BackTable Women's Health

BackTable Inc.
  • 4.9 (33)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Biweekly

The go-to podcast for OBGYNs, gynecologic surgeons, and healthcare professionals focused on women's health. Tune in every week for practical, physician-led conversations on common and complex clinical topics in women's health. Hear how experienced physicians approach real cases, and get practical advice from your peers in your field.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep. 136 Managing Adnexal Masses in GYN Practice with Dr. Mona Guo and Dr. Marcia Ciccone

    It is 4:50 on a Friday, and an ultrasound report lands in your inbox: six centimeter complex right ovarian mass, neoplasm cannot be excluded. What happens next? On this episode of BackTable Women’s Health, Dr. Mona Guo and Dr. Marcia Ciccone team up to discuss how general obstetrician gynecologists should evaluate, follow, and operate on adnexal masses and when to refer to gynecologic oncology. They walk through reading the imaging yourself, understanding what “complex” means on a report, ultrasound features and O-RADS, tumor marker selection, and when an MRI adds value beyond ultrasound. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction02:57 - Incidental Ultrasound Report on a Friday Afternoon05:57 - Ultrasound Features, ACOG Bulletins and O-RADS08:44 - Red Flag Findings and Urgent Evaluation10:58 - Tumor Marker Selection and the Limits of CA 12514:31 - Markers by Age, Tumor Type and New Assays in Development19:38 - When MRI Adds Value23:15 - Surveillance Versus Surgery27:05 - Cystectomy, Oophorectomy and the Consent Conversation31:10 - Preventing Rupture and Containing the Specimen35:42 - Closing Remarks --- More about this episode The conversation separates true emergencies like torsion, hemorrhage, and abscess from imaging findings that require faster evaluation, then breaks down the tumor marker panel, including the limits of CA 125, the value of hormonal and GI markers, and how thresholds shift by age and presentation. They review evidence supporting surveillance of simple cysts under ten centimeters, surgical choices between cystectomy and oophorectomy, and the consent and extraction plans that prevent upstaging from a cyst rupture. The episode closes with practical pearls for preventing spill, managing tubo-ovarian abscess, and the value of a quick call to a colleague when the next step is unclear. --- Resources ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 174: Evaluation and Management of Adnexal Masses. Obstet Gynecol. 2016https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000001768 Andreotti RF, et al. O-RADS US Risk Stratification and Management System: A Consensus Guideline from the ACR Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System Committee. Radiology. 2020https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2019191150 ACR Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS)https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/Clinical-Tools-and-Reference/Reporting-and-Data-Systems/O-Rads Modesitt SC, et al. Risk of malignancy in unilocular ovarian cystic tumors less than 10 centimeters in diameter. Obstet Gynecol. 2003https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(03)00670-7 Im SS, et al. Validation of referral guidelines for women with pelvic masses. Obstet Gynecol. 2005https://doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000149159.69560.ef Society of Gynecologic Oncologyhttps://www.sgo.org Moore RG, et al. Assessing the risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm for the conservative management of women with a pelvic mass. Gynecol Oncol. 2015https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2015.09.010 Widschwendter M, Salhia B, et al. OvaPrint, A Cell-free DNA Methylation Liquid Biopsy for the Risk Assessment of High-grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2023https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-23-1197 Dr. Bodour Salhia, Keck School of Medicine of USChttps://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/bodour-salhia/ Dr. Mona Guo, Keck Medicine of USChttps://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/xiaoyue-mona-guo Dr. Mona Guo, BackTable contributor pagehttps://www.backtable.com/shows/obgyn/contributors/dr-mona-guo Dr. Marcia Ciccone, Keck Medicine of USChttps://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/marcia-ciccone/ Dr. Marcia Ciccone, BackTable contributor pagehttps://www.backtable.com/shows/obgyn/contributors/dr-marcia-ciccone --- BackTable Women's Health is the go-to podcast for gynecologists, gynecologic surgeons, and other healthcare professionals focused on women’s health. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

