Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones

Dr. Sameena Rahman
  • 5.0 (41)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

As a fierce champion for women empowering women (and the people that love them), GynoGirl provides the knowledge and education to help you advocate for yourself so that you can live your best life! Dr. Sameena Rahman curates a space for exploring hormonal changes, sexual health, and pelvic wellness, while also emphasizing self-love and life improvement. Through collaborations with leading experts and the personal stories of patients, she provides a platform for knowledge-sharing while also addressing healthcare issues that have impaired women’s quality of life.  A board-certified, South-Asian Muslim-American gynecologist who specializes in sex medicine and menopause, Dr. Rahman highlights the influence of religion, culture, racial bias, and societal factors on sexual health experiences.

  1. 1d ago

    Anxiety, OCD, and ADHD in Kids with Dr. John Parkhurst

    Mental health challenges in kids aren't what they used to be. More kids are struggling with anxiety, OCD, and ADHD, and parents often don't know what's normal versus what needs professional help. For many listeners, you're managing your own hormonal shifts while parenting kids going through puberty with their own mental health challenges at the same time. Understanding what's happening with your kids helps you navigate what's happening in your household. In this episode, Dr. John Parkhurst, a child psychologist at Northwestern, breaks down what's really happening with kids' mental health right now. He explains why anxiety spikes during puberty, the difference between anxiety and OCD, what harm OCD actually looks like, and which treatments actually work—from cognitive behavioral therapy to medication. We also discuss ADHD, executive function, and how parents can support their kids effectively.

    59 min

  2. May 22

    Trauma, Lost Desire, and ART: A Breakthrough Therapy with Brooke Bralove

    Trauma shows up in unexpected ways. Chronic pelvic pain. Lost desire. The inability to tolerate a pelvic exam. These aren't always about what happened last week sometimes they're about what happened decades ago. In this episode, I talk with Brooke Bralove, a psychotherapist and sex therapist, about Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) a treatment that works differently than traditional talk therapy. Instead of processing trauma over years, ART can resolve it in 1-5 sessions using rapid eye movement and image replacement. Brooke walks through what actually happens in an ART session and shares patient stories showing how the therapy works on pelvic pain, OCD, and birth trauma. We also talk about desire in long-term relationships and what it takes to rebuild intimacy when spontaneous desire is no longer part of the picture. HighlightsART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) can resolve trauma in 1-5 sessions using rapid eye movement and image replacement instead of years of talk therapy.Childhood trauma often shows up decades later as chronic pelvic pain, sexual pain, or the inability to tolerate intimacy.Birth trauma and medical trauma can be processed with ART without having to relive the experience over and over.In long-term relationships, you may need to grieve the loss of spontaneous desire before you can build responsive desire.Masturbation is often the most important homework in sex therapy because understanding your own body is essential to communicating what you need. I hope you enjoyed this episode. As we keep learning more about trauma and midlife, we find that we're all dealing with some kind of struggle. By continuing this show, it's my way of helping you learn and find answers. My goal is to help more women in midlife and women with sexual dysfunction. If you've been enjoying this podcast, please subscribe so that more people can find us. Get in Touch with Brooke: Website Facebook Instagram Tik Tok LinkedIn Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    1h 7m

  3. May 15

    Teaching Anatomical Language, AI in Medicine, and Why Three OB-GYNs Stopped Delivering Babies with Dr. Meredith McClure and Dr. Ashley Fuller

