disruptHER

Dr. Somi Javaid

Welcome to The disruptHER, where power, purpose, and progress collide. I'm Dr. Somi Javaid, and this is where we amplify the voices creating real change for women

  1. 12 hrs ago

    How Medical Gaslighting Delays Endometriosis Care w/ Shannon Cohn

    Shannon Cohn is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, attorney, and endometriosis advocate. She is the creator of the groundbreaking documentaries "Endo What?" and "Below the Belt," which have helped transform public awareness, influence medical education, and drive policy reform in women's health. In today's episode, Shannon joins me to share her remarkable journey to becoming one of the leading voices exposing the hidden systems that fail women with endometriosis. Shannon opens up about her own 13-year journey to diagnosis and how she realized that her experience wasn't unique, but part of a much larger systemic problem affecting millions of women. We dive into the reality of medical gaslighting, and the devastating impact of delayed diagnosis. We also explore how storytelling has influenced policymakers, medical schools, and healthcare providers, while advocating for increased research funding, better physician education, and improved insurance coverage for endometriosis care. Shannon reveals why painful periods should never be considered normal, the challenges surrounding reimbursement for excision surgery, and the future of endometriosis diagnostics. Join us today as we discuss medical gaslighting, diagnostic delays, healthcare advocacy, documentary filmmaking as a tool for change, improving medical education, advancing women's health policy, empowering patients to advocate for themselves, and much more. Shannon Cohn's Links: https://www.instagram.com/shancohn/ https://www.instagram.com/endowhat/ https://endowhat.com/ Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  2. Aug 11

    Redesigning Women’s Midlife Care: Menopause, Burnout, & Heart Health w/ Dr. Jennifer Wagner

    Dr. Jennifer Wagner, MD, is a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist who has become a women's health and performance expert at Canyon Ranch. After working with elite performers, including Olympians, Special Operations teams, and high-performing executives, she now focuses on helping midlife women optimize their health, performance, and longevity. In today's episode, Jennifer joins me to discuss why so many women feel invisible in today's healthcare system and what needs to change. She shares her journey to building innovative wellness programs designed specifically for women navigating midlife. We dive into the challenges women face during perimenopause and menopause. Jennifer also shares why so many women leave their doctor's appointments without answers and explains the importance of evidence-based education, collaboration, and community in improving women's healthcare. Jennifer explains the five core habits that serve as the foundation of long-term health and performance. She also shares why women need to stop viewing food and exercise through the lens of weight loss and how to develop a mindset around food that helps them build strength, prevent disease, and live healthier for longer. Our conversation also covers physician burnout, why many women are leaving traditional medicine, cardiovascular disease, bone health, and what an ideal healthcare team for midlife women should look like. Join us today as we discuss women's midlife care, menopause, burnout, longevity, preventive medicine, redefining midlife, why women feel invisible in today's healthcare system, and how women can take control of their health with confidence. Dr. Jennifer Wagner's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-wagner-65609a210 Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  3. Jul 27

    Medical Misogyny, Vulvar Health, & The Future of Women’s Sexual Medicine w/ Dr. Maria Uloko

    Dr. Maria Uloko is a board certified urologist, sexual medicine specialist, and founder of Vulva AI, a company building the infrastructure for women's sexual health and vulvovaginal care delivery. She trained under pioneering sexual medicine specialist Dr. Irwin Goldstein and has become one of the most vocal advocates for closing the gender gap in medical education, research, and reimbursement.   In today's episode, Maria joins me to discuss her journey into sexual medicine and how she discovered how little she, and most physicians, knew about vulvar anatomy, hormonal health, and female sexual function.   We dive deep into the concept of medical misogyny, exploring how deeply rooted cultural bias has shaped what we call objective science and why women are still routinely told their pain is "all in their head."   Maria breaks down the staggering numbers behind the diagnostic gap for women suffering from conditions such as pelvic pain, overactive bladder, and recurrent urinary tract infections. On average, women wait seven years and spend $20,000 out of pocket before receiving the correct diagnosis.   Our conversation covers groundbreaking research on clitoral anatomy, the lack of diverse and accurate vulvar imagery in medical textbooks, and common myths surrounding estrogen and testosterone. Maria also shares how Vulva AI is using technology and patient education to empower patients to become active partners in their own care.   Join us as we explore medical misogyny, the science of vulvar health, common myths about women's health, the future of women's sexual medicine, and what it truly takes to become the CEO of your own healthcare. Dr. Maria Uloko's Links: http://instagram.com/mariaulokomd/?hl=en Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  4. Jul 14