  2. Sep 29

    Ep. 135 Building the Career You Want in OB/GYN with Dr. Chitra Akileswaran

    What does it take to design a career in medicine that truly fits your values, your life, and your goals? On this episode of BackTable Women’s Health, Dr. Nicole Faulkner welcomes Dr. Chitra Akileswaran, board-certified OBGYN and founder of Avaiyar Private Care, for a candid discussion on building a career that breaks the mold. Dr. Akileswaran traces her path from global public health and a joint MD-MBA to leadership in county health systems, digital health startups, and now direct pay practice, sharing how each chapter reflected her changing priorities. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction06:19 - Public Health and Global Work10:33 - Residency and Early Career Choices15:04 - Founding a Digital Health Company19:48 - Ambulatory Operations Leadership24:36 - Leading a County Medical Group29:32 - Physician Needs and Retention34:25 - Physician Compensation Overhaul41:47 - Physician Unionization and Employment46:25 - Pregnancy Loss and Perspective49:09 - Launching a Direct Pay Practice57:10 - Mentorship in Private Practice01:03:28 - Closing Remarks --- More about this episode The conversation explores lessons learned leading hundreds of physicians, overhauling compensation and benefits, and navigating unionization and administrative change. Dr. Akileswaran speaks openly about personal milestones, including pregnancy loss, and how it drove her to redesign her life and practice. Topics include mentorship, apprenticeship, work-life integration, and the practical steps and mindset shifts needed to carve out a fulfilling, sustainable career in medicine. --- Resources Avaiyar Private Care, Dr. Akileswaran's direct pay OBGYN practicehttps://avaiyarprivatecare.com/Cleo, the digital health company she co-foundedhttps://hicleo.com/ ACOG Well-Being and Physician Support Resourceshttps://www.acog.org/career-support/well-being AMA Physician Practice Benchmark Survey: Smaller Share of Doctors in Private Practice Than Ever Beforehttps://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/private-practices/smaller-share-doctors-private-practice-ever MGMA Provider Compensation Data Reports, the benchmarking source referenced on airhttps://www.mgma.com/mgma-data-reports Dr. Chitra Akileswaran, UCSF OBGYN Residency Alumni Profilehttps://obgyn.ucsf.edu/residency-program/chitra-akileswaran-md-mba --- BackTable Women's Health is the go-to podcast for gynecologists, gynecologic surgeons, and other healthcare professionals focused on women’s health. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

  3. Sep 15

    Ep. 134 Shared Decision-Making in Overactive Bladder Care with Dr. Jannah Thompson

    Can shared decision-making and patient support change the treatment journey for overactive bladder? On this episode of BackTable Urology, host Dr. Suzette Sutherland and OAB expert Dr. Jannah Thompson discuss how patient education, clear counseling, and ongoing follow-up improve care for patients with overactive bladder and urge incontinence. They cover practical strategies for building an effective OAB care pathway, staff training for better patient navigation, and proactive approaches that increase adherence and access to advanced therapies. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- This podcast is supported by Medtronic Pelvic Healthhttps://urgencyisreal.com/ --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction04:00 - Shared Decision-Making06:51 - Clinic Efficiency10:38 - Expanding OAB Therapy Options12:27 - Long-Term OAB Care17:41 - Building an OAB Program18:18 - Staff Training and Follow-Up25:32 - OAB Navigator Implementation27:14 - Navigation Outcomes28:39 - Scaling with Staff and Epic30:35 - Algorithm Resources34:08 - Neuromodulation Advances38:37 - New Tibial and Battery-Free Devices40:56 - Quality of Life in OAB Care46:11 - Access and Adoption51:22 - Streamlining Therapy Discussions52:47 - Closing Remarks --- More about this episode The conversation explores the diverse landscape of OAB treatment options, the evolving role of neuromodulation, and how new technologies are enabling more personalized care. Dr. Thompson shares insights on empowering staff as part of the clinical team, leveraging patient navigators to boost follow-up and advanced therapy uptake, and the importance of integrating patient preferences and lifestyle factors into every decision. They emphasize that quality of life, not just symptom control, should be central to OAB management, and discuss how to engage patients as partners throughout their treatment journey. --- Resources Patient navigation for overactive bladder improves access to carehttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00192-019-04085-7 --- BackTable Women's Health is the go-to podcast for gynecologists, gynecologic surgeons, and other healthcare professionals focused on women’s health. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

