-marked face looks up from between Mercy's legs and smiles. "Was that good for you?" Rio asks? Mercy nods dreamily. "Are you a happy little whore?" Rio teases. Again, Mercy nods with pleasure. "Did you use the 'L' word, Ass-fuck slut?" Rio hardens. This time Mercy realizes her mistake and shudders. She raises her head and looks into Rio's eyes. "Yes. I'm sorry, Rio," Mercy mumbles. "Sorry isn't going to cut it this time, Bitch," Rio sneers. "Tomorrow morning you are going to get it coming and going, all day long." I am actually aware of what that threat means. "Okay," Vivian sighed, with more contentment than annoyance, "we've all cum so let's try and get some sleep." "I haven't gotten off yet," Rio chuckled. I knew what I had to do before someone else volunteered my services. "Come here, Rio." I smile to her and extend a hand. "Let me get another taste of my best bro." "I'll clean you up," Barbie Lynn grins up at me, as she wiggles her body around my own so she's on top again. She slithers down my torso, waggles my still mostly hard cock against her lips, then begins to take it into her mouth. Barbie Lynn's tongue licks along my shaft as she gobbles up more of my rod. I expect Rio to come over but Mercy, following along and lying on her belly, her head propped up on her hands and elbows as she watches my blonde angel's skilled fellatio, is a bonus. Rio ends up near my pillow, one hand on my chest and the other resting between Mercy's ass cheeks. Her fingers are definitely sliding in and out of Mercy's cunt. If Mercy is a bit sore, she's smart enough not to complain to her Mistress about it. "What do you have in mind, Zane?" Rio catches my gaze. "I want your teeth tearing up the mattress with your ass up in the air as I plow you through the headboard," I inform her. I make a focus group assessment of the situation by slipping a finger into her cunt, she's creaming already. For Rio, the greater physicality of the sex, the better it is for her. She'll let me have my foreplay and some good loving, but she goes wild over the raw, brutal act of sex itself. "I think you are ready to put that smile on her face," Barbie Lynn taunts Rio as she informs me she's finished. "Come with me," Barbie Lynn turns to Mercy. "My nipples need some attention. Can you do that for me?" After checking with Rio, Mercy gives a hungry look and lick of the lips at Barbie Lynn. Barbie crawls over Mercy to land on her back on the far side. Mercy twirls around and latches on to Barbie Lynn's left breast with such rapidity, it momentarily causes my visage to blur. "I want some of that," Valarie suddenly blurts out. She makes her own quick trek around Rio and me as we are still positioning ourselves to come swooping down on Barbie Lynn's right side. The right nipple disappears into our school biker girl's mouth with a decidedly audible smacking of the lips. Val's hand starts to stroke the inside of Barbie Lynn's thigh but Mercy's free hand reaches over and starts tweaking Valarie's closest nipple. Yes, I definitely must check the air filters. Rio resumes her sensually crawl my way and I give her a beguiling look to lure her in. I'm on her in a flash once she's close enough for me to make my move. She screeches like an alley cat but I've got a hand on the back of her head and the other on her hip as I slam her face first into the pillow. "Bastard," she screams through the fabric, but she's not following through with the anger. "Give it up, Bitch," I snarl back. My cock slides full-throttle all the way into her cunt on the first pass. Her cunt feels like slick, melted butter as I bottom out in her hole. At the same time, I let up on her head a bit. "Oh, fucking-A," Rio gasps. "Did someone sneak a gerbil up behind me or is it Needle-cock pretending he's a man?" I give her another powerful slam. "Oh, fuck, stop that." "What? Too much for the bitch whose had it all?" I tease Rio. "I swear, if I spit up, my ovaries," she chokes, "we are, going to have, words." "Words like I'm the best fuck you've ever had'?" I taunt Rio between packing her cunt as full and deep as I can. She's squealing and moaning yet thrusting back strongly against me all the way. I move my hand off Rio's hip and take hold of a breast, squeezing and torturing the nipple. She's snarling like a wounded tigress now. She possesses no acceptance of defeat, no surrender to exhaustion, and no fear of pain; in fact, what we are doing is a turn-on. I'm actually becoming beaten up by all the impact of my hips against Rio's ass. Within ten minutes, her fluids are all over her crotch and mine and she's actually starting to dribble down her thighs and onto the mattress. "Zane, don't forget she's your friend," Vivian sounds worried. "Shut, up," gasps Rio, violently and with passion. This is what Rio craves right now, a brutal fucking, and she's not going to be denied by Vivian's compassionate sensibilities. "Ah, fuck me, fuck me, break me, you bastard," Rio pants. "Hammer me, Bitch!" she screams, and that's all she can take. She has some sort of seizure, thrashing and pulsating all over the place. For the second time tonight I'm shooting my seed into a woman; this time Rio's cunt. I plunder Rio's barely responsive form for several more savage thrusts until I'm spent, collapsing with my full mass on top of her, which is not my normal form but I want Rio to feel warm and encompassed by me at this moment. I make sure that some of my weight is taken onto my knees and elbows so I don't suffocate my crazy best friend. "Zane," Rio pants a half-minute later, "that vice-like bump you were feeling with that horse-cock of yours, " "Yes?" I respond softly. I pull her hair out of her face as she turns it to the side so she can speak clearly. "That was my cervix, dumbass," she giggles. "Next time I want my uterus scrubbed, I'll call a fucking gynecologist." "Hardy-har-har," I chuckle. "Doing it with a Princess Barbie Pony Action Figure doesn't qualify as bestiality, you bimbo, and it certainly doesn't give you horse-cock experience." "Rio, you are kind of gross," Vivian chastises my buddy. "Thank you," Rio pants, "I knew you cared." "Behave, Rio, and next time it's going up your ass," I murmur into Rio's ear. "Oh, that's just cold, Bro," Rio pouts as she wiggles her tight ass against my semi-flaccid cock. "A person uses the threat of denying anal sex to a girl as a means of enforcing polite behavior," Vivian ponders as she flops on her back and stares up at the stars through the glass ceiling. "Worse, it makes sense to me. What has happened to my life?" "Rio, are you okay?" Mercy whispered. Rio turns her head the other way to address her lover: "My cunt is numb, my hips feel dislocated, I'll be pulling pillow fiber out of my teeth for a week, and I think he bruised a nipple, I feel fucking awesome." "I'd ask Zane to do it to me again but I know Vivian would choke me out," Rio snickers. "I know what I am going to do, though: In the morning I'm going to have Zane pounding your ass as hard as he fucked me right now so I can hear you cry and scream." "Um, okay," Mercy answered, trying not to sound too anxious. "Damn," Valarie mutters. "I hate being a virgin, and I'll pimp slap the first one who suggests anal sex. All I want to do is get laid without the repercussions." No one said anything for a minute. "I'll help with that," Barbie Lynn and I volunteered almost at the same time. "Bed," Vivian laid down the law. Thankfully, the rest of us were too tired to argue. POWER PLAYFULNESS At our five a.m. wake up, I swept up Valarie into a six-nine, her on top. Barbie quickly got behind Val and began licking my nose, the back of Val's cunt, and teasing her butthole with tiny probes. At first our biker babe resisted and grumbled with her mouth around my cock, but Barbie Lynn was as relentless as she was sensually enticing. Val returned the surprise by slamming her thighs together as the dam of her sexual frustration burst; she clamped her thighs tightly on my head and bucked so hard she bounced us off the bed as she screamed. There were no words to it; the scream was primal, violent and somewhat frightening. The other remarkable thing was that Barbie Lynn retained her hold on Valarie's ass cheeks and kept tongue-fucking Val's anus. Valarie's mouth had released my cock seconds before orgasm. She gave it an occasional swipe of the tongue until her last orgasmic quivers stopped. I motioned for Barbie to let up and when she did, Valarie collapsed beside me. "Oh," Valarie panted, "that was good. That should tide me over until lunch time." "Showers, everyone," Vivian reminded us. There were a few groans but cleanliness was an inevitable bonus for all of us, and Rio, if we bundled her up and took her squirming, griping form with us. Rio gained a measure of revenge by announcing to my shower buddies that I had an unresolved morning blowjob begging for attention. Brandi elbowed two girls aside to bend over at the waist and take me in. Opal was kind enough to stroke Brandi's kitty from behind, getting us off almost at the same time. Opal gave me several finger scoops of Brandi's nectar to slake my sexual thirst. I was busy getting a taste of Opal with a bonus clitoris massage when Iona dragged me away. Outside the showers, I bent down, wrapped my arms beneath Iona's towel-clad posterior, and lifted her up so that she was looking down at me. "Thank you," I smiled at her. "You've always got my back." "You are welcome," she beamed happiness back down at me, "and it is my pleasure, Zane. Do you think we can go motorcycle shopping Thursday?" "Sure, that won't be, oh fuck, it's Wednesday," I gasped. I realized I had confused Iona. "I told Erin I would call her Monday and totally lost track, of a woman," I blinked. "I don't think that's ever happened before." "You have a ton of things going on," Iona comforted me while hovering above me still. "I think she'll understand." "Thanks again, Iona," I sighed as I let her slide down my body. "Can I sleep with you tonight?" she asked. "Of course," I grinned. "Are you going to give me your scrumptious behind?" Iona's smile grew even brighter. "You will have to wait and see," she teased me before racing off to her room. I made my way up to my room for a short workout and a few minutes meditating. I was peripherally aware of Paige coming into my room and rummaging around (i.e., she wanted me to know she was there without noticeably ruining my concentration). The main distraction was Rio and Mercy getting dressed. They had both long since moved all their belongings into my place; that wasn't a problem because of the massive space I had. The problem was, it is insane to put two pseudo-lesbian young lovers who are new to their relationship into a space where they are constantly tantalized by each other's naked or scantily clad bodies. Mercy couldn't resist reaching out shyly and touching Rio's lesser erogenous zones. Rio couldn't resist bending Mercy over the bed, licking her from behind, and/or spanking her, just a few taps but that hardly helped them get their clothes on. Today, Rio added the extra complication of inserting a vibrating ass plug into Mercy's ass and taping a vibrating egg against her clit. She was finishing up the work when I felt a glimmer of evil intellect enter my mind. "Hey, Rio, why don't you do the same thing?" I suggested. "Are you going to ring my bell?" she teased me. "No. I actually thought you would share with Mercy," I clarified. "Share what?" Valarie questioned as she entered the room. "They are each going to have a vaginal and anal stimulation device, theoretically with the other having the controlling mechanism," Paige stated. She held up two pairs of bra & panties for me to examine, gossamer peach bow-knot or strawberry crotchless/cupless. "I don't know, Babe," I mused. "I'd have to see you naked to make a determination." "You've seen me naked, my Boy-toy," Paige gave a wicked turn of the lip. "I, I have no recollection of it," I confessed. "Maybe it was that blow Rio gave me upside my head. I guess I need to see your nude, nubile form once more." "Oh, my poor baby," Paige pouted. "Someone as helpless as you cannot afford to lose any of your already inadequate brain power. I really should help you out." She was knee crawling up the bed, unbuttoning her shirt. When she was only a few feet in front of me, she sat down and worked her skirt off as well. She wasn't naked; she still had her knee-high socks on. "You really ought to cover those little boobies up," Rio taunted Paige. "Someone is going to think Zane has a middle-schooler up here." Paige's head turned and I could feel her anger, but before she could spew forth her vitriol, I latched on hungrily to her closest teat and sucked it in on one gulp. Paige gasped and thrust her body against me. Soon her hands were running through my hair as I soaked up her tender flesh and swelling nipple. I also stroked my hands down her body. My left hand drifted from right below her suckled breast, along her smooth, flat stomach, before dropping south until I cupped her sex. My right hand went down the ribs and around to her ass. I weighed and fondled her small yet firm buttocks, then reached between her cheeks and rubbed over her sphincter without pressuring it. "Paige," I said quietly as I released her nipple, "today go with the peach." "Umm, maybe I will," Paige teased me with a nibble to my neck, "after all, there are a very few things you are good at, and female sexiness is one of them." "Paige?" I continued. She was a little more suspicious now. Our relationship had always been rocky. "I appreciate you giving me some space the last few days," I thanked her. "It has really helped me get my head on straight." Paige's eyes lit up once more. She had sacrificed (in her mind), and I had noticed and was grateful. "I'm surprised you noticed," she started to say, then abruptly softened. "You mean a lot to me, you really do." I put my hands on each side of her jaw and pulled her into close face-to-face contact. "Paige, bouncy, bouncy," I whispered into her ear. Paige gasped slightly and twisted her head to make eye contact, looking somewhat expectant. "Meet me for lunch and I'm going break that ass open," I taunted her quietly. Rocky the squirrel must have snuck up on me and then clubbed me with Bullwinkle the Moose because her response was, "Okay," while she looked at me with a mixture of fear and lust. "Are you sure?" I was curious. "If that is what you really want," Paige responded. "Oh, I don't want to do it until you feel ready, Paige. We'll wait," I confessed. "I will have to think of something else to do with you at lunch today." All Paige did was grin in a very mysterious way. She held that look until Valarie put a hand on each ass cheek and pulled them apart. This time, someone had snuck up on Paige. "Hey!" Paige gasped. "What are you doing?" "Encouraging you to get dressed," Valarie chuckled. "Otherwise, Zane and I are going to slip one finger into your pretty little cunt and rub them in and out like a buzz-saw. Then we will smear your juices over your face and force you to go to breakfast smelling like sex." My girls really need to work on their 'discouraging' speeches. "I should get dressed," Paige hiccupped with reluctance. "Peaches, got it." Paige scurried away and began dressing while eyeing Valarie and me. "Oh, yeah," I joked with Valarie, "that terrified her." "Ask her about the party; then it will make sense," Valarie snickered. In the annals of female migration through my bedroom, Vivian wasn't really sneaking up on anyone, but her presence didn't send up shockwaves of alarm either. "Zane, we need to be heading out soon," she greeted me. She greeted Valarie by putting a hand on her shoulder and rubbing it. Quickly enough, Paige got dressed, Rio and Mercy got their acts together, and we gathered up Iona, Barbie Lynn, Brandi and Opal before heading down to join the rest of feminine humanity that constituted my dorm. My old (way back in Chapter 3) buddy Easter Valentine had me rate the top ten Christian Rock bands which was made much more difficult by my utter disbelief that there was actually something called Christian Rock, color me biased. Breakfast passed uneventfully, as did Assembly, before things began happening. First off, I touched base with Erin now that she was most likely awake. "Hey Erin, this is Zane," I started off, "and I am so sorry that I blanked on my promise to call you. Can I make it up to you and Gerry?" "Oh,um,okay, I guess," she drew me out. "What do you have in mind?" That was a good question; what was I going to do to make it up to them? "Have you ever heard of the SYFY network?" I asked. "Sure, Eureka, Warehouse 13, Being Human, and Lost Girl," she answered. "Saturday night they are showing Ice Spiders versus Snow Beast, I know, great title; right? And I'd like it if you two would come over to my house, get some pizza, and watch it with me," I offered. "Let me think about it, yeah, we'd be glad to come by and eat something," I could feel her grin coming through the airwaves. "Okay, one more question; how do you feel about three-ways?" "I've never been part of one but I'm willing to give it a try," Erin sighed happily, "if I must." "It's a date, then," I agreed, and after trading 'goodbye's', I hung up and caught my crew gathering outside. As I made my approach I saw Heaven give me a look and a smile then turn on Rio. "Handmaiden's Duty, Rio," Heaven beamed maliciously. "What do you want, you old cow?" Rio sneered right back. "Give me your controllers." Heaven grinned as she held out her hand to Rio. Mercy gulped (the two boxes controlled her vibrators) and Rio looked stunned. "Hand them over." Technical Mercy would have been immune, except it was Rio with her controllers. "How?" Rio mumbled. She looked around for support but found some sympathetic eyes, not comrades in arms. She angrily slapped Heaven's palm as she handed them over. Heaven handed those two small white devices to Hope, then reached out toward Rio once more. "Give me the ones Mercy is holding for you, too," Heaven snickered. Rio snarled before motioning for Mercy to hand them over to her. In short order, she handed those over to Heaven as well. "I'll be expecting those back at ten o'clock (one hour from now)," Rio growled. "Of course," Heaven chuckled. "I'll see you then, Sweet-cheeks." "God damn it," Rio leaned into me and whispered, "who, ah, hmm, betrayed me?" Apparently, someone was playing with her controllers. By the way Mercy developed a little tremble and a blissful smile, someone was having a go at her too. "I swear to God, it wasn't me," I shrugged. "Well, it wasn't Iona, she'd never do that to Mercy," Rio mused, then, "Paige! That little cunt did this to me." "I don't know if she did it or not," I pleaded, "but please don't kill her." Rio was several seconds in responding as she wobbled slightly and skipped a step. "Two fucking vibrators," Rio glared at me. "What were you thinking?" "Liking it?" I teased. "Love it," Rio gasped. "Mercy?" "Mumph," Mercy gasped. Added to the smile on her lips, I had to see that as an affirmative. Ms.  Goodswell's class was good but what came afterwards was far more amusing. "What do you mean, you traded them to some random upperclassmen?" Rio snarled. "Oh, I had to explain what they did. When I told them they were inside you, they jumped at the chance," Hope nodded serenely to the furious Rio. "How am I, oh, oh, oh, yeah, supposed to get them back?" Rio fumed. "Maybe they will run out of power soon," Mercy put a positive spin on things. "I put long-life batteries in those bitches this morning," Rio grumbled. "They can go for 24 hours of continuous use." "I insisted that they be returned to Zane at nine this evening," Christina said in a detached manner. "I swear, I'm going to tie down all you bitches one weekend and then we will see who's so superior," Rio seethed; "Dildos and lube all around. Arrgh," Rio growled. She staggered over to the closest wall and put her hand against it to stop from falling over. "Some whore just discovered the '10' setting," she gasped. "I was going to say something cruel," Hope stated, "but now it would be redundant." "Rio and Mercy, stay hydrated," Chastity suggested. "I'll pick you up between classes to, decrease your difficulties." "Thanks, Chastity," I patted her arm. "Heaven and I will watch after Mercy," Christina chimed in; being surprisingly helpful to someone she had shown no interest in before now. Christina was all about responsibility and since this was Heaven's stunt (or so it seemed), she was doing 'the right thing'. "Classes everyone," Vivian insisted. Thankfully I had one capable adult in my life. I hoped that me turning her into a vibrant bi-sexual didn't change that. Today I received an hour's warning of my lunch appointment with Doctor Victoria Scarlett, our beloved Vice-Chancellor. I let Paige know that I had to postpone our get-together. "It is good to see you, she was going to say 'Mr. Braxton' but she was sensitive to my preferences, ", Zane. How are things going on this first full day of our experiment?" "Well, Doctor Scarlett, let me say that you are even more deftly beautiful than you are deceptively manipulative," I countered. "As to your question, my efforts to corrupt your intentions precede a pace." She smiled, shook her head, and walked around the table, stopping when she was in front of my chair-bound form. "Come now; the tribal elections have begun. Seven leaders have been named and the rest of the tribes should do the same tonight," she informed me. "What were you able to accomplish yesterday?" Oh, so that was today's tune. I stood up and cupped her facial cheeks. "What do you think you are doing?" Victoria Scarlett mumbled. I pressed in and kissed her, leading by example as opposed to words. Her hands pressed against me. She wasn't shoving so I didn't stop. Victoria didn't even make a token effort to keep her mouth shut, though her tongue refused to play an overly active part in my French kiss. My hands didn't wander and my body didn't thrust against her. "I think I'm working out our relationship, your Kahina to my Pelagius," I responded, our faces only inches apart. Victoria rested her hands on my hips so I placed mine on her shoulders. "Kahina, have you been reading my works?" she smiled far too seductively. You would figure that a dedicated, righteous Christian theoretician would have body proximity issues. Not Victoria, damn it. "The only things hotter than smart, sexy chicks are smart, sexy, and sensually lethal chicks," I allowed. "This could be construed as sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual behavior," Doctor Scarlett grinned, all bold and gracious. "A 'no' on your part would suffice," I assured her. "Not you, Zane; me," she corrected me. "You are my student, after all, and my hands are on your hips." I arched an eyebrow; she kept smiling so I went back in for a kiss. Three minutes later I had worked over her lips, eyelids, cheeks, jawline, and the left side of her neck, and it was getting me nowhere except closer to a sexual-deprivation induced coma. "Damn, you are good," I panted. "I think this is something we need to work through first before we can constructively move on," she related patiently. She was trying to break me with her highly developed self-control. I had to figure out what the hell I was doing wrong. Overt sexual contact, breasts, buttocks, pubic area, was off-limits, or was it? Lingerie; why did Scarlett wear racy lingerie? I slipped my arms around Victoria's waist and pulled her off the desk and into me. I caught a slight, over-confident smirk on her lips. We started kissing again, Scarlett somewhat passively, as always, and me out to disguise my intentions. She didn't protest when my fingers wandered below the beltline or when I traced out the very risqu lines of her panties. Fighting the urge to yank them up and make her squirm, I languidly let my fingers dig into her skirt and hook the bottom elastic of her panties, then slowly wiggled the fabric gently. She gave me a few uninterrupted seconds before I sensed her inner struggle begin; did she stop me and give me this round in the struggle, a psychological edge over her, or did she see if she could tough it out. She went with the spiritual resistance. Once I had my fingers inside, I could move freely forward and back. I avoided the cunt and the bottom of her ass. I was able to make the bottom of her panties a very tight fit, allowing the thrumming of my tugs to vibrate along her most sensitive spots. Victoria's nostrils flared, her breath caught, and after a daring but futile attempt to distract me with her tongue, she broke our lip embrace and put her head on my shoulder. I immediately stopped what I was doing and waited for her to speak. "Oh, this is not good," she muttered to herself. Then after a pause, "Thank you for stopping. How did you know what to do?" "Where to begin," I answered. "You are beautiful, passionate, and a woman who appreciates fine fabrics on your skin. I stopped because I'll fight you with every tool I can, but I won't violate you," I added. Victoria looked up into my eyes. "You see me as Kahina?" she changed the subject. "You have this tragic, fervent yet noble character that charges with a burning blade into the face of adversity," I waxed romantic. "The last Christian Queen of the Berbers who, when faced with the inevitability of her defeat, sent her sons to the enemy for their protection while she sought death in battle against the Islamic invaders." "I'm not very martial," she countered. "Ah, but in the Greco-Roman culture our faith grew up in, you would be considered a Patrician's daughter, versed in Socrates and Virgil as well as St. Augustine," I made my argument. "Besides, martial valor is in the job of the tribesmen; it is the job of the Queen to provide leadership, hopefully in the right direction. You are a smart damn cookie so the comparison is apt." "Thank you." She then pursued her agenda. "What have you been up to?" "I'm creating a democratic system with your tribal leaders as the parliament, a selected group of girls to become judges, and another group to become enforcers of the rule of law," I responded. "Technically, I remain the guy at the top of the pyramid, so that's a victory for you." Her look told me I hadn't made an end-run around her Grand Plan, which was pretty unsettling. I was missing something. "Why do you let me put my hands on you?" I questioned. "I can't take pleasure in the mannerisms of a proficient young man?" she countered. "Care to prove that?" I challenged. I had her in a minor trap of her own connivance. "Very well," she bowed with a smile on her lips. "Turn around and lean over your desk, if you dare?" I directed. She accepted my orders and did as requested. I knelt down behind her and placed my hands on her ankles before rubbing upward in slow but strong finger-furrows. I teased my way up to her stocking line, grinding the silk hose into her skin, making her flesh shiver from the stimulation. I had her trembling by the time I migrated upwards to the elastic at the top of the stocking, past the garter, and onto her pliant warm thigh. As I brushed against the tuck of her butt-cheek and thigh, Victoria moaned. "Stop," she whispered. "Do you really want me to stop," I inquired, "or do you want me to stop before you reveal something?" I ceased my activities, waiting on her reply. "You know the answer," she panted briefly. I moved off and up, placing my hands on her shoulders and pulling her back up to my chest. "Can you promise me to consider the possibility that a woman wants something outside the realm of motherhood and spiritual purity?" I suggested. Doctor Scarlett turned around while remaining in my grasp. "The body may feel a certain way but you must resist those impulses from the Devil," she told me. "Fortunately, you are the only one on campus that can elicit such response." "Huh? Seriously, I can only imagine the kind of sexual trouble the women on campus can get into, unless you don't believe in Sapphic impulses either," I grinned. "Homosexuality is a myth," Victoria stated firmly. "There are misdirected desires and abnormal passions, but men don't lie with men and women don't lie with women, except as a perversion of the normal, natural order of things." Oh, here we go again, I groaned. "I hate that you would think that way. It stands in opposition to God's Love in my eyes and portrays you as a weak creature given over to the Devil's lure of fearing, hating, and even denying what is mostly a good thing, namely, compassion for one another," I sighed. "How can you have compassion for instincts you can hardly understand?" she posed. "I've been with men before," I informed her; "on more than one occasion." "What?" Victoria was stunned. She struggled to get away from my arms and I let her. "You have such a strong ardor for so many female students. How can you be tricked into perverse practices?" On the bright side, I'd finally gotten under her cool exterior; on the downside, I had shaken her faith in me. "Can I incite a rational moment, please?" I said calmly. She was halfway around the desk when she stopped and nodded. "Okay," the Vice-Chancellor responded with a careful edge. "How am I any different than the man you thought me to be two minutes ago?" I led off. "I certainly liked your body and you appeared to appreciate the touches I gave you. How does anything I did with anyone else before touching you matter? You are very attractive to me. Am I now repulsive to you?" "Those are multiple questions," Victoria seemed suddenly weary. "You are the same person you were a minute ago, but I had forgotten that you are a boy, not a man, and boys have infatuations with unusual, rebellious ideas. With your Father dead, it seems you were rudderless. You are definitely not repulsive to me. I admire you, but you also reveal yourself to be immature. Would you please leave? I need to reconsider some things." "No," I replied. "No? No, you won't leave, or no, I've committed some grievous error?" she inquired. "You believe I'm a boy, you don't believe in homosexuality," I answered, though I fondly day-dreamed of Victoria and Barbie Lynn, or Hudson Lane, the school lawyer, in a lesbian tryst, "but I don't want your newfound doubts in me making you change, specifically how you treat yourself." "You want me to keep wearing lingerie," she sliced to the heart of the matter. "It is a simple pleasure you allow yourself, the only one I can detect. I will certainly be a source of displeasure for you in the future; don't let me do you harm over my careless confession," I pleaded. "My indulgence is a form of weakness," she argued. "Wrong," I fought back. "It is a 'fuck you' to temptation. It makes you stronger. Doctor Scarlett, I have never had a woman hold out as long as you did this afternoon. If you change the way you dress, then I win and you lose because I've proven you don't have faith in your own convictions." Victoria was contemplative for a moment, frowning, then slowly letting a smile win out. "Come here," she beckoned. I came up and she kissed me, not a fevered rush but a smooth, subtle thing, driven by curiosity more than passion. "You are going to require more work than I imagined," she eventually commented. "Have you forgiven me?" I asked. "Have I returned to being a good boy?" "Yes and yes." "Does this mean I can cop a feel? Ya know, a freebie?" I hoped. She kept looking up at me as she studied my features. "You are going to be a whole lot of work, Zane," she answered, "and no, no free fondling of my private parts." I growled up at the ceiling. "Damn it, woman," I snarled. "Stop trying to break me to your will." "Mr. Braxton," she patted me on the cheek, "I have no idea what you are talking about." Yeah, right. We ve Come So Far The Festivities Committee broke up once more. I was helping Mrs. Jaspers to her car since she'd taken a tumble in her home and her ankle was a bit sore. I had to return to the conference room to find my usual crowd of women overstaying the meeting, Mrs. Sahara Penny, Kendra Bainbridge, and Rochelle Wellington. "Hello, Kendra. Those frills around your collar are very enticing to the eye," I jibed. "Did you come tonight with some ulterior motive?" "No!" she snapped. "I am not that kind of woman." "Technically, if you've had children, you are that kind of woman," Sahara chimed in. "I am not a fornicator," Kendra defended herself. "No one said you were," Rochelle smiled at her rival's discomfort. "All Zane did was give you a compliment and a gentle teasing." "After his 'date' with the Reverend's wife, I am not sure any of us can be considered safe from Mr. Braxton's intentions," Kendra spat. Sahara's laugh was musical. "Yes, Kendra, I was positively scandalized that Zane would approach me with such blasphemous intentions as the Gospel of Judas, Pistis Sophia, and the origins of God's true word," Sahara grinned too sweetly. "I am sure that is what was on his mind," Kendra insinuated. She was probably coming to regret being tricked into talking to the Preacher's wife. "What would that be?" Rochelle prodded. Kendra's mouth gaped. "Well, we all know what Mr. Braxton is up to at school," she rebounded snootily. "Oh, so you have seen his website," Sahara pointed out. Kendra turned a deep shade of red. "Well, I, with everything going on," she sputtered, "we need to know how to keep our daughters safe." "Oh, Kendra, I agree," Rochelle smiled my way. "I think we can all agree that young Ms. Masters (Barbie Lynn) was lucky to escape Zane's clutches." "Yes," Sahara added sternly, "apparently she's been lucky on a nightly basis." Hey, now! Why is everybody picking on me? Half the time she's on top. "You make it sound like she enjoys, that, what he does to her," Kendra fought back. "Yes," sighed Sahara, "I can understand how horrible it must be to be crying out God's name while having sex." "Several times a night," Rochelle added. "I have such sympathy for the poor girl." "You do know that it is plausible Ms. Masters seeks me out for our mutual enjoyment," I groused. "After all, it's my bedroom and my shower we are seen in." "The Devil is known to be a great seducer," Kendra countered. "You've lured her into debauched behavior." "Oh, well, Kendra, you are on to me. I guess my deep-seated lust for you will remain unquenched," I groaned. "That's not fair," Rochelle chided me. "You are neither a tool of the Devil nor prone to give up on anything you desire, so apologize to Kendra for the sarcasm." "I apologize for making light of your concerns, Mrs. Bainbridge," I nodded toward Kendra. "Very well," Kendra snorted. "Perhaps counseling with Pastor William would do you some good." Oh, like that was going to happen; I was right in ol' Bill's preferred age range and gender. Added to that, I had sort of threatened to have him murdered for threatening Sahara Monday night. "I would prefer to be guided by someone I didn't have a desire to toss out of a fast moving aircraft," I allowed myself to say. Kendra gasped, Sahara became very still, and Rochelle choked. "Wha-, what makes you say that?" Sahara asked cautiously. "He insulted my Uncle Tim within the hearing of Aunt Jill," I answered. "I really couldn't stand Uncle Tim but would rather put my hand in a garbage disposal than let someone cause her pain. He apologized at that time but I have not forgotten." "Have you ever worried about being a bit too bloody?" Rochelle cautioned me. "I ask a lot out of life; I risk more than most and I accept that the price I pay may be higher," I replied. "I believe in the Rule of Law and I believe in punishing the wicked who attempt to abuse the rules for their own agenda. If the price is blood, then blood it shall be; if I can get a heartfelt repentance instead, so much the better." "Aren't you simply forcing your world view on everyone else?" Rochelle questioned me. "Absolutely," I admitted. "My world view is relatively easy to understand; keep to your word, accept that others will be different, and live and let live. I would prefer that my friends and I be left alone. If I have to use physical force to protect my views, I can live with that." "What of the Christian virtues of forgiveness and 'do no harm'?" Sahara countered. "I make a lousy Christian at times," I looked embarrassed. "You seem to have very little time for Christ in your life," Kendra responded snidely. "Really?" I muse. "I go to church six days a week, I get quizzed on some sort of Bible lore at least twice a day, and I come to this meeting once a week. I know sin is not a balancing act but I think I do some good." "Maybe if you gave less energy to carnal pursuits and more to Christian righteousness, you wouldn't have so many sins to balance," Kendra pronounced. "And here we are, three women of relatively good looks, discussing righteousness and virtue, Kendra," Sahara smiled. Kendra gawked at her. "Yes, I imagine I looked something like you look now when I saw Zane's devious trap Monday night." "What do you mean? We are talking about Zane's sexual lifestyle," Kendra rebutted. "No. You are talking about Zane's sex life; the rest of us are talking about sin, forgiveness, and virtue," Rochelle smiled in a superior manner. "But, but you, both, Kendra stammered. "I asked Zane about his world view," Rochelle corrected. "And I asked him about Christian forgiveness and 'do no harm', as I recall," Sahara smiled sedately. Kendra gaped like a fish out of water. "Yes, but now that I know about Mrs. Bainbridge's obsession with my bedroom antics, I'll make sure to show her more attention," I nodded. "I mean, there is an attraction that mature women possess that girls cannot equal. There was a long silence that followed that statement. "Zane, you wouldn't dare do, all, all of those lewd acts to one of us, would you?" Kendra stuttered. "I can't imagine what would make me refuse consensual sex with anyone in this room," I grinned at her. "But we are married women," Rochelle teased me. "Thus consensual, I don't want to break up a happily married couple but I don't like seeing a woman trapped in a relationship solely because she thinks there are no other options," I explained. "Women deserve to be free, and quite frankly, unhappily married women have built up an exciting reservoir of carnal energy." "Zane, I find it difficult to believe that a young man as kind to this committee as you have been would make us disrobe one article of clothing, run your rough hands over every inch of our bodies, and then force us to perform all kinds of vile sexual acts on and for you," Rochelle kept taunting me. My guess was that she was really pissed on learning her husband was having an affair with one of his employees in the Mayor's office. "You wouldn't do that to Kendra, would you, Zane?" Sahara quizzed me. "What do you mean?" I seemed confused. "She's one of the hottest MILF's in the parish; all the guys in Bible Study say so." "Wha, what?" Kendra gulped. "Milf, Mothers I'd Like to Fornicate with," I told her. "I know that!" Kendra snapped, clearly disoriented and unsure of herself. "Certainly you've noticed the men's eyes follow you around the church every Sunday after service?&

