Speaking of Women's Health

Send us Fan Mail Dementia is one of the most feared diagnoses in aging, and it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sounds the alarm on a reality many women never hear clearly: by advanced age, dementia becomes incredibly common, yet a large part of risk is shaped by choices we can start making now. The goal is not perfection or panic. It’s building a prevention plan that protects your brain, your independence and your health span. She digs into why insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome matter for Alzheimer’s disease risk, including how impaired glucose handling may reduce the brain’s ability to clear amyloid proteins. From there, she gets practical about the big levers: restorative sleep and the brain’s nighttime cleanup system, regular exercise (with a special edge for outdoor movement) and why alcohol can quietly sabotage deep sleep and brain function. We also talk about “brain stimulation” in real life, including how hearing loss, vision loss and reduced social connection can accelerate cognitive decline. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Bleeding that feels “off” is easy to downplay until it derails your life or shows up after menopause. We revisit our conversation with women’s health nurse practitioner Kelsey Kennedy and layer in what’s changed since then, including newer ACOG guidance that supports a more proactive approach to postmenopausal bleeding. The key message is simple: a reassuring pelvic ultrasound alone is not always enough, because high grade endometrial cancer can occur even with a thin lining. Kelsey and Dr. Thacker walk through what abnormal uterine bleeding actually means in real life, from irregular cycles and spotting between periods to heavy flow that soaks pads, clothes, and sheets. Then they sort the most common causes including fibroids, endometrial polyps, adenomyosis, and endometriosis, and we explain why minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) teams can be so valuable when surgery is on the table or when prior care has not found the answer. They also highlight an often missed angle: some abnormal bleeding is driven by bleeding disorders like von Willebrand disease, not just gynecologic anatomy or hormones. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail You get your vitamin D results back and the report screams “HIGH” in red. Do you actually need to panic, or do you need context? Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker walks through why vitamin D is often misunderstood, how age, latitude, indoor life, and sunscreen change what your skin can make, and why “normal” lab ranges don’t always match what we’re aiming for in real preventive care. She connects vitamin D3 to women’s health in a practical way: bone strength and osteoporosis prevention, muscle function and fall risk, oral health, mood support, blood pressure, and the ripple effects of low levels during winter. She also talks through women-specific concerns we see every day, including PMS symptoms, pregnancy needs for fetal development and maternal health, and why nutrition and vitamin D status deserve a place in the broader conversation around cervical health alongside appropriate gynecologic evaluation. Finally, she explains the missing link that trips up a lot of people: magnesium. Because magnesium is required to metabolize and activate vitamin D, supplementing D without supporting magnesium can backfire with fatigue or cramps. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Back-to-school season can feel like a fresh start and a stress test at the same time. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Dr. Holly Thacker talks through how to make the transition smoother for every age, from kindergartners riding the bus for the first time to teens facing new pressure, and even students leaving home for college. Her goal is simple: help you build routines that make mornings calmer, kids healthier, and learning easier. Then she goes deeper into the tougher realities families face right now. She talks about teen confidence, mental health warning signs, social media pressure, and how to keep communication open without shaming or shutting kids down. She also gives a shoutout to Clever Crazes for Kids, a free STEM resource for pre-K through eighth grade at clevercrazes.com . If this helps you, share it with a parent, grandparent, teacher, or coach, then subscribe and leave a review so more families can find these back-to-school health tips. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker talks about how your microbiome connects to metabolism, blood sugar stability, satiety, and long-term disease risk. That context matters when you hear the viral phrase “fiber maxing.” Done right, increasing dietary fiber can support steadier energy, healthier cholesterol patterns, improved regularity, and better weight management, especially when your carbohydrates come from whole foods with a lower glycemic impact. Dr. Thacker then discusses the most common infectious diarrhea causes that she sees and teaches on, including viruses that impair fluid absorption, bacteria that can trigger toxin-driven fluid loss, and parasites that often hide behind the label “stomach bug.” She gets specific about Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, and Giardia: how they spread, what symptoms tend to stand out, why hydration is non-negotiable, and how contaminated water and produce can be the real source of the problem. She also shares practical, food-first ways to increase fiber without bloating: build meals around legumes, add chia or ground flaxseed, swap refined grains for whole grains, keep the skins on potatoes, and rinse, rinse, rinse your fruits and vegetables. She covers how fast to increase fiber (slowly), why you must hydrate, how to balance soluble and insoluble fiber, and when personalization matters. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail PCOS has been a familiar label for decades, but the name may have been steering patients and clinicians toward the wrong center of gravity. SWH Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with endocrinologist Dr. Ula Abed to unpack the new term PMOS, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, and why it better captures what so many people actually struggle with: insulin resistance, weight gain, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, and long-term cardiovascular risk, alongside cycle changes and fertility concerns. They talk through what changes when you treat PMOS as a metabolic condition first. That includes how the newest international guidelines push earlier screening and a more realistic, whole-person plan, and why improving metabolic health can sometimes restore ovulation and improve fertility outcomes before jumping straight to expensive interventions. If this helped you think differently about PMOS, share it with a friend, subscribe so you don’t miss next week, and leave a review to help more people find evidence-based women’s health conversations. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Sun damage is sneaky: it can happen on a bright beach day, on a cloudy afternoon, and even during your drive with the windows up. This episode is originally from Season 1 and has so many great tips for the summer time that we are bringing it back to you in Season 4! From the Sunflower House, Dr. Holly Thacker shares a clear, practical guide to summer skincare and sunscreen that goes beyond the SPF number so you can protect your skin, eyes, and overall health. She breaks down UVA vs UVB in plain language and explains what “broad spectrum sunscreen” actually means for skin cancer prevention and anti-aging. You’ll hear how chemical (organic) filters differ from mineral sunblock like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, why sensitive skin may react to certain ingredients, and how to think about common filters such as avobenzone. She also talks about melasma, including why pregnancy and hormonal birth control can make pigment issues more likely and why consistent UV protection matters once melasma shows up. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail That first painful step in the morning is not your imagination and it is not something you should just “push through.” We dig into plantar fasciitis, why heel pain can feel like you are stepping on broken glass, and what actually helps: supportive shoes, orthotics and gel pads, smart activity changes, and specific plantar fascia and calf stretches you can do at home. We also talk about the frustrating truth behind tendons and fascia: these tissues have slow turnover and limited blood supply, so healing can take time, especially for midlife women dealing with repeated strain, poor sleep, nutrition gaps, or unbalanced training. Then we zoom out to a newer concept that may reshape how we think about chronic pain and recovery: the interstitium, often described as a hidden network of fluid-filled pathways in connective tissue. If this “third circulatory system” influences inflammation and movement of cells and fluid, it may help explain why certain integrative therapies work for some people. We also reprise our Devil Wears Prada-inspired footwear conversation because shoes matter more than most people realize. We cover common foot problems in women, from bunions and Morton’s neuroma to arthritis and Achilles tendinitis, plus diabetic foot care warnings and the red flags that mean you should call your clinician. If you want less pain and more freedom to walk, work, dance, and travel, this one is for you. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail A single birthday should not erase your options for menopause care, yet many women hear a flat “no” the moment they turn 65. We challenge that reflex with evidence, clinical nuance, and practical guidance on how hormone therapy after age 65 can still fit into real life, especially when symptoms, bone health, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause are still in the picture. We walk through a blockbuster Medicare claims analysis of 10.9 million U.S. women over 65 tracked from 2007 to 2020, looking at outcomes tied to different hormone therapy types, doses, and routes: vaginal estrogen, transdermal estrogen patches, and oral estrogen. Then we get practical. We talk estrogen patch shortages, progesterone supply problems, and how pharmacy pricing and formularies can block care. We also cover why “hormonal age” of menopause matters, when labs like FSH and estradiol help, and how common supplements like biotin can interfere with testing. If you’ve been told it’s “too late,” listen and bring your questions. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more women can find evidence-based menopause care. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Explosive watery diarrhea is not just “something you ate” and during a national outbreak, it’s worth knowing the real culprit. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker walks you through cryptosporidiosis, a waterborne and foodborne illness caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium that can hit hard, spread quietly, and ruin a summer week fast. She gets practical about what works and what doesn’t. Vinegar rinses and baking soda washes can help remove dirt and some contaminants, but they do not reliably kill this parasite. The most dependable kill step for fresh produce is heat: cooking to 158°F (70°C) or higher. She also shares smarter shopping and kitchen habits during an outbreak, like scrubbing firm produce under running water, peeling when possible, avoiding cross-contamination when slicing melons, and leaning more on cooked, frozen, canned, or peeled options when risk is higher. She also talks prevention beyond the kitchen: soap-and-water handwashing (hand sanitizer won’t do it here), avoiding swallowing pool or lake water, and why you should never swim with diarrhea. Subscribe, share this with a friend who lives at the pool, and leave a review so more people can find these outbreak safety basics. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Peptides are suddenly the hottest word in weight loss clinics, gyms, and wellness circles, but most people are hearing the hype without the definitions, the evidence, or the safety guardrails. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD sits down with Layth Tumah, MD, a Cleveland Clinic physician board certified in family medicine, obesity medicine, lifestyle medicine, and trained in functional medicine, to explain what peptides actually are: short chains of amino acids that act as powerful signals in the body, sometimes in ways that look a lot like hormones. They get practical about the peptides people are most likely to encounter through their doctor: GLP-1 and GIP based medications used for diabetes and medical weight management. They clarify how the same underlying drug can be sold under different brand names depending on the indication, why shortages fueled interest in compounding pharmacies, and when compounding is a reasonable tool versus a risky shortcut. They also talk about the deeper “why” behind today’s metabolic disease surge and why these therapies can matter for health span, not just the number on the scale. They end where real prevention always starts: food, movement, sleep, stress coping, and connection, plus the reminder that there is no "free lunch" when it comes to powerful supplements. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Freedom is not just a political idea, it’s also the ability to move through your day with energy, confidence, and choices that are not dictated by symptoms or chronic disease. We connect America’s 250th anniversary theme of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to a very current women’s health reality: the obesity epidemic and the frustration many midlife women feel when weight changes collide with hot flashes, sleep loss, and brain fog. We break down common myths around menopause and weight, including the claim that menopausal hormone therapy causes obesity, and we explain what the research actually shows. Then we step into the fast-changing world of weight loss medications, from older drugs that were removed from the market to today’s GLP-1 and GIP agents. Then we zoom out to something many people underestimate: social connection as a true health intervention. Social Wellness Month is a reminder that loneliness can harm health in ways that resemble other major risk factors. We share practical ways to build deeper relationships, volunteer, use technology wisely, and create summer traditions that strengthen community. You’ll also get healthier July 4th menu ideas, simple recipe inspiration, and summer safety reminders from hydration to fireworks. Follow the show so you do not miss what’s next, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review to help more women find evidence-based health guidance. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Pelvic pain can steal your attention, your sleep, your relationships, and your confidence, especially when you keep hearing “everything looks normal.” Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with minimally invasive surgeon and chronic pelvic pain expert Ashley Gubbels, MD to talk about what’s often missed: pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic neuropathies, and a nervous system that can get stuck in protective overdrive. They discuss the basics of finding the right pelvic floor physical therapist and why the details matter. If you’ve ever been told to “just do Kegels” and felt worse, they explain why that happens and what pain-focused pelvic floor physical therapy can look like instead, from breathwork and external stretching to internal techniques only with consent and the right timing. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail One tiny tick can change what you can safely eat for years, and sometimes the reaction doesn’t show up until hours after dinner. From the Speaking of Women's Health Sunflower House, host Dr. Holly Thacker walks through summer health essentials, then goes deep on tick-borne illness and the fast-growing concern of alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that can follow a bite from the lone star tick and other species. She covers the practical stuff first: hydration and heat safety, UV protection for skin and eyes, smart ways to keep exercising in hot weather, mosquito control, and what to do (and not do) when poison ivy shows up. She also revisits water safety rules that saves lives, especially for children, including swimming lessons, life jackets, and why alcohol and water activities do not mix. Then she shifts to ticks: why people often never notice a bite, how ticks spread multiple pathogens, and why Lyme disease is still a major threat. She breaks down alpha-gal symptoms that can look “random” because they may appear two to six hours after eating mammalian meat or dairy, from hives and GI distress to swelling, wheezing, fainting, and anaphylaxis. Finally, she shares timely updates on new federal momentum to combat Lyme disease and accelerate alpha-gal research, plus intriguing early data on an unusual auricular allergy treatment approach that deserves careful study. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Pain that lingers for months doesn’t deserve a shrug or a “you’re still healing.” Chronic pelvic pain can be life-altering, and the hardest part for many people is not just the symptoms, but the confusion, the misdiagnoses, and the feeling of being bounced from office to office without anyone putting the full puzzle together. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Ashley Gubbels, MD , a board-certified OB-GYN and internationally recognized expert in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and pelvic pain management, to define what chronic pelvic pain actually is and why it is so often overlooked. They talk through the most common drivers, including endometriosis and adenomyosis, and why even excellent surgery may not fully resolve symptoms when the nervous system has learned the pain pattern. You’ll hear how inflammation, scarring, and repeated monthly signaling can escalate into central sensitization, where pain pathways become easier to trigger over time. If you’ve ever wondered why pelvic pain is so complicated or why it can persist after standard care, this conversation gives you language, context, and a clear next-step mindset. