Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones Dr. Sameena Rahman

Today we have another doctor and thriver on the show today.
Dr. Shieva Ghofrany who, brings a wealth of personal and professional experiences to her practice. Her journey, from battling ovarian cancer to navigating pregnancy and weight loss, fuels her commitment to women's health advocacy. Beyond her medical practice, Dr. Ghofrany is a sought-after media expert, and over 56k followers on Instagram.  
We delve deep into the challenges and complexities of menopause care, surgical menopause, ovarian cancer and endometriosis. 
The conversation highlights personal health struggles, including misdiagnoses, the impacts of surgical menopause, and the journey through ovarian cancer. Dr. Ghofrany stresses the importance of patient advocacy, education, and empowering women to engage proactively with their healthcare.
From shocking systemic flaws to inspiring personal anecdotes, this episode is a powerful call to action for better understanding and treatment of women's health issues.
Tune in to hear these expert voices share invaluable insights and stories about navigating the healthcare system, advocating for oneself, and the critical need for transparency and early detection in medical practice.
Remember, your health journey is uniquely yours, but you're not alone on this path. Together, let's continue learning, understanding, and advocating for better health practices.
Highlights:
- Dr. Ghofrany shares her personal battle with endometriosis and ovarian cancer, underscoring the complexities and the need for specialized surgical care.
-We discusse the nuances of diagnosing ovarian cancer and the alarming lack of early screening procedures.
- Both hosts explore the systemic issues in healthcare that affect the diagnosis and treatment processes, particularly highlighting the discrepancies in care and outcomes for Black patients.
-Early Detection is Crucial: Recognize and act on symptoms early and advocate for necessary screening to avoid late-stage diagnoses. If something feels off push to get answers. 
-Seek Specialized Care: The importance of finding experienced surgeons and being confident in your healthcare provider cannot be overstated.It’s not just about experience but do you actually like and feel comfortable with your provider?
Get in Touch with Dr. Shiva Ghofrany
Website
Instagram
Get in Touch with Dr. Rahman:
Practice
GynoGirl Website
Instagram
Youtube

Today, we have the incredible Dee Hartmann, a distinguished pelvic floor physical therapist and author. 
We dive deep into the topics of pleasure and healing, exploring how embracing pleasure—beyond just the sexual—can fundamentally transform our approach to treating sexual pain and dysfunction.

Dee brings her expertise and insights from her book "A Pleasure Prescription: A Surprising Approach to Healing Sexual Pain," co-authored with Elizabeth Wood. 

We'll discuss how women can reclaim their bodies, find joy in everyday sensual experiences, and the critical role these play in our overall well-being. From feeling the breeze to appreciating the sky, Dee advocates for a life rich in sensory experiences as a pathway to better health and happier lives.

We also tackle the complex issues of genital self-esteem and the concerning trends in cosmetic genital surgeries. We'll uncover the beauty of vulvar diversity and stress the importance of preserving the sensory and erotic functions of female genitalia.

Get ready to be informed, inspired, and possibly transformed as we discuss the body's capacity for pleasure and the power of a positive mindset. 

The show keeps growing with your support. Please remember to like, share, and give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts.

Highlights:

Dee shares her holistic approach to treating chronic vulvar pain and sexual dysfunction, emphasizing the importance of sensory appreciation and pleasure in the healing process. She shares insights from her book, "A Pleasure Prescription: A Surprising Approach to Healing Sexual Pain," providing practical advice for women to regain pleasure and control over their sexual health.Empowerment Through Sensory Experiences is explored, as is the concept of pleasure beyond sexual interactions. Listeners are encouraged to engage in sensory experiences like feeling the breeze, observing nature, and appreciating the beauty around them to enhance their serotonin levels and overall well-being.Addressing Genital Self-Esteem and Labiaplasty Trends, we talk about this concerning trend of genital self-esteem and the increasing trend of labiaplasty among young women. We advocate for the appreciation of the diversity and natural variation of vulvas, discussing the potential risks of aggressive labial surgeries while highlighting the importance of preserving the sensory and erectile tissues critical for sexual pleasure and function.Integrative Treatment for Vestibular Pain—Dee introduces her integrated approach to managing vestibular pain, which considers psychological, physical, and social factors. She describes a set of five exercises aimed at reducing palpated pain at the opening of the vulva, empowering women to better understand and control their pelvic pain.

