In this episode, Dr. Hirsch interviews Doctor of Physical Therapy, Melissa Gallow about diastasis recti (also known as DRA), a common post-partum or midlife condition.  Together, Drs. Hirsch and Gallow dive deep into explaining how a diastasis recti develops, and answer common questions such as the most common presentations of DRA, how it is best diagnosed, and exercises or postures that can make a DRA worse during (or after) pregnancy. Dr. Gallow also talks about what types of exercise she recommends post-partum for women with a DRA, and when and how women can safely start re-strengthen their core after baby. Together, they invite to you listen in as they tackle the most common myths about DRA in an exciting podcast intended to make women more aware, proactive, and educated about their bodies.

In this episode, Dr. Heather Hirsch goes in depth covering the most common endocrine disorder of reproductive age women, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Because this disorder crosses so many various specialties of medicine, this can actually lead both under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis of this syndrome. If you have this syndrome, it is vital to have it appropriately diagnosed, and to find treatment that fits your individualized goals and situational lifestyle priorities. This podcast covers many of the most commonly asked or searched for questions on PCOS such as:

*How do I know that I have it? What can your doctor see on physical exam? What labs should your doctor check? When should you get an ultrasound?

*Why should you care about or rule in or out this diagnosis? Well, it can lead to fertility concerns, metabolic syndrome, and uterine cancer due to long-standing unopposed estrogen. It can also lead to other issues such as anxiety/depression, fatty liver, insulin resistance, sleep apnea, and more.

*How can I treat it? From lifestyle changes to various medications, this podcast provides some guidance on treatment modalities you can discuss with your doctor that fits your needs and priorities.

*How can you tell if treatment is working?

Join Dr. Hirsch on her journey to cover many of the common myths and misconceptions about the most common endocrine disorder that affects reproductive age women.

In this episode, Dr. Heather Hirsch goes in depth covering the most common endocrine disorder of reproductive age women, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Because this disorder crosses so many various specialties of medicine, this can actually lead both under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis of this syndrome. If you have this syndrome, it is vital to have it appropriately diagnosed, and to find treatment that fits your individualized goals and situational lifestyle priorities. This podcast covers many of the most commonly asked or searched for questions on PCOS such as:

*How do I know that I have it? What can your doctor see on physical exam? What labs should your doctor check? When should you get an ultrasound?

*Why should you care about or rule in or out this diagnosis? Well, it can lead to fertility concerns, metabolic syndrome, and uterine cancer due to long-standing unopposed estrogen. It can also lead to other issues such as anxiety/depression, fatty liver, insulin resistance, sleep apnea, and more.

*How can I treat it? From lifestyle changes to various medications, this podcast provides some guidance on treatment modalities you can discuss with your doctor that fits your needs and priorities.

*How can you tell if treatment is working?

Join Dr. Hirsch on her journey to cover many of the common myths and misconceptions about the most common endocrine disorder that affects reproductive age women.

In this episode, Dr. Kristi Tough, A highly accomplished and fellowship trained Women’s Health Specialist, talks in detail about why you should really dial into your bone health and make it a priority. Dr. Tough opens up about why she is so passionate about bone health, and why preventing a fracture is a real risk that poses significant challenges for women in midlife. She discusses the important differences between normal bone loss and pathological bone loss. She also answers questions about the role of Calcium and Vitamin D, and when this treatment is not sufficient. She breaks down numerous myths about treatment options, including bisphosphonates, anabolic agents and monoclonal antibody therapy.  In more detail, she answers the following questions:* What are the biggest hesitancies women have about starting treatment for osteopenia/osteoporosis?* What is the difference between normal bone loss with aging and pathologic bone loss?* When should you be screened earlier than age 65 with a bone density (BMD)?* What is the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis?* What is the real story behind calcium and vitamin D treatment, and who really needs it?* What are the pro and cons of bisphosphonate treatment?* What lifestyle changes can be made to prevent bone loss and how effective are these remedies?* What is on the horizon for bone medications?* How can physician’s best advocate for bone health when other common medical conditions often take priority?* And more!

In this episode, Dr. Kristi Tough, A highly accomplished and fellowship trained Women’s Health Specialist, talks in detail about why you should really dial into your bone health and make it a priority. Dr. Tough opens up about why she is so passionate about bone health, and why preventing a fracture is a real risk that poses significant challenges for women in midlife. She discusses the important differences between normal bone loss and pathological bone loss. She also answers questions about the role of Calcium and Vitamin D, and when this treatment is not sufficient. She breaks down numerous myths about treatment options, including bisphosphonates, anabolic agents and monoclonal antibody therapy.  In more detail, she answers the following questions:* What are the biggest hesitancies women have about starting treatment for osteopenia/osteoporosis?* What is the difference between normal bone loss with aging and pathologic bone loss?* When should you be screened earlier than age 65 with a bone density (BMD)?* What is the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis?* What is the real story behind calcium and vitamin D treatment, and who really needs it?* What are the pro and cons of bisphosphonate treatment?* What lifestyle changes can be made to prevent bone loss and how effective are these remedies?* What is on the horizon for bone medications?* How can physician’s best advocate for bone health when other common medical conditions often take priority?* And more!