    Why Women Feel Invisible During Menopause And How To Change It w/ Cara Kamenev

    Cara Kamenev is the CEO of Stripes Beauty, a menopause and wellness brand founded by Naomi Watts. After spending more than a decade at L'Oréal, Cara left the corporate world to help transform the conversation around menopause by making women's health, intimacy, and aging more approachable, empowering, and accessible. In today's episode, Cara joins me to discuss why menopause has been ignored for so long and why millions of women feel unseen during one of the longest stages of their lives. She shares how Stripes evolved from a struggling startup into a category defining company that is changing how women experience menopause. We dive into the biggest misconceptions surrounding menopause, why the beauty industry has traditionally focused on anti aging instead of healthy aging, and the three factors that can help women better understand what is happening to their bodies. Cara explains the importance of treating the whole woman during menopause and why the future of women's health goes far beyond products. She discusses why products should complement medical care, how to remove the stigma around menopause, and why women deserve solutions that make them feel confident instead of embarrassed. Join us today as we dive into menopause, perimenopause, healthy aging, intimacy, women's wellness, building confidence during midlife, making informed treatment decisions, why menopause deserves more investment, and much more. Cara Kamenev's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-kamenev-22019236 Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  5. Jun 30

    The Medical Myths About Women That Are Still Harming Millions w/ Meghan Rabbitt

    Meghan Rabbitt is an award-winning health journalist, women’s health advocate, and the author of “The New Rules of Women’s Health.” With more than 20 years of experience reporting on health and wellness, Meghan has interviewed leading doctors, researchers, and scientists throughout her career and has worked alongside Maria Shriver on The Sunday Paper. In today’s episode, Meghan joins me to discuss her new book, “The New Rules of Women’s Health,” the medical myths still harming women, and why women need to become the CEO of their own healthcare. We dive into the importance of understanding your own body, how to recognize symptoms that are often dismissed as “normal,” and how to ask the right questions during medical appointments. Meghan explains the impact of the language used by women’s healthcare providers, her personal experiences with such terminology, her journey into medical journalism, and the purpose of her new book. She also shares her experience with fibroids, hysterectomy, and other conditions that are not receiving the attention they deserve in women’s healthcare. We also talk about cardiovascular health, the dangers of ignored heart disease, menopause, and the most effective preventative care. Meghan also explains the long-term damage caused by certain misguided treatment methods in women’s healthcare. Join us today as we dive into harmful myths in women’s healthcare, menopause, heart disease, medical gaslighting, women’s pain, hormone therapy, fibroids, and how women can take control of their health and thrive at every stage of life. Meghan Rabbitt's Links: https://www.instagram.com/meghanrabbitt/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-rabbitt-04b80116 Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  6. Jun 16

    The Real Reason So Many Women Get Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Too Late w/ Deb Belfatto