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter's Weekly Newsletter Sally Greenwald is an OB-GYN who specializes in women's sexual health from a hormonal and physiologic perspective, with expertise spanning desire, arousal, pelvic floor function, contraception, and menopause care. In this episode, she explains why sexual health is a vital component of overall well-being, exploring topics such as the drivers of desire, the anatomy of sexual function, myths and realities around orgasm, and the role of hormones in perimenopause and menopause. She also covers vaginal and pelvic health, pain with sex, evidence-based therapies for low desire and arousal, how contraception and medications can affect sexual function, and practical strategies for enhancing sexual satisfaction and maintaining intimacy across life stages. This episode offers a comprehensive, evidence-based discussion with immediate real-world relevance for women as well as for men who want to better understand their partners. We discuss: How sexual health influences physical health, emotional well-being, and relationships [3:15]; Understanding the physiology of the female orgasm, sexual comfort and satisfaction, and the disparity between men and women [12:45]; Foreplay, the science of desire, and methods to help women cultivate arousal and connection [19:00]; The physiology and sources of female lubrication, the role of clitoral nerve anatomy in pleasure, and the use of lubricants and vibrators to enhance comfort and sexual health [23:45]; Understanding female anatomy and what is needed for orgasm [31:15]; Understanding sexual desire, how to cultivate it, the role of hormones, and testosterone therapy in women [41:15]; Personalizing perimenopause care: how desire for ovulation guides the choice between contraception and menopausal hormone therapy [49:30]; Considerations for choosing contraceptives and hormonal therapies during perimenopause [59:45]; Factors negatively affecting desire, and why female libido persists with age and fluctuates across the menstrual cycle [1:11:00]; How sexual trauma and physical pain can affect sexual health, and evidence-based strategies for recovery [1:15:15]; Vaginal care routine: lubricants, moisturizers, topical hormones, and other approaches for vaginal health [1:19:15]; Tips for sexually satisfying your female partner [1:25:45]; The pharmacology of arousal: various treatments for low sexual desire in women [1:30:30]; Sex during and after pregnancy: impact on arousal, safety of sex, and how to manage postpartum recovery and pain [1:37:45]; How Sally would redesign sex education [1:42:15]; Sally's optimism about a new era in women's sexual health [1:49:00]; and More. Connect With Peter on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Love the episode? Send us a text!In this candid and empowering episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, Dr. Christy Thozer breaks the silence around sexual health, menopause, and intimacy after breast cancer. Together, we unpack the myths surrounding estrogen, discuss safe treatment options for vaginal dryness and low libido, and explore how to restore confidence and connection after treatment.Dr. Thozer shares practical advice for talking with your healthcare team, navigating hormone concerns, and embracing your right to pleasure and quality of life.If you've ever felt dismissed, embarrassed, or simply unsure how to start the conversation about sexual health after breast cancer—this episode is for you.TakeawaysOpen conversations about sexual health are crucial for breast cancer survivors.Creating a comfortable space for discussions can help patients feel more at ease.Estrogen plays a vital role in women's health, especially post-menopause.Vaginal estrogen can be a safe option for managing symptoms of estrogen depletion.It's never too late to start treatment for vaginal dryness or libido issues.Intimacy can be rediscovered through open communication with partners.Patients should feel empowered to advocate for their health and ask questions.Healthcare providers need more training on sexual health and menopause.Vaginal estrogen is different from traditional hormone replacement therapy.Finding the right specialists can greatly improve quality of life.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Sexual Health and Menopause02:47 The Importance of Open Conversations05:32 Creating Comfortable Spaces for Discussion08:28 Understanding the Impact of Estrogen Loss11:05 Managing Symptoms of Estrogen Depletion13:38 Exploring Treatment Options for Vaginal Health16:26 Navigating Moisturizers and Lubricants19:00 Addressing Libido and Intimacy Challenges20:38 Navigating Intimacy After Cancer25:22 Understanding Treatment Options30:45 Building a Support Network36:06 Empowerment and Advocacy in HealthcareSupport the showLatest News: Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now. Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!

