Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones

Dr. Sameena Rahman
  • 5,0 (32)
  • MEDICINA
  • SEMANAL

As a fierce champion for women empowering women (and the people that love them), GynoGirl provides the knowledge and education to help you advocate for yourself so that you can live your best life! Dr. Sameena Rahman curates a space for exploring hormonal changes, sexual health, and pelvic wellness, while also emphasizing self-love and life improvement. Through collaborations with leading experts and the personal stories of patients, she provides a platform for knowledge-sharing while also addressing healthcare issues that have impaired women’s quality of life.  A board-certified, South-Asian Muslim-American gynecologist who specializes in sex medicine and menopause, Dr. Rahman highlights the influence of religion, culture, racial bias, and societal factors on sexual health experiences.

  1. HÁ 1 DIA

    The Hidden Cost of Prevention: Menopause, Genetics, and the Previvor Journey

    You've probably heard of cancer survivors, but have you heard of previvors? These are women with genetic mutations like BRCA1, BRCA2, or CHECK2 who are at higher risk for cancer but don't have it yet. October is both Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Menopause Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to discuss genetic testing, cancer risk assessment, and what previvors need to know about their options. Using a 28-year-old patient with CHECK2 mutation as an example, I walk through when genetic testing makes sense, how to calculate your lifetime risk, and what screening protocols change when your risk is elevated. I cover modifiable lifestyle factors that account for 30% of breast cancer cases, including alcohol intake, diet, exercise, and optimal body weight. The key message: genetic testing is about empowerment and prevention, not fear. I also address surgical menopause after risk-reducing procedures. When you remove ovaries in your 30s or 40s to prevent cancer, you fall off a hormonal cliff with immediate consequences. The critical issue: estrogen therapy is NOT contraindicated for previvors without personal cancer history, yet surgical patients are rarely given a menopause plan before going under anesthesia. Early estrogen loss increases cardiovascular disease, dementia, osteoporosis, and all-cause mortality risks. Highlights: What CHECK2, BRCA1/2, and other mutations mean for lifetime cancer risk.How removing ovaries before age 45 without HRT increases all-cause mortality risk.Why previvors without cancer CAN and SHOULD take estrogen after preventative surgery.Why you should demand a menopause plan BEFORE risk-reducing surgery, not after. If this episode empowered you to have conversations about family history and genetic testing, or helped you understand why hormone replacement matters after preventative surgery, please share it with women who need this information. Subscribe and leave a review to help more people discover these critical discussions about cancer prevention and quality of life. Get in Touch with me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack Mentioned in this episode: GSM Collective The GSM Collective - Chicago Boutique concierge gynecology practice Led by Dr. Sameena Rahman, specialist in sexual medicine & menopause Unrushed appointments in a beautiful, private setting Personalized care for women's health, hormones, and pelvic floor issues Multiple membership options available Ready for personalized women's healthcare? Visit our Chicago office today. GSM Collective GSM Collective The GSM Collective - Chicago Boutique concierge gynecology practice Led by Dr. Sameena Rahman, specialist in sexual medicine & menopause Unrushed appointments in a beautiful, private setting Personalized care for women's health, hormones, and pelvic floor issues Multiple membership options available Ready for personalized women's healthcare? Visit our Chicago office today. GSM Collective

    31min

  2. 10 DE OUT.

    Inside the GSM Collective: Why Pelvic Floor Therapy is Essential for Women's Health

