The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca

Dr. Anna Cabeca OB/GYN

Dr. Anna Cabeca is The Girlfriend Doctor. She's the first call for the woman who has questions she would only ask her best girlfriend if her girlfriend were a triple-board-certified OB-GYN. This top health podcast is all about helping women live better lives — before, during, and after menopause.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Unbelievable Benefits of Broccoli Sprouts | Dr. Jed Fahey

    What if one of the most powerful tools for detoxification, brain health, hormone balance, and healthy aging was something you could grow in your kitchen? In this science-packed episode of The Girlfriend Doctor Podcast, Dr. Anna Cabeca sits down with renowned nutritional biochemist Dr. Jed W. Fahey — the pioneering researcher behind the discovery of the extraordinary chemoprotective power of broccoli sprouts. After 27 years at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he directed the Cullman Chemoprotection Center, Dr. Fahey explains why sulforaphane — derived from glucoraphanin found abundantly in broccoli sprouts — activates your body's own protective systems at the cellular level. Dr. Anna shares her personal clinical experiences using sulforaphane-rich compounds to support detoxification pathways, immune resilience, abnormal Pap smears, skin health, neurocognitive protection, and hormone balance — especially in midlife women. In this episode, you'll learn: What sulforaphane actually is (and why it matters) How it activates phase II detoxification pathways Why broccoli sprouts are more potent than mature broccoli Neuroprotective and brain benefits Research around skin and melanoma protection Dosage guidance for sprouts vs. supplements How to safely incorporate them into your daily routine This isn't about trendy superfoods. It's about turning on your body's built-in defense systems. Small daily choices. Powerful cellular protection.   Key Timestamps 00:01 – Welcome & why broccoli sprouts matter 03:14 – Broccoli sprouts vs. mature broccoli: what's the difference? 06:21 – What exactly is sulforaphane? 09:24 – Phase II detoxification explained simply 15:23 – Dr. Anna's powerful clinical case using sulforaphane 17:31 – Brain health & neurocognitive benefits 24:43 – How much should you take daily? 31:24 – Skin health & melanoma research 33:35 – Food vs. supplement: dosage considerations 42:13 – One big takeaway for healthy aging   Memorable Quotes "This isn't about complicated science. It's about small daily choices that protect your cells." "Sulforaphane switches on your body's own protective systems." "Broccoli sprouts are foundational — not optional — for longevity." "We want to help and do no harm." "You were made for vitality."   Connect With Our Guest Dr. Jed W. Fahey 🌱 Website: https://www.jedfahey.com/ Dr. Fahey serves as scientific advisor to several companies utilizing glucoraphanin, sulforaphane, and broccoli sprouts: Brassica Protection Products LLC https://brassica.com/company-info/ Food Nerd https://www.foodnerdinc.com/ The Sprouting Company https://www.thesproutingcompany.com/ PhytoSmart https://phytosmart.com/   Connect With Dr. Anna Website: Dranna.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegirlfrienddoctor   ✨ Stay nourished. Stay connected. And remember — you were made for vitality.

    56 min
  2. 6 FEB

    Don't Let Atrophy "Down There" Steal Your Right to Pleasure | Dr. Maria Sophocles

    In this empowering episode, Dr. Anna Cabeca, The Girlfriend Doctor, sits down with internationally respected gynecologist and menopause expert Dr. Maria Sophocles to break the silence around vaginal and vulvar atrophy, hormonal shifts, and declining intimacy in midlife. They explore why pain, dryness, and loss of desire are often normalized—and how this fuels what Dr. Sophocles calls "The Bedroom Gap." You'll learn how hormones, anatomy, stress, and communication impact pleasure, plus evidence-based strategies to restore comfort, confidence, and connection at any age. Menopause is natural. Suffering is optional—and pleasure is your birthright.   ⏱️ Key Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to The Girlfriend Doctor Show 01:45 – Why sexual medicine is missing from OB-GYN training 04:20 – What The Bedroom Gap really means 07:15 – Why women's sexual pain is often normalized 10:00 – The ABCs of sexual health: Acceptance, Being present, Communication 19:25 – Hormones, dryness, pain & loss of desire in midlife 23:10 – Vulvar anatomy & early signs women shouldn't ignore 28:15 – DHEA, estrogen & testosterone for tissue health 42:30 – Practical strategies to close the bedroom gap 58:00 – Reclaiming intimacy, confidence & pleasure at any age   💬 Memorable Quotes "You cannot heal a body you hate." "Menopause is natural. Suffering is optional." "If it hurts every time you do something, why would your body want it?" "Normalizing the problem is what keeps women stuck." "Intimacy isn't just physical—it's communication, confidence, and connection."   🔗 Connect With Dr. Maria Sophocles Website: https://www.mariasophoclesmd.com Virtual Practice: The Thinking Woman Book: The Bedroom Gap (available on Amazon & major booksellers) TED Talk & media features including Oprah Daily Founder, Women's Healthcare of Princeton   🔗 Connect With Dr. Anna Website: https://dranna.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegirlfrienddoctor

    1h 1m
  3. 20 JAN

    Women's Biohacking and Longevity Secrets | Dr. Kathleen O'Neil

    What if the future of women's longevity wasn't about fighting aging—but teaching the body how to adapt, regenerate, and thrive? In this deeply insightful episode of The Girlfriend Doctor Show, Dr. Anna Cabeca sits down with renowned longevity and regenerative medicine expert Dr. Kathleen O'Neil to unpack the cutting-edge science—and timeless fundamentals—behind women's biohacking, immune resilience, and healthy aging. Dr. O'Neil shares her extraordinary journey from pathology and the morgue to elite performance medicine, explaining how understanding why people die transformed how she helps patients live longer, stronger lives. Together, they explore immune modulation, peptides, GLP-1s, light and dark therapy, bone regeneration, adrenal health, energy medicine, and why balance—not extremes—is the true secret to longevity. From menopause and bone loss to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, peptides like oxytocin and thymosin, and the power of adaptability, this episode is a masterclass in personalized, ethical, regenerative medicine for women at every stage of life. If you're curious about biohacking beyond the hype—and want grounded, science-backed strategies that actually work—this conversation is for you.     Key Timestamps 00:01:00 – Welcome & introduction to longevity and regenerative medicine 04:05 – Dr. O'Neill's time in the morgue and what it taught her about immunity, aging, and silent disease 08:15 – The immune system explained: friend vs. foe, gut training, adaptability, and immune modulation 12:18 – Light, dark, melatonin, oxytocin & why darkness is essential for regeneration 13:19 – Feasting, fasting, and the paradoxes that build resilience and adaptability 16:04 – GLP-1s, peptides, and why dosage variability matters for long-term results 21:14 – Energy medicine, biochargers, frequency, vibration & photobiomodulation 24:10 – Adrenal burnout, cortisol dysregulation, and immune collapse 28:17 – Bone loss, ovarian aging clocks, and why prevention must start earlier 30:04 – Bone health, muscle, oxytocin & rebuilding resilience after menopause 36:17 – Regenerative medicine, stem cells, and ethical innovation in longevity care 40:41 – Inside a cutting-edge regenerative medicine clinic 41:02 – Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, lymphatic drainage & advanced recovery tools 45:18 – Personalized medicine, foundations first, adaptability & final takeaways     Memorable Quotes "Longevity is really gerotherapeutics—preventing aging by teaching the body how to regenerate." – Dr. Kathleen O'Neil "You can't hack your life without doing the fundamentals." – Dr. Kathleen O'Neil "Balance—light and dark, stress and recovery—is what creates adaptability." – Dr. Kathleen O'Neil "The immune system is a living medication inside us." – Dr. Kathleen O'Neil "Everything I do today is serving the version of myself I'll be in the future." – Dr. Anna Cabeca     Connect With Guest Dr. Kathleen O'Neil, MD Website: treatwellness.boston Instagram: @treatwellness_ About Dr. O'Neil: Dr. Kathleen O'Neil earned her M.D. from Boston University School of Medicine (Magna Cum Laude) and trained at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital. She is a global expert in regenerative and longevity medicine, peptide therapy, GLP-1s, and exosomes, working with elite athletes and professional teams. She is a founding board member of the International Peptide Society and the American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians and previously served as Medical Director of Tom Brady's TB12 Wellness Center.       Connect With Dr. Anna Cabeca 🎁 Exclusive Listener Gifts: 👉 dranna.com/tribe 📲 Follow Dr. Anna: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegirlfrienddoctor

    50 min
  4. 2 JAN

    HRT in the Blue Zones and How to Solve the Adrenal Crisis | Dr. Sangeeta Pati

    Midlife has a way of getting your attention, especially when your body starts changing in ways no one really prepared you for, and menopause is often right at the center of it. In this conversation, we talk honestly about what's really happening during this season and what women can do to feel more like themselves again. You'll hear how small, intentional shifts can lead to more energy, clarity, and resilience over time. This episode is about moving from just getting through midlife to actually feeling good in it.   I sat down with Dr. Sangeeta Pati, MD, FACOG, ABOIM, a Board-Certified OB/GYN and Integrative Medicine Physician with over 30 years of experience, and the Founder of MD Prescriptives and the SaJune Institute. We break down her simple but powerful five-point model covering hormones, nutrition, detoxification, mind-heart balance, and the physical body. She also shares how lessons from the Blue Zones apply to women's health, especially during menopause. Everything we discuss is practical, doable, and rooted in real science.   Dr. Sangeeta opens up about how her global work in maternal health and her own healing journey completely changed how she approaches women's care. We talk about stress, the nervous system, burnout, and why so many women feel overwhelmed in midlife. This episode connects the dots between everyday habits and the body's natural ability to heal. If you're craving a grounded, reassuring conversation about menopause, longevity, and whole-body wellness, you'll feel right at home here.   Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:04:17] Modern health care needs a radical shift. [00:06:52] Expanding the medical toolbox. [00:10:04] Oxytocin increasing behaviors. [00:12:27] What living in a blue zone teaches you. [00:15:17] Supporting the adrenals using the 3-step process. [00:28:06] Empowering the body to heal. [00:32:12] Gut health protocol. [00:37:12] Hormone optimization for longevity. [00:44:13] Joyful purpose, healing, and health. [00:45:47] Healing with the gifts of earth.   Memorable Quotes: "I consider modern life to be man's greatest disease." [00:12:56] – Dr. Sangeeta Pati   "It is the way that we take the journey that determines the destination. It's not the destination that determines the result. It is literally how we take the journey." [00:45:05] – Dr. Sangeeta Pati   Connect with Dr. Sangeeta Pati: Website: https://mdprescriptives.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takemypowerback_initiative & https://www.instagram.com/md_prescriptives Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555361832889 & https://www.facebook.com/mdprescriptives LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sangeeta-pati-md-facog-aboim-84283787/   Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca: Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca   Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    53 min
  5. 26/12/2025

    The Girlfriend Doctor Podcast Best of 2025

    As we look back on 2025, one thing became clear. The episodes that resonated most were not about quick fixes. They were about helping women finally understand their bodies. This year, you leaned into conversations that offered clarity instead of confusion, compassion instead of restriction, and real explanations for why your body responds the way it does.   In this special Best of 2025 episode, we are revisiting the moments that moved you most. You will hear powerful clips on gut health, hormones, burnout, mitochondria, intimacy, alcohol, oral and eye health, and the nervous system. Again and again, the message was the same. Your symptoms are not random, your body is not broken, and everything is connected. When we support digestion, calm the nervous system, and honor female physiology, healing becomes possible and sustainable.   If these conversations reflect what you are craving right now, I invite you to join the Keto-Green 16 Challenge. This is not just about healthy eating. It is about challenging what has been holding you back. For 16 days, you will replenish your body, boost your energy, and reconnect to your highest self with daily support from me, a private community, proven meal plans and recipes, intermittent fasting protocols designed for women, and real results like weight loss, mental clarity, and lasting energy.   Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Welcome to The Girlfriend Doctor Podcast. [00:02:57] The Gut-Hormone Link You Need to Know with Steven Wright [00:05:06] HRT: Compounding Hormones & Customization with Sahar Swidan [00:07:16] Histamine & Burnout: The Connection with Will Cole [00:10:33] Rethinking Your Relationship with Alcohol with Olivia Farrelly [00:14:40] Repair Your Mitochondria, Heal Your Body [00:18:07] Empowering Women: Beyond the Estrogen Window [00:00:25] The Deadly Secrets in Your Smile Part 1 [00:23:06] Reclaiming Sacred Sexuality [00:26:44] New Year Q&A Special: Heartfelt Stories, Hair Loss & Hormonal Insights [00:30:24] Eye Health & Migraine Relief (Live Community Call) Dr. Rani Banik   Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca: Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca   Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    33 min
  6. 12/12/2025

