Wellness Wednesday with 3W

3W Medical for Women

Wellness Wednesday with 3W is a biweekly educational podcast produced by 3W Medical for Women, a non-profit women’s health clinic located in Seattle, WA. Follow us for fun and informative conversations about women’s health, relationships, and a wide range of other health topics!

  1. 1d ago

    The State of Modern Primary Care: What Patients Need to Know, with Dr. Santos

    In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen sits down with Dr. Theresa Santos to talk about her journey through medical school, motherhood, and becoming a board-certified family medicine physician. This episode also introduces Dr. Santos as one of the newest providers at 3W Medical. Together, they discuss the current state of primary care, why so many patients feel rushed or unseen in today’s healthcare system, and what it looks like to practice medicine in a more collaborative, patient-centered way. Dr. Santos also shares why she chose family medicine, the importance of finding a provider you truly connect with, and how longer appointments can completely change the patient experience. The conversation also touches on: balancing medicine, marriage, and motherhood the shortage and burnout facing primary care today why patients should feel empowered to “shop around” for the right provider how shared decision-making builds better healthcare outcomes If you’ve been searching for a provider who will actually take time to listen and partner with you in your healthcare, this episode offers a glimpse into the kind of care Dr. Santos hopes to provide at 3W. Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opinion of the speaker, or speakers. Medical information is not intended as individual medical consultation, but for general education only. Always consult your own health professional for personalized advice regarding medical decisions.

    45 min
  2. Apr 1

    A Better System for Women's Health Education

    Many women grow up learning very little about how their bodies actually work. When cycle issues arise, the default solution is often medication or hormonal birth control—without much explanation of what’s happening beneath the surface. In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen is joined by FEMM instructors Aleksandra and Andie for a conversation about why women’s health education matters now more than ever. They talk about the gaps in today’s healthcare system, why so many women feel dismissed when they bring up cycle concerns, and how fertility awareness education can give women a clearer picture of what’s happening in their bodies. Aleksandra and Andie also share how FEMM helps women learn to read the biological signs of their cycle and understand what those signs may be saying about overall health. This episode is especially for women who feel like they were never really taught how their cycles work—and want a more informed, proactive approach to their health. If you’re interested in learning more, 3W offers FEMM consultations and classes where trained instructors help women understand and chart their cycles in a supportive, educational setting. Book a consultation/class today: www.3wmedical.org 206-588-0311   Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opinion of the speaker, or speakers. Medical information is not intended as individual medical consultation, but for general education only. Always consult your own health professional for personalized advice regarding medical decisions.

    33 min
  3. Mar 10

    Shannon's Top 5 Vitamins for Women's Health

    Walk into any supplement aisle and it’s overwhelming. Magnesium for sleep. Vitamin D for immunity. B12 for energy. Fish oil for inflammation. But what do you actually need? And what’s worth your money? In this episode, our nurse practitioner Shannon Leach, ARNP, MSN breaks down the core vitamins she consistently recommends to women — especially those navigating hormone health, fatigue, stress, and long-term prevention. She shares: Why Vitamin D3 is foundational for immune health, mood, and hormone balance The importance of Magnesium (and which form she prefers) When to consider Omega-3s (fish oil) Why B vitamins, especially B12, matter for energy and nervous system support Supplements to be taking in the perimenopause stage Shannon also names specific brands she trusts for quality and purity, including: Thorne – https://www.thorne.com Pure Encapsulations – https://www.pureencapsulations.com Nordic Naturals (for fish oil) – https://www.nordicnaturals.com Seeking Health – https://www.seekinghealth.com If you’ve been piecing together your supplement routine based on social media trends, this episode will help you simplify and get intentional. And if you want personalized guidance, you can schedule an appointment with Shannon at 3W to build a plan tailored to your labs, symptoms, and goals. Book an appointment with Shannon today at:  www.3wmedical.org 206-588-0311   Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opinion of the speaker, or speakers. Medical information is not intended as individual medical consultation, but for general education only. Always consult your own health professional for personalized advice regarding medical decisions.

