The Hurt By The Female Pain Docs

Dr. Meera Kirpekar and Dr. Alopi Patel

Dr. K and Dr. P, of The Female Pain Docs, are board certified anesthesiologists and interventional pain physicians that discuss topics relating to women's pain and general health. The Hurt Podcast contributes to the public discourse on women's health with specific focus on female pain, both diagnoses and treatments. The podcast pursues a fact-based exploration of disease and ailments affecting women by discussing advances in analysis and treatment. Dr. K and Dr. P hope to empower women and men to engage in the advancement of their health by educating them about their body in regards to pelvic pain, the peripartum period, sexual dysfunction, and more. All views are our own and do not reflect the views of our institution. Instructional Media. Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @thefemalepaindocs Twitter: @femalepaindocs TikTok: @thefemalepaindocs

  1. Jul 15

    Psychology and Chronic Pain: A Conversation of Kelsey Bates

    Most of us are taught to think of physical pain and mental health as two separate things, one handled by a doctor, the other by a therapist. But for the millions of women living with conditions like endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, that line doesn't exist. The pain is physical and emotional, and the years spent searching for a diagnosis, being dismissed, or feeling betrayed by your own body leave marks that no scan can pick up. My guest today works right at that intersection. Kelsey Bates is a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of New York Women's CBT, a practice built specifically for women navigating chronic illness, chronic pain, and the anxiety and grief that come with them. She specializes in endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, and she brings something to this work that you can't get from a degree alone: fifteen years of living with chronic illness herself. She knows what it's like to fight for answers, to grieve the future you thought you'd have, and to find a way through. Her approach blends what's called third wave cognitive behavioral therapy, things like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, to help women change their relationship with pain and build a life that feels meaningful, not defined by their diagnosis. Today we're going to dig into the psychology of chronic pain, what's actually happening in the mind and body, why therapy can help even when the pain is physical, and the practical tools that make a real difference. Kelsey, welcome to the show.

  2. Jun 4

    Vulvar and Vaginal Disorders: A Conversation with Dr. Rebecca Podolsky

    In this episode, Dr. Meera Kirpekar chats with Dr. Rebecca Podolsky. Dr. Podolsky is Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center and the Director of NYU's Center for Vulvar Health. Dr. Podolsky addresses all of your questions regarding vulvar and vaginal disorders, topics that are often dismissed, disregarded, or misunderstood by patients and the medical community alike. This conversation will focus on common and uncommon conditions that affect females of all ages as well as misconceptions in the understanding and treatment of vulvo-vaginal disorders. Whether you're seeking specific answers, have felt dismissed in the past, or just want to understand your body better and the changes it may go through better, this episode provides evidence based answers on vulvar health.

  3. Jun 2

    Managing Endometriosis: A Conversation with Dr. Jessica Opoku-Anane

    In this episode, Dr. Alopi Patel sits down with Dr. Jessica Opoku-Anane, a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and Associate Professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she serves as Chief of Complex Benign and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and leads the Comprehensive Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Program. Dr. Opoku-Anane addresses one of the most common and underrecognized challenges in women's health: distinguishing normal menstrual symptoms from conditions that warrant clinical evaluation. She discusses why endometriosis diagnoses are so often delayed, how clinicians differentiate between fibroids, adenomyosis, and endometriosis, and when surgery is—and isn't—the right course of action. The conversation also covers modern minimally invasive techniques, fertility-sparing approaches, and the documented disparities that lead to later diagnoses and less aggressive treatment for Black and other marginalized patients. Whether you're a patient navigating chronic pelvic pain or a clinician seeking practical insight, this episode offers an evidence-based look at improving gynecologic care.

