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If your body seems to “flip a switch” after ovulation, you’re not imagining it and you’re not alone. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker talks through a lesser-known but very real problem: progesterone allergy and progesterone intolerance, often grouped under progestogen hypersensitivity. The most important clue is timing, with symptoms that reliably worsen in the luteal phase when progesterone rises and then ease when your period starts and hormones fall.

Dr. Thacker walks through what progesterone is supposed to do in women’s health and why it can still trigger trouble for some people, whether it’s your own endogenous progesterone or synthetic progestins in hormonal birth control, fertility treatment, IUDs, or menopausal hormone therapy. She covers the full range of symptoms, from cyclical hives, rashes, itching, swelling, and asthma-like breathing issues to mood changes, anxiety, migraines, breast tenderness, bloating and heartburn. We also explain the difference between a true allergy that can be dangerous and an intolerance that can feel awful but may respond to smarter dosing, timing and formulation choices.

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Two little voices kick off a Mother’s Day special, and that warm family moment quickly opens into bigger questions about women’s health that too often get ignored until they’re urgent. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD shares what every woman should understand earlier: fertility has a biological clock that doesn’t match how healthy you can feel in your 30s and 40s, and ovarian aging is a major driver of infertility. She talks about when to seek an infertility evaluation, why conditions like endometriosis and celiac disease can be behind unexplained infertility, and how the real-world costs of IVF shape people’s choices. She also shares a hopeful story about stress reduction and acupuncture as a supportive option for some patients who are experiencing fertility issues. 

Next, she gets practical about varicose veins and spider veins, especially during pregnancy and with weight changes. 

Because May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, she ends with a focus on bone health, menopause, and prevention. Bone loss can speed up dramatically in the early years after menopause, and osteoporosis can stay silent until a fracture.  She also touches on under-recognized factors like celiac disease, persistent nutrient deficiencies, and why biotin supplements can disrupt thyroid, cardiac, and hormone lab tests. 

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When sleep is fragmented by mouth breathing or a restricted airway, the ripple effects can show up as cavities, restless sleep, drooling, picky eating, speech concerns, bedwetting, and ADHD-like behavior in kids. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker interviews Dr. Rachel Rosen, DDS, a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Breathe Institute affiliate in Ohio, to connect the dots between airway, oral function, and whole-body health from infancy through adolescence.

They talk through what modern pediatric airway screening should look like and why a quick glance at tonsils or a single referral often misses the bigger picture. Dr. Rosen explains how mouth breathing dries the mouth, drives tooth decay, and why the end goal stays simple: tongue up, lips sealed, and healthy nasal breathing.

You’ll also hear practical, parent-friendly guidance on what to watch for at home, why symptoms can peak deep in REM sleep, and how inflammation, allergens, and diet can worsen the cycle. If you’re looking for more information, follow Dr. Rosen on Instagram or Facebook or visit greatbeginningspd.com.

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The room spins when you roll over in bed, then it vanishes, and you start wondering if you should just “wait it out.” That’s where so many people lose weeks of their life to dizziness, falls and fear. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Vince Whalen, a physical therapist and co-founder of Wadsworth Family Physical Therapy, to break down what vestibular therapy and evidence-based physical therapy can do when vertigo, imbalance and pain start shrinking your world.

They get specific about benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): why “crystals” in the inner ear trigger spinning, how different semicircular canals require different maneuvers and how watching eye movements through goggles helps a PT pinpoint the real problem.

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ACL tears, postpartum pain, and pelvic floor problems all have something in common: a lot of people are trying to “push through” without ever getting the right diagnosis. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD is back in the Sunflower House with physical therapist Vince Whalen to get practical about women’s health physical therapy and what actually moves the needle when symptoms keep coming back.

They start the discussion with the female knee and why ACL injuries are so widespread in girls’ sports. Vince explains how many tears happen without contact and how coaching movement patterns, hip strength, balance, and landing mechanics can change outcomes. They also dig into patellofemoral pain and why glute strength and hip control matter as much as anything happening at the kneecap. From there they touch on the female athlete triad and eating disorder concerns, plus why coordination with a family doctor and nutrition support can be essential for safe recovery and bone health.

For more information on pelvic floor therapy, please visit these helpful sites provided by Vince Whalen:

• APTA Pelvic Health PT Locator
• Vestibular Resource/PT Locator
• McKenzie Spine Protocol Resource/PT Locator

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Testosterone has become the hottest hormone on social media, and it’s easy to see why: so many women feel dismissed when they bring up low libido, fatigue, or that nagging sense of “I don’t feel like myself.” 

