disruptHER

Dr. Somi Javaid
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to The disruptHER, where power, purpose, and progress collide. I'm Dr. Somi Javaid, and this is where we amplify the voices creating real change for women

  1. 19h ago

    Medical Misogyny, Vulvar Health, & The Future of Women’s Sexual Medicine w/ Dr. Maria Uloko

    Dr. Maria Uloko is a board certified urologist, sexual medicine specialist, and founder of Vulva AI, a company building the infrastructure for women's sexual health and vulvovaginal care delivery. She trained under pioneering sexual medicine specialist Dr. Irwin Goldstein and has become one of the most vocal advocates for closing the gender gap in medical education, research, and reimbursement.   In today's episode, Maria joins me to discuss her journey into sexual medicine and how she discovered how little she, and most physicians, knew about vulvar anatomy, hormonal health, and female sexual function.   We dive deep into the concept of medical misogyny, exploring how deeply rooted cultural bias has shaped what we call objective science and why women are still routinely told their pain is "all in their head."   Maria breaks down the staggering numbers behind the diagnostic gap for women suffering from conditions such as pelvic pain, overactive bladder, and recurrent urinary tract infections. On average, women wait seven years and spend $20,000 out of pocket before receiving the correct diagnosis.   Our conversation covers groundbreaking research on clitoral anatomy, the lack of diverse and accurate vulvar imagery in medical textbooks, and common myths surrounding estrogen and testosterone. Maria also shares how Vulva AI is using technology and patient education to empower patients to become active partners in their own care.   Join us as we explore medical misogyny, the science of vulvar health, common myths about women's health, the future of women's sexual medicine, and what it truly takes to become the CEO of your own healthcare. Dr. Maria Uloko's Links: http://instagram.com/mariaulokomd/?hl=en Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  2. Jul 14

    Why Women Feel Invisible During Menopause And How To Change It w/ Cara Kamenev

    Cara Kamenev is the CEO of Stripes Beauty, a menopause and wellness brand founded by Naomi Watts. After spending more than a decade at L'Oréal, Cara left the corporate world to help transform the conversation around menopause by making women's health, intimacy, and aging more approachable, empowering, and accessible. In today's episode, Cara joins me to discuss why menopause has been ignored for so long and why millions of women feel unseen during one of the longest stages of their lives. She shares how Stripes evolved from a struggling startup into a category defining company that is changing how women experience menopause. We dive into the biggest misconceptions surrounding menopause, why the beauty industry has traditionally focused on anti aging instead of healthy aging, and the three factors that can help women better understand what is happening to their bodies. Cara explains the importance of treating the whole woman during menopause and why the future of women's health goes far beyond products. She discusses why products should complement medical care, how to remove the stigma around menopause, and why women deserve solutions that make them feel confident instead of embarrassed. Join us today as we dive into menopause, perimenopause, healthy aging, intimacy, women's wellness, building confidence during midlife, making informed treatment decisions, why menopause deserves more investment, and much more. Cara Kamenev's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-kamenev-22019236 Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  3. Jun 30

    The Medical Myths About Women That Are Still Harming Millions w/ Meghan Rabbitt

    Meghan Rabbitt is an award-winning health journalist, women’s health advocate, and the author of “The New Rules of Women’s Health.” With more than 20 years of experience reporting on health and wellness, Meghan has interviewed leading doctors, researchers, and scientists throughout her career and has worked alongside Maria Shriver on The Sunday Paper. In today’s episode, Meghan joins me to discuss her new book, “The New Rules of Women’s Health,” the medical myths still harming women, and why women need to become the CEO of their own healthcare. We dive into the importance of understanding your own body, how to recognize symptoms that are often dismissed as “normal,” and how to ask the right questions during medical appointments. Meghan explains the impact of the language used by women’s healthcare providers, her personal experiences with such terminology, her journey into medical journalism, and the purpose of her new book. She also shares her experience with fibroids, hysterectomy, and other conditions that are not receiving the attention they deserve in women’s healthcare. We also talk about cardiovascular health, the dangers of ignored heart disease, menopause, and the most effective preventative care. Meghan also explains the long-term damage caused by certain misguided treatment methods in women’s healthcare. Join us today as we dive into harmful myths in women’s healthcare, menopause, heart disease, medical gaslighting, women’s pain, hormone therapy, fibroids, and how women can take control of their health and thrive at every stage of life. Meghan Rabbitt's Links: https://www.instagram.com/meghanrabbitt/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-rabbitt-04b80116 Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  4. Jun 16