    Women's health is a team sport. That's something we've all learned the hard way—not in residency, but years later when we realized how much we weren't taught about vulvovaginal health. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Meredith McClure from Dallas and Dr. Ashley Fuller from Seattle. They co-host the Labialogic podcast and both specialize in treating the conditions that most doctors either miss or dismiss—lichen sclerosus, desquamative inflammatory vaginitis, recurrent BV and yeast infections that won't go away. All three of us left obstetrics years ago and now run gynecology-only practices. And we've all come to the same conclusion: what we learned in training wasn't enough. We were taught not to examine the clitoris. We weren't taught proper vulvar anatomy. We weren't taught how to diagnose or treat the complex cases that show up in our offices every single day. We talk about why there's no one-size-fits-all approach to recurrent infections. We discuss the tests that doctors over-rely on for BV diagnosis that aren't actually accurate. And we share some of the worst medical gaslighting stories we've heard—like telling a PGAD patient "you've been through childbirth, how bad could this be?" We also discuss AI in medicine, why private equity is a problem, and how teaching women proper anatomical language changes outcomes. Highlights:We were all trained in residency not to examine the clitoris, which means many vulvar conditions get missed.Recurrent BV has no one-size-fits-all approach. Some DNA tests only check for Gardnerella and lead to false positives and overtreatment when what works depends on each person's unique microbiome.Don't use one-dose Monistat. It can cause severe inflammatory reactions in the vulva.Some vaginal inflammation doesn't show up on swabs and requires a microscope exam to diagnose properly.Teaching women proper anatomical language (knowing vulva vs. vagina, labia minora vs. majora) actually improves treatment outcomes.Lichen sclerosus is one of the most commonly missed diagnoses because doctors aren't examining the vulva properly. We hope that this episode gave you information that can help you understand that there are clinicians out there that want to help and find answers to your vulvovaginal health concerns. I appreciate everyone who is part of this community, and if you haven't already done so, I would appreciate you subscribing as it helps more women find the show so that they can get the information that they are looking for. Connect with Dr. Fuller: Website Podcast Instagram Facebook Connect with Dr. McIntire Website Instagram Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    54 min

  4. May 8

    Endometriosis, Pelvic Floor PT, and the Medical Gaslighting That Keeps Women in Pain with Jandra Mueller

    Endometriosis is often talked about as a pelvic disease, but it's actually a systemic inflammatory condition that affects the entire body. And the way we diagnose and treat it is still failing too many patients. In this episode, I sit down with Jandra Mueller, a pelvic floor physical therapist in San Diego and the incoming educational chair for the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health. Jandra specializes in treating patients with endometriosis and has a unique perspective both as a clinician and as someone who went through the diagnostic odyssey herself. Her own experience getting diagnosed drove her to focus on this work. She spent years dealing with symptoms that kept getting dismissed and saw multiple specialists who couldn't figure out what was wrong. Even as a pelvic floor PT working in a hospital-based women's health center with access to specialists, it took years to get the right diagnosis. We discuss why the new guidelines for diagnosing endometriosis are a step forward but still fall short. We talk about the pelvic pentad the association between endometriosis, hypermobility, mast cell activation syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction, and vestibulodynia. And we get into why fibrotic endometriosis is often overlooked during surgery and what that means for patients who continue to have symptoms after excision. HighlightsDoctors can now start treating endometriosis based on your symptoms without requiring surgery first.Scar tissue from endometriosis is often missed during surgery because it doesn't always show up on the biopsy.Endometriosis often shows up alongside other conditions like hypermobility, mast cell issues, and pelvic pain with sex.Not all surgeons who say they specialize in endometriosis actually have the advanced training needed.If you still have symptoms after surgery, keep pushing for answers—it doesn't mean the pain is in your head.Treating endometriosis with pelvic floor PT means looking at your whole body, not just your pelvis.Pain before bowel movements is a classic endometriosis symptom that often gets overlooked. If you're experiencing symptoms that aren't improving with treatment, don't stop advocating. Finding the right endometriosis specialist matters not all surgeons have the same level of training. Consider working with a pelvic floor physical therapist who understands endometriosis and can look at your whole body, not just your pelvis. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss upcoming episodes. Get in Touch with Dr. Mueller: Website Instagram Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    55 min

  5. May 1

    Perimenopause, Mental Load, and Why We're Not Going Away with Beth Crosby (Garbage Mom)

    This week we welcome Beth Crosby, aka Garbage Mom, to the show. Beth is an actress, comedian, and content creator. She started creating content during the pandemic as an outlet to connect with other women and share in the perimenopause transition. She now has over 250k subscribers and is the creator of Perimenapalooza™. We talk about her symptoms of perimenopause and how anxiety was one of the worst. We also chat about being in an industry that works last minute and isn't conducive to women being mothers. She shares how she had undiagnosed celiac disease that was causing a lot of issues and dealt with medical gaslighting from doctors until she finally got the right tests to discover what was going on. She also shares why, even though she knew how raw and honest she wanted to be, it's scary to really put everything out there online. And she shares some amazing attention she's getting from her idols—Alanis Morissette commented on her post about Perimenapalooza. She's hilarious, vulnerable, and completely unfiltered about what it's really like navigating perimenopause while trying to keep your career, marriage, and sanity intact. Highlights Gen X is the first generation refusing to accept the status quo whether it's breaking generational trauma or demanding better healthcare.If something feels off, keep going until you find the help you need.Motherhood is a gift but also hard.Vaginal estrogen can make a real difference when sex drive disappears.Freeze your eggs if you're young and unsure about timing.Couples therapy helps navigate the changes perimenopause brings to relationships.Don't accept "it's just your period" as an answer push for help. If you're experiencing symptoms that don't feel right, don't accept "it's just your period" or "this is normal" as an answer. Keep pushing until you find the help you need. Talk to your provider about what's actually happening. If they dismiss you, find someone who will listen. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss upcoming episodes. Connect with Beth: Website Instagram Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    52 min