    If you've been following along, you may have noticed things look a bit different around my practice. In this episode, I'm sitting down with my amazing team—Karen Bradley (NP) and Grace Prete (pelvic floor PT)—to talk about why we transitioned to concierge medicine, changed our name to the GSM Collective, and what this all means for the care we provide. We discuss how insurance restrictions meant that even when we spent 30 minutes with patients more than most providers could offer it still wasn't enough time for patients with complex conditions like PGAD, vaginismus, and chronic pelvic pain who needed proper evaluation and treatment. Under our new concierge model with Ms. Medicine, we can now offer 90-minute first visits for pelvic floor patients, co-treat in the same appointment, and collaborate seamlessly to address the full spectrum of each patient's needs. Grace walks through what actually happens in pelvic floor PT, dispelling the anxiety many patients feel about internal exams. She explains her three-year journey from orthopedics to discovering her passion for treating chronic pain with emotional and physical components. The conversation covers why "just do kegels" is often wrong advice, how tension creates weakness, and why a tight pelvic floor causes urinary incontinence despite conventional wisdom. We also emphasize that pelvic floor dysfunction isn't just about postpartum issues it affects children with constipation, teenagers on hormonal birth control, athletes overworking their cores, and menopausal women with GSM. Highlights: Why we left insurance-based model. How concierge medicine allows 90-minute first visits and same-day co-treatment between providers.Why pelvic floor PT should be preventative, not just reactive to pain and dysfunction.How nitrous oxide helps those who are anxious progress through dilators in single sessions.How TMJ, back pain, and anxiety all connect to pelvic floor tension and clenching.Why pregnancy itself damages the pelvic floor regardless of delivery method. If this episode helped you understand the importance of pelvic floor therapy and comprehensive sexual medicine care, help other women discover this information by subscribing and leaving a review. Your reviews help more people find these discussions about different approaches to sexual health. Get in touch with me and my team: Website Instagram Youtube Substack Karen's Instagram Mentioned in this episode: GSM Collective The GSM Collective - Chicago Boutique concierge gynecology practice Led by Dr. Sameena Rahman, specialist in sexual medicine & menopause Unrushed appointments in a beautiful, private setting Personalized care for women's health, hormones, and pelvic floor issues Multiple membership options available Ready for personalized women's healthcare? Visit our Chicago office today. GSM Collective

    45min

  3. 3 DE OUT.

    How a Family Cancer Diagnosis and a Malawi Patient Led Dr. Rachel Pope to Sexual Medicine

    Dr. Rachel Pope explains how her sister's cancer diagnosis and a patient in Malawi asking "can you fix my vagina" opened her eyes to the massive gap in sexual health education within gynecology. As a fistula repair surgeon working in Sub-Saharan Africa for four years, Dr. Pope realized that even after successfully repairing bladder leaks, many patients couldn't have intercourse due to vaginal scar tissue yet providers never asked about sexual function. Meanwhile, her sister battling cancer was asking basic questions about intimacy that Dr. Pope, despite all her training and a fellowship, couldn't answer. These twin revelations led Dr. Pope to pursue sexual medicine education and eventually building Cleveland's first female sexual health division that spans multiple departments. Her unique background in global women's health, fistula repair, and reconstructive gynecology informs her holistic approach to sexual medicine and menopause care. The conversation also explores Dr. Pope's current research focus on perimenopause and cardiovascular health, believing this critical 10-year window before menopause holds the key to prevention rather than just treatment. She shares her proactive approach to her own perimenopause, including checking baseline testosterone levels at peak ovulation to guide future hormone therapy decisions. Highlights: Sexual function should be assessed after every pelvic surgery, not just assumedObstetric fistulas are still happening globally but were eliminated in the US once C-sections became accessible.Building a sexual medicine division works best when spanning multiple departments for true biopsychosocial care.The fellowship program accepts both urology and OBGYN applicants, with only two OBGYN programs in the country.Her work continues in Africa doing shorter trips and training local surgeons. If this episode inspired you to think differently about international women's health and sexual medicine education, help others discover this conversation by subscribing and leaving a review. Your reviews help more clinicians and patients find these discussions about comprehensive sexual health care. Connect with Dr. Pope: Website Instagram X Connect with me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack

    40min

  4. 26 DE SET.

    Preparing Millennials for the Next Phase: Perimenopause and Beyond with Lauren Tetenbaum