Dr. Maria Sophocles is as a board-certified gynecologist, sex therapist, leading menopause expert, and a popular TED talk speaker. She has taught clinicians this technology on five continents. Her Princeton clinic and virtual practice serves 30,000 women in the US and globally. Dr. Sophocles is currently working on a documentary about sex and menopause and developing a health clinic in rural Kenya. In this episode, Dr. Sophocles discusses the lack of conversation around women's sexual health, and provides insightful information on hormone replacement therapy around menopause. RESOURCES: Learn more about Dr. Sophocles here: https://mariasophoclesmd.com Her viral TED talk with 1.2M+ views: https://www.ted.com/talks/maria_sophocles_what_happens_to_sex_in_midlife_a_look_at_the_bedroom_gap?language=en Instagram: @mariasophoclesmd Pre-order her book The Bedroom Gap on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/48X1XYk Get 15% off Peluva minimalist shoe with coupon code COACHTARA here: http://peluva.com/coachtara CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 5:21 Lack of attention in the area of vaginal health 9:52 Shame around sex 11:20 When estrogen goes away 16:40 Systemic HRT 18:00 Bioidentical hormones 21:35 Blood work & pellets 26:00 Dr Sophocles' approach to estrogen & progesterone decline 31:40 What women on HRT can experience 35:20 Separate vaginal and systemic estrogen for cancer patients 37:20 Libido and estrogen, testosterone 40:25 Brain in perimenopause 44:42 Where to learn more from Dr. Maria Sophocles 46:01 "The Bedroom Gap" Book WORK WITH TARA: Are You Looking for Help on Your Wellness Journey? Here's how Tara can help you: TRY COACH TARA APP FOR FREE: http://taragarrison.com/app LEVEL UP PROGRAM: http://taragarrison.com/level-up INDIVIDUAL ONLINE COACHING: https://www.taragarrison.com/work-with-me CHECK OUT HIGHER RETREATS: https://www.taragarrison.com/retreats SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram @coachtaragarrison TikTok @coachtaragarrison Facebook @coachtaragarrison Pinterest @coachtaragarrison INSIDE OUT HEALTH PODCAST SPECIAL OFFERS: ☑️ Upgraded Formulas Hair Test Kit Special Offer: https://bit.ly/3YdMn4Z ☑️ Upgraded Formulas - Get 15% OFF Everything with Coupon Code INSIDEOUT15: https://upgradedformulas.com/INSIDEOUT15 ☑️ Rep Provisions: Vote for the future of food with your dollar! And enjoy a 15% discount while you're at it with Coupon Code COACHTARA: https://bit.ly/3dD4ZSv If you loved this episode, please leave a review! Here's how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to Inside Out Health Podcast page: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-out-health-with-coach-tara-garrison/id1468368093 Scroll down to the 'Ratings & Reviews' section. Tap 'Write a Review' (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you!

Send Kiona a Text Message!In this episode, Thad, a partner and father, shares his perspective on what it was like to watch his wife Patty go through multiple pregnancies and how they handled each transition as a couple. He also talks about a bonus birth that he experienced while operating an Army helicopter!birthasweknowitpodcast.com/91Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only with no intention of giving or replacing any medical advice. I, Kiona Nessenbaum, am not a licensed medical professional. All advice that is given on the podcast is from the personal experience of the storytellers. All medical or health-related questions should be directed to your licensed provider.  Tune in to episode 82-Art Almquist-Partner-2 Births-Cesarean-Vaginal-Mikayla & LeifResources:Alone and Unafraid: https://www.aloneandunafraid.org/ What to Expect When You're Expecting Book: https://a.co/d/2QM9woL Perinatal Support of Washington: https://perinatalsupport.org/ Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.netSupport the showThank you so much for tuning in to this episode! If you like this podcast, don't hesitate to share it and leave a review so it can bring the podcast to the attention of others. If you want to share your own birth story or experience on the Birth As We Know It™️ Podcast, head over to https://birthasweknowitpodcast.com/ or fill out this Guest Request Form. Support the podcast and become a part of the BAWKI™️ Community by becoming a Patron on the Birth As We Know It Patreon Page! And don't forget to join in on the fun in the Private Facebook Group!