  6. Apr 24

    Understanding Orgasms: Science, Solutions, and Why Doctors Don't Ask with Dr. Lauren Streicher

    We start with a frustrating reality: 70% of OB-GYNs never ask patients about orgasm. And when women finally get the courage to bring it up themselves, the answer is usually "I'm so sorry, this just happens when you age." I ask Dr. Streicher to break down what an orgasm actually is and why arousal has to happen first. We discuss the different types of orgasms clitoral, cervical, and the controversial G-spot. Dr. Streicher shares the fascinating Maria Bonaparte research from the 1920s that discovered the 2.5 centimeter rule and why anatomical distance matters for orgasm during intercourse. We dive into primary versus acquired orgasmic dysfunction. For women who've never had an orgasm, nine out of ten times they just need education and a map to their clitoris. For women who used to have orgasms and can't anymore, SSRIs are often the culprit not hormones. We discuss solutions including Viagra, topical sildenafil, CBD, and why local estrogen on the clitoris matters. Dr. Streicher walks me through the history of vibrators and why they become necessary as women age and nerve endings become less sensitive. We talk about how to bring up using a vibrator with a partner and why it's a tool to make something possible, not just a toy for fun. We also discuss the FDA's removal of the box warning from local vaginal estrogen and what that means for women who were told they couldn't use it. HighlightsThe tiny nerve endings in the clitoris that respond to soft touch degenerate the most with age, while thicker ones that respond to vibration stay intact longer.The cervix has nerve endings that go to a different part of the spinal cord, which is why some women with spinal cord injuries can still have cervical orgasms.About 30% of women who develop orgasmic dysfunction from SSRIs will see improvement if they wait it out.There's no expiration date on local vaginal estrogen you can start using it at 99 years old,Only 7% of women consistently reach orgasm from intercourse alone without additional clitoral stimulation. If you're experiencing difficulty with orgasm or sexual function, don't accept "this just happens with age" as an answer. There are real solutions available, from addressing SSRI side effects to using local estrogen to exploring vibrators as medical tools. Talk to your provider about what's actually happening. If they don't have answers, find someone who specializes in sexual medicine. Connect with Dr. Streicher: Website Podcast Instagram Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack Mentioned in this episode: GSM Collective The GSM Collective - Chicago Boutique concierge gynecology practice Led by Dr. Sameena Rahman, specialist in sexual medicine & menopause Unrushed appointments in a beautiful, private setting Personalized care for women's health, hormones, and pelvic floor issues Multiple membership options available Ready for personalized women's healthcare? Visit our Chicago office today. GSM Collective

    1h 1m

  7. Apr 17

    Pelvic Venous Disorders, Chronic Pain, and the Pelvic Floor with Dr. Julie Baron

    Why do so many women with chronic pelvic pain get told "this is just motherhood" or "it'll get better when you go through menopause"? What if the heaviness, the aching, the constant discomfort isn't something you have to live with? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Julie Baron, a pelvic floor physical therapist and director of Pelvic Health and Performance Center in Bellevue, Washington. Dr. Baron blew our minds at ISSWSH this year with her groundbreaking lecture on pelvic venous disorders a condition that's massively underdiagnosed and often dismissed as "just in your head." Dr. Baron shares her own lived experience with pelvic venous disease. For years, she couldn't sit or stand for more than 10 minutes without needing to lie down. She saw urologists, gynecologists, GI docs, colorectal specialists, and pelvic PTs and everyone told her she was normal. She was working as a pelvic floor PT herself, helping other people with pelvic pain while feeling like a fraud because she couldn't solve her own. She finally diagnosed herself, pushed her way into getting the imaging no one wanted to order, and finally felt validated after the report came back showing renal vein obstruction, iliac obstruction, gonadal vein reflux, and 12-millimeter varicose veins across her uterus. After gonadal vein embolization and sclerotherapy, her life changed completely. We discuss the classic presentation of pelvic venous disorderschronic non-cyclical ache or heaviness that gets worse throughout the day, urinary urgency, postcoital pain, and varicose veins. We talk about why pregnancy is one of the biggest risk factors and how hypermobility disorders, MCAS, and POTS all connect. Dr. Baron explains the imaging process and why a normal ultrasound doesn't always mean you're fine. She also explains the five functions of the pelvic floor and how pelvic venous disease impacts everything from bladder support to sexual function. We get into the sump pump concept, why belly breathing can actually make things worse for this patient population, and how compression shorts can be life-changing. Dr. Baron shares her protocol for helping patients optimize venous return through breathing, positioning, and nervous system regulation. If you're experiencing chronic pelvic pain and feel like you're being dismissed or told it's normal, talk to your provider about pelvic venous disease. While it's frustrating, don't stop advocating for yourself even if you're told everything is normal. You know your body, and if something feels off, keep pushing for answers. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss episodes like this one. Episode Mentioned: Dr. Alexis Cutchins Get in Touch with Dr. Baron: Website Instagram Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    54 min