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail A torn ACL can change a teenager’s life in a single play, and it can echo decades later as arthritis and knee replacements. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with physical therapist Vince Whalen to talk about why ACL tears hit female athletes so often, why many happen without contact, and how a simple prevention approach can make a measurable difference. Vince breaks down the FIFA Plus routine and the mechanics that matter most: hip control, balance, landing position, and the glute strength that keeps the knee from collapsing into risky alignment. Pelvic floor therapy is a major focus, especially stress urinary incontinence and chronic pelvic pain. We unpack a key insight: many patients have too much pelvic floor tone, so doing random Kegels can actually worsen symptoms. Vince shares how to find a pelvic floor trained therapist, what to expect if you’re nervous about internal exams, and how telehealth physical therapy can help after an in-person evaluation. They close with the McKenzie Method for back pain, posture habits that drive symptoms, and practical training tips for golfers and active adults. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Estradiol patches on backorder, progesterone capsules hard to find, and a lot of anxious scrolling in between. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker recorded this because the hormone therapy supply chain is colliding with a surge in demand, and too many women are getting stuck without a plan. She walks through what’s actually driving the patch shortage, how WHI-era fear still shows up in exam rooms, and why “everyone needs a patch” is just as misleading as “no one should take hormones.” If you can’t get your usual prescription, you’ll hear concrete alternatives: switching patch schedules, considering gels or sprays, using combined estrogen-progestin products, and when nonhormonal therapies for hot flashes and sleep may fit. She ends with a simple preparedness point: don’t wait until the last refill day to protect your health. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s struggling to get her meds, and leave a review so more women can find evidence-based menopause care. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail The hardest part of health care isn’t always treatment, it’s figuring out who should treat you in the first place. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly L. Thacker, MD sits down with Laura Lipold, MD, Director of Primary Care Women’s Health at Cleveland Clinic, to map out how primary care, OB-GYN care and consultative women’s health specialists can work together across every life stage. They talk candidly about why so many patients feel stuck right now, from limited access to primary care to the long shadow of menopause misinformation after the Women’s Health Initiative. You’ll hear practical guidance on what primary care can often handle (Pap tests, HPV and cervical cancer screening, mammogram orders, chronic disease management, obesity and metabolic health, behavioral health support) and when it’s time to bring in a specialist for complex menopause and hormone therapy decisions, severe osteoporosis, cancer survivorship, blood clots, transplants, or major cardiovascular history. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail If your body seems to “flip a switch” after ovulation, you’re not imagining it and you’re not alone. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker talks through a lesser-known but very real problem: progesterone allergy and progesterone intolerance, often grouped under progestogen hypersensitivity. The most important clue is timing, with symptoms that reliably worsen in the luteal phase when progesterone rises and then ease when your period starts and hormones fall. Dr. Thacker walks through what progesterone is supposed to do in women’s health and why it can still trigger trouble for some people, whether it’s your own endogenous progesterone or synthetic progestins in hormonal birth control, fertility treatment, IUDs, or menopausal hormone therapy. She covers the full range of symptoms, from cyclical hives, rashes, itching, swelling, and asthma-like breathing issues to mood changes, anxiety, migraines, breast tenderness, bloating and heartburn. We also explain the difference between a true allergy that can be dangerous and an intolerance that can feel awful but may respond to smarter dosing, timing and formulation choices. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Two little voices kick off a Mother’s Day special, and that warm family moment quickly opens into bigger questions about women’s health that too often get ignored until they’re urgent. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD shares what every woman should understand earlier: fertility has a biological clock that doesn’t match how healthy you can feel in your 30s and 40s, and ovarian aging is a major driver of infertility. She talks about when to seek an infertility evaluation, why conditions like endometriosis and celiac disease can be behind unexplained infertility, and how the real-world costs of IVF shape people’s choices. She also shares a hopeful story about stress reduction and acupuncture as a supportive option for some patients who are experiencing fertility issues. Next, she gets practical about varicose veins and spider veins, especially during pregnancy and with weight changes. Because May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, she ends with a focus on bone health, menopause, and prevention. Bone loss can speed up dramatically in the early years after menopause, and osteoporosis can stay silent until a fracture. She also touches on under-recognized factors like celiac disease, persistent nutrient deficiencies, and why biotin supplements can disrupt thyroid, cardiac, and hormone lab tests. Support the show