  4. May 13

    Multimodal Management of Pelvic Pain: A Conversation with Dr. Kristen MacKenzie

    In this episode, Dr. Alopi Patel chats with Dr. Kristen MacKenzie. Dr. MacKenzie is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine at Stanford University. She practices at the Stanford Pain Management Center, where she specializes in chronic pelvic and abdominal pain, as well as peripartum pain. Dr. MacKenzie serves as Co-Director of the Stanford Pelvic Pain Program and is part of the Stanford Pelvic Health Center, where she works with an all-female interdisciplinary team. She also co-directs the Women's Sexual Dysfunction Case Conference. With the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), she is currently Co-Chair of the Women in Pain Medicine Shared Interest Group and Chair of the Media & Public Relations Committee for 2025–2026. A passionate advocate for taking women's pain seriously, she's known for the line: "Women's pain has been accepted as inevitable for so long. It's time to change that." Outside of clinic, she's a trail runner and mom to two young boys.

  5. Mar 5

    Life and Sex after Menopause: A Conversation with Maria Sophocles

    In this episode, Dr. Alopi Patel sits down with Dr. Maria Sophocles to talk about one of the most underserved chapters of a woman's life — sex and intimacy after menopause. Dr. Maria Sophocles is a board-certified OB/GYN and certified menopause practitioner with more than 25 years of experience, and the founder of Women's Healthcare of Princeton. Women's Healthcare of Princeton Her mission centers on closing what she calls "The Bedroom Gap" — educating women and men about the sexual changes of menopause and challenging the centuries-old model of sex defined by male pleasure. She is the author of the forthcoming book The Bedroom Gap, a roadmap for midlife women, couples, and clinicians navigating the physical and societal effects of aging and sexuality.

  6. 05/12/2025

    Finding Hope While Dealing with Chronic Pain: A Discussion with Reverend Christine Davies

    In this episode, Dr. Alopi Patel delves into the profound connection between spirituality, faith, and chronic pain. Reverend Christine Davies shares her perspective on how spiritual frameworks can offer resilience, purpose, and comfort to those navigating long-term pain conditions. Whether you're a provider, a patient, or someone seeking meaning in the midst of suffering, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at how faith can be a powerful tool in the journey toward healing. Podcast Note: There are brief audio connection issues in a few moments during this podcast. Apologies for the inconvenience.

  7. 04/07/2025

    Allyship for the LGBTQ+ Community in Medicine: A Discussion with Dr. Blair Peters

    In this episode, The Female Pain Docs are joined by Dr. Blair Peters, also knows as @queersurgeon on social media. Dr. Peters is a plastic surgeon specialized in gender affirmation surgeries, who also advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode, they discuss representation and allyship for the LGBTQ+ community, the progress within medicine so far, and how patients can be better served.

  8. 03/04/2025

    Addiction Medicine: A Discussion with Dr. Sudheer Potru

    The opioid epidemic has swept the nation since the 1990s. In its aftermath, many patients with chronic pain have experienced the unfortunate reality of addiction to the medications they previously received as pain treatments coupled with inadequate treatment of their pain while dealing with addiction and dependence. In this episode, Dr. K explores the field of addiction medicine with special guest, Dr. Sudheer Potru, an interventional pain physician and addiction medicine specialist, whose goal is to find a balance between treating addiction while also adequately treating chronic pain.

See All (58)

5
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Dr. K and Dr. P, of The Female Pain Docs, are board certified anesthesiologists and interventional pain physicians that discuss topics relating to women's pain and general health. The Hurt Podcast contributes to the public discourse on women's health with specific focus on female pain, both diagnoses and treatments. The podcast pursues a fact-based exploration of disease and ailments affecting women by discussing advances in analysis and treatment. Dr. K and Dr. P hope to empower women and men to engage in the advancement of their health by educating them about their body in regards to pelvic pain, the peripartum period, sexual dysfunction, and more. All views are our own and do not reflect the views of our institution. Instructional Media. Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @thefemalepaindocs Twitter: @femalepaindocs TikTok: @thefemalepaindocs

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Meera Kirpekar and Dr. Alopi Patel
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Female Pain Docs 2020
  • Show Website
    The Hurt By The Female Pain Docs