    How to Increase Libido After Menopause Naturally | Gabriella Espinosa

    So many women hit midlife and suddenly find themselves whispering about things they never thought they'd struggle with, like desire, dryness, disconnection, or feeling like a stranger in their own body. That quiet discomfort adds up, and it can take a real toll on intimacy and self-confidence. In this episode, we start talking about what's actually going on with your hormones, your libido, and your relationships, so you can finally get clarity instead of guessing.    Gabriella Espinosa, a Menopause Advocate, Women's Health and Sexual Wellness Coach, and Host of Pleasure in the Pause, joins me and immediately brings this grounded mix of wisdom, humor, and real-life experience. She opens up about her own perimenopause journey and why understanding your anatomy, pleasure points, and changing hormones is a total game-changer. We talk about how to speak up with your partner and your doctor in a way that feels honest and not awkward.   You'll hear simple, practical ways to reconnect with your body, rebuild desire, and shift the narrative around menopause from "something to survive" into something that actually expands your confidence. Gabriella shares how this stage of life can sharpen your wisdom, deepen your pleasure, and even make you feel sexier than you expected. If you've been craving a more open, empowering take on sexual wellness in your 40s, 50s, and beyond, this conversation is for you. And before you go, grab my Free Holiday Recipe Guide, 29 pages of hormone-friendly Keto-Green dishes that help you enjoy every festive bite without the crash, bloat, or guilt, available at dranna.com.   Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:01:54] Cost of silence in intimacy. [00:06:48] Midlife sexuality and pleasure. [00:09:40] Self-discovery through sexual anatomy. [00:12:11] Bodily awareness and sexual desire. [00:16:35] Intimacy and pleasure anatomy. [00:22:14] Pleasure exploration in midlife. [00:26:49] Menopause as an invitation. [00:30:06] Sexual awakening in later life. [00:32:10] Redefining midlife women's roles. [00:35:52] Healing a body you hate. [00:39:30] Unsilencing women's conversations.   Memorable Quotes:  "I discovered that midlife isn't the end. It isn't the end of pleasure. It's really a new, exciting chapter." [00:10:30] – Gabriella Espinosa   "Your pleasure isn't lost. It may be buried under layers of stress, shame, or disconnection, but it's not gone." [00:33:19] – Gabriella Espinosa   Links Mentioned: Free Holiday Recipe Guide: https://dranna.com/holidayrecipes   Connect with Gabriella Espinosa: Website: https://www.pleasureinthepause.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriellaespinosa/   Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca: Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca   Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    42 min
  7. 05/12/2025

