Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones

Dr. Sameena Rahman
  • 5.0 (37)
  • 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. 4D AGO

    Global Women's Health: Maternal Mortality, Menopause, and Cultural Barriers with Dr. Sadia Malick

    Dr. Sadia Malick has practiced medicine across four countries. She's delivered babies in the UK's best hospitals and in the mountains of Pakistan where women have nothing. She's founded a charity that's saved 8,000 mothers' lives. And she's spent her career caring for women who are told their suffering is just "the age of despair." Dr. Malick has spent her life caring for women across the UK, Pakistan, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. She founded a charity that trains midwives on clean, sanitary practices and provides lifesaving interventions to pregnant women in rural Pakistan. We discuss why 50% of global maternal deaths happen in just four countries, and how evidence based measures can save lives. We also talk about how menopause presents differently across cultures and populations, the cultural barriers women face when seeking care, and why conversations about hormones and aging remain deeply stigmatized in many regions. While symptoms may vary, what's universal is how much work we still have to do whether it's PCOS and insulin resistance, young cancer survivors entering menopause without follow up care, or ensuring every woman understands why vaginal estrogen matters. This conversation is about cultural humility, global health disparities, and why education about perimenopause needs to start in schools, not at age 40. Highlights:Maternal mortality is concentrated in just four countries, but simple interventions like clean supplies and IV iron can save lives.Menopause symptoms present differently across populations South Asian women experience more joint pain and mood issues than hot flashes.Cultural expectations around fertility and aging create additional barriers for women seeking menopause care.Young cancer survivors are sent home at 23 in menopause with no follow-up care or education about long-term health risks.Vaginal estrogen reduces death risk by 70% and should be part of routine care for women over 40.The average age of suicide for women in the UK is 51, and 70% of divorces happen after menopause. Get in Touch with Dr. Malick: Substack Instagram LinkedIn 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

    31 min

  2. FEB 6

    POTS, MCAS, and the Overlooked Venous System with Dr. Alexis Cutchins

    Your dizziness when you stand up is real. Your pelvic pain is real. Your fatigue is real. And there's actually a connection between all of it that most doctors were never taught to look for. If you've ever been told your dizziness, palpitations, or pelvic pain is "just anxiety," this episode is for you. Dr.Dr. Alexis Cutchins is a cardiologist treating POTS and MCAS—she's willing to say 'I don't know, let's figure it out' instead of dismissing patients. We discuss what POTS actually is, how to diagnose it why 80% of her POTS patients have venous insufficiency, and how treating the veins can sometimes cure the POTS. We also talk about the connection between POTS, mast cell activation syndrome, hypermobility, and pelvic venous disease conditions that often travel together and are frequently dismissed. Dr. Alexis Cutchins explains why the venous system is a "lost organ system" that no one really learns about in med school,how left iliac vein compression (May-Thurner syndrome) can cause everything from pelvic pain to back pain and headaches Plus, we discuss women's cardiovascular health, microvascular disease, coronary vasospasm, and why women's heart attack symptoms can look completely different including neck tightness from allergies that's actually cardiac ischemia. Highlights:You don't need a tilt table test to diagnose POTS simple office based or at home tests can help identify it.First-line POTS treatment: volume expansion (drink water, eat salt), compression stockings, treating comorbid MCAS.About 80% of POTS patients have venous insufficiency treating it can dramatically improve or even cure symptoms.Pelvic venous disease is diagnosed with MRV (not CT) and treated with stenting by interventional radiologists.Women's heart attacks can present as abdominal pain, neck tightness, or jaw pain—not just chest pain.These conditions run in families mothers and daughters often share the same constellation of symptoms. If you've been dismissed for POTS, MCAS, pelvic pain, or any constellation of symptoms that don't fit into a neat diagnostic box, this episode validates what you've been experiencing. These conditions are real. They're treatable. And more doctors are finally starting to listen. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss upcoming episodes on related topics, and share this with anyone who needs to hear that their symptoms matter. Get in Touch with Dr. Cutchins: Website Instagram Youtube Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    1h 5m