On January 18, 2020, we released an episode called “Vaginal Vit C for BV? Yep, it's DATA”. That was 5 years ago! Now, in the Green Journal, a new systematic review and meta-analysis is examining this subject….AGAIN. Plus, this is not the only systematic review to investigate this; a similar review was published in Acta Obstétrica e Ginecológica Portuguesa earlier this year (2025) in March. So, did we get it right 5 years ago? Can vaginal Vit C help in eliminating BV? Listen in for details!1. Khaikin, Yannay MD; Elangainesan, Praniya MD, MSc; Winkler, Eliot MD, MSc; Liu, Kuan PhD, MMath; Selk, Amanda MD, MSc; Yudin, Mark H. MD, MSc. Intravaginal Vitamin C for the Treatment and Prevention of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Obstetrics & Gynecology ():10.1097/AOG.0000000000006092, October 23, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000006092; https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=9900&issue=00000&article=01389&type=Fulltext2. Acta Obstétrica e Ginecológica Portuguesa (March 2025): chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://scielo.pt/pdf/aogp/v19n1/1646-5830-aogp-19-01-40.pdf3. Chapa Clinical pearls 2020: https://podcasts.apple.com/gh/podcast/vaginal-vit-c-for-bv-yep-its-data/id1412385746?i=1000463002444

In this episode, I discuss with Naturopathic Doctor, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and the founder of IRIS, Dr. Dolores Fernandez: The unique benefits of vaginal moisturizer, lubricant and estrogenSymptoms that may indicate someone would benefit from a eachImportant factors when choosing (ingredients, cost, packaging)Suggestions for applicationSide effectsWhat many other products on the market are missing The factors that make IRIS uniqueDr. Dolores Fernandez is a Naturopathic Doctor, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and the founder of IRIS, a science-backed self-care brand dedicated to creating clean products that support vulvovaginal health and ending the stigma around vulvovaginal care. She's here to remind us that vulvar skin deserves just as much attention as any other part of our body because, honestly, 'skin is skin.' Dolores brings warmth, scientific research, and a lot of passion to her work both in the clinic with her patients and when working with IRIS, always striving to make these important conversations more open and accessible.HOW TO SEE MORE FROM IRIS:Instagramwww.lovemyiris.comDiscount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECTTHANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORSSRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECTIRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECTThanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.comSupport the show

If you've ever walked out of a gynecology appointment still dealing with itching, burning, or a lingering sense that something's off—this conversation is for you. Most gynecologists still treat vaginal symptoms with a basic checklist: swab, prescribe, dismiss. But when those symptoms keep coming back, it's not a coincidence. It's a sign that the standard approach missed something important. On this episode of Medical Disruptors, I'm talking with Dr. Peggy Margetson—a women's health physician who doesn't just treat symptoms, she investigates. Together, they unpack why standard swabs often miss critical information about the vaginal microbiome, including collapsed Lactobacillus populations, hidden pathogens, and recurring pH imbalances that keep infections coming back. From there, the conversation moves into solutions. Dr. Peggy Margetson shares how her clinic uses targeted vaginal probiotics, treats partners when needed, and retests after treatment—not just to manage symptoms, but to confirm resolution. This is about real healing, not repeat prescriptions. If you've been handed the same antibiotic over and over while your symptoms keep returning—or if you've ever felt blamed instead of helped—this episode will give you the language and confidence to push back in the exam room. It's not about being a “difficult” patient. It's about refusing to accept half-answers when your body is asking better questions. Watch now to find out what your doctor isn't testing—and what you can do about it. Looking to schedule a consultation with Dr. E? Book here: drefratlamandre.com/consult Check us out on social media: drefratlamandre.com/instagram drefratlamandre.com/facebook drefratlamandre.com/tiktok #functionalmedicine #drefratlamandre #medicaldisruptor #NPwithaPHD #nursepractitioner #medicalgaslighting Chapters [00:00:00] Intro & mission [00:03:00] Founding her practice [00:14:00] Hidden causes of infection [00:21:00] Vaginal biome testing explained [00:32:00] Partner treatment & estrogen link Guest Links: FB: www.facebook.com/trustwomenshealthcare IG: www.instagram.com/trustwomenshealthcare YT: www.youtube.com/@drpeggynyc Website: www.trustwomenshealthcare.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wondering if your period is "normal"? Vaginal bleeding can be confusing and concerning, but this episode is here to bring clarity. Dr. Shawana Moore, a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and FemmePharma Medical Advisory Council Member, demystifies the menstrual cycle, from what's typical to the red flags you shouldn't ignore. Uncover the potential causes of abnormal bleeding—including endometriosis, fibroids, and post-menopausal concerns—and learn the single most important tool for advocating for yourself at the doctor's office. Tune in to gain the confidence and knowledge to take control of your reproductive health. For more information on women's health, visit the FemmePharma website www.femmepharma.com

A vaginal exam is a procedure that may be offered to you in the weeks leading up to your due date or during labor. These exams have become routine, but questions have been raised about whether they are truly necessary, how useful the results really are, and whether the evidence supports their widespread use. This episode explores what happens during a vaginal exam, what the results can and cannot tell you, and the research on the potential benefits and risks to consider. The goal is not to promote or discourage the procedure, but to empower you with knowledge and choice to make an informed decision you are confident in. Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/vaginalexam/ Thank you to the brands that power this podcast: VTech offers a wide range of baby monitors designed for today's modern parents. As the #1 Baby Monitor Brand in North America, VTech is trusted by millions of families to deliver crystal-clear HD video, reliable performance, strong night vision, and convenient smartphone access. The VTech VM901 Baby Monitor makes monitoring effortless whether you're at home or away. With a 1080p HD camera and a 5” parent unit, it's designed for convenience and reliable performance. As the #1 Baby Monitor Brand in North America, VTech is trusted by millions of families. Save 20% with the code VTPODCAST20 and check out the VTech VM901 Baby Monitor at https://pregnancypodcast.com/vm901 8 Sheep Organics makes amazing, 100% Clean, Natural Pregnancy Products. From skin care to treating common pregnancy symptoms, 8 Sheep Organics has you covered. Every product from 8 Sheep Organics comes with a 100-Day Happiness Guarantee. You can try it completely risk-free for 100 days. If you feel the product has not worked for you, or if you're not 100% happy with your purchase, simply send them an email and they will get you a refund, no questions asked. Check out 8 Sheep Organics and save 10% when you go to https://pregnancypodcast.com/8sheep/ AG1 Next Gen is a clinically-backed Daily Health Drink that combines a multivitamin, probiotic, and blend of superfoods into one scoop. Just one scoop contains essential vitamins and nutrients, supports gut health, helps you feel sharp and focused, and supports a healthy immune system. (As a friendly reminder, pregnant or nursing women should seek professional medical advice before taking this or any other dietary supplement.) Get a free welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2, and 5 free travel packs in your first box at https://drinkAG1.com/pregnancypodcast Get More from the Pregnancy Podcast See all discounts exclusive for Pregnancy Podcast listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources Join Pregnancy Podcast Premium for ad-free episodes, full access to the back catalog, and a copy of the Your Birth Plan Book: https://pregnancypodcast.com/premium Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

In this episode of Please Me!, host Eve dives deep into sexual wellness with urologist Dr. Stephanie Zwonitzer. Together, they unpack the often-misunderstood realities of hormone health, vaginal and penile function, and the true causes of common concerns like dryness, low libido, and recurring UTIs. This honest and educational conversation breaks down practical treatments such as topical vaginal estrogen, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), acoustic wave therapy, and even masturbation as a tool for sexual function. Whether you're dealing with perimenopause, erectile dysfunction, bacterial vaginosis (BV), or navigating questions about anal sex, this episode offers science-backed advice and radically honest answers. The orgasm gap and what orgasm equality really means Why topical vaginal estrogen is essential for dryness, recurrent UTIs, and incontinence Benefits and timing of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially in perimenopause Hormonal symptoms like joint pain, mood swings, and reduced libido How masturbation and regular orgasms support healthy sexual function Prostate health, ejaculation frequency, and cancer risk in men Acoustic wave therapy for blood flow and improved erectile function Safe, comfortable anal sex: communication, prep, and lube Causes and treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV), including forgotten tampons and boric acid A realistic role-play discussion with Eve bringing up a common concern with Dr Stephanie Dr. Stephanie is a board-certified urologist and host of Between the Sheets with Dr. Z, a podcast that brings humor and clinical expertise to taboo topics in sexual health. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based care, empowering patients to talk honestly about their bodies. Website: https://drzwonitzer.comPodcast: Between the Sheets with Dr. Z Book a Coaching or Pelvic Health PT SessionWork with Eve virtually or in person.Book a session Visit the Award-Nominated WebsiteExplore coaching, podcast archives, and curated sexual wellness tools.Visit pleaseme.online Join the Community on PatreonGet exclusive content, early access to episodes, and Q&A opportunities.Join now Subscribe to the Weekly Turn Ons NewsletterPleasure-focused, shame-free sex education in your inbox.Subscribe on Substack Read Eve's Column in ASN Lifestyle MagazineMonthly sex and intimacy insights.Subscribe at ASN Lifestyle Magazine Talk with Eve on the OWWLL AppUse code EH576472 for a free introductory call.Download the app and connect instantly. Topics CoveredGuest: Dr. Stephanie ZwonitzerConnect with Eve & Explore MoreNominate Please Me! for a Webby Award hereEarly Entry Deadline Friday, October 24th!:Webby AwardsParlor Games Estrogen and Progesterone topical creams:Parlor Games | Shop Support Earthquake Relief in the Philippines A 6.9 magnitude earthquake recently struck North Cebu, Philippines, causing widespread damage. The area is currently in a state of calamity and needs urgent support for food, shelter, and emergency aid World Vision Philippines – Earthquake Emergency Appealhttps://www.worldvision.org.ph/donate/earthquake-emergency-appeal/ World Vision Philippines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sign up for the FREE webinar here. Shop Dr. Mina's Fall Skincare Favorites Here If you've ever stood in the drugstore aisle wondering if “feminine hygiene” products actually help or secretly feeling something must be wrong with you if things don't feel fresh enough, you're not alone. In this week's recap episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina unpacks her empowering conversation with urogynecologist Dr. Nabila Noor, where they discussed one of the most misunderstood topics in women's health: vulva skincare. Dr. Mina talks about why the skin “down there” deserves gentleness, not guilt; how postpartum and menopausal changes affect our most intimate skin; and why confidence begins when we replace shame with science. This short but powerful recap distills everything you need to know to care for your vulva with respect, knowledge, and compassion. Key Takeaways: ✓ Your vulva is skin—and it deserves thoughtful, gentle care just like the rest of your body. ✓ Most “feminine hygiene” products cause more harm than good by stripping your skin barrier and disrupting its natural microbiome. ✓ Plain water is often the best cleanser; avoid fragrance, scrubbing, and douching. ✓ Hormonal shifts from postpartum to menopause can cause dryness and discomfort that are normal, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. ✓ Vaginal estrogen can safely restore hydration and protect against infections. Speak to your doctor about whether it's right for you. ✓ Breathable fabrics like cotton and looser fits can help prevent irritation and keep your skin healthy. ✓ Knowledge is power: your vulva isn't meant to be hairless, odorless, or flawless—it's meant to be yours. If this recap made you rethink how you care for your vulva or simply reminded you that self-care starts with self-understanding, share it with a friend. Let's keep the conversation going and help every woman feel informed, unashamed, and at home in her own body.  Follow Dr. Mina here:-  https://instagram.com/drminaskin https://www.facebook.com/drminaskin https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskin https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/ Visit Dr. Mina at Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery Website: atlantadermsurgery.com Email: scheduling@atlantadermsurgery.com Call: (404) 844-0496 Instagram: @baucomminamd Thanks for tuning in. And remember—real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust. Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

