Fempower Health | A Women's Health Podcast Georgie Kovacs

Originally published March 28, 2023
In this honest and moving episode, author Ruby Warrington joins Fempower Health to discuss her new book, Women Without Kids. We cover all topics from childless couples who don’t want children to women who can’t have children even though it’s their deepest desire.
Ruby shares her experiences writing such an important book, societal pressures for women to have kids, patriarchal assumptions, childlessness vs child-free, and fertility and sterility issues influencing adults today. 
Listen for an insightful, relatable conversation and be sure to check out Ruby’s newest book, Women Without Kids, available in Spring 2023.
Discussed in this episode:
Thoughts on Ruby’s new book and why she wrote itWhat does motherhood mean today?The impact our relationships with our mothers have on views on motherhoodWhy do women decide to not have kids?Rethinking the assumption that women should automatically want childrenExternal pressures women face about marriage, motherhood, and childrearing Infertility and its impact on women with no kidsPronatalism and society’s historical conditioning
“There’s no such thing as normal. There’s no perfect, untainted path. Whatever path we choose in life is going to come with some regrets, challenges, and suffering.” - Ruby WarringtonRelated to this episode:
Ruby’s website: www.rubywarrington.com Get the Book: Women Without KidsFollow Ruby on Instagram: @rubywarrington Recommended Book: Birth StrikeRecommended Book: CountdownResources and episodes on Breaking Taboos

If you're passionate about advancing women's health, there are many ways you can support the Fempower Health Podcast. Here's how:
Subscribe and Listen: Tune in to new episodes every Tuesday by subscribing to the Fempower Health Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your regular listenership is invaluable!Leave a Review: Help us grow by leaving a review on Apple, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only supports us but also helps others discover our podcast.Share with Others: Spread the word by sharing episodes with friends, family, or anyone interested in women's health. Every share helps!Engage with Our Community: Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and engaging content. If you are interested in chronic pelvic pain or perimenopause & menopause, specifically, we've created specific social accounts: Peri/Menopause Instagram, a href="https://www.facebook.com/fempowerhealth.peri.meno"...

Originally published January 25, 2021
Whether you know you have a thyroid condition or have symptoms you can't seem to find the right answers to resolve them, this episode is for you.
Denise Roguz is the co-founder, owner, and operator of ThyroidChange. It is a collaborative network, health information website, and social media campaign. It unites an international community of medical professionals and patients under the same innovative vision: patients need personalized thyroid care for optimal wellness.
Her passion stemming from her own 17 years journey to get diagnosed and treated for her condition shines through in this episode which promises to open your eyes, educate you, and empower you on your journey.
In this episode we cover:
Why thyroid conditions are hard to diagnoseWhat tests your doctor should order - it's more than TSHTypes of thyroid conditionsWhat to expect once you are diagnosed
"TSH is not the only test. It's one piece of the puzzle of maybe how or why your thyroid is working, but it's not the only one. So the question is, how do I know how my doctor is interpreting the labs?" - Denise RoguzResources
Talk to your doctor printable PDFRecommended Books on Chronic and Autoimmune Diseases
Resources and episodes on Thyroid Disease

If you're passionate about advancing women's health, there are many ways you can support the Fempower Health Podcast. Here's how:
Subscribe and Listen: Tune in to new episodes every Tuesday by subscribing to the Fempower Health Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your regular listenership is invaluable!Leave a Review: Help us grow by leaving a review on Apple, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only supports us but also helps others discover our podcast.Share with Others: Spread the word by sharing episodes with friends, family, or anyone interested in women's health. Every share helps!Engage with Our Community: Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and engaging content. If you are interested in chronic pelvic pain or perimenopause & menopause, specifically, we've created specific social accounts: Peri/Menopause Instagram, Peri/Menopause Facebook, Peri/Menopause TikTok, Chronic Pelvic Pain Instagram, Chronic Pelvic Pain TikTokStay...