  4. Sep 8

    Ep. 133 Advances in Endometriosis: Diagnosis & Management with Dr. Hugh Taylor

    Advances in endometriosis research are reshaping how clinicians diagnose, understand, and treat this complex multisystem condition. On this episode of BackTable Women’s Health, Dr. Nicole Faulkner welcomes Dr. Hugh Taylor for an in-depth discussion of the systemic nature of endometriosis, including its metabolic, psychological, and cardiovascular effects, as well as central pain sensitization and bowel and bladder symptoms. They also explore how animal models and biomarkers like microRNAs are deepening our understanding of these connections. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction03:26 - Endometriosis Beyond the Pelvis05:17 - Understanding Systemic Symptoms10:35 - Why Diagnosis Takes Years12:54 - Key Clues to Endometriosis14:35 - Emerging Noninvasive Diagnostics18:13 - Pain Versus Disease Stage19:33 - Precision Medicine Approaches24:04 - Treatment Strategies and Follow-Up27:17 - GnRH Antagonists and Add-Back Therapy29:45 - Danazol and Surgical Options34:26 - Future of Immune-Based Therapies37:49 - Fertility Counseling and Egg Freezing40:17 - Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways --- More about this episode Given that many patients wait years for a diagnosis, Dr. Taylor emphasizes the importance of presumptive clinical diagnosis and selective imaging to expedite treatment. He highlights emerging biomarkers that may offer more noninvasive diagnostic options and help clarify pain mechanisms. The conversation reviews current management strategies, including continuous oral contraceptives, the challenge of progestin resistance, and the promise of blood-based tests to predict treatment response. They also discuss GnRH antagonists, Danazol, surgery for refractory cases, and future directions such as immune-based therapies targeting the inflammation and immune dysfunction at the root of endometriosis. --- ResourcesClinical evaluation of the oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone-antagonist elagolix for the management of endometriosis-associated pain: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31434540/ Circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for endometriosis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25772772/ ---BackTable Women's Health is the go-to podcast for gynecologists, gynecologic surgeons, and other healthcare professionals focused on women’s health. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

  5. Sep 1

    Ep. 132 Gynecologic Cancer Surveillance: Best Practices & Updates with Dr. Ritu Salani

    Does catching cancer earlier with surveillance always translate to better outcomes for gynecologic cancer patients? On this episode of BackTable Women’s Health, hosts Dr. Mona Guo and Dr. Marcia Ciccone interview Dr. Ritu Salani, Professor of OBGYN at UCLA and lead author of the updated SGO surveillance clinical practice statements. They discuss how post–curative-intent surveillance has evolved amid limited prospective evidence, review the latest guidelines, and highlight the real-world challenges of balancing early detection, patient safety, and cost. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction03:05 - Evolving Guidelines and Consensus10:02 - Lead-Time Bias and Cost Considerations12:05 - Maintenance Therapy and Surveillance Nuances14:44 - Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer: Imaging vs Exam20:24 - Key Takeaways from the TOTEM Trial24:04 - Future Tools, Lifestyle Counseling, and Shared Care27:21 - Cytology, HPV Testing, and Post-Radiation Surveillance31:13 - Hormone Therapy Considerations34:37 - ctDNA and MRD Testing37:39 - Emerging Technologies and Limitations43:22 - Rapid Fire Takeaways45:33 - Closing Thoughts --- More about this episode The conversation explores practice variability, the lack of clear survival benefits from routine imaging and tumor markers, and the risks of cascade testing and lead-time bias. Dr. Salani reviews the TOTEM trial data for endometrial cancer, the importance of symptom review and pelvic exams (especially for lower genital tract cancers), and the reduced role of cytology, even in cervical cancer after radiation. They also discuss shared-care models, lifestyle counseling, hormone therapy considerations, and the promise and limitations of emerging technologies like ctDNA and MRD testing during maintenance therapy. --- Resources TOTEM Trialhttps://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/jco.22.00471 2010 Ovarian Cancer CA-125 Trialhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20888993/ Society of Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Practice Statement on Surveillancehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41308226/ --- BackTable Women's Health is the go-to podcast for gynecologists, gynecologic surgeons, and other healthcare professionals focused on women’s health. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