See all the Healthcasts at https://www.biobalancehealth.com/healthcast-blog This Blog contains dialogue of a sexual nature In my 29-year history of practicing gynecology and 23 years of practicing hormone replacement medicine, there have always been a few questions that only the bravest and most comfortable patients would ask me during a well-woman visit or consultation. During the next few weeks, I will dedicate my blog to those usually unanswered questions, but most probably those questions that women are too embarrassed to ask. The first question is asked in many forms, but the general idea of the question is:” What should I do if I think my vaginal area smells weird?”  “Smelling weird” is a common description that can imply many things, so I will outline what I ask my patients to gather enough information to provide them with a medically relevant answer. What does it smell like? Yeasty, like baked bread? Sweaty-like body odor? Sour- like a towel that has been we too long? Musky – like the musk type of perfumes? Urine? everyone knows what that smells like Old people in a nursing home? OR “Like something is dead in there?” “Like Fish?” These are the actual descriptions that I have received in response to my question, and they all identify different. In case some of you are worriers, I will start with the fact that vaginal odors 1-6 are likely due to a minor infection, either an overgrowth of yeast, or the fact that you don't air out that area at night which makes yeast and bacteria grow in the warm environment between your legs or under the covers. Vaginal odors 7 and 8 are more serious and require treatment. I will first discuss the most important conditions based on their odors. These can be quite dangerous if ignored. Let me start by addressing odors 7 and 8. Odor # 7. If your vagina smells foul, like “something is dead in there,” you should probably make an appointment with your GYN. It could result from something as simple as a tampon that was “lost” in the vagina, leading to bacteria growing from menstrual blood and semen.  This is a common cause of such vaginal odor. The GYN will need to use an instrument to grasp the tampon and remove it. She will then prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection that has developed. While there's no harm in removing it, leaving it in place can lead to a serious pelvic infection. If your doctor doesn't find a tampon and this odor is confirmed by her, then she will do bacterial cultures and a pap to look for cervical cancer or endometrial cancer. It is important that you don't ignore this odor.  It won't get better on its own. Odor #8. If your vagina smells like fish it is likely an infection with a bacteria called hemophilous vaginalis, or from Trichomonas (“Trick”). Hemophilus can be caused by wiping back to front (the wrong way), which allows rectal bacteria to enter the vagina. Additionally, Hemophilus can be introduced into the vagina during intercourse. In these two cases, it is not considered a venereal infection– NOT an infection you acquired from your sexual partner. However, Hemophilus can be a venereal infection that you contract from a sexual partner if he acquired it from someone else and transmitted it to you! The treatment is essentially the same: a medication called Flagyl or metronidazole, taken three times a day for 7-10 days. If your partner has it too, he needs to take the medication at the same time so you don‘t keep passing it to each other. These infections require examination and testing to receive an antibiotic. The last possible cause of a fishy-smelling vagina is Trichomonas, a parasite that produces a significant amount of thin, greenish discharge along with a fishy odor. It is sexually transmitted, and both partners should be treated.  He should also have his other contacts treated. The group of infections in #8 is treatable and curable with medical help. Another quality of Hemophilus and Trichomonas is that if you have nitrazine pH paper and test the discharge with it, it will turn the paper dark blue.  Dark blue means go to the GYN! We'll start back up at 1-6 discussing the causes of “funny smelling discharge. ” These are the least likely to be serious infections. I need to provide some initial information before I discuss the various reasons for vaginal odor. First, there is always a slight odor that is uniquely yours. You shouldn't try to eliminate all signs of vaginal odor because it results from a combination of yeast, good bacteria, estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, which help protect your vagina and vulva, the area surrounding the vagina.  Changes in hormones such as pregnancy, menopause, hormone replacement therapy, diet, antibiotics, and dehydration can alter the vaginal smell and discharge. The yeasty odor that resembles baked bread comes from normal yeast present in the vagina. Some women naturally have this odor. It becomes a concern only when it is accompanied by itching and a significant amount of white discharge. These yeast infections can occur after taking antibiotics that eliminate good bacteria.  They may also arise when blood sugar levels are elevated, as seen in diabetics or prediabetics. The pH paper will not change color.  Treatment involves yeast medication, which can be either vaginal or oral, along with oral probiotics and sometimes vaginal probiotics to help restore the good bacteria. If you are diabetic, you may experience yeast infections until your blood glucose levels are normalized.   Sweaty-like body odor.The vagina can develop body odor from sweat that fosters the same bacteria found under your armpits.  This matter is simple.  Change out of wet swimsuits, wash gently with the same soap you use for the rest of your body, and allow your vagina to dry by sleeping without underwear.   Sour like a towel that has been wet too long. The ability to detect sour odors is genetically determined. You may not notice it, but your significant other might, or you may smell his clothes that have this odor, while he doesn't.  Either way, it is caused by bacteria from sweaty, damp clothes thrown into a hamper, allowing fungus and bacteria to grow. For some reason, you then wear these clothes, and your vagina ends up harboring the same jungle of bacteria and fungus.  This one is easy: air out clothes before wearing them, avoid putting on garments that are not clean, and wash these clothes in warm water to eliminate the microbes. You may need a doctor's visit for diagnosis and treatment.   Musky -you know, like the musk type of perfumes. A musky smell is the natural scent of fertile women with testosterone, especially when they are sexually stimulated. This is not an infection; it is the normal sexual scent of attraction. This odor usually diminishes with menopause or when you are on the pill and your testosterone levels decrease.   Like urine. The smell of urine is usually caused by leaking urine, poor wiping, or wearing a pad that absorbs leaking urine. It can precede a yeast infection because urine wetness encourages the growth of yeast. Treating urine leakage is imperative for resolving this issue. Options include surgery, Emsella magnetic pelvic floor strengthener, or a pessary. All of these can be discussed with your doctor when you inform them that you experience this odor consistently.   Like Elderly individuals in a nursing home? Sadly, nursing homes do have a characteristic odor; it is a combination of urine and cleaning chemicals, but there is something more. Elderly people who lack hormones have lost protective bacteria and exhibit a dominant odor of deterioration. This is what the vagina smells like without hormones and the beneficial bacteria they support. This is a smell that many women ask me about after menopause when they don't take hormones. The only way to return the odor to normal is to reinstate hormones.   If you have other vaginal odors I have not addressed, then send your email questions to podcast@biobalancehealth.com.  I pray you will trust your gynecologist enough to ask any questions you need to understand your own body. I hope I have provided you with some material to reflect on and compare to help answer your questions.

See all the Healthcasts at https://www.biobalancehealth.com/healthcast-blog This Blog post is for mature women to read.  If you feel embarrassed by sex or offended that I am addressing these genuine female concerns, please skip this Blog. Among the many questions I have received, I am sharing a few with you in case you also have these questions but are hesitant to ask when you visit your gynecologist's office. At BioBalance Health, our doctors conduct consultations with new patients and follow-up visits that last an hour. During these consultations, patients are free to ask questions about their health including sexual questions.   The atmosphere in our office is open to all questions, and the doctors offer hour-long visits, fostering a supportive environment for discussing embarrassing sexual situations, asking awkward questions, and addressing concerns about sexuality and aging. I am going to offer some of the questions I have been asked and the answers that I give to my patients who ask. Question 1:” Am I normal to think about sex and fantasize about having sex all the time now that I have testosterone pellets?” Yes, that is normal and healthy to think about sex…humans are sexual beings and thinking about or planning to have sex with your partner is normal.  After Testosterone pellets are inserted for the first time, they have magnified sexuality for a few weeks.  After that the sex drive of a patient goes back to what was normal for them when they were at their prime. Testosterone is necessary for a person, women and men to have a sexual drive. Those women and men who have had a healthy sex life before their testosterone was lost can still have sex, on their usual schedule, but what we think of sex DRIVE, won't be there without T….just the habit of having sex will make them continue to have an active sex life.  Question 2: “Before pellets I didn't have any discharge in my underwear, and I thought that was a benefit of menopause but now I experience wetness/slight white discharge Am I OK?” When women are mature and have fertility, (women between 12 years old and menopause) have some discharge clear or white in their underwear.  It is from the vagina, and it is a way of the vagina cleansing itself. Without the hormones estradiol and testosterone, as in menopause and when a woman takes low dose birth control pills, the vagina dries up and doesn't “cleanse itself”. Vaginal lubrication stops, so does vaginal discharge, and painful intercourse is a real problem for women after they are not producing estradiol or replacing it with HRT. Experiencing normal vaginal discharge is a small price to pay to comfortable sex and a good sex drive. If the discharge changes, please watch or read my last Healthcast #685 or blog #685 to determine if you need to see a Gynecologist. Question 3: A question women ask me before they experience replacement of testosterone and estradiol. “Do I have Alzheimer's disease?  I'm only 50 and I can't remember things. I lose words and I am always late because I can't remember appointments.” One of the most important benefits of taking testosterone by pellet insertion is that my patients usually get their brain back!  It is rare that anyone who is having trouble with their memory before age 55 is really starting to have an early onset dementia. By taking Estradiol and Testosterone pellets my patients regain their normal brain function in the first 8-12 months.  Those women who are still struggling with memory after taking Estradiol and Testosterone Pellets should be evaluated by a psychiatrist or neurologist to test them to see if they are having the beginnings of a type of dementia. The sooner a person takes TE hormone pellet replacement, the longer they will have a clear and functional mind.  If a woman takes T and or E2 pellets, they can delay the genetic onset of dementia by 10 years. That means if genetically you were wired to lose your ability to think at age 70, then you should get a ten-year delay in the onset of your dementia. E + T pellets are the only treatment I know can preserve your ability to think 10 years longer than if you didn't take them within 10 years of losing your Estrogen and Testosterone (around age 45).  Question 4: “Now that I have pellets, I have great orgasms but I produce a lot of fluid when I come.  Is that normal?” Yes. Estrogen increases vaginal wetness, and lubrication for sex. Testosterone stimulates the sensitivity of the area around and inside the vagina. Testosterone pellets are the only form I have heard of that can cause vaginal ejaculation, or forceful production of fluid from the vagina.  Not everyone experiences this phenomenon, and some women love it as do their partners, and other women dislike it because it makes sex messier than usual. It is a testosterone dose dependent action, and lowering the T dose in pellets can decrease the response to sexual stimulation. Question 5: “My husband can't keep up with my sex drive.  I have the same drive as I had when I was younger, but he is not able to keep up with my libido.  What can I do?” My response has several options because every sexual partnership is different. You can use vibrators or sex toys to stimulate yourself. He can use the same toys to engage in sexual activity with you. You can lower your dose of T pellets to decrease your sex drive. You can invite your husband to visit us or another Pellet practice to have his level of T and Free T checked and replaced if it is low and he is a good candidate. Question 6: “My husband likes me to give him oral sex. I like it, but what do I do with the semen he produces? The eternal problem:  to swallow ejaculate or not.  You can only decide this for yourself and if you are uncomfortable with this, then have a washcloth or Kleenex handy to handle the fluid. Question 7:” I have had pellets for a year now, and I have never been so happy, and I feel young again, but my gynecologist examined me and said I had an enlarged clitoris, and she told me to stop pellets because of that!  I don't get it!  It doesn't bother me; why is she so upset? What should I do?” Your GYN is clearly not educated in hormone therapy using T pellets. She also seems to be uncomfortable with her own sexuality if she cannot see the benefit of having a clitoris that is slightly larger than normal, so it is easy for a partner to access.  She may be recalling something from residency, that we were taught: “An enlarged clitoris is a sign of an ovarian tumor, and these tumors secrete high levels of testosterone-like hormone. This is not the same as a slight enlargement of the clitoris that is normal with T replacement. She has not considered that you are receiving Testosterone to replace what you are no longer producing. When we no longer make testosterone at fertile levels, our clitoris shrinks so small that it can hardly be found. Testosterone reverses that change reviving the size and function of the clitoris. Honestly, the change is minimal, and the size of the clitoris varies based on a woman's genetics and testosterone levels before the age of 40.  The natural shrinkage of the clitoris after menopause corresponds with low levels of testosterone, along with the loss of clitoral sensitivity, which can lead to a decrease in orgasms!  We are sexual beings, and testosterone is essential for sexual function. The ignorance of your gynecologist is both sad and common.  In the last 20 years, there has been no training for OBGYNs in sexuality or hormone replacement during menopause.  There is complete ignorance regarding treating women with testosterone. As in the general population that has a subset of people who are sexually inhibited, the group of board certified gyns carry their own attitude into the treatment room. Clitoral orgasms are the most common type of orgasm in women. After menopause, they can disappear without testosterone stimulation.  That will stop sexual pleasure completely. Most of my patients don't complain about having a visible clitoris, and they say “I can see my clitoris again and my husband can find it now! It makes sex great again.” Question 8: “My internist asked me why I wanted to have sex now that I am old!  I'm 45! I am changing doctors, but what was she thinking?  Again, the training of normal sexuality in residency programs is minimal.  She might also be sexually unaware or inhibited, as she revealed when she told you that it is not normal to have sex as we age (over 40); clearly, she does not view it as an important part of her life, so it shouldn't be an important part of yours! Question 9: “Now that I am having sex again, I am shooting fluid out when I climax!  What is that and where does it come from?  By the way, my husband loves it!” This phenomenon is called “female ejaculation,” and it is a normal, yet uncommon, part of great orgasms.  Women can produce fluid through transudation via the vaginal wall (which is incorrectly dubbed “vaginal sweating”).  There are no sweat glands in the vagina; the fluid comes from the abdomen and is known as peritoneal fluid.  When a woman orgasms, her vagina contracts, and this fluid squirts out of the vagina with force. The second source of fluid is the Skene's glands, which are small glands located on either side of the urethra (the opening that leads to the bladder). They don't produce a large amount in most women, but it is possible for them to “squirt” fluid with force. Most men find this gratifying, as an unspoken sign that they did a great job.  Women may find it upsetting and ask me to decrease their testosterone levels to lessen the likelihood of “making a mess” when she has sex; however, this also decreases the orgasmic experience. I will keep collecting questions that my patients ask me in my office to offer a continued version of “Embarrassing Questions” in future blogs. I hope this helped you answer some of your unanswered questions!

In this powerful and stigma-breaking episode of the award-winning Please Me! Podcast, host Eve dives deep into the science of sexual health, hormones, and pleasure with Dr. Stephanie Zwonitzer, a board-certified urologist and host of Between the Sheets. Together, they uncover the truth about sexual wellness—from the gaps in STI testing to hormone health, pelvic floor therapy, and how to advocate for your sexual wellbeing in a medical system that too often overlooks it. Whether you're curious about low testosterone, navigating hormonal changes, dealing with STI stigma, or wondering what pelvic floor health really means, this episode is packed with evidence-based, shame-free education designed for all genders. You'll walk away understanding how hormones influence desire and mood, why comprehensive STI testing matters, and how pelvic floor therapy can transform your intimacy and pleasure.  Why sexual health education needs to evolve—for everyone Common STIs (like herpes and HPV): stigma, facts, and what you should know The problem with “standard” STI panels and what tests to actually request HPV vaccines: who should get them (hint: it's not just for women) How to advocate for your own sexual health within the healthcare system Low testosterone: symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options Hormone balance and its connection to libido, mood, and vitality Vaginal and penile atrophy: causes, prevention, and effective treatments What pelvic floor dysfunction really is — and how pelvic PT can help Sexual wellness tools that actually work for both men and women How to have open, stigma-free conversations around sex, pleasure, and health  Topics Covered in This Episode Guest Contact Details: Dr. Stephanie Zwonitzer Podcast: Between the Sheets with Dr. Z Website: betweenthesheetswithdrz.com Instagram: @betweenthesheetswithdrz STI Home Testing (Shameless Care):https://shamelesscare.sjv.io/zxMvZ7 Multisize Penis Pump – Auto GRO Men's Pump:https://link.urlfun.com/fczkizqlu Penis Extender – AndroDEEP Lengthening Traction Device:https://link.urlfun.com/dzqptorcr Parlor Games Bioidentical Hormones for Women: Silky Peach Cream (Estrogen) Vibrant Third (Progesterone)https://www.parlor-games.com/shop/?AFFID=571343 Join the Community on PatreonGet exclusive content, early access to episodes, and Q&A opportunities.https://www.patreon.com/c/PleaseMePodcast Visit the Award-Nominated WebsiteCoaching, resources, podcast archives, and more.https://pleaseme.online/  Read Eve's Column in ASN Lifestyle MagazineMonthly sex and intimacy insights.Subscribe to ASN Lifestyle Magazine Subscribe to the Weekly Turn Ons NewsletterPleasure-focused, shame-free sex education delivered weekly.Subscribe on Substack Book a Coaching or Pelvic Health PT SessionWork with Eve virtually or in person.Book a Session Talk with Eve on the OWWLL AppUse code EH576472 for a free intro call.Download the app and connect instantly. A 6.9 magnitude earthquake recently struck North Cebu, Philippines, causing major damage. The area is currently in a declared state of calamity. Your support is urgently needed. Facebook: Angat Cebu BPO Email: angatcebubpo@gmail.com Featured Resources & LinksConnect with Eve & Explore MoreSpecial Note: Support Earthquake Relief in the Philippines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In celebration of the 2nd year Anniversary of the Dr Sophia, ObGyn podcast, I'm sharing my favorite episode from the past year “Peri / menopause: vaginal & sex symptoms.” In this episode we talk about how even though we have more info now on perimenopause and menopause in the public sphere, one area that isn't still talked about a lot is how perimenopause/menopause can cause vaginal and sex symptoms. So dove deep on how the changing levels of hormones for women in peri/menopause affects the vagina and vulva, which then can lead to certain conditions during sex, such as abrasions and affecting orgasm. We also talk about certain approaches to help alleviate these symptoms. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

¿Sientes picor, ardor o incluso dolor en tu zona íntima? ¿Te preocupa cómo esto afecta tu deseo, tu relación de pareja o incluso tu confianza en ti misma?  

