Birth control or hormone therapy? Why does this decision feel like a personality test you didn't study for?

In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs tackle one of the most confusing (and hotly debated) topics in perimenopause: when birth control is actually the right choice, when menopausal hormone therapy makes more sense, and why TikTok might not be the best place for medical nuance.

Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch walk listeners through how clinicians actually think about this decision. The process includes contraceptive needs, bleeding patterns, symptom "greatest hits," and medical history that actually matters.

The Docs will guide you through the options and even cover what a combination approach might look like. Most importantly, shared decision-making, not social media panic, should guide treatment choices.

This episode reminds you that perimenopause is real, complicated, and highly individual. And the right plan is the one that treats your physiology, not someone else's algorithm.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[1:05] Birth control vs. hormone therapy

[2:49] Contraception needs during perimenopause

[5:34] Understanding menopausal hormone therapy

[7:45] Assessing symptoms

[16:59] So many choices! How do you choose?

[22:03] Breakthrough symptoms

[23:51] Combination approaches (Amy's FAV)

[29:58] You didn't miss the window!

[35:32] Alternative methods & why they may not be a good fit

[40:22] You're NOT crazy!

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

Hot flashes, mood swings, surprise chin hairs… and now migraines? Welcome to perimenopause, where your hormones throw a rave in your brain and forget to invite you.

In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs tackle the maddening intersection of migraine misery and perimenopause chaos, complete with aura weirdness, estrogen roller coasters, and the universal fear of bright lights and strong perfumes.

Migraines are more than "just a headache" and there is a reason they love to show up right before or during your period. You'll hear about triggers ranging from hormones to allergens to the existential dread of week three of your cycle.

This episode sheds light on the difference between migraines with and without aura, why estrogen drops can send your brain into chaos, and what treatments actually work.

You'll know your options, understand your triggers, and realize (important!) that you do not have to suffer through perimenopausal migraines alone.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[1:57] Why do migraines appear or get worse during perimenopause?

[3:40] Headaches vs. true migraines

[8:03] What the what is a migraine "aura"?

[13:33] Can you prevent migraines?

[21:25] Migraines can also mean anxiety, sleep issues, and hot flashes

[22:27] Practical treatment options

[29:46] What's new in the migraine treatment world?

[32:39] OTC remedies for when a migraine happens

[38:41] You're NOT CRAZY!

Resources:

curablehealth.com

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

Hot flashes: the unofficial mascot of perimenopause and the original reason so many midlife women carry a personal fan or freezer pack, or insist on that open window in January.

In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su finally give hot flashes their own episode. The Docs turn up the heat (literally and emotionally) as they talk through the lived chaos that is "my own personal summer".

Our Docs explain what hot flashes actually are, why they show up, and why your brain, not just your hormones, is the real drama queen in this scenario. Listeners will finally understand night sweats, "superflushers," the brain circuits that freak out for no good reason, and why some people glow for a year while others suffer for… well… a decade.

As always, the Docs are delivering solid science, introducing us to vasomotor symptoms, candy neurons (not as fun as they sound), social determinants of health, and the fact that estrogen is not the only character in this soap opera.

You'll saunter out of this episode knowing what causes hot flashes, how long they might last, how to treat them, and most importantly: that you're not losing your mind. You're just in perimenopause.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[2:04] What are hot flashes…actually?

[3:24] Hot flashes vs. night sweats

[5:54] The FAQ: How common? When do they start? When will they LEAVE?

[12:05] Let's get nerdy: the science behind hot flashes

[17:38 The lasting impact

[20:34] Hot flashes and cardiovascular risk are related

[22:15 The good stuff: treatment options

[36:30] Let us validate you!

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

Perimenopause: the magical season where sleep disappears, hormones riot, and suddenly everyone thinks you're "doing great" when actually you're googling whether rage counts as cardio.

In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch return with their second annual Menopause Society Conference recap. If you're wondering whether testosterone drops off a cliff in midlife or whether scream cream is a placebo disguised as foreplay… good news! They've got updates.

This episode walks through the latest research from menopause experts covering the big three: sexual health, longevity, and cardiovascular disease. You'll also hear about the rising fame of the podcast (including elevator selfies), the promise (and limits) of topical Viagra, and why measuring testosterone might be as useful as measuring vibes.