    This conversation with Lauren Tetenbaum revealed how her journey from reproductive rights lawyer to therapist led her to write "Millennial Menopause" after realizing she had no idea what was coming next in her late 30s. Her unique perspective combines legal advocacy, mental health expertise, and millennial pop culture references to make perimenopause education accessible and relatable. Lauren emphasized that millennials are still being dismissed by providers with harmful phrases like "you're too young" and "your labs are normal so you're fine." She stressed that perimenopause can start in the late 30s and that normal lab results don't rule out hormonal changes. The shadow of the Women's Health Initiative continues to create unnecessary fear about hormone therapy, with breast cancer concerns being the most common question she receives. The discussion highlighted how perimenopause intersects with major life transitions that define the millennial experience - career changes, relationship evaluations, and identity shifts. Lauren and I discussed while men experience "midlife crisis," women going through perimenopause often experience "midlife clarity" once they understand and treat their hormonal changes. This clarity sometimes leads to relationship changes as women reevaluate what they want and deserve. A significant focus was placed on the mental health impact of perimenopause, particularly for women with previous anxiety or depression. Lauren explained that old coping mechanisms often stop working, and symptoms like rage, brain fog, and irritability can feel overwhelming. She advocates for psychoeducation as the first step, helping women understand that these changes are hormonally driven and treatable, not character flaws. Lauren shared practical coping strategies including mindfulness techniques like box breathing, cold water on wrists or neck, and "putting the pause back in menopause." She emphasized the importance of partners getting educated and helping with the mental load rather than just witnessing the struggle. Her approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy with self-compassion work and acceptance. Highlights: Why millennials need to start preparing for perimenopause now, even in their 30s.Debunking the "too young" myth and normal lab fallacy.How perimenopause creates "midlife clarity" vs traditional midlife crisis.Practical mindfulness techniques: box breathing, cold water therapy, five senses grounding.The connection between postpartum mental health and perimenopause preparation.Why partners need education and how to support without judgment. If this episode helped you understand millennial perimenopause preparation and mental health support, help other women find this conversation by subscribing to the channel and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help more women discover these important discussions about preparing for life's next phase. Connect with Lauren: Website Book Instagram LinkedIn Connect with me: Website Instagram Youtube a href="https://gynogirl.substack.com/p/welcome-to-vagilante-nation?just_subscribed=true" rel="noopener...

    36min

  5. 19 DE SET.

    Dr. Carolyn Moyers: Validating Perimenopause When Labs Don't Tell the Story

    This conversation with Dr. Carolyn Moyers revealed how personal experience with perimenopause transformed her from a general OBGYN into a Menopause specialist. Her journey began when her youngest son pointed out she was getting "mean as she got older," leading her to recognize her own perimenopause symptoms and start estrogen therapy. Dr. Moyers emphasized the critical importance of debunking perimenopause myths that continue to harm women. The most damaging myths include "it's all in your head," "your labs are normal so you're fine," "you're too young for perimenopause," and "hormone therapy just delays the inevitable." She stressed that perimenopause is a clinical diagnosis that can start in the early 30s and last 7-10 years before the final menstrual period. The discussion highlighted the complexity of managing perimenopause versus menopause, with Dr. Moyers noting that perimenopause is actually more difficult to treat because of the "pesky period running around." She advocates strongly for the Mirena IUD, which reduces bleeding by 90% in the first six months, making hormone management much more straightforward. A significant focus was placed on metabolic changes during the menopause transition, including the natural 0.6% annual decline in muscle mass. Dr. Moyers outlined a comprehensive approach including strength training, protein-rich diets, sleep prioritization, and stress management. She introduced the concept of "thought dumping" - an unedited journaling practice combined with identifying three daily wins and three goals for tomorrow. Dr. Moyers shared her unique integration of osteopathic manipulation into menopause care, offering quarterly OMT sessions as part of her membership model. This hands-on approach helps balance the autonomic nervous system and addresses the physical manifestations of hormonal changes, particularly beneficial for pelvic pain and pregnancy-related discomfort. Highlights: Debunking harmful myths: "you're too young" and "labs are normal".Why perimenopause is harder to manage than menopause.Osteopathic manipulation for hormonal balance and pelvic pain relief."Thought dumping" stress management technique with daily wins tracking.Comprehensive metabolic support including strength training and nutrition.Strategic use of GLP-1 medications as jumpstart tools for sustainable change. If this episode helped you understand perimenopause management and holistic care options, help other women find this conversation by subscribing to the channel and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help more women discover these important discussions about comprehensive midlife health care. Connect with Dr. Moyers: Website Instagram Podcast Connect with me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack Mentioned in this episode: GSM Collective The GSM Collective - Chicago Boutique concierge gynecology practice Led by Dr. Sameena Rahman, specialist in sexual medicine & menopause Unrushed appointments in a beautiful, private...

    31min

  6. 12 DE SET.

    The ADHD Perimenopause Connection & Why Women Get Diagnosed Later in Life | Mandi Dixon

    If you've always managed just fine but suddenly feel like everything is falling apart in your 40s, the problem might not be perimenopause alone it could be revealing ADHD that's been masked your entire life. This conversation with therapist Mandi Dixon revealed a critical connection between ADHD and perimenopause that's leaving countless women struggling without answers. Dixon's work focuses on the intersection of neurodivergence and hormonal changes, addressing why so many women receive their first ADHD diagnosis during midlife transitions. The discussion explored how ADHD in girls and women presents differently than in boys - with internal hyperactivity like daydreaming and anxiety rather than external disruption. This leads to years of successful masking, where women learn to follow rules and appear organized while struggling internally. The hormonal support of estrogen helps maintain these coping mechanisms until perimenopause strips away that scaffolding. Dixon introduced the concept of "ugly perimenopause" - the severe mental health struggles that go beyond typical mood changes and require immediate attention. She emphasized that the highest suicide rates in women occur between ages 46-54, making this a critical period for intervention and support. The conversation highlighted how neurodivergent women experience more intense perimenopause symptoms due to nervous system sensitivity. Sensory overload becomes overwhelming - from cooking exhaust fans to children's noise levels. Rejection sensitive dysphoria, already challenging for ADHD individuals, intensifies with hormonal fluctuations, making criticism feel devastating. Dixon's therapeutic approach combines traditional counseling with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, which uses bilateral stimulation to help reprocess trauma. This technique proves particularly effective for both mental health recovery and physical conditions like pelvic pain where trauma responses interfere with healing. The discussion addressed the "menno divorce" phenomenon, with Dixon explaining that divorce often results from pre-existing relationship issues becoming intolerable once women stop accommodating poor treatment. Perimenopause doesn't cause problems but reveals them, giving women clarity about what they will and won't accept. Dixon stressed that neurodivergent women require specialized menopause care, describing them as "orchids" who need delicate handling during hormone therapy. The combination of hormonal treatment with mental health support often provides the best outcomes, with some women needing long-term antidepressant therapy as a "safety net" alongside hormone replacement. Highlights: Why ADHD gets missed in girls due to internal vs. external symptoms.The "ugly perimenopause" requiring immediate mental health intervention.Sensory overload and rejection sensitivity intensifying with hormone changes.EMDR therapy for trauma processing and pelvic pain recovery.How menopause empowerment reveals relationship problems rather than causing them.Neurodivergent women needing specialist hormone care and patience with treatment.The importance of combining hormone therapy with mental health support.Suicide risk peaks between ages 46-54 in women. If this episode helped you understand the ADHD-perimenopause connection, help other women find this conversation by subscribing to the channel and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help more women discover these important discussions about neurodivergence and hormonal health. Connect with Mandi: Website a href="https://instagram.com/adhdmenopausetherapist" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    45min

  7. 5 DE SET.

    Rewriting Your Love Story After 40: Dating Expert Bella Gandhi on Midlife Romance

    Dating after divorce, widowhood, or decades of marriage feels impossible - but what if the problem isn't that love is scarce, but that nobody ever taught you how to find the right person? This conversation with dating expert Bella Gandhi revealed why traditional approaches to finding love fail and how midlife presents unique opportunities for rewriting your romantic story. Gandhi's philosophy centers on "fixing your picker" learning to identify and choose partners based on compatibility rather than superficial chemistry or outdated checklists. The discussion explored the cultural challenges faced by South Asian women and others from conservative backgrounds who were discouraged from dating during their formative years, then suddenly expected to find life partners without any relationship skills. This creates a particularly challenging dynamic for professionals who focused on career development while neglecting romantic education. Gandhi addressed the "gray divorce" phenomenon, noting how hormonal clarity during perimenopause and menopause often coincides with women recognizing they've been settling for relationships that don't serve them. Economic independence allows women to leave situations their mothers and grandmothers couldn't escape, leading to increased midlife divorces and subsequent re-entry into dating. A major myth-busting focus emerged around modern dating being "harder than ever." Gandhi argues that technology simply provides more options than the historical six-block radius of potential partners. The real challenge isn't the dating landscape but the lack of education around relationship skills - something we'd never expect someone to master without training in any other life area. If this episode gave you hope about finding love at any age, help other women discover this conversation by subscribing to the channel and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help more women find the support they need for all aspects of midlife transitions. Highlights: Why "fixing your picker" matters more than finding matches.The cultural challenges of South Asian dating expectations.How perimenopause clarity contributes to "gray divorce".Debunking the myth that modern dating is impossible.Red flags: inconsistency, not respecting boundaries, too much too soon.Success stories from clients in their 70s finding love.Teaching relationship skills to teenagers and young adults. Connect with Bela: Website Instagram Facebook  Youtube Connect with me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack Mentioned in this episode: GSM Collective The GSM Collective - Chicago Boutique concierge gynecology practice Led by Dr. Sameena Rahman, specialist in sexual medicine & menopause Unrushed appointments in a beautiful, private setting Personalized care for women's health, hormones, and pelvic floor issues Multiple membership options available Ready for personalized women's healthcare? Visit our...

    36min

  8. 29 DE AGO.

    Dr. Jackie Piasta: Why Perimenopause Can Start at 36

    Perimenopause isn't just a buzzword it's the missing vocabulary that finally explains why your body feels like it's betraying you in your late 30s and 40s. This conversation with Dr. Jackie Piasta explored why perimenopause has become such a powerful word for women finally finding answers to years of unexplained symptoms. We discussed the complex hormonal orchestra that begins breaking down in the late 30s and early 40s, creating a cascade of physical and emotional changes that often leave women feeling like they're "not themselves." The physiology behind perimenopause involves the ovaries becoming less responsive to brain signals, leading to missed ovulations and progesterone deficiency. This creates what's often called "estrogen dominance" though we prefer the term "progesterone deficiency" to avoid vilifying estrogen. The result is unpredictable cycles, mood changes, brain fog, sleep disruption, and metabolic shifts. A major revelation emerged around hormone testing it's largely unhelpful during active perimenopause with regular cycles, since hormones fluctuate daily. However, testing can provide validation for women experiencing significant cycle disruptions, even if it doesn't change treatment plans. The key is understanding when testing makes sense versus when it's a waste of money. The conversation highlighted how perimenopause accelerates metabolic dysfunction, with cholesterol, blood sugar, and liver enzymes often rising for the first time. Dr. Piasta introduced the "red wine sign" when alcohol tolerance suddenly disappears as an early warning that metabolic changes are happening throughout the body. Treatment approaches vary based on individual needs, considering contraception requirements, cycle regulation, and symptom management. Both birth control pills and menopausal hormone therapy have roles in perimenopause care, often used together with IUDs providing contraception while hormones address symptoms. The goal is having more tools in the toolbox, not fewer. Highlights: Why perimenopause is a "power word," not just medical jargon.When to test hormones (and when not to waste your money).Metabolic changes that accelerate during perimenopause.Birth control pills vs. menopausal hormone therapy approaches.When your body stops processing alcohol.Weight gain and metabolic dysfunction solutions.Treatment strategies for the "sandwich generation". If this episode gave you new perspective on perimenopause and metabolic health, help other women find this conversation by subscribing to the channel and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help more women discover these important discussions about taking control of their healthcare choices. Connect with Dr. Piasta: Website Instagram Connect with me: Website Instagram Youtube Substack Mentioned in this episode: GSM Collective The GSM Collective - Chicago Boutique concierge gynecology practice Led by Dr. Sameena Rahman, specialist in sexual medicine & menopause Unrushed appointments in a beautiful, private setting Personalized care for women's health, hormones, and pelvic floor issues Multiple membership options available Ready for...

    44min
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As a fierce champion for women empowering women (and the people that love them), GynoGirl provides the knowledge and education to help you advocate for yourself so that you can live your best life! Dr. Sameena Rahman curates a space for exploring hormonal changes, sexual health, and pelvic wellness, while also emphasizing self-love and life improvement. Through collaborations with leading experts and the personal stories of patients, she provides a platform for knowledge-sharing while also addressing healthcare issues that have impaired women’s quality of life.  A board-certified, South-Asian Muslim-American gynecologist who specializes in sex medicine and menopause, Dr. Rahman highlights the influence of religion, culture, racial bias, and societal factors on sexual health experiences.

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