Speaking of Women's Health

SWH
  • 4.8 (10)
  • Nutrition
  • Updated Weekly

The Speaking of Women's Health Podcast is excited to bring you credible women's health information from host and Executive Director, Dr. Holly L. Thacker. Dr. Thacker will interview guest clinicians discussing relevant women's health topics and the latest news and tips.Please  consider supporting Speaking of Women's Health with a monetary donation to help us continue to provide free women's health content. Thank you!

  1. 6d ago

    The truth about peptides for weight loss and recovery

    Send us Fan Mail Peptides are suddenly the hottest word in weight loss clinics, gyms, and wellness circles, but most people are hearing the hype without the definitions, the evidence, or the safety guardrails. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD sits down with Layth Tumah, MD, a Cleveland Clinic physician board certified in family medicine, obesity medicine, lifestyle medicine, and trained in functional medicine, to explain what peptides actually are: short chains of amino acids that act as powerful signals in the body, sometimes in ways that look a lot like hormones. They get practical about the peptides people are most likely to encounter through their doctor: GLP-1 and GIP based medications used for diabetes and medical weight management. They clarify how the same underlying drug can be sold under different brand names depending on the indication, why shortages fueled interest in compounding pharmacies, and when compounding is a reasonable tool versus a risky shortcut. They also talk about the deeper “why” behind today’s metabolic disease surge and why these therapies can matter for health span, not just the number on the scale. They end where real prevention always starts: food, movement, sleep, stress coping, and connection, plus the reminder that there is no "free lunch" when it comes to powerful supplements.  Support the show

    35 min

  2. Jul 1

    A July 4th reset for metabolism and weight loss

    Send us Fan Mail Freedom is not just a political idea, it’s also the ability to move through your day with energy, confidence, and choices that are not dictated by symptoms or chronic disease. We connect America’s 250th anniversary theme of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to a very current women’s health reality: the obesity epidemic and the frustration many midlife women feel when weight changes collide with hot flashes, sleep loss, and brain fog. We break down common myths around menopause and weight, including the claim that menopausal hormone therapy causes obesity, and we explain what the research actually shows. Then we step into the fast-changing world of weight loss medications, from older drugs that were removed from the market to today’s GLP-1 and GIP agents.  Then we zoom out to something many people underestimate: social connection as a true health intervention. Social Wellness Month is a reminder that loneliness can harm health in ways that resemble other major risk factors. We share practical ways to build deeper relationships, volunteer, use technology wisely, and create summer traditions that strengthen community. You’ll also get healthier July 4th menu ideas, simple recipe inspiration, and summer safety reminders from hydration to fireworks. Follow the show so you do not miss what’s next, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review to help more women find evidence-based health guidance. Support the show

    50 min

  3. Jun 24

    Reduce Pelvic Pain Without More Suffering

    Send us Fan Mail Pelvic pain can steal your attention, your sleep, your relationships, and your confidence, especially when you keep hearing “everything looks normal.” Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with minimally invasive surgeon and chronic pelvic pain expert Ashley Gubbels, MD to talk about what’s often missed: pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic neuropathies, and a nervous system that can get stuck in protective overdrive. They discuss the basics of finding the right pelvic floor physical therapist and why the details matter. If you’ve ever been told to “just do Kegels” and felt worse, they explain why that happens and what pain-focused pelvic floor physical therapy can look like instead, from breathwork and external stretching to internal techniques only with consent and the right timing. Support the show

    29 min

  4. Jun 17

    Alpha-gal alert: Summer safety tips with a deep dive on tick-borne illness

    Send us Fan Mail One tiny tick can change what you can safely eat for years, and sometimes the reaction doesn’t show up until hours after dinner. From the Speaking of Women's Health Sunflower House, host Dr. Holly Thacker walks through summer health essentials, then goes deep on tick-borne illness and the fast-growing concern of alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that can follow a bite from the lone star tick and other species. She covers the practical stuff first: hydration and heat safety, UV protection for skin and eyes, smart ways to keep exercising in hot weather, mosquito control, and what to do (and not do) when poison ivy shows up. She also revisits water safety rules that saves lives, especially for children, including swimming lessons, life jackets, and why alcohol and water activities do not mix. Then she shifts to ticks: why people often never notice a bite, how ticks spread multiple pathogens, and why Lyme disease is still a major threat. She breaks down alpha-gal symptoms that can look “random” because they may appear two to six hours after eating mammalian meat or dairy, from hives and GI distress to swelling, wheezing, fainting, and anaphylaxis.  Finally, she shares timely updates on new federal momentum to combat Lyme disease and accelerate alpha-gal research, plus intriguing early data on an unusual auricular allergy treatment approach that deserves careful study. Support the show