Originally Released April 5, 2022
PCOS impacts 1 in 10 women yet it is still underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed. Dr. Jerilynn Prior, of the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR), is a Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of British Columbia, with 40 years experience in women’s health. She brings an interesting perspective to what might happen if we considered PCOS to primarily be a hormone imbalance rather than a disease.
In this episode, we cover the following:
Difference between ovarian cysts and PCOSWhy PCOS is not the best term to describe the conditionWhat is the main cause of PCOS?What are the first signs of PCOS?What is the diagnostic criteria for PCOS?How having multiple criteria (e.g., Rotterdam and International) for diagnosing PCOS creates confusion leading to multiple cases of delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosisCan PCOS tests be wrong?Can birth control make PCOS worse?Can birth control cause PCOS?Is PCOS genetically inherited?
“To me, this is the hopeful message. PCOS is a hormone imbalance, not a disease.” - Dr Jerilynn PriorResources:
Resources and episodes on PCOS

If you're passionate about advancing women's health, there are many ways you can support the Fempower Health Podcast. Here's how:
Subscribe and Listen: Tune in to new episodes every Tuesday by subscribing to the Fempower Health Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your regular listenership is invaluable!Leave a Review: Help us grow by leaving a review on Apple, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only supports us but also helps others discover our podcast.Share with Others: Spread the word by sharing episodes with friends, family, or anyone interested in women's health. Every share helps!Engage with Our Community: Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and engaging content. If you are interested in chronic pelvic pain or perimenopause & menopause, specifically, we've created specific social accounts: Peri/Menopause Instagram, Peri/Menopause Facebook, Peri/Menopause TikTok, Chronic Pelvic Pain Instagram, Chronic Pelvic Pain TikTokStay Informed: Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest announcements, news, and research directly in your inbox.Reach Out: We love hearing from you! Reach out

Originally published March 12, 2024
Learn how your vaginal flora and gut microbiome contribute to your reproductive health. Dr. Caroline Mitchell shares her expertise and research on this important but overlooked topic.
Episode Summary
In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the delicate balance of the vaginal microbiome. Dr. Caroline Mitchell, distinguished reproductive health researcher and faculty member at the Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital, shares her profound insight on why a healthy vaginal microbiome is crucial in women's health. 
With a background in Women’s Studies at Harvard College and groundbreaking research funded by prestigious organizations, Dr. Mitchell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion. She explains the complexities of understanding vaginal flora, the challenges posed by bacterial vaginosis (BV), and the intriguing connections between gut health and vaginal health. 
Listen to learn about some of the most significant yet overlooked aspects of women's reproductive health. We discuss how to balance the vaginal microbiome, what to do about chronic bacterial vaginosis, use cases for a vaginal microbiome transplant, and what innovative treatments are emerging in women’s health. 
Key Discussion Points
Why a healthy vaginal microbiome is crucial for women's overall health and how imbalances can lead to conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV).The difficulties of limited funding and the complexity of research regarding the vaginal microbiome.Symptoms of BV, its limited treatment options, and common misdiagnoses such as vulvodynia.Yeast infection vs. BV vs. UTI symptoms.The impact of antibiotic use on the vaginal and gut microbiomes, plus the need for caution and further research.Vaginal microbiome transplants and the potential of lactobacillus crispatus in treating BV, plus the future of an at-home vaginal microbiome test.What to consider when looking for the best women's probiotics for vaginal health, and how to avoid unnecessary products and irritants.The importance of accurate diagnosis, treatment, and management for vaginal health.
"When the good kind of lactobacillus are not dominating the vaginal microbial community, people are at higher risk for preterm birth, HIV acquisition, human papillomavirus—at risk for both acquisition and progression to cervical dysplasia and potentially cancer."  - Dr. Caroline MitchellRelated to this episode:
Resources and episodes on the Gut and Vaginal Microbiome
Follow Dr. Caroline Mitchell on Instagram and  LinkedIn. Follow her lab on Instagram.Learn more about Dr Mitchell’s research and consider enrolling in her clinical trials MOTIF (be a donor recipient)MOTIF (be a donor)  VIBRANT study, looking at a live biotherapeuticLearn about thea...