Dr. Holly Thacker unpacks what female testosterone actually is, why the lack of an FDA-approved testosterone product for women creates confusion, and how to think clearly about benefits vs risks.

You will also hear her candid warnings about testosterone pellets, high-dose compounded hormones, and “anti-aging clinic” dosing that can push levels into the male range. We cover side effects women rarely get warned about, including acne, oily skin, unwanted hair growth, scalp hair loss, mood changes, and changes that may not fully reverse.

If you care about evidence-based menopause care, women’s sexual health, and safe hormone therapy, listen through and share this with someone who’s been tempted by the hype. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what topic you want discussed next.

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Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Dr. Alison Stout, an interventional PM&R and sports medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic and president of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society. They discuss regenerative spine care and what’s regulated, what’s risky, and what actually helps when chronic back or SI joint pain won’t let up.

Not everyone is a candidate for regenerative injections, particularly those without a clear anatomical target or with uncontrolled conditions like diabetes. They close the interview with credible resources, how to book with Dr. Stout's spine team, and a reminder that the most powerful “regenerative” therapy often starts with motion: build capacity, reduce load where it’s highest, and let biology work for you, not against you. 

If this conversation helps you rethink your next step, share it with someone in pain, subscribe for more evidence-first insights, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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What if paying less for your prescriptions was not just possible, but predictable? Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker walks us through a clear, six-step playbook to cut medication costs without cutting corners, drawing on years of women’s health practice, patient stories, and the latest programs reshaping access and pricing.

Dr. Thacker shares how to use discount cards and price comparison sites to uncover true cash prices in your zip code, when to skip insurance at the counter, and how 30- versus 90-day fills change your bottom line. She highlights new manufacturer pathways—direct discounts, MFN-priced listings, and printable coupons—that bring branded therapies back within reach, plus practical tips for navigating supply hiccups and keeping a smart buffer on hand.

Throughout, Dr. Thacker keeps two goals in view: better health and a saner budget. You’ll leave with a checklist you can act on today—compare prices, verify manufacturer offers, coordinate with your insurer, optimize dose, and diversify sourcing—plus long-term moves like using an HSA and scheduling preventive care to avoid last-minute spikes. If this helped you save, subscribe, leave a quick review, and share the episode with someone who needs a lower bill at the pharmacy. Your voice helps more women be strong, be healthy, and be in charge.

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Hot flashes that hijack your day and wreck your sleep are more than a nuisance—they’re a brain‑level problem with real solutions. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Dr. Nayoung Sung from Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Specialized Women’s Health to unpack a new non‑hormonal therapy, Lynkuet® (elinzanetant).

For listeners weighing options, Dr. Sung and Dr. Thacker lay out who benefits most from non‑hormonal care—those with clotting risks, estrogen‑sensitive cancers, or simple preference to avoid hormones—and where low‑dose paroxetine, venlafaxine, gabapentin, and oxybutynin still fit when personalized thoughtfully.

Relief should also respect the rest of your health. We dive into sexual wellness with local vaginal estrogen or DHEA for tissue comfort, and we zoom out to the metabolic picture: abdominal weight gain, high triglycerides, insulin resistance, and inflammation that magnify heat, pain, and brain fog. Dr. Sung shares early findings on omega‑3 and omega‑6 balance, ferritin, zinc, and CRP—and how small diet shifts and targeted testing can support clearer thinking and steadier energy alongside symptom control.

If you’re searching for safe, swift, and truly personalized menopause care, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who deserves cooler nights and brighter days—what question do you want us to tackle next?

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Bones don’t complain until they break—so we went straight to the source to decode how to measure, protect, and strengthen them before trouble starts. Dr. Thacker sits down with Dr. Kristi Tough-DeSapri, a leading women’s bone health specialist, to break down what DEXA really tells us, how trabecular bone score adds vital nuance about bone quality, and where newer ultrasound-based REMS fits when access is limited.

Strong bones start with fundamentals—calcium, vitamin D, protein, resistance and impact training, and fall prevention—but often need targeted therapy to truly cut fracture risk. We cover where hormone therapy can help near menopause, how SERMs and antiresorptives reduce fractures, and when bone-building agents are warranted.

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