Vulvar cancer screening refers to checking for signs of vulvar cancer in individuals who may not have symptoms. Vulvar cancer is rare, and there isn't a standard screening test specifically for it like there is for cervical cancer with Pap smears. However, early detection often relies on regular pelvic exams and self-examinations to look for any abnormalities or changes in the vulvar area. Dr. Melissa Mauskar joins me to discuss vulvar screening in this episode.

Dr. Melissa Mauskar is a Dermatologist and Associate Professor in the Departments of Dermatology and Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. She is the Director of Genital Dermatology and Women's Health and is an International expert in Lichen Sclerosus and Vulvar dermatoses. Melissa is a fellow of the International Society of the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases (ISSVD) and the Secretary General of the North American Chapter of the ISSVD. In addition to caring for patients with lichen sclerosus, she is active in clinical research and passionate about patient quality of life and health literacy initiatives.  Melissa is the Founding President of the Vulvar Dermatoses Research Consortium (VDRC), an expansive group of healthcare practitioners and trainees in North America dedicated to advancing the field of vulvar health.

Featured in this episode:

• When to see your GYN or healthcare practitioner
• Look at your vulvar once a month
• Lichen Scelorus symptoms
• Check out the vulvar poem here
• Get Dr. Melissa Mauskar’s free e-book on Lichen Scelorus here
• Listen to the Vulva poem by Dr. Pope here

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

In this insightful episode, I am joined by Dr. Cynthia Owusu, a leading expert in geriatric oncology. Together, we discuss proactive steps women can take to reduce cancer risk, the emotional toll of a breast cancer diagnosis, and the importance of early detection.

Dr. Owusu shares valuable tips for lowering the chances of developing breast cancer:

• Maintain a Healthy Body Weight: Learn how maintaining a normal weight can significantly impact your health and reduce cancer risk.
• Increase Physical Activity: Dr. Owusu explains how regular exercise is crucial not only for boosting mood but also for lowering cancer risk. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days.
• Limit Alcohol Consumption: Find out how reducing or eliminating alcohol can make a big difference in your overall health.

Dr. Owusu also dives into the emotional challenges women face post-diagnosis, including anxiety, depression, and stress, particularly around the uncertainty of treatment options like chemotherapy. However, she reassures listeners that many women diagnosed with breast cancer do not require chemotherapy.

The episode emphasizes that breast cancer is curable, especially when detected early. Dr. Owusu also sheds light on the common use of surgery and other treatments for breast cancer patients.

Dr. Cynthia Owusu is a renowned expert in geriatric oncology. She is currently the principal investigator on a $2.8M research grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Disparities. This important study explores the impact of physical activity on functional status, body composition, and biomarkers of breast cancer prognosis among African American and socially disadvantaged breast cancer survivors. Dr. Owusu is also actively working to improve participation of all women in clinical trials to help enhance breast cancer outcomes in this vulnerable population.

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September is Perimenopause Awareness Month and October is Menopause Awareness Month!! And we are diving into all things perimenopause and menopause.

Did you know that in Costa Rica, hormone therapy for menopause is available through the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) as part of its universal healthcare services? Women who are covered by the public healthcare system can access medical consultations and treatments, including hormone therapy, for menopausal symptoms. What a wonderful resource for women.

In this episode of Our Womanity with Dr. Rachel Pope, I am joined by Dr. Gabriela Alvarado to discuss perimenopause and menopause within the Latin American culture.

Dr. Gabriela Alvarado is a physician and an associate policy researcher at RAND who focuses on maternal health and sexual and reproductive health using a reproductive justice framework. Her research includes the use of innovative qualitative and community-centered approaches to understand and address drivers of disparities in different reproductive health outcomes such as contraceptive uptake, breastfeeding, maternal morbidity and mortality, maternal mental health, postpartum depression, access to health information (and misinformation), and access to abortion. Prior to RAND, she has worked in primary health care delivery, the health nonprofit sector, state government, and as a consultant for the Pan-American Health Organization.

She obtained her medical degree from the University of Costa Rica and has a masters in public health and anthropology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Georgia State University. She completed her Ph.D. in policy analysis from the Pardee RAND Graduate School.

Featured in this episode:

• How different languages may not have a name for menopause or hot flashes
• Traditional roles for Latin American women
• Increase in various conditions once women move across the border to the US
• Lack of diversity in menopause research

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• TikTok: @vulvadoctor
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September is Perimenopause Awareness Month! And we are diving into all things perimenopause and menopause.

How do policies and laws impact women’s rights during perimenopause and menopause in the workplace? In this episode of Our Womanity with Dr. Rachel Pope, we delve into this important issue with expert guests Naomi R. Cahn, the Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Distinguished Professor of Law, and the Nancy L. Buc '69 Research Professor in Democracy and Equity at the University of Virginia School of Law. Naomi is the author of numerous books, including Fair Shake (2024). Joining the conversation is Emily Gold Waldman, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor of Law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.

Along with Bridget J. Crawford, a University Distinguished Professor at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, who is the co-author, with Emily Gold Waldman, of Menstruation Matters (2022), among other publications, the three women recently published the book “Hot Flash How the Law Ignores Menopause and What We Can Do About It”, set out to replace the silence surrounding menopause with a deeper understanding.

Hot Flash explores the cultural stereotypes associated with menopause and examines how menopause is handled in both law and medicine. The book positions menopause as one of several key stages in a person’s reproductive life. Using U.S. legislation around pregnancy and breastfeeding as a framework, the authors propose updates to workplace policies and laws that would include menopause. Their work invites us to envision a legal landscape that promotes a more equitable future for all.

Order your copy of Hot Flash: How the Law Ignores Menopause and What We Can Do About It, available through Stanford University Press.

Featured in this episode:

• Millions of women are working during menopause, but US law isn’t clear on employees’ rights or employers’ obligations
• Menopause treatments can help with hot flashes and other symptoms – but many people aren’t aware of the latest advances 

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September is Perimenopause Awareness Month! And we are diving into all things perimenopause and menopause.

Are you experiencing increased anxiety, depression, or changes in your mental health during this transition? Dr. Danette Conklin, PhD, Director of Behavioral Health in Bariatric Surgery & Weight Management at University Hospitals, and an expert in midlife wellness for women, shares valuable tips to help you navigate these challenges.

As a healthcare professional, her primary skills include conducting behavioral health evaluations for bariatric surgery, providing behavioral health interventions for weight management, and conducting research in women’s health and healthcare disparities.

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September is Perimenopause Awareness Month! And we are diving into all things perimenopause and menopause.

In Part 2 of this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of perimenopause and menopause with expert guidance from Dr. James H. Liu, a renowned menopause expert and past president of the Menopause Society. As we celebrate Perimenopause Awareness Month, we aim to shed light on the common symptoms and treatments women experience during this transformative phase of life.

Here is some practical advice from one of the top voices in the menopause field, Dr. James H. Liu on why women experience irregular bleeding or heavy bleeding during menopause.

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Navigating Menopause Part 1: Hormone Therapy or Birth Control?

September is Perimenopause Awareness Month! And we are diving into all things perimenopause and menopause.

In Part 1 of this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of perimenopause and menopause with expert guidance from Dr. James H. Liu, a renowned menopause expert and past president of the Menopause Society. As we celebrate Perimenopause Awareness Month, we aim to shed light on the common symptoms and treatments women experience during this transformative phase of life.

Here is some practical advice from one of the top voices in the menopause field, Dr. James H. Liu on the difference between hormone therapy and birth control for managing symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and irregular periods.

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September is Perimenopause Awareness Month! And we are diving into all things perimenopause and menopause.

A Brief History of Menopause in the 20th Century:

Early 20th Century: With advancements in endocrinology, menopause was recognized as a hormonal shift due to declining levels of estrogen. In the 1930s and 40s, estrogen replacement therapy began to be explored as a treatment for menopausal symptoms.

1960s and 1970s: The development of hormone replacement therapy (now called Menopausal Hormone Therapy or MHT) marked a significant change in how menopause was managed. Physicians began prescribing estrogen (and later, progesterone) to treat symptoms like hot flashes and to prevent conditions like osteoporosis.

Feminist Movements: The 1960s-70s women's health movements challenged the medicalization of menopause, encouraging more holistic and natural approaches. Feminists highlighted that menopause was not a disease but a natural phase of life.

In this episode, Dr. Renée Sentilles joins me to discuss the History of Menopause. Dr. Renée Sentilles is Henry Eldridge Bourne Professor of History at Case Western Reserve University, where she has been teaching since 2000. She is the author of two books and various articles, and is currently working on a new book, “In Her Shoes: Getting to the Sole of 20 th Century American Women’s History,” which uses historic shoes engage readers in women’s history.

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September is Menopause Awareness Month!

Why am I passionate about menopause, women's health, and obstetric fistulas?

Listen to the end to get the full picture.

HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is a group of more than 200 related viruses. Some types of HPV can cause health problems like genital warts and cancers, while others do not cause any symptoms and go away on their own. Dr. Kimberly S. Gecsi joins me in this episode to discuss key points about HPV including; Transmission, Types of HPV, Symptoms, Prevention, Testing and Treatment.

Kimberly S. Gecsi, MD is Chief Medical Officer, Froedtert & MCW Specialty Practice and Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Operations in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Clinically she focuses on minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and lower genital tract disease.  She has worked on national guideline development for the CDC, ACOG and ASCCP.  She is active nationally in several organizations including being a member of the SASGOG Board of Directors, an ABOG board examiner, and on the GYN clinical consensus committee for ACOG. Her current research is focused on improving screening and resources for victims of intimate partner violence.

Featured in this episode:

• How common is HPV?
• Difference between HPV screening and pap smear
• Is the HPV vaccine effective?
• Alternative HPV and papsmear screening
• Do women over the age of 65 still need screenings?

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Looking for practical advice for women in their 60’s who want to become sexually active or want to improve their current sex life? Check out Sex in Your Sixties: Who says the fun has to stop? Written by a multidisciplinary group of health professionals who address issues such as pain with sex, low desire for sex, orgasm difficulties, your bladder and sex, same sex partners, vulvar skin conditions, trauma and more.