Originally published October 3, 2023
Dr. Sarah E. Hill, PhD is a research psychologist and expert in the effects of birth control on women’s lives. She is the author of the book, "This is Your Brain on Birth Control" and has dedicated her research to uncovering the science behind hormonal birth control and its potential impacts. 
In this episode, Dr. Sarah E. Hill discusses the importance of understanding the science of birth control and its influence on choices women make, such as pursuing education, careers, and even romantic partners. She presents recent developments and research on birth control, including the approval of over-the-counter options and the potential effects of the Roe v. Wade overturn. 
Listen as Dr. Sarah E. Hill shares her expertise and insights on the conversation surrounding birth control in our modern society, and how it relates to women’s health empowerment today.
Discussed in this episode:
The impacts of birth control on hormones and healthHow hormones affect mood, behavior, and mental health in womenCan birth control affect attraction and partner choices?Why individual women respond differently to birth control pillsThe importance of women being aware of potential birth control side effects Exploring the question: is birth control bad?Sex education and birth controlLearning to self-monitor when starting or switching birth control methods Access to birth control after Roe v. Wade overturnedThe need for women’s health education on their hormones and other birth control alternatives 
"The full extent to which birth control pills impact us isn't well understood, and we have been far too cavalier with our hormones. I can't help thinking that we would be a lot more careful with ourselves if we understood how we work and why we work that way."  - Dr. Sarah E. HillRelated to this episode:
Get Dr. Hill’s Book: This is Your Brain on Birth Control Resources and episodes on Hormones & Menstrual Health
On the Blog: What Women Want & Need to Know About Birth ControlFree Resources: Female Reproductive Health & HormonesRelated Books: www.bookshop.org/lists/understanding-your-body-anatomy-menstrual-cycle-hormones 
If you're passionate about advancing women's health, there are many ways you can support the Fempower Health Podcast. Here's how:
Subscribe and Listen: Tune in to new episodes every Tuesday by subscribing to the Fempower Health Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your regular listenership is invaluable!Leave a Review: Help us grow by leaving a review on Apple, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only supports us but also helps others discover our

How are metabolism, health, and menopause linked? Listen as Dr. Lara Briden shares insights from her new book, Metabolism Repair for Women.
Episode Summary
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Lara Briden, naturopathic doctor and celebrated author of “Period Repair Manual.” Dr. Briden joins Fempower Heath to discuss metabolic health in light of her newest book, "Metabolism Repair for Women." Known for her thorough and research-based approach to women's health, Lara shares her expertise on the often misunderstood topic of metabolic health—particularly its significance during the perimenopausal and menopausal stages of a woman’s life.
Discussed in this episode:
The connection between metabolic health, general health, mental health, and women's hormonesWhy metabolism health is not just about weight loss but about overall energy and well-beingHow hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can lead to insulin resistance How hormonal birth control can have different metabolic effectsWays to manage and improve metabolic health during perimenopause and menopauseThe potential metabolic benefits of a low-carb diet and its role in reducing cravings for carbohydrates
"What's happening metabolically in the brain at menopause is potentially going to have long-term consequences."​​ -  Dr. Lara Briden
Related to this episode:
Resources on Perimenopause and MenopauseCheck out Dr. Lara Briden’s books:  Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual, and Metabolism Repair for WomenLearn more about Dr. Lara Briden and follow her on Instagram
If you're passionate about advancing women's health, there are many ways you can support the Fempower Health Podcast. Here's how:
Subscribe and Listen: Tune in to new episodes every Tuesday by subscribing to the Fempower Health Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your regular listenership is invaluable!Leave a Review: Help us grow by leaving a review on Apple, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only supports us but also helps others discover our podcast.Share with Others: Spread the word by sharing episodes with friends, family, or anyone interested in women's health. Every share helps!Engage with Our Community: Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and engaging content. If you are interested in chronic pelvic pain or perimenopause & menopause, specifically, we've created specific social accounts: Peri/Menopause Instagram, a...