  3. JAN 30

    Menopause, Healthcare Access, and the Myth of Having It All with Dr. Sharon Malone

    Can you really "have it all"? Dr. Sharon Malone OB-GYN, New York Times bestselling author of Grown Woman Talk, and Chief Medical Advisor at Alloy Health joins me for an honest conversation about what it really takes to balance medicine, motherhood, and everything in between. Dr. Malone and I talk about the things we don't usually say out loud. How do you balance being a great doctor, a present parent, and a supportive partner when society tells you to excel at all three simultaneously? Dr. Malone practiced medicine before and after the Women's Health Initiative, so she has a unique perspective on how hormone therapy went from being standard care to being feared and how that fear disproportionately affected women of color. We discuss why only 1% of Black women who are eligible for hormone therapy are actually on it, despite suffering the longest and most severe menopausal symptoms. We also talk about her work with Alloy Health, her new podcast The Second Opinion, and why she believes menopause is inevitable but suffering is not. Plus, we get into the uncomfortable truth about medical racism, implicit bias, and why your gut feeling matters more than your doctor's ego. HighlightsGive yourself grace in midlife perimenopause decreases your coping threshold for everything you're already juggling.Women of color carry the weight of representing their entire group, not just themselves, which adds invisible pressure.Diversity in healthcare leadership literally changes what research gets funded and what treatments get offered.Only 1% of Black women eligible for hormone therapy are actually on it, despite having more severe and longer-lasting symptoms.The "adipose tissue theory" that Black women don't need hormones because they make more estrogen on their own is completely false.Racialized medicine affects everything from endometriosis diagnosis (only thin white women?) to pain management assumptions.If your doctor gets mad that you asked for a second opinion, you need a different doctor.Guidelines are guardrails, not laws medicine requires both confidence and humility. Dr. Malone's book Grown Woman Talk is everything you need to know about navigating midlife with confidence and information. And remember: trust your gut. If something feels off, keep advocating until someone listens. I have an incredible lineup of guests coming up, so make sure you subscribe and leave a review so you never miss episodes like this one! Links: Get in touch with Dr. Malone: Website Book Instagram Podcast 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...

    53 min

  4. JAN 23

    Are You Getting All Your Options? The Truth About Hysterectomies with Dr. Kameelah Phillips

    Hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries for women 600,000 are performed every year in the United States. But are women truly getting all their options? Board certified OBGYN Dr. Kameelah Phillips joins me to discuss her groundbreaking book The Empowered Hysterectomy and why understanding the full history and context of this surgery is essential for every woman. In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Kameelah Phillips to discuss hysterectomies from every angle the good, the bad, and the historically traumatic. Dr. Phillips, author of The Empowered Hysterectomy, shares why she wrote a book that isn't anti-hysterectomy, but rather pro-information and pro-choice. From her origin story working at Planned Parenthood at age 15, to understanding the disturbing history of gynecology built on the experimentation of enslaved women, to counseling patients through one of the most significant decisions of their lives this episode covers it all. We also discuss the importance of true informed consent, the impact on sexual function, and why women of color are disproportionately offered hysterectomies over other treatment options. HighlightsThe birth control pill has such a bad reputation that patients reject it even though it could be the thing that helps their symptoms.The racist history behind hysterectomies continues today Black women are still being steered toward them at a much higher rate than their white counterpartsYou may not realize that your orgasm is actually coming from your cervix, which is why a conversation about sexual function should happen before surgery.Education and income doesn't protect Black women from maternal mortality.Explaining medical concepts in everyday language isn't "dumbing it down" it's ensuring patients actually understand what's happening to their bodies.Properly counseled patients who freely choose hysterectomy often experience profound liberation not just physically but sexually too. If you're considering a hysterectomy or have been told you need one, get Dr. Kameelah Phillips' book The Empowered Hysterectomy to ensure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for YOUR body. And remember you deserve time, information, and advocacy. Don't settle for less. I have an incredible lineup of guests coming up, so make sure you subscribe and leave a review so you never miss episodes like this one! Get in Touch with Dr. Phillips: Website Instagram LinkedIn Book Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    59 min