Connect with Dee:
Genital Health and Education, Inc 
Co-founder, VulvaLove, Inc
Co-developer of the Pleasure Movement
Book
Get in Touch with Dr. Rahman:
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In today's eye-opening episode, we tackle and discuss the orgasm gap. I talk with  Dr. Laurie Mintz, who passionately discusses her work to inform and empower women, sharing her journey from personal struggle to becoming a key advocate for sexual health education. 
We're also breaking down myths about orgasms and debunking media lies that leave many feeling inadequate. Sex should be a source of joy, but for too many, it's a wellspring of frustration. 
Whether it's societal pressures, poor communication, or a simple lack of understanding, we're here to peel back the layers of complexity. From discussing the pivotal role of clitoral stimulation to addressing the efficacy of the PLISSIT model in sex therapy, we've got a lot to cover.
Dr. Mintz gives practical steps we can all take toward achieving a more fulfilling sex life. 
So, whether you're someone who's faced challenges in the bedroom or just looking to learn more, this episode is packed with scientific insights, heartfelt advice, and actionable tips. 
Highlights-
-Dr. Laurie Mintz's Personal Journey
Her encounters with sexual desire issues. Her shift to research and advocacy in sexual health.
-Demystifying Female Orgasms 
Clarifications about the nature and attainability of orgasms for women and the media myths versus reality.

-Sex Education Disparities 
The contrast in sex education between boys and girls. The focus is on ejaculation vs period.
-Addressing the Orgasm Gap
 Statistics of the orgasm gap between cisgender men and women. Clitoral stimulation and vaginal penetration are both elements for satisfying sex.
-Communication and Satisfaction in Sex
The role of partner communication for sexual satisfaction.Tackling orgasm dysfunction and cultural norms. 
-Counterproductive Outcomes of Faking Orgasms
How pretending to have orgasms maintains misunderstanding.

Mentioned-
AASECT and the Society for Sex Therapy
PLISST Model for Sex Therapy

Connect with Dr. Mintz
Website
Instagram
Books

Get in Touch with Dr. Rahman:
Practice
GynoGirl Website
Instagram
Youtube

It is an incredible pleasure to have Stephanie Prendergast on to discuss and explore pudendal neuralgia—a condition fraught with pain, misdiagnosis, and, too often, misunderstanding within the medical community.
We dove deep into pudendal neuralgia, a complex condition that affects so many lives but remains poorly understood in the medical community. 
I cannot stress enough the importance of recognizing the signs and seeking appropriate care for this type of pain. 
We also explored why a region-based diagnostic approach is crucial for genital pelvic pain disorders. 

Stephanie's profound insights on pelvic pain and the multi-faceted causes behind it. Stephanie and I will tackle the current diagnostic criteria's limitations, the pressing need for a better grasp on treatments, and the vital role of a multidisciplinary approach in managing genital pelvic pain disorders. 

As we discuss pudendal neuralgia's insidious nature, you'll learn about its varied symptoms, the importance of the Nantes criteria for proper diagnosis, and why a simple nerve block isn't always the answer. 
We hear about the trials of pelvic floor therapy and how hope can be found in region-based methods and coordinated medical teamwork.

Remember that health is a collaborative journey, and it's vital to have a coordinated team of professionals for treatment. 

Make sure to like, subscribe, and write a review if our conversation moves you—your support helps us keep bringing these vital topics to light.
Highlights-
What is Pudendal Neuralgia? Discussion on diagnostic criteria limitations for pudendal neuralgia. Addressing the medical field's lack of understanding and awareness of clitoral and pelvic pain.Advocating for a region-based diagnostic approach

Treating Pelvic Pain and Pudendal Neuralgia. Multi-faceted causes of pelvic pain. Region-based approaches for treatment. Guidance on pelvic floor therapy techniques for pudendal neuralgia. Importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in treatment

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and Its Importance.The biomechanical approach to pelvic floor therapy. Differentiating between various pelvic pain conditions. Strategies for restoring nerve mobility and using manual therapy. Advocacy for Patients and Clinician Responsibility.Issues of gaslighting and psychological dismissal in sexual pain. The need for clinical transparency and proper referrals.

Educational Aspects and Audience Engagement. The importance of self-advocacy in health issues. Encouragement to follow, like, and review the podcast. Direction to website and social media for additional resources. Promotion of the podcast's YouTube channel and newsletter

Get in Touch with Stephanie:
Website
Instagram
Youtube
TikTok
Pelvic Pain Explained
Get in Touch with Dr. Rahman:
Practice
GynoGirl Website
Instagram
a...