    32 min

  5. Jun 10

    Chronic Pelvic Pain Is A Nervous System Problem As Much As A Pelvic One

    Send us Fan Mail Pain that lingers for months doesn’t deserve a shrug or a “you’re still healing.” Chronic pelvic pain can be life-altering, and the hardest part for many people is not just the symptoms, but the confusion, the misdiagnoses, and the feeling of being bounced from office to office without anyone putting the full puzzle together. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Ashley Gubbels, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN and internationally recognized expert in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and pelvic pain management, to define what chronic pelvic pain actually is and why it is so often overlooked. They talk through the most common drivers, including endometriosis and adenomyosis, and why even excellent surgery may not fully resolve symptoms when the nervous system has learned the pain pattern. You’ll hear how inflammation, scarring, and repeated monthly signaling can escalate into central sensitization, where pain pathways become easier to trigger over time. If you’ve ever wondered why pelvic pain is so complicated or why it can persist after standard care, this conversation gives you language, context, and a clear next-step mindset. Support the show

    30 min

  6. Jun 3

    Pelvic Floor Therapy Starts With The Right Diagnosis

    Send us Fan Mail A torn ACL can change a teenager’s life in a single play, and it can echo decades later as arthritis and knee replacements. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with physical therapist Vince Whalen to talk about why ACL tears hit female athletes so often, why many happen without contact, and how a simple prevention approach can make a measurable difference. Vince breaks down the FIFA Plus routine and the mechanics that matter most: hip control, balance, landing position, and the glute strength that keeps the knee from collapsing into risky alignment. Pelvic floor therapy is a major focus, especially stress urinary incontinence and chronic pelvic pain. We unpack a key insight: many patients have too much pelvic floor tone, so doing random Kegels can actually worsen symptoms. Vince shares how to find a pelvic floor trained therapist, what to expect if you’re nervous about internal exams, and how telehealth physical therapy can help after an in-person evaluation. They close with the McKenzie Method for back pain, posture habits that drive symptoms, and practical training tips for golfers and active adults. Support the show

    30 min

  7. May 27

    Why estradiol patches are in short supply and what to do

    Send us Fan Mail Estradiol patches on backorder, progesterone capsules hard to find, and a lot of anxious scrolling in between. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker recorded this because the hormone therapy supply chain is colliding with a surge in demand, and too many women are getting stuck without a plan. She walks through what’s actually driving the patch shortage, how WHI-era fear still shows up in exam rooms, and why “everyone needs a patch” is just as misleading as “no one should take hormones.” If you can’t get your usual prescription, you’ll hear concrete alternatives: switching patch schedules, considering gels or sprays, using combined estrogen-progestin products, and when nonhormonal therapies for hot flashes and sleep may fit. She ends with a simple preparedness point: don’t wait until the last refill day to protect your health. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s struggling to get her meds, and leave a review so more women can find evidence-based menopause care. Support the show

    44 min

  8. May 20

    Your Primary Care Clinician Should Help You Navigate Women’s Health

    Send us Fan Mail The hardest part of health care isn’t always treatment, it’s figuring out who should treat you in the first place. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly L. Thacker, MD sits down with Laura Lipold, MD, Director of Primary Care Women’s Health at Cleveland Clinic, to map out how primary care, OB-GYN care and consultative women’s health specialists can work together across every life stage. They talk candidly about why so many patients feel stuck right now, from limited access to primary care to the long shadow of menopause misinformation after the Women’s Health Initiative. You’ll hear practical guidance on what primary care can often handle (Pap tests, HPV and cervical cancer screening, mammogram orders, chronic disease management, obesity and metabolic health, behavioral health support) and when it’s time to bring in a specialist for complex menopause and hormone therapy decisions, severe osteoporosis, cancer survivorship, blood clots, transplants, or major cardiovascular history. Support the show

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The Speaking of Women's Health Podcast is excited to bring you credible women's health information from host and Executive Director, Dr. Holly L. Thacker. Dr. Thacker will interview guest clinicians discussing relevant women's health topics and the latest news and tips.Please  consider supporting Speaking of Women's Health with a monetary donation to help us continue to provide free women's health content. Thank you!

Information

  • Creator
    SWH
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    221
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Speaking of Women's Health
  • Show Website
    Speaking of Women's Health

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