  6. Aug 25

    Ep. 131 Cliteracy for Clinicians: A Clinical Guide to Sexual Health & Clitoral Anatomy with Dr. Christine Vaccaro

    Are we addressing sexual health in clinical practice? On this episode of BackTable Women’s Health, host Dr. Nicole Faulkner is joined by Dr. Christine Vaccaro, a double board-certified urogynecologist and sexual medicine specialist, to discuss the evaluation and care of women’s sexual health concerns. They highlight the importance of open conversations, patient empowerment, and a multidisciplinary approach to support well-being and improve quality of life. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction04:01 - What Is Sexual Medicine07:58 - Understanding Libido, Arousal, and GSM15:54 - Clinic Visit Structure and Patient Counseling19:17 - Clitoral Exam, Adhesions, and Anatomy Education28:17 - Addressing Stigma, Patient Education, and Myths32:03 - Tools for Patient Empowerment: Apps and Self-Examination39:55 - In-Office Procedures, Pain Mapping, and Hormonal Considerations46:37 - Managing Complex Cases and Multidisciplinary Collaboration53:47 - Closing Remarks --- More about this episode The conversation explores practical strategies for evaluating and managing issues such as libido, arousal, orgasm, and sexual pain, with a focus on genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and clitoral anatomy. Dr. Vaccaro shares her approach to assessing clitoral adhesions, pelvic pain, and hormonal changes, as well as effective ways to educate patients about anatomy and self-examination. They discuss the importance of reducing stigma, addressing misconceptions, and using a multidisciplinary approach to improve patient outcomes. The episode also highlights the role of clinician training, patient-centered counseling, and collaborative care in supporting women’s sexual health across the lifespan. --- Resources International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: https://www.isswsh.org/ Female Orgasmic Disorder: Current Understanding and Clinical Management: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42314165/ OMGyes: https://www.omgyes.com/join You Are Not Broken by Dr. Kelly Casperson: https://kellycaspersonmd.com/you-are-not-broken-book/ Retrospective Study of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Clitoral Adhesions: Women's Health Providers Should Routinely Examine the Glans Clitoris - https://academic.oup.com/smoa/article/6/2/115/6956478?login=false Clitoral Adhesiolysis: Technique and Patient Selection - https://www.vjsm.info/videos/all/clitoral-adhesiolysis-technique-and-patient-selection Female Orgasmic Disorder: Current Understanding and Clinical Management - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42314165/ --- BackTable Women's Health is the go-to podcast for gynecologists, gynecologic surgeons, and other healthcare professionals focused on women’s health. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

  7. Aug 18

    Ep. 130 Recurrent UTI: Diagnostics & Management Strategies with Dr. Glenn Werneburg

