Vagenius

The Covid Vaccine is finally here but so many people are not jumping for joy.  I tried to wrap my head around why we were so anxious to finally get back to normal but when I ask people why they would or would not get the vaccine,  I realized that there was so much misinformation out there.  This episode will talk about some of the myths surrounding COVID 19 and why the vaccine is so important.  Please feel free to comment, share and subscribe it is through your interaction with this podcast that more people will become aware of the scientific data they need to have to learn more about their health.  Thank you so much for listening.  

HPV is the 4th leading type of cancer diagnosed among women. 530,000 cases are diagnosed each year worldwide with 260,000 cases of cancer deaths associated with HPV. HPV also affects men and it accounts for 10% of penile cancers. Oral HPV can lead to tongue and tonsillar cancer and it is not just transmitted with oral sex (you can get it with open-mouth kissing).

There are 200 types of HPV and it only affects humans. Most infections can resolve within one year if you have a healthy immune system and do not smoke or drink heavy alcohol.  If you are infected with the virulent type HPV16 and 18 the risk of cancer increases. Cutaneous HPV 6 and 11 cause plantar warts, flat warts, butcher's warts and they tend to be benign. Genital warts are contagious and should be removed.

HPV vaccine has been shown to  Reduce the prevalence of hpv related cancers by up to 86%. Contrary to popular belief, HPV vaccine is not a live virus, it is a protein produced by the virus which will help your body recognize HPV as a foreign invader.  The vaccine is available for all women and men.

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In the United States the prevalence of obesity among adults is 42%.  There are disparities by race and ethnicity with a 49% prevalence among Black adults and 40% for Hispanics compared to the lowest rates in Asians at 17.4%.  Mississippi and West Virginia have the highest prevalence of obesity compared to places like Colorado. Obesity is defined by a body mass index of 30 or higher.  How do you figure out your ideal BMI?  There are many calculators online.  An ideal BMI should be between 18.5-24.9. 

 
For example, if you are 5’2” your ideal body weight is 120.  If you are 5’7” your ideal body weight is 140.  Most of us would miss the mark.  Why? because the best tasting most affordable food is calorie packed.  We are slowly killing ourselves.

You don’t need me to tell you that obesity kills.  It is the leading cause of hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, stroke and cancer….and yet our addiction to sugar and fat is a harder habit to break than heroin. 

This podcast will discuss gastric surgery for the treatment of obesity.  Dr. Aileen Takahashi is a surgeon trained in general surgery , trauma and critical care. She is the queen of gastric surgery and this interview will tell you all about the different techniques, success rates and risk factors.  She currently practices in Torrance with the Association of Southbay Surgeons.  She is an incredible surgeon and friend.  I am so happy to introduce her to you.  You can find her at the following website: https://southbaysurgeons.com/profile/aileen-m-takahashi/


As always, please feel free to send me a message through Instagram @dr.elenarodriguez or email: [email protected] if you have any questions.  Please share, comment and subscribe.

Going through a miscarriage is tough enough but the aftermath can leave you feeling lost, alone, confused and scared for future pregnancy outcomes.  The majority of miscarriages are experienced in the first trimester with 70% resulting from a chromosomal abnormality.  1 in 4 recognized pregnancies will result in a miscarriage and that number is believed to be slightly higher due to the number of unrecognized pregnancies.  You are not alone and it is not your fault.  This episode will explain some of the most common reasons why women miscarry and if there is anything you can do to prevent them.  

Please share with someone you know has suffered a miscarriage or is going through a miscarriage.  Subscribe and comment.  This will help us reach more viewers.  You can email me at: elena@ thevagenius.com or DM via my instagram @dr.elenarodriguez

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of death in America.  A small percentage of colorectal cancers stem from family history but the vast majority are attributable to our lifestyle and poor eating.  Dr. Megan Linnebur is a colorectal surgeon.  She is a member of The Association of Southbay surgeons and this interview was my funniest so far.  I love that she normalizes the taboos.  We talk about the importance of feeling completely comfortable discussing changes in bowel habits, hemorrhoids or sexual activity involving anal intercourse.  We discuss why it is so important to have a colonoscopy early and why foods rich in fiber or plant based diets are so important for bowel health. She is an amazing colorectal surgeon and I am so lucky to have her as part of our community. Tune in to the end and find out why she steers clear of giant carrots.  

As always please subscribe, share and comment.  It is through your interaction with this podcast that we can reach more people like yourself who are curious about their health.  You can send me questions to [email protected] or follow me on instagram @dr.elenarodriguez.  I hope you enjoy this episode.

Contraception options are many and there is something for everyone.  If you forget to take a pill everyday you may want to opt for the Nexplanon or IUD.  If you have bad acne or unwanted hair you may want to take birth control pills that contain estrogen.  If you cannot take hormones then the Copper IUD may be your best bet.  In this episode we explore the different contraception options and this may help you figure out what is best for you.  I hope you enjoy this short episode and please let me know if you have any questions.  You can reach me through my instagram @dr.elenarodriguez or email me at [email protected].  Subscribe, comment and share.  Thank you for tuning in. 

 “Men age like fine wine and women age like milk”….do we really become a curdled ball of mess as we get older?  Who came up with this quote?  I am sorry but not all older gentlemen look like Anthony Varrechia or Gerard Butler.

What does it really mean to age gracefully and why are we so fixated on shaming women who use a little help?  Granted, I do acknowledge that some women go completely overboard where they stop looking human and more like a Disneyland cartoon version of themselves. 

Most people don’t want to see the boring pictures of subtle changes. We are fascinated with the extreme and we love seeing photos of filler or plastic surgery gone bad and yes this will happen if you go to someone who learned from YouTube and has a degree that was printed online or if you make an appointment in someone’s shady garage.

Today's interview is with the one and only, Leslie Fletcher, RNP from Injectibility Clinic.  She is world renowned in aesthetics and is the creative director behind the Injectability Institute which has trained thousands of physicians and nurse injectors.  Hear what she has to say about botox, filler and aging gradefully.  Follow on instagram @lesliefletcher_np or @injectabilitybeauty.

Please remember to subscribe, comment and share.  Send me any questions to [email protected] or DM on my instagram @dr.elenarodriguez.  Thanks for tuning in.

1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. So if you live to be old enough, chances are you might get breast cancer.  It is a fact of life.  Women get breast cancer, men get prostate cancer but I promise you that this diagnosis is not the end of the world.  In fact, you are much more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than you are to die from breast cancer.  I don’t mean to sound morbid but these are just medical statistics.

Our screening technology has improved so much in my career as a doctor.  We now have 3D mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs.  Usually you only need one of these tests but sometimes they are used to really hone in on a problem area.  There might be issues like cystic lesions that are best evaluated by ultrasound or dense breasts that fare better with an MRI.  No test replaces the other and certainly there are no guarantees.  

In my community, we have a very special surgeon, Dr. Melanie Friedlander, who is the co-director of the Breast Surgery Program at the Hunt Cancer Institute at Torrance Memorial.  She earned her medical degree at New Jersey Medical School and completed her general surgery training and fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.  

She shares with us her experience being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and how this has helped her become a more empathetic provider.  Her message of hope for those of you who have been diagnosed with breast cancer is a beautiful message.  She is a walking testament that we can cure breast cancer and that this diagnosis is not a death sentence.  

Dr.Friedlander is part of the Association of Southbay Surgeons.  Here is the link to her information: https://southbaysurgeons.com/profile/melanie-h-friedlander Please feel free to email me with your questions to [email protected] or send me a direct message via my Instagram account @dr.elenarodriguez.  Please comment, subscribe and share.  This will get the message out to so many women with this diagnosis. 

Entering treatment without the right diagnosis can be a costly guessing game.  Well-intentioned parents and individuals try to get a hold on issues ranging from family conflict to learning disabilities by trying out different practitioners and/or approaches.  Some people are lucky and get their needs met.  Others enter into months, or even years, of trying out different therapists, tutors, medications, or treatments – each time becoming more and more disappointed that they have not made progress or created lasting change.

Psychoeducational assessment or neuropsychology is designed to get at important diagnostic information to reduce and eliminate the trial and error approach to treatment.  By testing in different functional areas, including cognitive, academic, and emotional, an informed diagnosis can be made.  The correct diagnosis can lead children, adolescents, and their families down the shortest path to the most effective treatment options.  

Dr. Melissa Sorci is a neuropsychologist practicing in northern California.  She has over 15 years of clinical experience and will discuss what is involved in neuropyschological assessment and why it is so important to do this prior to seeing a psychiatrist or therapist.  

Please subscribe, share and comment.  Send any questions to: [email protected] or DM to my Instagram account @dr.elenarodriguez

Brown Bad Ass Bonita (@brownbadassbonita represents a movement.  It's creator Kim Guerra is an artist, writer and entrepreneur.  With close to 100K followers on Instagram and a platform set on empowering badass mujeres through self love, Kim has become an icon in our young LatinX movement.  She holds a special place in my heart because like me, she has immigrant parents, comes from very humble beginnings and graduated from my alma mater, Cornell University.  She creates apparel that celebrates our culture and empowers women.  Her statements are bold and she has no fear when it comes to exploring the complexities of being a Latina, a person of color and a guerrera.  She is the author of two books, Mariposa and Mija and her clothing line is not only hip, but it conveys beautiful messages of self love and empowerment.  I hope you enjoy this episode.  Please feel free to email me at [email protected] or send a DM to my instagram account @dr.elenarodriguez if you have any questions.