Sexual health is a vital part of overall well-being, yet it's often one of the most overlooked and least discussed aspects of women's health.  

In this episode of HERology, regular hosts Dr. Anna Barbieri and Dr. Joanne Stone sit down with Dr. Jackie Giannelli, Director of Women's Sexual Health at the Carolyn Rowan Center for Women's Health and Wellness at Mount Sinai, to explore the physical, emotional, and hormonal factors that shape sexual wellness throughout a woman's life. 

From libido and intimacy to menopause, pelvic health, and the latest treatment options, Dr. Giannelli helps separate fact from fiction and sheds light on conversations that deserve a lot more exposure. Along the way, she offers practical, evidence-based guidance to help women feel more confident, connected, and empowered in their bodies. 

Whether you're looking to rekindle a spark, improve communication with your partner, or simply get more comfortable talking about sexual health, this episode gets straight to the heart of the matter while proving that a healthy sex life is about much more than performance.  

Tune in for an open, honest discussion that's informative, enlightening, and, at times, just a little stimulating. 

👉 To learn more about Mount Sinai’s services or to schedule an appointment with the Rowan Center, visit Mount Sinai online today: https://www.mountsinai.org/?pk_vid=174eeee090819798177342044977c34c 

If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women’s health, sexual wellness, fertility, menopause, aging, and more! 

From protein and collagen to creatine, greens and electrolytes, nutritional powders are everywhere—but do women really need them? And how do you know which ones are worth taking? 

On this episode of HERology, co-hosts Dr. Joanne Stone and Dr. Anna Barbieri are joined by Anita Mirchandani, MS, RD, CDN, Director of Nutrition and Wellness at the Carolyn Rowan Center for Women’s Health and Wellness at Mount Sinai, to break down the growing world of nutritional powders and what they can—and can't—do for women's health. 

The experts also discuss how nutritional needs can change throughout different stages of life, why whole foods should remain the foundation of a healthy diet, how to evaluate the quality and safety of nutritional powders, and why consumers should be wary of products that promise to solve every symptom or health concern with a single scoop. 

Whether you're already stocking your kitchen counter with powders or wondering if you need any at all, this episode offers a practical, evidence-conscious guide to making smarter choices about nutritional supplements. 

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women's health, hormones, fertility, menopause, aging, and the science behind living well! 

👉 To learn more about Mount Sinai’s services or to schedule an appointment with the Rowan Center, visit Mount Sinai online today: https://www.mountsinai.org/?pk_vid=174eeee090819798177342044977c34c 

If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women’s health, sexual wellness, fertility, menopause, aging, and more! 

Pregnancy is a transformative experience—but what does a truly healthy pregnancy look like, and how can patients prepare for one? 

In this episode of HERology, Dr. Anu Lala is joined by her co-hosts, Dr. Joanne Stone and Dr. Anna Barbieri, for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about pregnancy before, during, and after delivery.  

They discuss why a preconception visit can be so important, how a woman's pregnancy history can provide a window into her current and future health, and why "common" symptoms shouldn't necessarily be dismissed as normal. 

The conversation also explores what symptoms and complications deserve closer attention, choosing the right obstetric practice, birth plans and vaginal delivery after a C-section, medications and pregnancy—including the unanswered questions surrounding GLP-1 medications—and the larger gaps in what we know about medication safety during pregnancy. 

👉 To learn more about Mount Sinai’s services or to schedule an appointment with the Rowan Center, visit Mount Sinai online today: https://www.mountsinai.org/?pk_vid=174eeee090819798177342044977c34c 

If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women’s health, sexual wellness, fertility, menopause, aging, and more! 

What happens when passion, philanthropy, and medicine come together with one shared goal? A transformation in women's healthcare. 

In this episode of HERology, Dr. Joanne Stone sits down with Carolyn Rowan—the visionary whose support helped bring the Carolyn Rowan Center for Women's Health and Wellness to life. 

Joined by Drs. Anna Barbieri and Leslee Shaw, the conversation explores why women need more coordinated, personalized care throughout every stage of life, how thoughtful design can shape the healthcare experience, and why education and early intervention are changing the future of women's health. 

From building healthier habits and reducing disease risk to finding purpose, confidence, and balance, this episode is filled with practical insights and inspiring reflections for women of every generation. 

👉 To learn more about Mount Sinai’s services or to schedule an appointment with the Rowan Center, visit Mount Sinai online today: https://www.mountsinai.org/?pk_vid=174eeee090819798177342044977c34c 

If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women’s health, sexual wellness, fertility, menopause, aging, and more! 

What if the questions women have been asking for decades are finally getting answers? 

In this special crossover episode of The Vitals and HERology, Vitals host Leslie Schlachter sits down with Drs. Joanne Stone, Anna Barbieri, and Leslee Shaw to celebrate the opening of Mount Sinai's Carolyn Rowan Center for Women's Health and Wellness—and to explore how it's reshaping women's healthcare. 

From puberty through pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, and healthy aging, the conversation tackles the hormonal transitions that affect every stage of a woman's life. The panel separates fact from fiction on hormone therapy, GLP-1 medications, peptides, compounded drugs, and the flood of wellness advice dominating social media, while explaining why prevention, education, and personalized care matter more than ever. 

Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 60s—or simply want to better understand women's health—this episode offers practical, evidence-based guidance from leading experts who are changing the conversation. 

Subscribe for more conversations with the physicians, researchers, and innovators advancing medicine at Mount Sinai. 

👉 To learn more about Mount Sinai’s services or to schedule an appointment with the Rowan Center, visit Mount Sinai online today: https://www.mountsinai.org/?pk_vid=174eeee090819798177342044977c34c 

If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women’s health, sexual wellness, fertility, menopause, aging, and more! 