    What should you do differently when a UTI becomes a recurring problem? In this episode of the Backtable Podcast, host Dr. Anjali Kapur is joined by physician-scientist Dr. Glenn Werneburg to discuss the latest approaches to recurrent urinary tract infections, including key updates from the 2025 AUA, CUA, and SUFU guidelines. They use real clinical cases to explore diagnosis, prevention, antibiotic selection, and the management of complex patients. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction04:05 - Case One: Recurrent UTIs05:19 - Workup Basics08:50 - Non-Antibiotic Prevention11:42 - Antibiotic Prophylaxis Options15:16 - Case Two: Asymptomatic Bacteriuria 19:14 - Case Three: Complex Patients19:58 - Male vs. Female UTIs21:22 - Neurogenic Bladder Workup22:52 - Elderly Patients and ID Consults25:01 - Case Four: Transplant ESBL25:23 - Machine Learning for Antibiotics 29:49 - Catheter Biofilms31:55 - Embedded Bladder Reservoirs35:23 - Recurrent UTI Vaccine36:23 - Future of Recurrent UTIs39:04 - Wrap Up --- More about this episode The doctors define recurrent UTI and outline the standard workup, including history, physical and pelvic exam, urinalysis, urine culture, and antibiotic sensitivities. They also review occasions where additional testing may be warranted. The discussion covers interpretation of urinalysis, non-antibiotic prevention options, and antibiotic prophylaxis strategies, with consideration of antibiotic resistance and microbiome disruption. They address asymptomatic bacteriuria and when treatment is indicated, along with management considerations for men, patients with neurogenic bladder or CIC, and elderly patients. Dr. Werneburg also discusses his work with machine learning tools to predict antibiotic susceptibility earlier, catheter biofilms, the concept of embedded bladder bacteria reservoirs, and his multidisciplinary complex UTI clinic. --- Resources Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline (2025)https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/recurrent-uti --- BackTable Women's Health is the go-to podcast for gynecologists, gynecologic surgeons, and other healthcare professionals focused on women’s health. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

  8. Aug 11

    Ep. 129 Clinical Hypnotherapy Applications in Women's Health with Dr. Sonia Gupte

    Have you ever wondered what role the mind could play in treating women’s health conditions? On this episode of BackTable Women’s Health, host Dr. Nicole Faulkner interviews Dr. Sonia Gupte, a family medicine physician and board-certified clinical hypnotherapist, about how clinical hypnotherapy can help patients access the subconscious, resolve emotional barriers, and rewire patterns that affect both body and mind. Dr. Gupte discusses the use of hypnotherapy for a range of women’s health concerns including PMS, postpartum depression, hot flashes, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain, highlighting the potential for more holistic care. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 04:40 - Discovering Hypnotherapy08:59 - What a Session Looks Like13:02 - Remote Sessions and Results17:27 - Follow-Up and Maintenance20:13 - Women's Health Examples28:05 - Talking to Patients30:47 - Hypnosis vs. Therapy33:07 - Pap Smear Trauma Case37:28 - Breathwork Reset Tool42:42 - Uncovering Repressed Trauma46:17 - Burnout and Stress49:12 - Barriers to Success53:21 - Call To Action54:58 - Live Demo Plans55:50 - Closing Remarks --- More about this episode Dr. Gupte shares how her mother’s experience with cancer, depression, and a suicide attempt inspired her to explore hypnotherapy and ultimately bring it into her medical practice. She describes what a typical hypnotherapy session involves, including relaxation, guided visualization, identifying emotional roots, and using protocols to help patients “reboot” their mental patterns. The discussion also covers practical aspects of integrating hypnotherapy into women’s health care, such as determining treatment frequency, offering remote sessions, setting patient expectations, and addressing common barriers to success. --- Resources Within: Finding Yourself, Fixing What's Broken, & Finally Reclaiming True Health https://enso-nia.com/about-sonia/ --- BackTable Women's Health is the go-to podcast for gynecologists, gynecologic surgeons, and other healthcare professionals focused on women’s health. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

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4.9
out of 5
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About

The go-to podcast for OBGYNs, gynecologic surgeons, and healthcare professionals focused on women's health. Tune in every week for practical, physician-led conversations on common and complex clinical topics in women's health. Hear how experienced physicians approach real cases, and get practical advice from your peers in your field.

Information

  • Creator
    BackTable Inc.
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    158
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    BackTable Women's Health

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