Speaking of Women's Health

SWH
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The Speaking of Women's Health Podcast is excited to bring you credible women's health information from host and Executive Director, Dr. Holly L. Thacker. Dr. Thacker will interview guest clinicians discussing relevant women's health topics and the latest news and tips.Please  consider supporting Speaking of Women's Health with a monetary donation to help us continue to provide free women's health content. Thank you!

  1. 1 day ago

    A practical back-to-school checklist for students of every age

    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

  2. 19 Aug

    Fiber maxing—Is it good for your gut?

    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

  3. 12 Aug

    Why PCOS got renamed to PMOS and what that means

    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

  4. 5 Aug

    Summer skin and hair protection that actually works

    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

  5. 29 Jul

    Your foot pain is telling you something and here is how to respond

    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

  6. 22 Jul

    You are not too old for menopause treatment

    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

  7. 15 Jul

    How to avoid the parasite Cryptosporidiosis and the "explosive" symptoms

    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

  8. 8 Jul

    The truth about peptides for weight loss and recovery

    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

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About

The Speaking of Women's Health Podcast is excited to bring you credible women's health information from host and Executive Director, Dr. Holly L. Thacker. Dr. Thacker will interview guest clinicians discussing relevant women's health topics and the latest news and tips.Please  consider supporting Speaking of Women's Health with a monetary donation to help us continue to provide free women's health content. Thank you!

Information

  • Creator
    SWH
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    228
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Speaking of Women's Health
  • Show Website
    Speaking of Women's Health

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