  8. Apr 10

    Labiaplasty, Anatomy, Overdoing It, Traveling for Surgery & Prevention with Dr. Dahlia Rice

    Why are women always apologizing for their bodies? Should you feel guilty about wanting plastic surgery in midlife? And what actually happens during a labiaplasty? In this Between Two Labia episode a subseries of the podcast filmed in my office I sit down with Dr. Dahlia Rice a board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of DMR Aesthetics Chicago. Dr. Rice started her career doing autopsies and teaching human anatomy before becoming one of only 1,400 female board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. There's a misconception that labiaplasty is only cosmetic women trying to mimic unrealistic porn aesthetics. But the reality is that many are functional. Some women can't wear jeans or bike comfortably because of an elongated labia minora. Dr. Rice emphasizes finding a surgeon who does these procedures regularly and understands the anatomy. Being too aggressive can damage the clitoral arousal tissue that sits right behind the labia. Recovery sounds intimidating, but while there's significant swelling that Dr. Rice calls "Frankenpussy," the area heals quickly. You'll need to elevate your hips as much as possible during the first week and use lots of ice, but it's not as horrible as you might think. We also discuss medical tourism. A good deal on plastic surgery abroad sounds appealing, but Dr. Rice explains what happens when complications arise and you're back home with no one willing to help. The US has more expensive procedures because of stringent training and regulations, but when things go wrong overseas, you can fall through the cracks. Insurance won't cover it, and finding a surgeon to fix someone else's work becomes a challenge. Dr. Rice and I talk about why representation matters in plastic surgery. Only 20% of plastic surgeons in the US are female, even though over 90% of patients are women. We discuss how cultural understanding affects outcomes from knowing the right placement for eyelid creases in Asian patients to understanding how different cultures communicate about complications. Highlights50% of labia are naturally asymmetric, but social media and porn have created unrealistic expectations of what "normal" should look like.Plastic surgery as a board certification specialty has only existed since the 1940s, even though reconstructive procedures have been performed since ancient times.There's now cadaver fat available as an alternative to using your own fat for transfer, which eliminates issues with poor "take" in older patients.Korean skincare focuses on prevention and low inflammation from a young age, while Americans take a "guns blazing" approach when we suddenly panic about aging.Pigmentation naturally darkens during menopause regardless of your ethnicity or background.Plastic surgery has shifted from focusing on what men want to what women want for themselves and their own comfort. If you're considering any aesthetic procedures in midlife, take time to find a surgeon who understands the anatomy and does these procedures regularly. Ask to see their work, understand the recovery process, and set realistic expectations about outcomes. What other topics would you like to see from me? Who would you like me interview next? DM on Instagram. Get in Touch with Dr. Rice: Website Instagram TikTok Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    52 min
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About

As a fierce champion for women empowering women (and the people that love them), GynoGirl provides the knowledge and education to help you advocate for yourself so that you can live your best life! Dr. Sameena Rahman curates a space for exploring hormonal changes, sexual health, and pelvic wellness, while also emphasizing self-love and life improvement. Through collaborations with leading experts and the personal stories of patients, she provides a platform for knowledge-sharing while also addressing healthcare issues that have impaired women’s quality of life.  A board-certified, South-Asian Muslim-American gynecologist who specializes in sex medicine and menopause, Dr. Rahman highlights the influence of religion, culture, racial bias, and societal factors on sexual health experiences.

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