Do you know about the vulval vestibule?
In today's episode, I delve into the intricate anatomy of the vulvar vestibule and its significance in sexual health. I discuss how this unique area, formed from the endodermis, contains an increased concentration of nerve endings which can result in heightened sensitivity and pain for some individuals. 
I explain the curious case where patients with too many nerve endings at the vestibule also report an unusual sensitivity at their belly button upon touch. Additionally, I touch upon neuroproliferative vestibulodynia, a condition that can be acquired due to inflammation or allergies, leading to hypertonic pelvic floor muscles and even secondary vaginismus. 
I emphasize the complexity of treating such conditions, noting that while therapies targeting vaginismus and pelvic floor issues can be effective, they may not entirely eliminate the pain. I recommend a q-tip test for severe pain evaluation and a vestibular anesthesia test using topical anesthetics for diagnosis. 
It's worth noting that many patients, after treatment, report a significant pain reduction in their vestibule, which can be initially triggered by activities such as wearing tight clothes or swimming. 
Options for treatment, I mention include pelvic floor therapy, topical anesthetic agents, and capsaicin—known for its receptor desensitization properties. For severe cases, vestibulectomy is a surgical option, where the entire vestibule is removed, replaced with a vaginal flap, and followed by a recovery phase that includes pelvic floor therapy and potentially vaginal botox administration, eventually allowing for pain-free sexual experiences. 
Throughout the episode, I stress the importance of pelvic floor therapy in comprehensively managing sexual pain and vaginismus, the utility of cognitive behavioral therapy, and the value of mind-body connection techniques as outlined in 'The Pleasure Prescription.'
I share how challenging it can be for patients to navigate sexual pain but also provide hope and point to resources available for assistance, including directing listeners to a website where clinicians are available to aid in dealing with sexual pain. 
Furthermore, I advocate for patient education and empowerment in handling their own sexual health needs. I also clarify the causes of vestibulodynia by highlighting its sensitivities and hormone-related fluctuations. I discuss the three main categories—hormonally mediated, neuroproliferative, and inflammatory—each with distinct diagnostic markers and symptoms, like the hormonal deficiencies leading to vulvar tissue changes in hormonally mediated vestibulodynia. 
Additionally, I address the impact of birth control pills on sexual health, and potentially necessary genetic need for more testosterone in some patients. I pinpoint other medications and conditions that can result in hormonal deficiencies and underline how these deficiencies can manifest in symptoms like dryness, urinary frequency, UTIs, and pain during sexual activity. 
In treating pelvic pain, I describe the approach of assessing pain on a scale of one to ten and considering hormonal levels via blood work. The treatment strategy includes a biopsychosocial approach, combining pelvic floor therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sex therapy. Special attention is given to patients with a history of lifelong pelvic pain and trauma, recognizing their uniquely complex treatment needs. 
I round up the episode by reaffirming my commitment as a board-certified gynecologist and an advocate for health issues often stigmatized and shamed, with a focus on educating and addressing conditions related to painful sex and the side effects of contraception on libido. My aim is to equip my listeners with knowledge and empathy towards these delicate health matters.
Mentioned:
a...

In this episode I dive deep into the often misunderstood and stigmatized world of women's sexual health and a condition called congenital neuroproliferative vestibulodynia.
Joining us is Erin Young, a brave voice who has navigated the murky waters of seeking treatment for her condition in a society where discussing female sexuality is still taboo.
Together, we'll explore the significant challenges that many face in getting proper diagnoses and care, ranging from societal perceptions to the medical community's lack of comprehensive training in female sexual health. 
Erin is a fierce advocate and even though at times she questioned her self, she always knew deep down she wasn’t getting the right care and kept searching and researching for someone that could help her. Unfortunately, some women end up giving up because of the fact that so many health professionals are not trained in sexual medicine. 
Let's change the conversation and provide the support that so many deserve. 
Are there any topics you would like me to discuss? Feel free to DM me on my Instagram account. 
Highlights:
-The challenges in women's sexual health highlight the lack of proper medical training and research.
- The importance of patient advocacy, empowerment, and the necessity for persistent care-seeking is emphasized throughout the episode.
- Success stories and progress in the medical understanding of sexual medicine are discussed, suggesting hope for improved treatments and awareness.
-Understanding when surgery may be the best option for vestibulodynia
-How online support groups can be a huge help when navigating your diagnosis. 
Resources:
ISSWSH
Resources from Erin Young
Get in Touch with Dr. Rahman:
Practice
GynoGirl Website
Instagram
Youtube