Listeners will get practical takeaways on hormone therapy timing, bone screening, nutrition,

Remember: you're not dramatic. You're not broken. You're just in perimenopause… and it's really happening.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[0:36] Menopause society conference highlights

[2:21] Connecting with our wonderful listeners

[4:27] Testosterone research findings

[9:20] Topical viagra for women

[13:12] Perimenopause focus

[22:04] Bone health and perimenopause

[30:00] Cardiovascular disease and sleep

[38:11] A few final thoughts and future conferences

Thank you to every clinician who stopped to chat:

Rebecca Levy-Gantt, DO MSCP Premierwomenshealthconsulting.com

Yashika Dooley, MD MSCP Gennev.com

Emily Drath Stone, MD MSCP Virginia Physicians for Women

Lisa Savage, MD MSCP Gennev.com

Becky Lynn, MD Evora Women's Health

May your sleep be long, your bones dense, and your badge scanners always work on the first try.

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Welcome back to the annual holiday classic Merry Perimenopause. While there's not much "jolly" about perimenopause, these gifts can add a little more joyeux to your noël!

Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch jingle all the way through help for your hot flashes, cold flashes, brain fog, bad backs, night sweats, and the eternal question: why does perimenopause feel like puberty, déjà vu, and a hangover all rolled into one?

In this episode of OvaryActive, they kick things off with the biggest news of all: the Docs very own book on perimenopause is officially available for pre-order! With Estrogen, Interrupted you can now gift yourself the knowledge your hormones refuse to give you.

Merry Perimenopause 2025 is your official gift guide for yourself or the lucky person in your life that needs to know they are not crazy, this is really happening. Gift ideas include favorite books, gadgets, creams, cushions, food delivery obsessions, and tech that has saved their sanity this year.

It's a roundup that covers body, brain, home, kitchen, and holiday spirits.

After this episode you'll have great ideas for what to read, what to buy, what to smear on your face, what to sleep on, what to stick on your nails, what ice cream machine makes protein shakes taste like dessert, and where to order life-changing pies, kringles, crabcakes, and lobster rolls.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[0:54] Exciting news! Preorder Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch

[2:39] Book recommendations

[6:43] Body & health

[13:28] Cognition

[17:32] Fashion

[23:17] Tech gadgets

[27:56] Skin & nails

[32:24] Kitchen essentials

[42:05] Travel ideas

[46:36] A fun extra or two

Links: Merry Perimenopause 2025 PDF download: https://bit.ly/4pvS34R

Preorder Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

Perimenopause: that magical stage where your body suddenly decides it's the boss, your pants shrink overnight, and your motivation to exercise hides under the bed.

On the episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch welcome the hilarious and whip-smart Dr. Marily Oppezzo from Stanford. She is a behavior-change expert who's figured out how to help people actually do the healthy things they already know they should be doing. Spoiler: it involves fewer "shoulds" and more squats.

Dr. Oppezzo shares her "Stronger" philosophy, a refreshingly guilt-free approach to perimenopausal wellness that's all about adding joy and ditching deprivation. From "strength snacks" (two-minute squats you can do between Zoom calls) to "breaking the dishes" (yes, that's cardio), she helps women fit movement into real life without the drama.

No boot camps, no macro counting, no shame spirals—just scrunchies, science, and a sense of humor.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[0:41] Meet Marily Oppezzo PhD, MS, RDN, DipACLM

[1:33] Behavioral change and healthy habits

[4:13 Strength training is your new bestie

[6:16] Exercise "snacks" vs. sessions

[9:24] Technique & tips for the squat

[19:28] Finding a balance between cardio and strength training

[22:13] Cardio tips

[25:07] Nutrition myths BUSTED

[27:40] Protein's role

[37:08] Healthy snack ideas

[39:59] Concluding thoughts and future plans

Links:

profiles.stanford.edu/marily-oppezzo

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

You've seen it all over social media, testosterone is apparently the miracle cure for every perimenopausal woe. Low libido? Tired? Losing muscle tone? Influencers say "Just add T!" The Docs say…not so fast

Ready for the truth? In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su are here for just that. Even though it is not exactly what you're seeing on social media––it is science, sarcasm, and a few chin-year jokes.

The Docs explain what testosterone actually does in women's bodies, why testing it is tricky, and how misinformation has turned a controlled substance into a so-called "elixir of youth." They compare estrogen's unfairly bad reputation with testosterone's sudden celebrity moment. And they also explain why some promises from "hormone balancing" gurus should make you raise an eyebrow.

Listeners will learn the good, the bad, and the hairy: when testosterone might be appropriate, the real risks and irreversible side effects, and how to approach hormone therapy safely.

In this episode, you'll hear:

[1:03] Is testosterone a "fountain of youth"?

[5:30] What are the risks?

[11:16] Testing is unreliable (and meaningless)

[15:15] Can testosterone help libido?