    The Real Reason So Many Women Get Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Too Late w/ Deb Belfatto

    Deb Belfatto is a two-time breast cancer survivor, founder of Susan G. Komen North Jersey, founder of Let’s Talk Women’s Health and Wellness, and one of the most influential American community activists, and healthcare advocates for women’s health education in the country. She has helped raise more than $20 million for breast cancer research, education, screening, and community programs. In today’s episode, Deb shares the life-changing lessons she learned after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She reveals the steps she took to save her life after being dismissed by a doctor and why every woman needs to become her own advocate in the healthcare system. We discuss Deb's experience with breast cancer, the warning signs women should never ignore, how to navigate difficult medical diagnoses, when to seek second opinions, and why so many women are still being overlooked when it comes to preventive care, screening, and risk assessment. You’ll also learn how to have more productive conversations with your healthcare providers, understand your personal cancer risk, access the right screenings, and make informed decisions about your long-term health before problems become emergencies. Deb explains how she raised over $20 million for women's healthcare, why education can be life-saving, how women can take greater ownership of their health, and what healthcare professionals still get wrong when it comes to listening to women. Join us today to learn how to advocate for yourself, recognize breast cancer red flags earlier, make better healthcare decisions, understand breast cancer risk, build a stronger support system, and take control of your health with confidence. Deb Belfatto's Links: https://www.instagram.com/dqbelfatto/ Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  5. Jun 2

    The Truth About Menopause Sleep Problems Nobody Talks About w/ Lara Smith (Lusomé CEO)

    Lara Smith is the founder and CEO of Lusomé, an award-winning sleep technology company helping women improve sleep during menopause, night sweats, and hormonal changes. Her products have been featured in Oprah’s Favorite Things, recognized in Oprah Daily’s Sleep O-Wards, and clinically studied by researchers at Harvard Medical School for their impact on sleep quality and night sweats. In today’s episode, Lara joins me to discuss her journey into the world of women’s health and sleep science. She talks about why most “cooling” products are ineffective, how she engineered advanced, evidence-based moisture-management fabrics, and how she built Lusomé. We dive into the science behind hot flashes, sleep disruption, and why so many women feel ignored or dismissed when seeking help for menopause symptoms. Lara explains how Harvard Medical School clinically studied her sleep technology and why the results were so groundbreaking. Lara also opens up about the emotional side of entrepreneurship, how she survived a hostile takeover, rebuilt her company, and created her community, “The Sweaty Pillow” podcast, to help women access trusted menopause education and support. Our discussion also covers sleep hygiene, hormone changes during menopause, the myths around “cooling” products, and the need for better advocacy in women’s healthcare. Join us as we explore menopause-related sleep struggles, ineffective “cooling” products, night sweats, evidence-based sleep solutions, the gaps in women’s healthcare, hormonal health, and much more. Lara Smith's Links: https://www.instagram.com/laralusome/ Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  6. May 19