Chemotherapy, radiation, childbirth, menopause, etc. can all throw off the delicate balance of your vaginal microbiome. And yet, many women (and even doctors) don't know much about how to restore and care for their vaginal health.  And since breast cancer healing requires a complete, full-body transformation, we took matters into our own hands and interviewed trailblazers Wendy Strgar, a woman who has revolutionized vaginal health with technology, science, and empathy. As the founder of Good Clean Love, Vaginal Biome Science, and Womankind Care, Wendy has spent decades pioneering non-toxic, biomimicry-based solutions that restore the delicate balance of the vaginal microbiome…even after cancer treatments. She created her patented Bio-Matched® technology and developed the first microbiota testing panel focused on vaginal health. If you've ever struggled with vaginal discomfort, odor, or recurring infections, and felt like your providers just “don't get it,” this conversation is for you.  To try her products for yourself, use our exclusive code “WELLNESSWARRIOR20” at GoodCleanLove.com. It also pairs well with our Estro-Clear supplement as discussed in the episode.

Robertz, Andreas www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Fazit

Intro: Hello, and welcome to episode 178 of the Childless Not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, and fulfilled lives.  And whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!     What is today's show about? Ectopic Pregnancies     I have not forgotten that this podcast is about childlessness. Indeed, being childless not by choice. And we all know there are many reasons for childlessness, including medical issues such as endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, miscarriage, PCOS, and so many other physical and physiological issues.  Trauma, both physical and emotional, can be a cause. Being born without a uterus, which I have discussed on this podcast before. I will put a link to that interview in the show notes for this episode. And then just the unknown, also known as idiopathic infertility.    I want to talk about ectopic pregnancy because I have never discussed it. But let's step back a little. Let's talk about the uterus. And I realize I am speaking to the choir here. I think most of you know what a uterus is and what it does. So let me say this in one or two sentences: The uterus is where a baby grows once the sperm fertilizes the egg. So if the egg, sperm, and fertilization end up anywhere outside of the uterus, the pregnancy will not thrive. In fact, the pregnancy will not go to term. And most times that ending up outside the uterus means the components I just mentioned: the sperm and egg, end up in the fallopian tubes. It's like driving down a highway, the fallopian tubes. You are supposed to end up at a destination, the uterus, but you get stuck on the highway instead. And sometimes getting stuck on the highway can cause irreparable damage. Meaning the possibility of no future natural pregnancies.  Although we have two fallopian tubes, so if one is affected by an ectopic pregnancy, if the other one is healthy, a viable pregnancy is possible.   The risk of an ectopic pregnancy is 1-2%.  It sounds like a small percentage, but a percentage is a percentage, isn't it? It's small until it happens to you.     And human physiology is not something that can be contested. In other words, there is no way to have a baby successfully grow outside of the womb, the uterus. And again, I know I don't need to say this, but I am not referring to other types of creating pregnancy, like the gift of a successful IVF. I am talking about how a pregnancy starts biologically, and the only way it can continue.   So, ectopic pregnancies.  ‘An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in the fallopian tube.'--AI.  Ectopic pregnancies are often caused by damaged fallopian tubes, which prevent a fertilized egg from reaching the uterus, leading it to implant and grow elsewhere.  Risk factors for tubal damage and subsequent ectopic pregnancies include  pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),  endometriosis,  Previous abdominal pelvic surgery  Smoking.  Other risk factors include conception while using an intrauterine device (IUD)  After a tubal ligation (sterilization), Ongoing fertility treatments.   Age: Being older than age 35 can also be a risk factor.    I want to stop here and note that an ectopic pregnancy can be very dangerous. It is suggested that if you believe or have been diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, you should see your physician immediately.  Symptoms:  Vaginal bleeding or spotting Abdominal pain, often one-sided Shoulder pain Nausea and vomiting Dizziness or fainting    Now, the good news in all of this is that the chances of a successful pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy are good, ranging from 65 to 85%, especially as time goes on. Meaning if you get pregnant again in 18 months, a successful pregnancy is 65% likely. In two years, it is 85% likely.    I will say again, if we have arrived at the fact that we will not be having children. Maybe we have already had the hysterectomy. Maybe we have stopped IVF. We have just come to terms and decided to move on with our lives as childless not by choice people. That's what this podcast was created to address. But I also believe it is important to know more than our own journey. And that if we ever want to discuss more than our own journey, we are in the know. We can intelligently discuss as much or as little as we would like.  Knowledge allows us to have the ball in our court.    Maybe you have a family member or friend who is or has suffered from an ectopic pregnancy. Maybe you have, and then the pregnancy never happened for you. Either way, this is a slice of knowledge.  And I hope it was helpful.   As I close out this episode, I want to remind you that we are approaching our final episodes.  It is a bittersweet feeling, as I have said before. But I know I am doing the right thing. I am feeling a shift and I need to go along with that shift. I will keep the Facebook group open, I will keep the website up and running. And in fact, I may now find time to refresh the website. www.childlessnotbychoice.net.   Usually I go on hiatus for October and November. I have decided to do an October episode, and hiatus for November only. Back in December with a final episode.  Any questions, please feel free to reach out. My contact information is in the show notes, at the very end.      Useful links: https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-86-longing-for-motherhood-holding-onto-hope-in-the-midst-of-childlessness-my-interview-with-chelsea-patterson-sobolik/      Research links: AI  My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM Thank you for listening to this episode of Childless not by Choice!  Until next time! Bye!  

In this episode of Ask the Naked Scientist: is it possible to teleport atoms? Does garlic repel mosquitoes? What is vaginal thrush? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this episode of Ask the Naked Scientist: is it possible to teleport atoms? Does garlic repel mosquitoes? What is vaginal thrush? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Bea Dixon built a $380M brand from a dream — literally. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I'm joined by Bea Dixon, co-founder and CEO of The Honey Pot. After receiving a vision from her late grandmother, she created a plant-based solution that would transform feminine care. From handing out samples in parking lots to attending trade shows, Bea and her lean team scaled the company into a nationally loved brand and ultimately sold it for millions. But that success came with hard choices. Behind the headlines is a story of staying grounded, walking away from the wrong money, and trusting your gut every step of the way. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Bea Dixon, co-founder and CEO of The Honey Pot (05:14) The offer she turned down on purpose (06:57) The dream that sparked a product (10:59) Conducting “hood clinical trials” (14:05) Guerrilla marketing and big retailers (17:29) Getting into Target before they were ready (21:18) Life after Honey Pot's acquisition (24:35) Vaginal wellness and the chemicals in most products (27:24) The deal that almost ended Honey Pot (33:08) What you learn after cashing out Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get exclusive Affirmations BONUSES:featuring a calming Birth Affirmations Audio Track and 25 beautifully crafted, printable Birth Affirmation Cards to keep you grounded, confident, and inspired for birth.Grab it Here: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEverywhere you turn, someone has an opinion about what you should eat during pregnancy, how fast you should bounce back postpartum, or the “magic foods” that will skyrocket your milk supply. But how much of it is actually true?In this week's episode, I sit down with Brooke Harmer— mama, nutritionist, and postpartum advocate — to answer questions like; Should I eat this? How do I increase my milk supply? How can I lose some of this baby weight? - yep, we cover it all!Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode:3:00 — Meet Brooke & Why She's So Passionate About This WorkHer story and why nutrition is more than just food for moms.7:05 — Pregnancy Nutrition (Without the Overwhelm)The #1 thing to focus on that keeps it simple and stress-free.10:32 — Eating During Labor?!Why food is fuel — even when you're in the thick of contractions.17:52 — Epidural Moms, This Is for YouSpoiler: you still need to eat. Here's why.18:45 — Vaginal vs. Cesarean RecoveryHow birth type changes what your body needs to heal.21:27 — “Colic” Isn't Real?Why Brooke says colic is the IBS of baby diagnoses.24:22 — If You're Given Antibiotics Postpartum…The crucial step you can't skip for your recovery.28:37 — The Myths That Keep Moms From HealingWhy salads and smoothies may not be the best postpartum foods.34:07 — The Truth About Postpartum Weight LossWhere your focus should actually be (and how to get there safely).42:21 — How Birth Experience Affects BreastfeedingWhat no one tells you about birth and milk supply.46:29 — Boosting Milk SupplySimple steps that actually work.49:20 — The #1 Thing Moms Need PostpartumBrooke's most important advice for every mama.Links we mentioned in the episode:  Brooke's Website: https://www.thewellnourishedmama.comThe Well Nourished Mama Membership: https://www.thewellnourishedmama.com/app The Confident Mama Masterclass: Get the "Rise & Birth Pack" now through October 7th when you purchase the My Essential Birth Course!The Rise & Birth Pack comes with the full step-by-step training that's helped thousands of mamas prepare for birth PLUS Downloadable Affirmation Audio Track & Affirmation Cards helping you rewire your thoughts and prepare for a calm, confident birth experience. ✨ Don't forget to FOLLOW the show so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier! Here's how to do it in just 2 seconds: On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page. On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: hello@myessentialbirth.com. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Y'all I am breaking down ten lazy, low-energy ways to boost your natural lubrication and keep things healthy, juicy, and protected down there. We're talking simple habits and natural supports that make a big difference for your vaginal health and pleasure without relying only on lube or meds. This is a must-listen for anyone with a vagina, and even anyone who suffers from vaginismus, who wants to feel more confident, comfortable, and connected to their body.Say goodbye to vaginismus, sexual pain and sexual fear in as little as 8 weeks! Your first step is a free consultation. Book here: https://www.vaginarehabdoctor.com Join our private Vaginismus Strategy & Support Group on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/274014645123366/ Follow me on Instagram @vaginarehabdoctor Leave a 5 star review if you are learning from and loving this podcast! Email us with any questions about working with us: support@vaginarehabdoctor.com Produced by Light On Creative Productions

Dr. Angela welcomes board-certified gynecologist and Chief Medical Officer at Bonafide Health, Dr. Alyssa Dweck, for an honest and empowering discussion all about vaginal health, menopause, and sexual wellness. Together, they dive deep into the science and real-life experience behind Reverie, a non-hormonal, hyaluronic acid–based vaginal insert that's quickly becoming a favorite in practices across the country. Dr. Dweck breaks down the difference between Reverie and Reverie Plus, how they work, who they're for, and what makes them such a game-changer—especially for women looking for non-hormonal options to treat vaginal dryness and discomfort. They also explore: Why menopause doesn't mean the end of intimacy The emotional and physical aspects of sex during midlife How products like Reverie compare to vaginal estrogen Tips for restoring vaginal health—and pleasure—at any stage Why proactive care (yes, even vibrators!) should be part of your wellness plan Whether you're navigating perimenopause, deep in the throes of menopause, or just want to better understand your options, this episode is packed with expert insight, real talk, and supportive advice.

In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart Podcast, host Karen Litzy welcomes Dr. Marcia Harris, a pioneer in hormone restoration and a specialist in menopause care. With over 40 years of clinical experience, Dr. Harris has helped more than 10,000 midlife women reclaim their energy, sexual vitality, and quality of life. They delve into common myths and misconceptions surrounding menopause, discussing the need for personalized care rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Dr. Harris shares her inspiring journey, which began with a personal tragedy that motivated her to ensure better maternal care. Tune in to learn about Dr. Harris's groundbreaking total transformation protocol and discover practical strategies for thriving through midlife. Time Stamps:  [00:01:33] OBGYN care origins and motivation. [00:09:24] Focus on women in midlife. [00:14:29] Hormone therapy misconceptions and changes. [00:19:48] Bio-identical hormone therapy explained. [00:21:41] Hormone replacement therapy discussion. [00:29:16] Myths of menopause debunked. [00:34:25] Hormone replacement therapy options. [00:37:18] Hormone therapy benefits and risks. [00:45:05] Hormones are necessary for health. [00:50:13] Live your passion. [00:52:36] Healthy living tips. More About Dr. Harris: Meet Dr. Marcia Harris-Columbia- and Cornell-trained surgeon turned hormone restoration pioneer-who has helped over 10,000 midlife women reclaim their energy, sexual vitality, and quality of life. With over 40 years of clinical experience, she's challenging outdated menopause care with her groundbreaking Total Transformation Protocol. If you're ready to ditch one-size-fits-all medicine and learn what actually works for thriving through midlife. MD degree: Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons Internship: Harlem Hospital Center, Internal Medicine Residency: Weill Cornell Medical Center- The New York Hospital Obstetrics/Gynecology Attending Physician / Private Practice at New York Hospital for 35 years Instructor, Department of Ob/Gyn, New York Hospital, for 35 years Last 10 years: Medical Director, The Wellness Restoration Center, New York City, NY Holistic and Integrative Medicine is dedicated to uncovering the root cause of diseases Empowers women to take charge of their health as we take care of the "whole patient" Focus: Menopause, Andropause (male menopause), Sexual Dysfunction, Vaginal rejuvenation, BHRT, Lifestyle changes incorporating diet, weight loss and stress reduction Go to person for professional women to go from 'burnout' to peak potential. She is passionate about busting the myths, countering the misconceptions, and correcting the misinformation that is prevalent about menopause in our society today Resources from this Episode: Dr. Harris Website Dr. Harris on Facebook Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

What if the real reason you're not conceiving has nothing to do with more supplements, perfect hormones, or egg quality—but with the tiny microbes living in your gut and vagina?For many women, an imbalanced microbiome silently disrupts hormone balance, fuels inflammation, and even lowers the chances of implantation or carrying a pregnancy to term. In this episode, you'll...-Discover the critical role your gut and vaginal microbiomes play in fertility.-Learn the surprising signs of microbiome imbalance—even if you have no symptoms.-Get practical, science-backed steps to create a healthier environment for conception and pregnancy.Press play now to uncover how balancing your microbiome could be the missing piece to finally getting and staying pregnant.