[22:04] Testosterone deficiency isn't why you're losing muscle

[28:50] The truth about testosterone pellets

[30:33] How to use it safely, IF your doctor advises you to [37:47] "We're not here to make friends. We're here to tell women the truth."

Resources Mentioned:

thecut.com/article/women-in-menopause-taking-testosterone

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

Feeling overwhelmed by the supplement aisle? Are there pills that might actually help during perimenopause or are you just buying expensive urine?

This episode of OvaryActive dives into the pharmacy aisle of supplements. The Docs are talking about everything from influencer "miracle" blends to your best friend's turmeric obsession. Separating data from drama and giving you the straight, if sarcastic, scoop.

Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch explain what your body truly needs (hello, vitamin D and calcium), what might help (fiber and omega-3s for the win), and what should probably stay in the compost bin (looking at you, wild yam cream).

They share LOL takes on supplement marketing…"clinically proven" by whom exactly? And they shine a light on the difference between food, vitamins, and herbal remedies.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[0:30] The supplement struggle is real

[1:33] Defining the basics

[4:43] If the gut works, use it!

[6:32] Natural does not mean safe

[8:54] "Clinically proven" is NOT a thing

[12:06] The short list: vitamin D, omega-3s, and fiber

[19:00] When natural turns dangerous

[27:44] Myths and facts

[32:26] What to skip if you've had hormone-related cancers

[34:57] Final truth bomb: balanced real food wins every time

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Resources Mentioned (a.k.a. The Real Receipts):

menopause.org

fda.gov

ods.od.nih.gov

heart.org

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-all/

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.htm

Perimenopause: your hormones have packed up and left, your skin starts new hobbies, and your vulva occasionally throws a tantrum.

In this episode of OvaryActive, we're talking about that neglected body part everyone loves to ignore—until it itches, burns, bleeds, or grows suspicious bumps.

Joining the conversation are gynecologists and fellow podcasters Dr. Ashley Fuller and Dr. Meredith McClure, the brilliant, and hilarious, minds behind Labia Logic. Ashley and Meredith spend their days — and an entire podcast — focused on vulvas, menopause, sexual health, and the often-overlooked conditions that live "down there."

They're here to shine a light on the things nobody learns in residency, medical school, or, let's be honest, middle school health class.

You'll hear about what's normal, what's not, and when to stop Googling and actually see a doctor. Consider this your crash course in vulvar self-awareness sprinkled with humor, honesty, and just enough TMI to keep things interesting.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[0:33] Welcome Drs. Ashley Fuller and Meredith McClure from Labia Logic

[3:00] Your vulva and perimenopause

[5:28] Annual check ups

[7:33] Lumps, bumps, bleeding, and spotting

[12:59] Vulvar biopsies

[16:57] Lichen sclerosus

[19:37] The power combo: topical steroids+vaginal estrogen

[22:13] Want more? Labia Logic podcast is dedicated to all things vulva

Follow Labia Logic for the sex ed you should have gotten in the first place!

@labia_logic on Instagram | @LabiaLogic on YouTube

Catch full episodes at ashleyfullermd.com/labia-logic-podcast.

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

Perimenopause is already a rollercoaster—hot flashes, brain fog, and now…SURPRISE! cancer screenings.

In this episode of OvaryActive, Amy and Rebecca sit down with Gynecologic Oncologist Fernanda Musa, MD MS to tackle the less-fun-but-super-important reality: perimenopause is also prime time for gynecologic cancers.

Think of it as the sequel nobody asked for, but everybody needs to watch.

Dr. Musa brings her scalpel-sharp expertise (she is a surgeon, afterall ) and a refreshingly candid approach to topics we'd rather avoid. Cervical and uterine cancers and pesky fibroids that multiply like bad ex-boyfriends both made the list.

She tells you what's common, what's rare, and when you should actually worry. Hmmm…not every bloated belly means ovarian cancer, but you shouldn't ignore it either.

Bottom line? Now you'll know when to laugh off your perimenopausal chaos, and when to call your gynecologist.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[0:28] Guest intro: Dr. Fernanda Musa

[2:28] Understanding cervical cancer

[5:19] HPV screening and vaccines

[14:15] Symptoms & diagnosis of endometrial cancer

[18:11] Hormone therapy after uterine cancer

[20:28] Fibroids vs tumors (with symptoms!)

[25:55] Risks & symptoms of ovarian cancer

[32:23] Don't brush off abnormal bleeding!

[34:20] Final thoughts and encouragement

More about Dr. Fernanda Musa:

swedish.org/doctors/gynecologic-oncology/wa/everett/fernanda-musa-1700044054

Dr. Musa on Instagram @ferniebo

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html