    How to Increase Oxytocin levels + Why You Need To | Dr. Tyna Moore

    Oxytocin might get all the hype as the "love hormone," but the way it quietly shapes our mood, relationships, and everyday well-being is honestly pretty incredible once you understand it. In today's episode, you'll get a clear look at what this hormone is actually doing behind the scenes and why it plays such a big role in how connected, calm, and joyful we feel. We break down the real science in simple language and talk about the places where oxytocin shows up in your life without you even noticing.   I'm sitting down with my good friend, Dr. Tyna Moore, one of the smartest and most grounded voices in regenerative medicine, and a licensed Naturopathic Physician and Chiropractor with nearly 30 years of experience. She shares how oxytocin supports immunity, emotional balance, metabolic health, and even pain resilience in ways most women never hear about. We talk through simple, doable habits that naturally lift oxytocin without feeling like another task on your list.   We also open up about topics that deserve way more space, like vaginal atrophy, pelvic floor strength, intimacy changes, and how oxytocin weaves into all of it as we age. You'll walk away with insights you can use immediately to support your body, your mood, and your relationships. And before you tune out, don't forget to grab my Free Holiday Recipe Guide at dranna.com, it's packed with cozy, hormone-friendly Keto-Green recipes that let you enjoy the season without the crash or guilt.   Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:01:01] Oxytocin: The queen mother hormone. [00:04:48] Oxytocin's far-reaching benefits. [00:09:10] Oxytocin's impact on pain. [00:12:20] Boosting oxytocin for well-being. [00:16:02] Microdosing oxytocin through play. [00:21:05] Importance of community for longevity. [00:21:36] Oxytocin and stress reduction. [00:25:05] Oxytocin's role in hormones. [00:30:59] Medicalizing menopause concerns. [00:34:03] Hormones and family dynamics. [00:36:44] Physiology drives behavior transformation. [00:39:47] Oxytocin vs. Cortisol Dynamics. [00:44:05] Intimacy and stress management. [00:47:19] Vaginal health importance and microbiome. [00:56:50] Health of the vagina and intimacy. [00:59:20] Vaginal and urinary health solutions. [01:02:06] Hormonal impact on urinary health.   Memorable Quotes:  "It's a calming down of the nervous system enough to move through the pain is how I've tried to explain this to my patients and what I've experienced personally." [00:06:38] – Dr. Tyna Moore   "The more that you nurture me, make me feel safe, make me feel beautiful, make me feel happy, the more my hormones will respond positively and you will get the beautiful, happy wife that you deserve." [00:34:22] – Dr. Tyna Moore   Links Mentioned: Free Holiday Recipe Guide: https://dranna.com/holidayrecipes Ozempic Uncovered Course: https://www.drtyna.com/ozempicuncovered Dr. Anna's Oxytocin Quiz: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/oxytocin-quiz   Connect with Dr. Tyna Moore: Website: https://www.drtyna.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtynashow/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@drtyna Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-tyna-show/id1577258582   Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca: Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca   Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    1h 10m
  8. 28/11/2025

    Why You Probably Need to Drink Less | Dr. Brooke Scheller

    It's wild how easily alcohol becomes part of our routine, especially in midlife, yet so many women quietly wonder why their sleep, mood, or hormones suddenly feel out of sync. In this episode, we get real about what alcohol is actually doing behind the scenes and how a few simple nutrition shifts can change the way you feel (and even what you crave). I'm sitting down with Dr. Brooke Scheller, a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and Founder of Functional Sobriety, whose work is helping women rethink their drinking habits with compassion and curiosity.   Dr. Brooke opens up about her own sobriety journey and the surprising link she discovered between food and alcohol cravings. We break down the myth of "healthy" drinking, talk through why midlife hormones can make alcohol hit harder, and share the small swaps that make cutting back feel a lot less intimidating.   You'll hear insights that make you feel empowered, not judged, about what's going on in your body and why giving yourself a little more support can make a huge difference in your energy, mood, and clarity. And if you want a little extra help this season, grab my Free Holiday Recipe Guide filled with cozy, hormone-friendly dishes that taste like tradition without the crash, and hop on the 2025 VIP Hot List to be the first to know when my Black Friday deals go live.   Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:04:43] Alcohol consumption and the Gen Z [00:06:06] Should you really drink alcohol? [00:07:35] Alcohol's impact on midlife stress. [00:12:41] Gut health and sobriety. [00:21:11] Alcohol's impact on hormone balance. [00:23:07] Alcohol as a macronutrient. [00:28:23] Cravings and willpower connection. [00:31:41] Nutrient depletion and cravings. [00:36:31] Nutrient deficiencies and health. [00:38:50] Understanding cravings and nutrition. [00:43:33] The power of reducing alcohol. [00:47:08] Simple steps to take if you want to reduce alcohol.    Memorable Quotes:  "I really challenge people, and what I hope that people take away from this discussion is really just starting to think about what alcohol means to them." [00:08:46] – Dr. Brooke Scheller   "It wasn't until we unlocked that alcohol piece that everything else started falling into place." [00:46:25] – Dr. Brooke Scheller   Links Mentioned: Free Holiday Recipe Guide: https://dranna.com/holidayrecipes Black Friday 2025 VIP Hot List: https://dranna.com/deals How to Eat to Change How You Drink Book: https://a.co/d/6hjCXTE   Connect with Dr. Brooke Scheller: Website: http://www.functionalsobriety.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbrookescheller/   Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca: Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca   Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    52 min

About

Dr. Anna Cabeca is The Girlfriend Doctor. She's the first call for the woman who has questions she would only ask her best girlfriend if her girlfriend were a triple-board-certified OB-GYN. This top health podcast is all about helping women live better lives — before, during, and after menopause.

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