  5. JAN 16

    Estrogen Matters: Fighting Decades of Fear with Dr. Avrum Bluming

    The FDA told him no in 1992. They said giving estrogen to breast cancer survivors would put women at "unacceptable risk." He did the study anyway. Dr. Avrum Bluming is a medical oncologist, emeritus clinical professor of medicine at USC, former senior investigator for the National Cancer Institute, and co-author of Estrogen Matters. He's been fighting estrogen fear for over 30 years long before it was safe or popular to do so. His origin story starts with his wife. At 45, she developed breast cancer. The chemotherapy he gave her threw her into premature menopause. She couldn't sleep. She had hot flashes, night sweats, painful urination, palpitations. She couldn't remember what she'd read two pages back. And he an oncologist who had induced menopause in countless breast cancer patients—had been sympathetic but didn't know how to help them until he saw what was happening with his wife. So he started a study in 1992 to give estrogen to breast cancer survivors. The FDA denied him twice. He did it anyway. By 1997, he presented his data to 8,500 oncologists from around the world. The National Cancer Institute said it was "irresponsible" to study this. The audience challenged them. Dr. Bluming's data showed no increased risk of recurrence. We talk about the Women's Health Initiative, how the media misinterpreted the data, why the estrogen alone actually decreased breast cancer by 23% and breast cancer death by 40%, and why the box warning that just came off in November 2025 never should have been there in the first place. There are now 26 studies in the English literature on giving estrogen to breast cancer survivors. Only one showed increased risk. Four showed decreased risk. Twenty-five showed no difference. Highlights: The FDA denial story: "Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger".Why tamoxifen works better in premenopausal women (even though it raises estrogen 4-5x).The DCIS patient whose oncologist changed their tune after the box warning came off.The FDA committee member who asked "most of your patients are going to die anyway, aren't they?"showing how little some understood about breast cancer survival.When he asked if the FDA actually read his research before denying it: "Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger"—a quote that reveals everything.What actually causes breast cancer (spoiler: nobody knows). If you've been denied estrogen or hormone therapy, share this episode with your provider. Share Estrogen Matters with its 555 references. Share the data. At this point, there's overwhelming evidence showing HRT is safe and beneficial for most women. But some clinicians are still using outdated information from 2002. You deserve care based on current science, not decades-old fear. Get in Touch with Dr. Bluming: Website Instagram Study 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...

    59 min

  6. JAN 9

    80 Million Women Over 40, But Most Still Don't Know Their Options: Dr. Kelly Casperson

    There are 80 million women over 40 in America. Only 4,100 menopause certified clinicians. The gap is real. And my guest is working on changing that. Dr. Kelly Casperson is a urologist, sexual medicine physician, and bestselling author of The Menopause Moment and You Are Not Broken. She's been leading the charge on women's health advocacy from serving on the FDA panel that removed the box warning on estrogen to pushing for testosterone deregulation. She has a large following, but as Kelly says: it's just a drop in the bucket. HThere are 80 million women over 40 in America. Only 4,100 menopause certified clinicians. The gap is real. And my guest is working on changing that. Dr. Kelly Casperson is a urologist, sexual medicine physician, and bestselling author of The Menopause Moment and You Are Not Broken. She's been leading the charge on women's health advocacy from serving on the FDA panel that removed the box warning on estrogen to pushing for testosterone deregulation. She has a large following, but as Kelly says: it's just a drop in the bucket. We talk about the women who aren't on social media, who aren't listening to podcasts, who don't know their options exist. How we need to reach people in the community churches, community centers, libraries. We discuss why grassroots education matters, why testosterone is locked behind 1980s doping laws. We discuss why grassroots education matters, why testosterone is locked behind 1980s doping laws, and Kelly shares the real reason for menopause. This is a conversation about what's changing in women's health and what still needs to change. Highlights: Why grassroots advocacy in the community matters as much as social media.Why 30% of women prescribed vaginal estrogen won't use it (the box warning effect).Frailty isn't inevitable it's what happens when you don't maintain your health.The biopsychosocial model: how culture shapes your menopause experience.Kelly's philosophy: you have to advocate for yourself, but you're not alone. Don't be afraid to start conversations with friends and loved ones about menopause, hormones, and the options available. You might be the only person in their life talking about this and that conversation could change be life changing. Get in Touch with Dr. Casperson: Website Instagram Podcast Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    58 min