    32 min
  4. Feb 4

    Birth Control Isn't Healing You: What FEMM Does Instead

    What if your cycle isn’t something to suppress—but something to listen to? In this episode, Helen sits down with Lauren, certified FEMM teacher and long-time member of the 3W team, to break down what FEMM (Fertility Education & Medical Management) really is—and why cycle health is a critical indicator of overall health. They talk about: Why painful, irregular, or heavy periods are not normal How hormonal birth control acts as a band-aid instead of addressing root causes What ovulation has to do with bone health, hormones, and long-term wellness How FEMM empowers women to understand their bodies and advocate for better care This conversation goes beyond fertility. It’s about proactive, whole-person healthcare—and giving women the tools and language to understand what their bodies are communicating. If you’ve ever been told your symptoms are “just part of being a woman,” this episode is for you. 👉 Learn more and book a FEMM class with 3W to start understanding your cycle—and your health—at a deeper level. www.3wmedical.org Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opinion of the speaker, or speakers. Medical information is not intended as individual medical consultation, but for general education only. Always consult your own health professional for personalized advice regarding medical decisions.

    44 min
  5. 12/03/2025

    Healing the Uterus with Platelet-Rich Plasma

    You’ve heard of vampire facials—but what about healing your uterus with your own blood? In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen sits down with Dr. Sarah Pederson, OBGYN, MD. and founder of Vera Fertility, to unpack one of the most innovative tools in restorative reproductive medicine: the intrauterine PRP wash. Dr. Pederson explains how this procedure—using a patient’s own platelet-rich plasma—can help rejuvenate the uterine lining, support implantation, and offer new hope for women facing recurrent miscarriage, thin lining, chronic endometritis, or unexplained infertility. She walks through what the procedure actually looks like, who makes a good candidate, and why so many patients who’ve hit a wall elsewhere are flying to Colorado just to get this done. They also talk about: • Why inflammation and allergies can quietly sabotage fertility • How chronic infection in the uterus gets completely missed in mainstream care • The difference between PRP wash and surgical ablation (and why they’re opposites) • How PRP is also used in endometriosis surgery and to support egg quality If you’ve ever wondered whether there are options beyond birth control, ablations, or IVF, this episode is for you. Dr. Pederson lays out a hopeful, holistic vision of women’s health—one where your symptoms matter, your uterus is understood, and healing is actually possible. Learn more about Dr. Sarah Pederson and Vera Fertility here: https://verafertility.com/our-team/dr-sarah-pederson/   Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opinion of the speaker, or speakers. Medical information is not intended as individual medical consultation, but for general education only. Always consult your own health professional for personalized advice regarding medical decisions.

    26 min
  6. 11/05/2025

    Nutrition: A Missing Piece in Women’s Hormonal Health & Fertility

    Why isn’t nutrition part of the fertility conversation? In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen talks with Ginny Noce, a registered nurse, certified fertility awareness instructor, and functional medicine nutritionist who’s changing how women understand their bodies. Ginny shares how a clinical rotation in women’s health led her to discover the FEMM method—and opened her eyes to the deep connection between hormones, nutrition, and fertility. After being diagnosed with PCOS herself and finding little help beyond birth control, Ginny began digging into the research—learning how diet, gut health, and insulin resistance can directly affect ovulation, miscarriage risk, and overall hormone balance. Now, through her private practice, she helps women restore their health naturally using evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies. From practical guidance on what a hormone-healthy plate looks like, to the surprising link between gut infections and infertility, this conversation reveals what most doctors never mention—and how food can become one of the most powerful tools for fertility and long-term wellness. Get connected with Ginny:  https://thewomenshealthrn.com/  https://www.instagram.com/thewomenshealthrn/   Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opinion of the speaker, or speakers. Medical information is not intended as individual medical consultation, but for general education only. Always consult your own health professional for personalized advice regarding medical decisions.

    44 min
5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Wellness Wednesday with 3W is a biweekly educational podcast produced by 3W Medical for Women, a non-profit women’s health clinic located in Seattle, WA. Follow us for fun and informative conversations about women’s health, relationships, and a wide range of other health topics!

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