My lifelong best friend and radio host Lindsey Miller gets the chance to interview me on how I became interested in medicine and women’s health in particular. In this absolutely hilarious and raw interview, Lindsey takes a deep dive into learning more about me. We talk about my bumps along my journey, all things medical school, residency and fellowship, along with how being a doctor and a mom shape the way I practice. If you have been interested in my podcast topics and simply want to learn more about me on a personal level – this podcast gets it done!

My lifelong best friend and radio host Lindsey Miller gets the chance to interview me on how I became interested in medicine and women’s health in particular. In this absolutely hilarious and raw interview, Lindsey takes a deep dive into learning more about me. We talk about my bumps along my journey, all things medical school, residency and fellowship, along with how being a doctor and a mom shape the way I practice. If you have been interested in my podcast topics and simply want to learn more about me on a personal level – this podcast gets it done!

As a fellowship trained menopause physician, I want to ensure that you are getting the real facts so that you can make the most informed choices about your health.

1. Bio-identical is better —>

Probably the biggest myth is the one surrounding what bio-identical means. Did you know there is nothing “identical” to you? this slang term simply means you are just using a plant based estradiol. Furthermore,  you don’t need fancy testing or expensive compounding to get this.

2. Saliva testing is best —>

No! A simple blood test for two hormones is all you need to determine if you are in menopause.

3. Hormone therapy (HT) has to be expensive —>

No! There are plenty of FDA approved, safe options that you can get for an affordable price (yes even “bio-identicals”, which is just a plant based estradiol) that you can get affordably at your local pharmacy.

4. HT is unsafe —>

This common myth has a whole podcast dedicated to it on iTunes already! (The Science behind it- Easing your fears of Hormone Therapy).

5. Local vaginal estrogen carries the same risk as systemic HT —>

No! local vaginal estrogen is just treating the lower GU track and does not travel systemically.

6. HT causes weight gain —>

No! In fact, I believe it helps the crashing metabolism often seen at the time of menopause when you lose your estrogen.

7. HT use is the leading cause of breast cancer —>

No! In fact, women who take estrogen alone (only if you have had your uterus removed) have lower risks of breast cancer. Risks of breast cancer are not elevated in women who use natural progestins. Much more on this in the podcast!

8. You must stop HT at age 65 (or some other random year that your uninformed doctor says) —>

Absolutely not! Both AGOG and NAMS (the governing menopause society in the US) both state that there is no longer a need to stop at any recommended age anymore! This is an outdated mantra!

9. Over the counter herbals help —>

Nah. Over the counter medications have a strong placebo effect that lasts for a few months and then wears off because it was simply a placebo effect.

10. “Estrogen dominance.” —>

This is also a bit of a slang term. It refers to pre-menopausal women probably at risk for PCOS. Since you don’t make really any estrogen after menopause – estrogen therefore, be “dominate” any longer.

06: The Pelvic Floor: Women and Physical Therapy:In This fascinating episode, Melissa Gallow, DPT  talks about women and their pelvic floor health. You will be blown away when you learn all the aspects of pelvic health - especially if you have had a baby (even 30+ years ago), or even if you have never had a bady and how these can effect your daily life. In more detai we discuss:Why we feel pelvic pain gets missed by doctors and patients. What pelvic floor therapy is and what you can expect out of itHow chronic abdominal (or knee/shoulder/hip) pain can play a role in pelvic health.Who would benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy and why.What things can increase your risk for pain in the pelvic area.The role that incontinence plays in pelvic floor physical therapyWhat type of training is best after you have a baby (high vs. low impact)How painful sex can tie into your pelvic health.. and more

06: The Pelvic Floor: Women and Physical Therapy:In This fascinating episode, Melissa Gallow, DPT  talks about women and their pelvic floor health. You will be blown away when you learn all the aspects of pelvic health - especially if you have had a baby (even 30+ years ago), or even if you have never had a bady and how these can effect your daily life. In more detai we discuss:Why we feel pelvic pain gets missed by doctors and patients. What pelvic floor therapy is and what you can expect out of itHow chronic abdominal (or knee/shoulder/hip) pain can play a role in pelvic health.Who would benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy and why.What things can increase your risk for pain in the pelvic area.The role that incontinence plays in pelvic floor physical therapyWhat type of training is best after you have a baby (high vs. low impact)How painful sex can tie into your pelvic health.. and more