  7. JAN 2

    PMDD and Perimenopause: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

    What happens when your family stages an intervention because they've been avoiding you 10 days every month? I'm sharing the story of a patient who had a complete breakdown at Christmas dinner. She snapped at her husband, her kids, her mom, her in-laws—everyone. A few hours later, her family told her: "We love you, but for 10 days every month, we actively avoid you." She came to me asking: Am I bipolar? Am I manic? What's happening to me? This is PMDD premenstrual dysphoric disorder. And when it collides with perimenopause, it becomes a perfect storm. This is not just PMS. This isn't you being dramatic. It's a real biochemical thing happening in your brain an abnormal response to normal hormonal changes. I discuss the science of PMDD: how GABA receptors respond to progesterone metabolites, why some brains are change sensitive, and why the hormonal volatility of perimenopause (erratic estrogen, declining progesterone, unpredictable timing) makes everything exponentially worse. I explain treatment options from luteal-phase SSRIs to Yaz to Duavee for refractory cases, and why tracking your symptoms for at least two cycles is critical for diagnosis. Highlights: Why "I feel like I'm watching myself burn down my life and can't stop it" is the hallmark of PMDD.The DRSP tracking tool: why you need 2 cycles to diagnose PMDD properly.Why Vitex (chasteberry) might help mood swings and breast pain.What Duavee is and why it works for women who can't tolerate progestins.Why Dr. Tammy Rowan calls PMDD a progesterone sensitivity issue.Ulipristal: the emergency contraception drug being studied for PMDD. If you've ever felt like your brain gets hijacked on a schedule, if you've felt completely out of control, this episode is for you. Track your symptoms. Find a clinician who takes cyclic mood symptoms seriously. You don't have to live like this. Please share this episode with someone you know might be experiencing this or a clinician you think would benefit from it. Resource: DRSP Dr. Tami Rowen 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

    47 min

  8. 12/26/2025

    2025 Women's Health Year in Review: From FDA Changes to Menopause Breakthroughs

    What does it mean when 6,000 women a day enter menopause but there are only 4,100 certified clinicians to treat them? In this year end solo episode, I'm reflecting on 2025 in women's health. It was a year that felt heavy at the start personally for me after losing my mother, and globally with so much suffering and injustice. But even in all of that, women's health moved forward in meaningful ways. Not perfectly. Not fast enough. But enough that it deserves reflection. I'm covering the moments that shifted conversations this year from the FDA removing the black box warning on estrogen to new cervical cancer screening guidelines allowing self-collection HPV tests. From Addyi finally being approved for women under 65 to the release of comprehensive GSM guidelines that make genitourinary syndrome everyone's business, not just gynecologists'. And I'm getting personal about why I launched a concierge practice this year, what it taught me about the broken healthcare system, and why sexual health cannot be practiced in 10-minute appointments. Highlights: Why you're not too old for screening and what "safe exit criteria" really means.Menopause certification jumped from under 1,000 to over 4,100 practitioners in 2025.Menopause divorce vs. midlife clarity: Why hormonal chaos shouldn't decide your marriage.DARE to PLAY is a new, topical sildenafil launching in 2026 for female arousal disorder.Treating male partners reduces recurrent BV by 50% (New England Journal of Medicine).Hormone therapy for prevention: The nuanced conversation about bone health and cardiovascular risk.Why I launched a concierge practice and what it revealed about what women actually need. Thank you for being here for another year of Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones. Your support, your messages, and your stories are what keep me going you are my why. If this year-in-review resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear that they're not broken, not dramatic, and not asking for too much. And keep following the show in 2026 we've got incredible conversations lined up. Get in Touch with Me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    44 min
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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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