Tamsyn shares her journey from first-time mum to birthing fraternal twins vaginaly at 40+6 weeks. After experiencing a medicalised first birth with Maya during COVID lockdowns, Tamsyn was determined to achieve the physiological birth she envisaged for her twins. Despite facing significant pressure from hospital staff to accept routine interventions, Tamsyn's story demonstrates the importance of having strong support people and trusting your body's ability to birth. With the guidance of her private midwife Helen and support person Shelly (a midwife and family friend), Tamsyn navigated challenging conversations with obstetricians and ultimately achieved her dream birth - birthing both babies naturally within 10 minutes of each other after just 90 minutes in hospital.Prepare for your birth with our courses and products, The Birth ClassThe Caesarean Birth ClassWelcome to the First Trimester Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aging is inevitable. But letting your sex life fade away? Nope. This week, we're tackling one of our most requested topics ever: sex and aging. We're answering your biggest questions about how intimacy shifts as the years go by: from libido changes, to navigating menopause, to keeping things hot.

Want ad-free episodes, exclusives and access to community Q&As? Subscribe to Forever Strong Insider: https://foreverstrong.supercast.comIn this episode, I sit down with nutritional physiologist and friend Nick Barringer, PhD, to tackle a crucial, yet often misunderstood, topic: women's hormonal health. We expose the devastating impact of the Women's Health Initiative study and why millions of women are left untreated for menopause symptoms, leading to an increased risk of issues like osteoporosis and Alzheimer's.This is a no-nonsense guide for every woman, regardless of age, who wants to understand her hormones and advocate for her health. We cover everything from the importance of muscle and a low-inflammation lifestyle to the truth about Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) for women.This episode is sponsored by:Puori - Use code DRLYON for 20% off - https://puori.com/DRLYON Cozy Earth - Use code DRLYON for up to 40% off - cozyearth.com/DRLYONBON CHARGE - Use code DRLYON to get 15% off your entire order - https://boncharge.com/DRLYON Needed - Use code DRLYON for 20% off your first order - https://thisisneeded.comChapter Markers0:00 - Intro: Why women need to consider hormone therapy1:24 - The shocking signs of low estrogen2:31 - How the Women's Health Initiative did more harm than good5:34 - The role of testing and delivery systems for estrogen6:30 - Why women are undertreated for menopause7:05 - The dangers of oral birth control8:49 - Debunking "natural" hormone balancing10:05 - The best delivery system for estrogen (patch vs. cream)13:00 - The controversial topic of testosterone for women14:48 - Debunking the myths of testosterone side effects15:58 - The best way to dose testosterone for women18:28 - Why hormone replacement alone won't change body composition19:19 - Starting hormone therapy for perimenopause20:53 - Vaginal estrogen for atrophy and UTIs22:25 - A word from our sponsor, Paleo Valley23:19 - Supplements for fat loss27:38 - Modern anti-obesity drugs31:18 - A word from our sponsor, AG132:48 - The best supplements for health and performance40:07 - Testosterone, blood pressure, and side effects41:51 - How women can take testosterone43:10 - The importance of getting your blood work43:40 - The risks of hormone replacement therapy45:40 - Conclusion: A call to action for women's healthFollow Dr Gabrielle LyonInstagram: @drgabriellelyonTik Tok: @drgabriellelyonFacebook: facebook.com/doctorgabriellelyonFollow Nick Barringer PhDhttps://www.instagram.com/nickbarringer.phd.rdnDisclaimer: The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, YouTube, or materials linked from this podcast or YouTube is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professional for any such conditions.

Is hormone replacement therapy safe or risky? If you've been 10+ years post-menopause, the myths can feel overwhelming. Dr. Tabatha Barber, a functional gynecologist, joins me on today's episode to tackle one of the most common and misunderstood topics in women's health: hormone replacement therapy (HRT). We're separating fact from fiction, answering the big questions about HRT safety, whether it's too late to start after 10-15 years post-menopause, and what other options exist for women who prefer not to go the HRT route. Dr. Tabatha breaks down the benefits and risks of HRT, explaining the role estrogen plays in bone health, as well as how bioidentical hormones differ from synthetic hormones. She also shares tips on how to handle common symptoms like vaginal dryness. If you're wondering about your options for hormone balance and want to know what's best for your body, this episode is for you!   “Let me help you understand your body and give it what it needs. You can't heal a body you hate—you have to love it, and then it will change." ~ Dr. Tabatha Barber   In this episode:  - [03:32] - Functional vs conventional care - [09:52] - Impact of HRT on women's health - [14:20] - Is HRT safe? - [20:53] - Vaginal estrogen risks and benefits - [27:50] - How long is it safe to be on HRT? - [30:35] - Are there tests needed before HRT? - [36:24] - Alternatives to HRT - [39:43] - How gut health affects overall health - [40:52] - Midlife Reset Summit overview - [43:16] - How to work with Dr. Tabatha   Resources mentioned - Midlife Reset Summit - https://midliferesetsummit.com/signup?am_id=margie3712  - Dr. Tabatha's website - https://drtabatha.com/ - Free Osteoporosis Exercises to Strengthen Your Bones and Prevent Fractures - tinyurl.com/osteoporosisexercises   More about Margie - Website - https://margiebissinger.com/  - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Margie-Bissinger-MS-PT-CHC-100063542905332/  - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/margiebissinger/?hl=en    DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.   *In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume the following about links on this site: Some of the links going to products are affiliate links of which I receive a small commission from sales of certain items, but the price is the same for you (sometimes, I even get to share a unique discount with you). If I post an affiliate link to a product, it is something that I personally use, support, and would recommend. I personally vet each and every product. My first priority is providing valuable information and resources to help you create positive changes in your health and bring more happiness into your life. I will only ever link to products or resources (affiliate or otherwise) that fit within this purpose.

In this episode of The Scope Forward Show, Praveen Suthrum speaks with Cheryl Sew Hoy, Founder & CEO of Tiny Health, a microbiome testing company that's redefining preventive care from pregnancy through infancy. Cheryl shares why the first 1,000 days are critical for lifelong gut health, how restoring beneficial microbes matters more than chasing pathogens, and why over 80,000 families are already turning to Tiny Health for answers. Functional medicine has embraced the microbiome faster than GI — but Cheryl makes the case that gastroenterologists are uniquely positioned to lead this revolution. The question is: will the GI community step up before it's too late?*02:17 - A Founder's Wake-Up CallCheryl's journey began with her own C-section baby — realizing how birth mode, antibiotics, and maternal microbiomes shape a child's lifelong health. This personal story launched Tiny Health.07:17 - 80,000 Families — Real-World ResultsTiny Health has already served tens of thousands. Parents are seeing their kids' eczema, allergies, and gut issues improve after targeted interventions. The results are hard to ignore.10:09 - Traditional Tests Are Missing the PointStandard hospital stool panels chase pathogens. Tiny Health looks deeper — into beneficial functions like butyrate, GABA, and fiber digestion that actually sustain long-term gut health.30:29 - A Paradigm Shift: From Killing to RestoringMost of medicine (and even functional care) is built on killing pathogens. Cheryl flips the script: start by replenishing beneficial microbes, then address the bad actors if needed.32:01 - Functional Medicine Is Listening. GI Isn't (Yet).Most adopters today are integrative and functional practitioners. GIs are still skeptical — but Cheryl's message is clear: when families walk in with data that explains what's happening, GI needs to lead the conversation, not dismiss it.34:23 - Science Is Catching Up, FastMetagenomic sequencing, functional markers, and AI-driven insights are transforming microbiome testing from “hype” to clinical reality. Evidence is mounting, especially in pediatrics.37:10 - Precision Medicine Is HereForget the daily “probiotic for everyone.” The future is testing first, then tailoring — the exact probiotic, prebiotic, or dietary shift each patient needs. That's precision GI care.40:29 - The Longevity ConnectionMayo Clinic has already partnered with Tiny Health. Gut tests are moving into mainstream wellness and longevity clinics. Where will GI stand when patients start asking for them by name?44:27 - Infant Gut = Lifelong BlueprintThe first 1,000 days are destiny. Vaginal birth, breastfeeding, and parental microbiomes set the stage for allergies, asthma, and even chronic disease risk later in life.46:44 - A Call to Action for GastroenterologistsMicrobiome testing is no longer fringe. It's an opportunity for GI to expand its scope, reclaim leadership in gut health, and guide patients with science-backed, personalized care.*#digitalhealth #gastroenterology #thescopeforwardshow #nextservices #gi #future #ai #theshift #microbiome

Oh my gosh, you guys, this show. It's so funny. Especially the part where we talk about creepy med techs who deeply require training in bedside manner. Then there's friends, talking, football, silliness, gagging (sorry) and speculation about the health of current inhabitant of the Oval Office. A girl can dream. 

In this episode, I'll show you how your gut microbiome, vaginal microbiome, and endometrial microbiome all work together to influence your ability to conceive naturally or succeed with IVF. We'll take the latest peer-reviewed research and break it down into clear, actionable steps you can begin today.Hi, I'm Dr. Aumatma—a licensed Naturopathic Doctor for over 15 years, with board certification in Naturopathic Endocrinology. I'm the creator of The Restorative Fertility Method and host of the Egg Meets Sperm Podcast, which ranks in the top 5% globally.I've had the honor of becoming a 2-time best-selling author with my books Fertility Secrets and (in)Fertility: Struggles, Secrets, & Successes. Over the years, I've been recognized with awards such as Best Naturopathic Medicine Doctor (2015, 2020), Top Women in Medicine Doctor (2020, 2021), and was inducted into the Berkeley Hall of Fame in 2022.I've shared my expertise on over 100 podcasts, speaking on fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum, and have been featured as a holistic fertility expert on ABC, FOX, CBS, KTLA, MindBodyGreen, and The Bump.Through the years, I've trained hundreds of practitioners globally in holistic fertility care, and many of them have gone on to become certified in my Fertile Foundations™ system. I also founded Madre Fertility, where we offer a free Smart Fertility Analysis to help people uncover their fertility blocks and map out a personalized path to conception.In addition to my clinical work, I serve as a Medical Advisor for Mira Fertility, Element, and Feminade—three incredible innovators in fertility and women's health.Here's what you'll learn:⏱ Timestamps / Key Topics0:00 Intro – Why your microbiome matters for fertility2:10 What is the microbiome & why does it impact conception5:00 The estrobolome: How gut bacteria recycle estrogen & influence PMS, bleeding, and ovulation8:15 Gut microbiome, inflammation, PCOS, and ovulation quality12:30 Vaginal microbiome: Why lactobacillus crispatus dominance improves conception and IVF success18:00 Endometrial microbiota: How balance supports implantation23:00 Gut-vaginal-uterine connections and hormone signaling28:00 Practical stepwise plan – gut & vaginal screening, pH testing, and when to consider microbiome testing34:00 Nutrition for the microbiome: fiber, polyphenols, omega-3s, protein41:00 Lifestyle essentials: sleep, circadian rhythm, resistance training, stress reduction48:00 Targeted therapies: probiotics, prebiotics, and clinical considerations55:00 Recap – Fertility is an ecosystem

Wait, now our privates need to look perfect?? Jess and Camilla head South and call out the wildest trend taking over the beauty industry. Hear how women are focusing on looking “vagtastic,” thanks to a new skincare craze. Does it work? Is it worth it? Plus, what in the sparkly vaginal skincare is “clitter” and why are doctors sounding the alarm on these clitter capsules?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've been feeling stuck with dilators, overwhelmed by painful sex, or just wondering if healing from vaginismus is even possible without them, this episode is for you. I'm sharing five real alternatives that can help you reconnect with your body, reduce pelvic floor tension, and move toward pain-free intimacy! You'll walk away with practical tools and encouragement to remind you that you're not broken, you're untrained. Grab your journal, open your mind, and let's talk options- that don't require dilators.Vagina CEO Release E Guide- https://the-vagina-rehab-academy.sellfy.store/p/the-vagina-ceo-release-e-guide/Say goodbye to vaginismus, sexual pain and sexual fear in as little as 8 weeks! Your first step is a free consultation. Book here: https://www.vaginarehabdoctor.com Join our private Vaginismus Strategy & Support Group on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/274014645123366/ Follow me on Instagram @vaginarehabdoctor Leave a 5 star review if you are learning from and loving this podcast! Email us with any questions about working with us: support@vaginarehabdoctor.com Produced by Light On Creative Productions

