Welcome to season 2 of Our Womanity! This season, we kick off with a fascinating conversation lined up, delving into the realm of Female Sexual Medicine with Dr. Sarah Cigna. Dr. Sarah Cigna (She/Her) is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology with The George Washington University. Dr. Cigna is also the head of the Female Sexual Medicine Fellowship at George Washington University. And guess what? We have some exciting news to share – Dr. Pope’s hospital, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is starting a Female Sex Med Fellowship, too!

She is the current Director of the SAGA (Sexual Health and Gender Affirmation) Center and Director of the first Sexual Medicine Fellowship in the country for OBGYN physicians.

She is active in the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH); she has served on the education committee for several years and will be taking over as the Education Chair this year. She is a Fellow of ISSWSH and runs a busy sexual medicine outpatient service, teaching medical students, residents, fellow clinicians and patients the wonders of sex medicine! She still enjoys birth work (delivering babies), and benign GYN surgery. She hopes to model the role of sexual medicine specialist in an academic setting for aspiring sex detectives.

Featured in this episode:

• Female Sex Med Training for Providers
• Female Sex Medicine for Patients
• Vaginal rejuvenation and its nuances
• Gender reassignment
• When Sex Hurts: A Woman's Guide to Banishing Sexual Pain by Andrew Goldstein MD, Caroline Pukall Ph.D., Irwin Goldstein MD

Resource List:

• ISSWSH
• The Sexual Medicine Research Team (SMRT)
• Herman & Wallace

Submit your questions on anything and everything women's health-related and we will answer them in one of our episodes.

Looking for practical advice for women in their 60s 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.

Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay updated and not miss out on new episodes.

Midwives are compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals who play a crucial role in the journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. They offer expert guidance and support not only during labor and delivery but also throughout the postpartum period, ensuring a holistic and nurturing experience for new mothers.

During pregnancy, midwives work closely with expectant parents, providing prenatal care that includes monitoring the health of both the mother and baby, offering valuable information about childbirth options, and addressing any concerns or questions that may arise. This personalized care builds a strong foundation of trust and understanding.

But the support doesn't stop at the moment of childbirth. Midwives are champions of postpartum care, recognizing that the weeks and months following delivery are equally vital. They offer a range of services tailored to the unique needs of each family:

1. Emotional and Mental Health Support
2. Breastfeeding Assistance
3. Newborn Care Education
4. Monitoring Physical Recovery
5. Birth Control and Family Planning

In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Nurse and Midwife, Samantha Buckholtz.  Samantha started her career in rural Northern California and is now located in Cleveland, Ohio. She is interested in communities of greatest need and is dedicated to promoting an equitable and accessible midwifery model of care. Samantha hopes to concentrate her efforts on sexual health, particularly among individuals with a history of trauma, as well as on gynecology and physiologic birth.

Featured in this episode:

• The different kinds of Midwives
• How many postpartum check-ups are enough?
• Postpartum 5 days rule
• Getting in-house postpartum support
• Depression, the Baby Blues, and Mental Health Support
• Working Moms

If you or any mothers you know are suffering in silence, get help at Postpartum International Support. Or please reach out to your healthcare provider, a family member, or a friend to get the support you need.

Want more from Our Womanity?

If you enjoyed this episode of Womanity, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you engaging and empowering content.

Submit your questions on anything and everything women's health-related and we will answer them in one of our episodes.

A Doula is a trained and experienced professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to individuals and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The word "Doula" comes from ancient Greek, meaning "a woman who serves."

In this episode of Our Womanity, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Terria Saunders, a Perinatal Doula, founder of Beauty N Birthing and Mommy Meet Up. Terria is a wife and mother of four children two of which are a set of twins! She enjoys laughter, drives, cozy clothes, and supporting women through their motherhood journeys. Terria’s goal is for every mother to go into motherhood with as much education as possible regarding birth, and support during the process and after. She believes that “no mom should walk this journey alone.” Terria discusses the crucial role doulas play in prenatal care, including emotional support, education, and advocacy for mothers. She highlights the importance of building a strong rapport and trust between the doula, health care provider, and the expecting mother.

Featured in this episode:

• What is a Doula?
• The benefits of having a doula during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
• How a Doula differs from a midwife or other healthcare providers.
• The different roles Doulas play in the childbirth journey.
• How doulas can help mothers navigate medical interventions and communicate their preferences to healthcare providers.

It's important to note that doulas do not provide medical care or perform clinical tasks like checking vital signs or delivering babies. Instead, they complement the care provided by healthcare professionals, such as obstetricians, midwives, and nurses, by focusing on the emotional and non-medical aspects of childbirth.

If you enjoyed this episode of Womanity, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you engaging and empowering content.

Want more from Our Womanity?

Submit your questions on anything and everything women's health-related and we will answer them in one of our episodes.

Did you know that certain childbirth-related injuries can have a significant impact on women's lives? Let's talk about an important statistic that highlights the importance of addressing this issue.

In the general population, the risk of experiencing a third or fourth-degree perineal injury (tear) during childbirth, which involves the rectum and the sphincter muscle, is approximately 6.7%. These injuries are some of the most feared and challenging to recover from.

Here's the game-changer: If you've never encountered this type of injury during childbirth, your future pregnancy risk drops significantly to around 1.5%. However, for those who have experienced such injuries, the risk of incontinence or a lack of control over feces and gas can soar to a daunting 47%, compared to the average risk of 13% for women.

Why does this matter? Because nobody should have to lose control over their bodily functions.

Welcome to Our Womanity with Dr. Rachel Pope, the podcast series that empowers women with knowledge and insights on various aspects of their health and well-being.

In this episode, we kick off our "Pregnant & Prepared: Navigating the Journey Ahead" series with a focus on birth injuries. Our guest, Dr. Anne Sammarco, is a highly regarded urogynecologist with extensive experience in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Sammarco specializes in providing comprehensive care to patients with pelvic floor disorders, offering surgical and conservative therapy options.

Join us as we delve into what every expectant mother should know about birth injuries and how to navigate this crucial aspect of pregnancy and childbirth.

Featured in this episode:

• Fecal matter and gas control
• Poor healing of birth injuries
• Postpartum check-ups
• Fistulas
• Anal sphincter tears

Want more from Our Womanity?

Submit your questions on anything and everything women's health-related and we will answer them in one of our episodes.

Fibroids, also known as uterine fibroids or leiomyomas, are noncancerous growths of the uterus (womb) that often appear during childbearing years. These growths are composed of muscle tissue and can vary in size, ranging from small, pea-sized nodules to large, round masses that can distort the shape and size of the uterus.

In this episode of Our Womanity podcast, host Dr. Rachel Pope delves into the world of fibroids and their impact on the pelvic floor. Dr. Sharan Abdul Rahman, a renowned Gynecologist, owner of Today's Woman, and expert in women's health, joins us as a special guest to shed light on this common yet often misunderstood condition. Discover what fibroids are, their prevalence, and the potential symptoms they can cause.

Dr. Rahman explains how fibroids can affect a woman’s life including heavy bleeding, and lead to pelvic pain and discomfort. Learn about various treatment options for fibroids, from conservative approaches to surgical interventions, and how they can alleviate problems. Gain insights into the importance of early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach to managing fibroids and their impact on women's well-being.

Featured in this episode:

• Common Fibroid conditions, and causes
• Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
• Impact on pregnancy

Treatments for fibroids:

• OCP’s
• IUD
• Tranexamic acid
• Leuprolide
• Endometrial ablation
• Hysterectomy
• Ultrasound
• Surgical removal of the fibroid

Submit your questions on anything and everything women's health-related and we will answer them in one of our episodes.

Want more from Our Womanity?

Take the Vulva Quiz to see how well you know women's bodies.

Looking for practical advice for women in their 60s 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.

Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay updated and not miss out on new episodes.

Pelvic floor physical therapy, also known as pelvic floor rehabilitation or pelvic physical therapy, is a specialized branch of physical therapy that focuses on the evaluation and treatment of the pelvic floor muscles and associated structures. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues located at the base of the pelvis that support various organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum. These muscles play a crucial role in urinary and fecal continence, sexual function, and core stability.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is typically performed by a specially trained physical therapist who has expertise in this area. The therapy is often used to address a wide range of conditions and issues, including:

1. Pelvic Pain: Pelvic floor physical therapy can help with various types of pelvic pain, such as vulvodynia, dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse), and chronic pelvic pain.
2. Incontinence: This therapy can be beneficial for individuals experiencing urinary incontinence (involuntary urine leakage) or fecal incontinence (involuntary bowel movement).
3. Prenatal and Postpartum Care: Pelvic floor physical therapy can be an important component of prenatal and postpartum care, helping women prepare for childbirth and recover from childbirth-related issues, including perineal tears and episiotomies.
4. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: It can assist in managing and improving symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse, where organs like the bladder, uterus, or rectum shift from their normal position and press against the vaginal wall.
5. Sexual Dysfunction: Some forms of sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction or vaginismus, can benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy.
6. Bowel Disorders: Pelvic floor therapy can be used to manage conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation.

In the episode, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Dr. Jessica Jenkins, Physical Therapist and Owner at Be Free PT: Setting people free by treating both mind and body for their orthopedic and pelvic floor issues. Dr. Jenkins discusses therapy that can include manual techniques (massage, stretching, and joint mobilization), exercises to strengthen or relax the pelvic floor muscles, biofeedback to improve awareness and control of these muscles, and education about lifestyle and behavioral changes.

Featured in this episode:

• Wim Hof method
• Social media and pelvic floor exercises
• Internal Pelvic exams and consent
• The hip joint and the pelvic floor

Resources:

• Jessica Jenkins Wim Hof Instructor
• Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute

Submit your questions on anything and everything women's health-related and we will answer them in one of our episodes.

Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay updated and not miss out on new episodes.

This is our first video episode! Watch here!

Do you look at your Vulva or do you cringe at the thought? Noticing any physical changes is actually vital to taking care of your female anatomy. The changes can help discover whether you need to check in with your OBGYN, women’s care provider, or primary care provider. Join Dr. Rachel Pope this week as she explores essential tips and information for maintaining your reproductive and urinary health with visuals of the vulva, pelvic floor and anatomy.

Taking care of your female parts is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being.

In this week’s episode, alongside Dr. Rachel Pope and her guidance in understanding the vulva, pelvis, and its components. We learn the importance of knowing your own body, regular check-ups, and lifestyle choices to ensure your reproductive and urinary systems stay in optimal condition. Discover the importance of self-awareness to promote a lifetime of wellness.

Featured in this episode:

• What does your Vulva look like?
• The difference between the Vulva and the Vagina
• The importance of the pelvic floor
• Noticing visual changes and what they mean
• How menopause and pregnancy can affect your female anatomy

Submit your questions on anything and everything women's health-related and we will answer them in one of our episodes.

Want more from Our Womanity?

Take the Vulva Quiz to see how well you know women's bodies.

Looking for practical advice for women in their 60s 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.

Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay updated and not miss out on new episodes.

We are continuing with our "How to..." series by delving into the world of Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs). OCPs, commonly known as birth control pills or simply "the pill," are a form of hormonal contraception designed to prevent pregnancy. But that’s not the only thing OCPs are prescribed for.

There are two primary types of OCPs:

1. Combination Pills: These OCPs contain two key hormones—estrogen and progestin. Combination pills work by suppressing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries), thickening cervical mucus to impede sperm movement, and altering the uterine lining to make it less receptive to a fertilized egg. Combination pills are available in various formulations, including monophasic (the same hormone dosage in each pill) and multiphasic (changing hormone dosages throughout the cycle).
2. Progestin-Only Pills (Mini-Pills): As the name suggests, progestin-only pills contain only a synthetic form of the hormone progestin. These pills primarily work by thickening cervical mucus and altering the uterine lining, making it less suitable for implantation. Progestin-only pills are often recommended for women who cannot tolerate estrogen or have specific medical conditions that contraindicate estrogen use.

In the episode, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Dr. Maria Shaker, an OB/GYN expert in Contraception Management, Family Planning, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Minority and Medically Vulnerable Populations, and Obesity in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is board-certified in Complex Family Planning. Together they discuss how to take OCPs not just for birth control but to also control bleeding or just not have a period. They are taken orally, typically on a daily basis, and contain synthetic hormones that mimic the effects of naturally occurring hormones in a woman's body.

Featured in this episode:

• Combined OCPs
• Breakthrough bleeding
• Birth control isn’t just for birth control
• Escape Ovulation
• History of Birth Control Pills by Dr. Rachel Pope

Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay updated and not miss out on new episodes.

Submit your questions on anything and everything women's health-related and we will answer them in one of our episodes.

Storks, “the birds and bees,” “the facts of life." Starting a conversation about sex with your kids can be challenging, but it's a crucial aspect of their development.

In the episode, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Psychiatrist Dr. Elisabeth Gordon, Integrative Sexual Health Psychiatry and Sex Therapy - using a broad understanding of sexuality, from the anthropological and sociological through the psychological and medical, to support, treat, and educate about sexual health. Together they discuss when to begin the sex talk and the best methods to go about it.

By maintaining open and honest communication with your kids, you can help them make informed decisions, build healthy relationships, and navigate the complexities of sexuality with confidence.

Books for children on sex and body parts:

• It's not the stork! by Robie H. Harris
• Amazing You!: Getting Smart About Your Private Parts by Gail Saltz
• What's the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
• Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg
• Let's Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect by Jayneen Sanders
• What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys/Girls by Lynda Madaras
• Sex, Puberty, and All That Stuff: A Guide to Growing Up by Jacqui Bailey

AAP: The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips to help parents teach their children about body boundaries and safety.

The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH).

Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay updated and not miss out on new episodes.

Pee with the door open? Yes or no? That depends on your preferred level of intimacy, boundaries, and communication.

This week, we introduce a refreshing dose of reality. It reminds us that every relationship has its ups and downs, its ebbs and flows. Yet, with a willingness to learn, communicate, and be vulnerable, couples can experience a fulfilling, passionate connection that stands the test of time.

Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Aleece Fosnight, Owner, Founder, PA-C at Fosnight Center for Sexual Health. This episode acts as a safe space where listeners can explore, question, and understand the intricacies of maintaining a passionate connection after a long term relationship or after the vows have been exchanged.

Featured in this episode:

• Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel 
• Maintaining mystery
• What’s on your menu sexually?
• Keeping the “fire” burning
• The Gottman Institute relationship flashcards

Submit your questions on anything and everything women's health-related and we will answer them in one of our episodes.

Want more from Our Womanity?

Take the Vulva Quiz to see how well you know women's bodies.

Looking for practical advice for women in their 60s 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.

Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay updated and not miss out on new episodes.