    Deb Belfatto is a two-time breast cancer survivor, founder of Susan G. Komen North Jersey, founder of Let’s Talk Women’s Health and Wellness, and one of the most influential American community activists, and healthcare advocates for women’s health education in the country. She has helped raise more than $20 million for breast cancer research, education, screening, and community programs. In today’s episode, Deb shares the life-changing lessons she learned after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She reveals the steps she took to save her life after being dismissed by a doctor and why every woman needs to become her own advocate in the healthcare system. We discuss Deb's experience with breast cancer, the warning signs women should never ignore, how to navigate difficult medical diagnoses, when to seek second opinions, and why so many women are still being overlooked when it comes to preventive care, screening, and risk assessment. You’ll also learn how to have more productive conversations with your healthcare providers, understand your personal cancer risk, access the right screenings, and make informed decisions about your long-term health before problems become emergencies. Deb explains how she raised over $20 million for women's healthcare, why education can be life-saving, how women can take greater ownership of their health, and what healthcare professionals still get wrong when it comes to listening to women. Join us today to learn how to advocate for yourself, recognize breast cancer red flags earlier, make better healthcare decisions, understand breast cancer risk, build a stronger support system, and take control of your health with confidence. Deb Belfatto's Links: https://www.instagram.com/dqbelfatto/ Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  7. Jun 2

    The Truth About Menopause Sleep Problems Nobody Talks About w/ Lara Smith (Lusomé CEO)

    Lara Smith is the founder and CEO of Lusomé, an award-winning sleep technology company helping women improve sleep during menopause, night sweats, and hormonal changes. Her products have been featured in Oprah’s Favorite Things, recognized in Oprah Daily’s Sleep O-Wards, and clinically studied by researchers at Harvard Medical School for their impact on sleep quality and night sweats. In today’s episode, Lara joins me to discuss her journey into the world of women’s health and sleep science. She talks about why most “cooling” products are ineffective, how she engineered advanced, evidence-based moisture-management fabrics, and how she built Lusomé. We dive into the science behind hot flashes, sleep disruption, and why so many women feel ignored or dismissed when seeking help for menopause symptoms. Lara explains how Harvard Medical School clinically studied her sleep technology and why the results were so groundbreaking. Lara also opens up about the emotional side of entrepreneurship, how she survived a hostile takeover, rebuilt her company, and created her community, “The Sweaty Pillow” podcast, to help women access trusted menopause education and support. Our discussion also covers sleep hygiene, hormone changes during menopause, the myths around “cooling” products, and the need for better advocacy in women’s healthcare. Join us as we explore menopause-related sleep struggles, ineffective “cooling” products, night sweats, evidence-based sleep solutions, the gaps in women’s healthcare, hormonal health, and much more. Lara Smith's Links: https://www.instagram.com/laralusome/ Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  8. May 19

    The Real Reason Why Women Are Leaving Traditional Medicine w/ Dr. Taniqua Miller

    Dr. Taniqua Miller is a prominent, board-certified OB-GYN, menopause specialist, and founder of Revival Women's Health, a concierge midlife care practice focused on menopause, sexual health, cardiometabolic care, and women’s wellness. She is passionate about helping women navigate midlife transitions while challenging the broken systems inside traditional healthcare. In today’s episode, Taniqua joins me to discuss why so many women physicians are leaving traditional medicine despite having better patient outcomes and stronger relationships with patients. We dive into the realities of burnout, the emotional pressure placed on women doctors, and the toxic culture many women face inside healthcare systems. Taniqua shares her personal experience with anxiety, burnout, feeling silenced in medicine, and why she decided to leave traditional practice. Taniqua shares how menopause and perimenopause impact Black women differently, the gaps in healthcare that leave many women unsupported and unseen, and her suggestions on how to improve the healthcare system. Our discussion covers the pressure women feel to constantly care for others while neglecting themselves, the emotional toll of motherhood and medicine, and why women are reinventing themselves and building new careers. Join us today as we dive into burnout in medicine, why women are leaving traditional medicine, midlife reinvention, menopause and heart health, women’s healthcare disparities, balancing motherhood and career, and much more. Dr. Taniqua Miller's Links: https://www.instagram.com/taniquamillermd/ https://www.facebook.com/taniquaMD/ Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

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About

Welcome to The disruptHER, where power, purpose, and progress collide. I'm Dr. Somi Javaid, and this is where we amplify the voices creating real change for women

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Somi Javaid
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    disruptHER