What supplements are actually worth taking during midlife—and which ones are all hype? 

On this episode of HERology, co-hosts Dr. Anna Barbieri and Dr. Joanne Stone are joined by Dr. Francesco Callipari, Medical Director of the Carolyn Rowan Center for Women's Health and Wellness, for a practical conversation about navigating today's booming supplement industry with confidence. 

From vitamin D and magnesium to omega-3s, creatine, collagen, melatonin, and black cohosh, the panel explores what the evidence actually shows, how to identify high-quality products, and why supplements should complement—not replace—a healthy lifestyle. They also discuss common nutritional deficiencies, the importance of individualized care, and how women can avoid misleading health claims while making informed decisions during perimenopause and menopause. 

Whether you're wondering which supplements deserve a place in your routine or simply trying to separate science from social media, this episode offers thoughtful, evidence-based guidance from Mount Sinai experts. 

👉 To learn more about Mount Sinai’s services or to schedule an appointment with the Rowan Center, visit Mount Sinai online today: https://www.mountsinai.org/?pk_vid=174eeee090819798177342044977c34c 

If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women’s health, sexual wellness, fertility, menopause, aging, and more! 

What does resilience really mean for women—and how does it change across a lifetime? 

In this episode of HERology, co-hosts Drs. Anna Barbieri, Anu Lala, and Joanne Stone are joined by clinical psychologist Jonathan DePierro, PhD, to explore how women experience resilience through adolescence, pregnancy, parenthood, midlife, and beyond. 

Together, they discuss how resilience is shaped not only by hardship, but by social support, purpose, flexibility, and the ability to grow through uncertainty. The conversation also examines the unique pressures women face at different life stages—from body image and social media to fertility, postpartum adjustment, caregiving, perimenopause, and the emotional labor of daily life. 

This episode explores: 

• What resilience actually means—and why it’s more than just “pushing through” 
• Why women may experience stress, trauma, and life transitions differently 
• How social support, community, and meaning can strengthen resilience 
• The impact of pregnancy, postpartum life, and perimenopause on mental health 
• Practical ways to build resilience, from reframing negative thoughts to creating small daily rituals 

Whether you’re navigating a major life transition or simply trying to manage the demands of everyday life, this conversation offers practical, compassionate insights into what it means to adapt, recover, and grow. 

👉 To learn more about Mount Sinai’s services or to schedule an appointment with the Rowan Center, visit Mount Sinai online today: https://www.mountsinai.org/?pk_vid=174eeee090819798177342044977c34c 

If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women’s health, sexual wellness, fertility, menopause, aging, and more! 

Can seed cycling balance your hormones? Do you need to detox your uterus after your period? Can an IUD travel to your brain? And is heart disease really more dangerous for men than women? 

In this myth-busting episode of HERology, our co-hosts—Drs. Anu Lala, Joanne Stone, and Anna Barbieri—separate fact from fiction on some of the most common women's health misconceptions circulating online and in everyday conversation. 

Together, they tackle myths surrounding such areas as:  

• fertility 
• perimenopause 
• hormone therapy 
• pregnancy exercise 
• birth control 
• ovarian cysts 
• fibroids 
• uterine "detoxes"  
• irregular periods 
• HPV testing 
• and much more. 

Whether you're navigating reproductive health, menopause, pregnancy, or simply trying to make sense of the latest wellness trends, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights from three leading Mount Sinai physicians. 

👉 To learn more about Mount Sinai’s services or to schedule an appointment with the Rowan Center, visit Mount Sinai online today: https://www.mountsinai.org/?pk_vid=174eeee090819798177342044977c34c 

If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women’s health, sexual wellness, fertility, menopause, aging, and more! 

Advertising for GLP-1 hormones is everywhere now—but what are GLP-1s, and are they effective? 

On this special edition of HERology, co-host Drs. Joanne Stone, Anna Barbieri, and Anu Lala explore the science—and controversy—behind GLP-1 medications. The hosts examine the complex intersection of hormones, aging, and weight gain—especially for women—and tackle essential details, such as: 

• The line between medical treatment and aesthetics; 
• The importance of lifestyle alongside medication; 
• How nutrition, movement, and sustainable habits remain foundational to health. 

From disparities in access and social pressures to the role of prevention and policy, this conversation highlights both the promise and limitations of these widely discussed therapies. 

HERology from the Mount Sinai Health System is dedicated to unpacking the science of women’s health—and helping listeners navigate it with clarity and confidence.  

🎧 Subscribe to HERology and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHljLosQGv1XbpLc-IVpPBfEd 

👉 To learn more about Mount Sinai’s services or to schedule an appointment with the Rowan Center, visit Mount Sinai online today: https://www.mountsinai.org/?pk_vid=174eeee090819798177342044977c34c 

If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women’s health, sexual wellness, fertility, menopause, aging, and more! 

On this episode of HERology, co-hosts Drs. Joanne Stone, Anna Barbieri, and Leslee Shaw examine what we don’t know about women’s health—and why that gap matters.  

Despite major advances in medicine, women remain underrepresented in research, clinical trials, and even the design of medical devices. This conversation explores: 

• How these gaps have shaped everything from diagnosis to treatment 
• Why funding for women’s health has historically lagged behind 
• How structural issues—from fragmented care to lack of representation in leadership—continue to influence outcomes today. 

HERology from the Mount Sinai Health System is dedicated to uncovering the science behind women’s health—and pushing the conversation forward. 

👉 To learn more about Mount Sinai’s services or to schedule an appointment with the Rowan Center, visit Mount Sinai online today: https://www.mountsinai.org/?pk_vid=174eeee090819798177342044977c34c 

If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.

Subscribe to HERology for more conversations about women’s health, sexual wellness, fertility, menopause, aging, and more!