7 Domains of Women's Health

By The Scope Radio, University of Utah Health

7 Domains of Women's Health episodes

October 16 E123: The Emotional Domain of PMOS
Women with PMOS appear to carry more depression. Girls with childhood obesity have close to a 50 percent risk of PMOS, compared with about 3 percent for girls at a typical weight. And a woman who learns she has plenty of eggs that are not being released is in a very different place from one who believes her ovaries are failing.
In the emotional domain of PMOS, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, trace the points across a woman’s life where this condition chips away at her self-esteem, from early puberty and adolescence to the diagnosis, the daily upkeep of acne and unwanted hair growth, fertility, and pregnancy. They advocate that treating visible symptoms is therapy, not vanity.
31 min
October 09 E122: The Physical Domain of PMOS
Unpredictable periods; unwanted acne and hair growth; metabolic changes; sleep apnea; and the cycle in which body, mood, and self-image feed one another. Between 8 and 20 percent of women of reproductive age have polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), yet there is no single blood test or scan that can diagnose it.
In the physical domain of PMOS, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, open the series by unpacking what the name means, how diagnostic criteria are changing, and what the syndrome does to the body. Endocrinologist Corrine Welt, MD, joins the conversation to discuss how PMOS shows up from childhood through adolescence, its genetic and prenatal roots, long-term health risks, and treatment and self-care strategies, including GLP-1 medications.
34 min
July 31 E121: The Spiritual Domain of Perimenopause
Perimenopause is more than a hormonal transition—it can also be a time of profound personal transformation. As the brain undergoes another period of change during midlife, many women find themselves reflecting on identity, purpose, relationships, and what comes next. Rather than signaling an ending, this stage of life may offer an opportunity for growth and renewal.
In the spiritual domain of perimenopause, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how women can approach this transition with curiosity instead of fear. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, literature, and years of caring for women in midlife, they discuss how our response to change can shape who we become.
23 min
July 24 E120: The Environmental Domain of Perimenopause
The environment shapes more than the world around us. From air quality and chemical exposures to workplace conditions and early life experiences, the environments we live in can influence when and how we experience perimenopause.
In the environmental domain of perimenopause, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore the many ways our surroundings shape the menopausal transition. They examine how environmental factors may influence reproductive aging, discuss practical strategies for creating more supportive home and workplace environments, and consider how stigma, social inequities, and misinformation can make perimenopause more difficult to navigate. The conversation also highlights the importance of evidence-based information and compassionate environments that help women manage this normal stage of life with confidence rather than fear.
27 min
July 17 E119: The Financial Domain of Perimenopause
The menopause industry is booming, but not every product, test, or treatment is backed by good science. From hormone panels and compounded therapies to supplements, social media influencers, and telemedicine startups, women navigating perimenopause are increasingly being asked to spend money on solutions that may offer little evidence—or prioritize profit over patient care.
In the financial domain of perimenopause, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, examine the business of perimenopause care through the lens of evidence-based medicine. They revisit the history of hormone therapy, unpack how past research continues to shape public perception, and explore why misinformation can become a profitable business model.
27 min
July 10 E118: The Intellectual Domain of Perimenopause
While many women experience “brain fog” during the menopausal transition, research shows that healthy lifestyle habits—including regular exercise, quality sleep, and cardiovascular health—remain among the most effective ways to protect long-term brain function.
In the intellectual domain of perimenopause, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, are joined by neurologist Christine Cliatt Brown, MD, to separate fact from fiction about the aging female brain. They discuss what current research tells us about hormones and brain health, the growing influence of misinformation surrounding perimenopause, and the evidence-based strategies women can adopt to support cognitive health throughout midlife and beyond.
32 min
July 03 E117: The Social Domain of Perimenopause
Humans are one of only a handful of species in which females routinely live decades beyond their reproductive years. One leading explanation, known as the “grandmother hypothesis,” suggests older women helped humans survive and thrive by supporting children and grandchildren long after their own childbearing years had ended.
In the social domain of perimenopause, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, are joined by Kristen Hawkes, PhD, distinguished professor of anthropology and pioneer of the grandmother hypothesis. At a time when many women are told to fear aging or mourn the end of fertility, they examine why post-reproductive women have long played a vital role in human communities, how older generations contribute to the health and success of families, and what this reveals about our deeply social nature.
25 min
June 26 E116: The Emotional Domain of Perimenopause
About 20 percent of women experience depression during the menopausal transition, and many more report increased anxiety, irritability, mood swings, or changes in sexual desire. Yet these symptoms are rarely caused by hormones alone. Genetics, life experiences, relationships, health conditions, aging, and the demands of midlife all intersect during this period, making the psychological and behavioral effects of perimenopause far more complex than fluctuating estrogen levels.
In the emotional domain of perimenopause, Anna Nash, PhD, joins Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, to examine the mood, mental health, and relationship changes that often accompany the transition to menopause. The conversation explores how women’s sense of self, relationships, and overall well-being evolve with age, experience, and changing priorities.
30 min
June 19 E115: The Physical Domain of Perimenopause
About 1.3 million women in the United States enter menopause each year, but the transition often begins long before the final menstrual period. In fact, perimenopause can start in a woman’s 40s—or even her late 30s—and may last several years as hormone levels fluctuate unpredictably. Despite affecting half the population, many women are surprised by the wide range of physical symptoms that can accompany this transition.
In the physical domain of perimenopause, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, launch the 7 Domains of Perimenopause series by exploring what is actually happening in the body during these transitional years. From irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and changing metabolism to the often-misunderstood role of hormone fluctuations, they separate common myths from evidence-based medicine.
37 min
April 24 E114: The Spiritual Domain of Risks
Across cultures and throughout history, humans have turned to something beyond themselves in moments of uncertainty—seeking guidance, meaning, or comfort when outcomes are unknown. Whether through prayer, ritual, or quiet reflection, spirituality often emerges most clearly when the stakes are high.
In the spiritual domain of risks, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how belief systems shape the way we understand and respond to risk. Drawing from anthropology, personal experience, and global traditions, the conversation examines why humans are wired to seek meaning in uncertainty—and what happens when faith is challenged, lost, or transformed.
24 min

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Conversations for all the women in your life. Women’s health encompasses far more than the issues discussed in a doctor’s office—it is deeply intertwined with the unique experiences, challenges, and…