    The Real Reason Why Women Are Leaving Traditional Medicine w/ Dr. Taniqua Miller

    Dr. Taniqua Miller is a prominent, board-certified OB-GYN, menopause specialist, and founder of Revival Women's Health, a concierge midlife care practice focused on menopause, sexual health, cardiometabolic care, and women’s wellness. She is passionate about helping women navigate midlife transitions while challenging the broken systems inside traditional healthcare. In today’s episode, Taniqua joins me to discuss why so many women physicians are leaving traditional medicine despite having better patient outcomes and stronger relationships with patients. We dive into the realities of burnout, the emotional pressure placed on women doctors, and the toxic culture many women face inside healthcare systems. Taniqua shares her personal experience with anxiety, burnout, feeling silenced in medicine, and why she decided to leave traditional practice. Taniqua shares how menopause and perimenopause impact Black women differently, the gaps in healthcare that leave many women unsupported and unseen, and her suggestions on how to improve the healthcare system. Our discussion covers the pressure women feel to constantly care for others while neglecting themselves, the emotional toll of motherhood and medicine, and why women are reinventing themselves and building new careers. Join us today as we dive into burnout in medicine, why women are leaving traditional medicine, midlife reinvention, menopause and heart health, women’s healthcare disparities, balancing motherhood and career, and much more. Dr. Taniqua Miller's Links: https://www.instagram.com/taniquamillermd/ https://www.facebook.com/taniquaMD/ Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  7. May 5

    How Dual-Career Couples Can Balance Work, Family & Marriage w/ Dr. Irfan Firdaus

    Dr. Irfan Firdaus is a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers and a clinical researcher dedicated to treating patients at their most critical moments. Beyond medicine, he is also my husband, a father of three, and part of a dual-physician household navigating the realities of two demanding careers. In today’s episode, Irfan joins me to break down what it really takes to build a marriage when both partners have high-stakes, high-pressure careers that never truly turn off and how you can make it work without sacrificing your relationship or your family. We dive into how our relationship started, what we thought marriage would look like as two doctors, and the real strategies that help you balance long hours, demanding work, and raising a family without losing connection with your partner. Irfan shares the exact systems that have kept our family running for decades, including how to plan your weeks, protect your time, and create non-negotiables like date nights and family dinners so your relationship doesn’t get lost in the chaos. We also break down one of the biggest mistakes dual-career couples make: bringing work home. You’ll learn how to mentally switch off, separate work from home life, and actually be present with your family even after the most stressful days. Join us today to learn how to manage two demanding careers without burning out your relationship, build systems that actually reduce stress, raise independent and resilient kids, stay present where it matters most, and create a family that thrives even when life gets chaotic. Dr. Irfan Firdaus's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irfan-firdaus-4875085 Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

  8. Apr 21

    Doctors Said “It’s Just Period Pain” - But It Was Stage 4 Endometriosis w/ Jennifer Sears

    Jennifer Sears is an actress with a 20-year career in film and television, best known for her breakout role in Madea’s Family Reunion and her work on Tyler Perry’s Divorce Sistas. She has used her platform to raise awareness about endometriosis after being misdiagnosed for years and eventually diagnosed with stage 4 disease. In today’s episode, Jennifer joins me to discuss her journey with endometriosis, how her symptoms were dismissed for years as “normal period pain”, and the treatments she had to undergo. We dive into why endometriosis is so often missed or dismissed, how medical gaslighting delays diagnosis for years, and the connection between chronic pain, infertility, and inflammation. Jennifer also shares her experience with infertility and how she was finally diagnosed after years of being overlooked. Our discussion explores the impact of endometriosis on mental health, relationships, career, and daily life. We also discuss available diagnosis and treatment options and the limitations in the healthcare system that make diagnosis and treatment so difficult. Jennifer also talks about endometriosis symptoms you should not ignore, lifestyle changes that can help manage symptoms, and how to advocate for yourself and others in healthcare. Join us today as we dive into endometriosis symptoms you should not ignore, how to advocate for yourself in healthcare, the truth about diagnosis and treatment options, and how you can help others feel seen and get the help they need. Jennifer Sears's Links: https://www.instagram.com/iamjensears/ Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to The disruptHER, where power, purpose, and progress collide. I'm Dr. Somi Javaid, and this is where we amplify the voices creating real change for women

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Somi Javaid
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    disruptHER

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