EP. 228: Grab my FREE 4 Part Video Series: GLP1s Uncovered: https://bit.ly/GLP1uncovered On this episode, I'm chatting with my amazing friend Dr. Anna Cabeca, the Girlfriend Doctor. She's triple board-certified in gynecology and obstetrics, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine, with over 30 years of experience in functional medicine, sexual health, and bioidentical hormone replacement. Dr. Anna and I cover the world of oxytocin, vaginal health, and women's hormones. We cover everything from pain management to intimacy, topicals, and how to navigate menopause without overmedicalizing it. This is such a fun, informative, and honest conversation.  Topics Discussed: → What is oxytocin and why is it important for women's health? → How can vaginal health impact intimacy and hormone balance? → What are safe and effective ways to use oxytocin? → How does menopause affect hormones, connection, and wellbeing? → What are the best strategies for managing pelvic floor health and vaginal atrophy? Sponsored By: → BIOptimizers | For 15% off go to bioptimizers.com/drtyna and use promo code DRTYNA → LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at drinklmnt.com/drtyna. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. → LVLUP | Head over to LVLUPHealth.com and use code DRTYNA at checkout to get 20% off your order sitewide.  → Timeline | Head to timeline.com/DRTYNA and get 20% off with code DRTYNA  → Liver Love | Go to https://store.drtyna.com/products/liverlove Use code LIVER20 for 20% off On This Episode We Cover:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction  → 00:01:49 - Importance of oxytocin   → 00:04:41 - Uses & dosing of oxytocin  → 00:09:49 - Overcoming pain  → 00:16:39 - Lowering cortisol  → 00:20:44 - Sunlight, infrared light, + mood → 00:22:00 - Community, pleasure, hormones  → 00:30:37 - Oxytocin & women's hormones  → 00:38:15 - Not medicalizing menopause  → 00:42:07 - Menopause's impact on the family  → 00:44:40 - Prioritizing connection  → 00:48:02 - Withholding oxytocin  → 00:50:06 - Intimacy and sexual health  → 00:54:09 - Vaginal health  → 00:55:37 - Vaginal atrophy   → 01:01:54 - Pelvic floor integrity  → 01:02:36 - Lichen Sclerosus  → 01:06:34 - More than estradiol & estriol   → 01:11:12 - Chronic UTIs   → 01:14:56 - Topical hormones  Further Listening:  → EP: 227 | How I Broke Free From The Pain Trap | Solo Check Out Dr. Anna:  → Website  → Instagram → YouTube → Dr. Anna's Julva Moisturizer Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided in this blog/podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Tyna Moore. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

Could the hidden bacteria in your vaginal microbiome be the reason you're struggling to get pregnant—or experiencing miscarriage?Most fertility advice focuses on hormones, ovulation, or sperm health. But the truth is, your vaginal microbiome is the gatekeeper for conception. When this delicate ecosystem is out of balance—even without symptoms—it can sabotage sperm survival, block implantation, and raise your risk of miscarriage.In this episode, you'll...– Learn why your vaginal microbiome could be the missing piece in your fertility journey– Discover how imbalances damage sperm, increase miscarriage risk, and lower IVF success rates– Get natural, practical steps to restore a sperm-friendly, pregnancy-ready environmentListen now to uncover how your vaginal microbiome could be silently sabotaging your fertility—and what you can do today to protect your chances of getting and staying pregnant.

Dr. Kelly McCann is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, trained in Functional, Integrative, and Environmental Medicine. Known for her expertise in mold illness, chronic infections, MCAS, and complex chronic conditions, she integrates science, intuition, and spiritual psychology to help people heal at the deepest levels. Through her private practice, The Spring Center, and her upcoming transformational programs, she guides clients from suffering to sovereignty—reclaiming their health, purpose, and power. She has hosted 3 virtual worldwide summits reaching over 100,000 people and an author of a forthcoming book that explores how illness is not the enemy but a portal to healing the whole self.https://thespringcenter.com/    https://drkellymccann.comhttps://www.facebook.com/drkellymccannhttps://www.instagram.com/drkellymccann/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/@DrKellyMcCann____________________________________________________________________________________Come join my Buff Muff Community www.buffmuff.comThank you so much for listening! I use fitness and movement to help women prevent and overcome pelvic floor challenges like incontinence and organ prolapse. There is help for women in all life stages! Every Woman Needs A Vagina Coach! Please make sure to LEAVE A REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE to the show for the best fitness and wellness advice south of your belly button. *******************I recommend checking out my comprehensive pelvic health education and fitness programs on my Buff Muff AppYou can also join my next 28 Day Buff Muff Challenge https://www.vaginacoach.com/buffmuffIf you are feeling social you can connect with me… On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VagCoachOn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vaginacoach/On Twitter https://twitter.com/VaginaCoachOn The Web www.vaginacoach.comGet your Feel Amazing Vaginal Moisturizer Here

In this deeply moving episode, we speak with Hannah, a midwife and lactation consultant from the Southern Highlands, who shares her profound journey through two very different birth experiences. Hannah takes us through her first pregnancy with daughter Beatrix, including the unexpected discovery of a breech presentation, her decision to pursue vaginal breech birth at Westmead Hospital, and the challenging NICU journey that followed. She then courageously shares the story of her son Alby, whose life was tragically cut short at 17 months due to complications from congenital CMV - a preventable condition that Hannah is now passionate about raising awareness for. This episode is both heartbreaking and educational, highlighting the importance of CMV screening in pregnancy and the incredible strength of families navigating complex medical journeys.__________ Australia's trusted baby sleepwear brand ergoPouch has launched the Drift Home Baby Monitor and Smart TOG Guide—the only monitor combining real-time environmental insights with evidence-based sleepwear recommendations. Drawing on 15+ years of safe sleep expertise, this device integrates monitoring with their globally trusted What to Wear guide, helping parents dress babies appropriately based on room temperature for confident, calm bedtimes. Exclusive ABS Offer: Purchase the Drift Home and entire ergoPouch range exclusively at ergopouch.com.auABS listeners get 20% off sitewide with code AUBS — valid until 11:59 p.m. on 18th August 2025 (exclusions apply). Plus, ergoPouch is launching something new and elevated next week!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for a deep (and delightfully nerdy) dive into the misunderstood world of vaginas, where we'll learn about orgasm-chasing royalty, clitoral wingspans, vagina lollipops, wandering wombs — and the research on female anatomy we still desperately need. Science writer Rachel Gross is our fearless guide. … Recommendations from the archive #27 Rewriting Your Birth Story … Writing by Rachel • Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage (using this book link supports our show!) • Half the World Has a Clitoris. Why Don't Doctors Study It? (NYT) • Women in Menopause Are Getting the Short Shrift (The Atlantic) • What Can We Learn from Menstrual Blood? (The New Yorker) • Body Language (NYT series on the history of medical language) … More on the clitoris & friends • The Clitoris, Uncovered (video by Rachel for Scientific American) • Cliteracy Reel (3D depictions by Sophia Wallace) • SEX-ED+ (company that makes silicone molds of clitorises and vulvas for educational purposes) • Tight Lipped (grassroots movement by and for people with chronic vulvovaginal and pelvic pain) … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textAt 28 weeks, Jessie found out her baby was breech—but instead of panicking, she trusted her gut. She felt strongly that her baby was meant to be born this way. After initially planning a home birth, Jessie began exploring other options and considered traveling to Pennsylvania for a hospital birth with experienced breech providers.But when labor started at 39 weeks, everything shifted. Mid-drive to Pennsylvania, Jessie and her husband decided to turn around and head to Yale New Haven Hospital. There, an OB team unexpectedly supported her birth plan, and her baby was born breech and vaginally—with ease.In this episode, Jessie shares her story of intuition, flexibility, and trust in her body and baby. It's an inspiring reminder that sometimes birth doesn't go according to plan—and that's exactly what makes it beautiful.**********Our sponsors:Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort.Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20%DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample packUse promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors.Primally Pure: From soil to skin, Primally Pure products are made with down-to-earth ingredients that feel and smell like heaven for the skin. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for 10% off. ENERGYBits: Get the superfood Algae every mother needs for pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for 20% off. Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.comInstagram @downtobirthshowCall us at 802-GET-DOWN Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube! Work with Cynthia: HypnoBirthingCT.com Please remember we don't provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed medical provider for all your healthcare matters.

Submit your question and we'll answer it in a future episode!Join our Patreon Community!https://www.patreon.com/badassbreastfeedingpodcastToday's episode is brought to you by Cimilre Breast Pumps! Cimilre breast pumps range in size from ultra tiny pumps as small as a sticky note, to fully adjustable pumps with 85 setting combinations. Use code BADASS for 15% off at www.cimilrebreastpumps.com.Did you know that you may experience some body changes whole breastfeeding?Some you may have already noticed, and some might not happen until later.Listen in today as Dianne and Abby talk about the changes your body mightexperience when breastfeeding and what you can do about it.If you are a new listener, we would love to hear from you.  Please consider leavingus a review on iTunes or sending us an email with your suggestions and commentsto badassbreastfeedingpodcast@gmail.com. You can also add your email to ourlist and have episodes sent right to your inbox!Things we talked about:Skin to skin and bonding [4:15]Question about feeding on demand with bottles [10:02]Not getting your period [12:36]Uterus pain [15:38]Not feeling full [24:10]Size changes [25:15]Weight loss [27:36]Vaginal dryness [35:32]Links to information we discussed or episodes you should check out!https://badassbreastfeedingpodcast.com/episode/071-overfeeding-paced-bottle-feeding/https://badassbreastfeedingpodcast.com/episode/exercise/Set up your consultation with Diannehttps://badassbreastfeedingpodcast.com/consultations/Check out Dianne's blog here:https://diannecassidyconsulting.com/milklytheblog/Follow our Podcast:https://badassbreastfeedingpodcast.comHere is how you can connect with Dianne and Abby:AbbyTheuring ,https://www.thebadassbreastfeeder.comDianne Cassidy @diannecassidyibclc, http://www.diannecassidyconsulting.comMusic we use:Music: Levels of Greatness from: We Used to Paint Stars in the Sky (2012)courtesy of Scott Holmes at freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes

Episode 328: Should I take hormones? In this episode, I dive deep into the evolving conversation around hormone therapy—where we've been, where we are, and where we need to go. If you've been confused, scared, or unsure about hormones, this one's for you. I break down the myths, share the science, and explain why education—not fear—should drive our health decisions. I talk about the crucial difference between vaginal and systemic hormones, the benefits of both, and why so many women are missing out simply because they've never been properly informed. I also touch on the role of GLP-1 medications, not just for weight, but as part of a broader discussion around midlife health. We also get into the realities of perimenopause—what's normal, what's not, and how to stop dismissing symptoms as “just aging.” I explain why hormone therapy isn't just about hot flashes—it's a longevity and quality-of-life tool. The truth? Living decades post-menopause without hormones can come with real risks. But with the right education, you get to choose what's right for you. Reminder: knowledge is power—and the foundation of empowered healthcare. Takeaways: The narrative around hormone therapy is changing—from fear-based to informed and empowering. Education is the single most important tool in making good decisions about your health. Vaginal estrogen and DHEA are safe and effective for many postmenopausal women. Perimenopause isn't just “normal aging”—hormonal shifts can cause real symptoms worth treating. GLP-1 medications are part of a bigger picture of metabolic and hormonal health. It's never too late: women post-menopause can still benefit from hormone therapy. Hormones play a critical role in preventive health, including protecting your bones and brain. We need to stop misunderstanding breast cancer risk in the context of hormone therapy. Choosing to live without hormones comes with its own set of risks—know them before deciding. Want more honest, empowering conversations like this one?⁠⁠⁠ Preorder my Next Book⁠⁠⁠ , share this episode, and leave a review to help others find this important work. Let's stop leaving women out of the conversation—especially when it comes to sex, health, and healing. Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Explore and expand pleasure with resources, advice, and the most exciting pleasure products with Good Vibes, and save 10% with coupon code NOTBROKEN10 at ⁠goodvibes.com/menopause⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 194: Things get even juicier in part two of this girl chat with Fi. We're talking everything from painful cysts to coconut lube regrets (yes, really), plus how Fi's journey with semaglutide has evolved—from tough side effects to finding balance. We also unpack body image, food freedom, and the wild impact of “skinny” culture on social media. On a lighter note, Fi shares how real estate is actually lighting her up, and we reflect on what it means to build a fulfilling life in your thirties. Whether you're navigating your own transformation or just here for the girl talk, this episode is for you. Leave Me a Message - click here! For Mari's Instagram click here! For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast's Instagram click here! For Mari's Newsletter click here! For Fi's Instagram click here! Sponsored By: Upgrade your kitchen with Caraway's non-toxic cookware and get 10% off at carawayhome.com/WELLNESS10 with code WELLNESS10—risk-free trial included. Clear your skin from within with CLEARSTEM. Get 20% off your first order at clearstem.com/POW using code POW. Experience next-level comfort with SKIMS. Shop now at skims.com/pow & select “podcast” to support Pursuit of Wellness. Get 20% off your first order of Foria's all-natural period relief at foriawellness.com/POW or use code POW at checkout. Clean, safe water starts at home. Take 20% off your first AquaTru purifier at AquaTru.com with code POW. Experience deeper, smarter sleep with Eight Sleep. Get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra at eightsleep.com/pow with code POW. The new normal in health starts here. Visit functionhealth.com/POW and use code POW for a $100 credit. Show Links: Girl Chat: Fi's ER Trip & Her New Man! (Part 1) Solo: Navigating My First IVF Appointment & Fertility Challenges Boost focus and energy with Bloom Sparkling Energy—zero sugar, natural caffeine, and feel-good ingredients in a refreshing 10-calorie can. Topics Discussed 00:08 Introduction 00:44 The Bartholin cyst ordeal 11:59 Q&A 12:23 ACOTAR & fantasy book recs 14:09 Ozempic side effects & mindset shift 26:40 Body image & SkinnyTok 29:38 Wellness journeys & burnout cycles 35:19 Life updates in real estate 36:35 Helping Bloom staff relocate 38:33 Control vs. freedom in new seasons 39:36 European trip logistics chaos 40:30 Liver King's arrest & POW throwback 42:13 Turning 30 & feeling good Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices