Natural Md Radio | Feel Better, Live Better

It’s a startling and unfortunate reality that too many Americans are unable to access the medications they need for their basic healthcare, and that on top of this, billions of dollars' worth of pharmaceuticals go to waste annually, causing environmental pollution as well. Joining me today is none other than a trailblazer who needs no introduction as she embarks on a transformative mission to create a BETR way!After 19 remarkable seasons on one of the most beloved television series of our time, Grey's Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo has stepped away from her on-screen scrubs to advocate for better access to healthcare. In our conversation today, we explore: What Ellen has learned from fans and nurses about just how broken the healthcare system isEllen’s sense of personal social responsibility and her desire to be a role model to her own kidsHow she is using her recognition from playing a doctor-on-TV for good, with a focus on fixing the broken pharmaceutical industry through BETR RemediesWhy health and social

Are you concerned about the impact of birth control pills on your fertility? It's only natural to prioritize the well-being of your body and future fertility. And rest assured, you're not alone. A recent study of over 2,000 women who used oral contraceptives (OCs) found that most women had some worries. Fortunately, there's enough reassuring data that should allow you to breathe a major sigh of relief, all of which I'll delve into today with another special "Let’s Chat About That" episode of On Health.Listen in as I respond to a heartfelt voicemail from a listener who's worried that previous birth control pill use has ruined her fertility.In this episode we'll explore:Common myths and misconceptions about how the birth control pill works, and hint, it's not really by regulating your menstrual cycle.Women's biggest fears about how the Pill and other hormonal contraceptives might affect fertility in the long runWhether there's truth to the fear that the Pill, etc., impacts fertility, with an in-depth breakdown

In a recent development, the US Preventive Services Task Force sounded the alarm about the increasing prevalence of hypertensive disorders among pregnant women. They have advised monitoring blood pressure throughout pregnancy since these disorders have doubled in the last three decades, impacting one in ten pregnancies. Unfortunately, the United States lags in maternal health, bearing a troublingly high maternal mortality rate compared to other countries. While the newly recommended guidelines are undeniably important, it is crucial to delve deeper into the root causes that contribute to this and the growing number of other chronic health problems showing up in pregnancy.On today's episode of On Health, I have the privilege of being joined once again by the remarkable Dr. Neel Shah, a forward-thinking OBGYN and the Chief Medical Officer of Maven Clinic. Together, we delve into the heart of the maternal health crisis, exploring its multifaceted origins, and discuss important new ways of thinking about critical

In the ever-changing landscape of trends and choices, it's important to separate the fleeting fads from the timeless practices. Today, we embark on an insightful journey, shining a light on two prominent trends that have taken center stage: Intermittent Fasting (IMF) and Time-Based Eating (TBE) and their profound impact on women's bodies.Join me as I peel back the layers, shedding light on the unique methodologies of IMF and TBE. We’ll explore the known benefits and potential risks and provide you with valuable insights to help you make informed decisions that resonate with your individual needs and aspirations, no matter what stage of life you're in.So, take a moment to settle in and let me guide you through the realms of IMF and TBE. Together, we'll navigate the path to optimal women's health and weight management, offering a nurturing and supportive perspective that honors the journey of womanhood. Get ready to embrace a balanced and empowering approach to well-being that will leave you feeling nouris

Over the course of her twenty-year medical career, my guest today, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, noticed a shocking dearth of information and support for women beginning and experiencing menopause. For too long, this crucial stage in women’s lives has been given perfunctory notice in medical schools and is often either a hidden secret or the punchline to a joke—denying women the information and support they need. This disregard, coupled with the unconscious misogyny and ageism that run rampant in our culture, portrays menopause as something to be afraid of, and worse, adds a patina of shame around the blessing of ageing and the beginnings of a new, normal, and enriching phase in a woman’s life. Dr. Suzanne, as her patients call her, believes that the millions of women entering menopause each year deserve thoughtful, candid, modern, holistic information about the physical and psychological issues that arise in this transitional stage, including changes in libido, metabolism, body image, and fears over genetic

Are you overwhelmed by the number of birth control options available and wondering which one is right for you? Are you confused about the safety of various contraceptives? Confused about whether to use the Pill or another contraceptive method for PCOS, endometriosis, acne, or another hormonal condition?  There’s no denying that it can be daunting. With so much confusing and contradictory information out there, how can we separate facts from fiction to make an informed decision?Fear not: In today’s episode, I share my 35+ years of experience and research on birth control methods from my vantage point as a midwife and MD who appreciates the range of options available to us to take control of our reproductive lives. I dive into the pros and cons of common forms of contraception, the safest, most effective, and most convenient methods, and, importantly, how to pick the method that best suits your unique, personal needs at this time in your life. No judgement, no fearmongering—just good, honest informati

In this episode of On Health, I dive deep into the science and culture of our menstrual cycles with Kate Clancy, PhD, period researcher and expert in the field of reproductive biology who has dedicated her life’s work to advocating for menstrual health and wellbeing.We explore the myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation, as well as the social stigma that often accompany it. Kate sheds light on the latest research in menstrual biology, from the role of hormones to the microbiome of the uterus. We also discuss the cultural and historical factors that have shaped our attitudes towards menstruation and how these attitudes impact women's experiences today.But we don't stop there. We also delve into the controversial topic of COVID-19 vaccines and how they may affect our menstrual cycles. Kate shares her insights based on the latest research, her own personal experience, and a survey she did which received 165,000 responses.Kate and I discuss:Why she decided to study and dedicate her life’s work to menstr

CONTENT WARNING: Sexual assault Did you know that it takes only 3.5 years to sail around the world but up to 10 years to get an endometriosis diagnosis? That three out of four women experience pain during intercourse at some point in their lives? Or that nearly half of all women aged 18 to 35 have trouble reaching orgasm with a partner, and most women don't score their sexual satisfaction as very high? These statistics are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the vast spectrum of issues that women face with regards to their reproductive and sexual health. And did you know that women, like myself, who try to talk about this -- and even things like birth and breastfeeding, on social media platforms have been censored while overtly sexual ads for male issues are overtly promoted?Unfortunately, this pervasive culture of censorship silences crucial information from being shared among women and hinders progress towards achieving equity and wellbeing around important women's health issues.&nbs

As parents, it’s instinctual that our number one priority is to ensure that our daughters grow up as happy and healthy as possible. So with the very real phenomenon of early puberty on the rise, it's understandable that many of us have growing concerns about it.On today’s episode of On Health, we'll be exploring early puberty, including the various environmental and social factors that could be contributing to this trend, what we can do starting at a young age to promote healthy hormonal and reproductive functioning, as well as how to recognize the signs of early puberty and address them in a non-judgmental and supportive way.Whether you're a parent, grandparent, healthcare provider, or just want to know about this important topic, I know you'll find this episode informative and reassuring. In this episode, I talk about:Factors causing or contributing to the rise of early puberty in our girlsWhy we think the COVID-19 pandemic increased the rates of early puberty around the worldEarly puberty as a 6th Vit

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, body size, and other factors have a significant bearing on whether you will be diagnosed and treated correctly. And health-care bias can mean the difference not just between suffering and relief but between life and death. On today’s episode of On Health, my guest, Angela Marshall MD, a board-certified internist, founder of Comprehensive Women's Health, Inc., and the author of the new book, Dismissed: Tackling the Biases that Undermine Our Health, shares the personal tragedy she experienced as a young mother and medical student that transformed the way she was to practice medicine, brings us front and centre into some of the core biases getting in the way of people getting good healthcare, and offers pragmatic solutions for providers to address and overcome their biases within a broken system. Angela not only explains what so many people feel so profoundly—that the system is working against them. It also reveals what healthc

Have you wondered if you or someone you know has Long COVID? It's VERY possible!As of 2023, the CDC estimates that 1 in 5 people, as many as 1 in 3 college students, and a preponderance of menopausal women who have had COVID still experience symptoms more than 3 months—or more—after being infected. Long COVID continues to impact the everyday lives of countless "long haulers" globally. On today’s episode, I'm joined by journalist Fiona Lowenstein, an early and prominent voice in the Long COVID patient movement, who wrote the New York Times article that first blew the lid open on Long COVID.Fiona's story sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of long haulers, highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of the condition, and provides hope that healing can happen over time.We discuss:Fiona's experience as part of the first wave of people who got sick with COVID in NYC and how little the medical community knew how to help themThe major gap between what COVID long-haulers are experienc

If your teen daughter is struggling with period pain and you're looking for answers - or you're a teen here for yourself - this episode is for you.Period pain, or what’s medically known as dysmenorrhea, has become such a normalized part of the menstrual experience, so much so that regularly taking ibuprofen to numb the discomfort and skipping out on important life obligations is something we’ve come to blindly accept as "normal" - which we owe ourselves more than to believe. Our periods should not be painful!So too, when it comes to our teenage daughters. But if that's the case, what level of discomfort is actually considered "normal?" And when is it time to search for possible underlying causes?On today’s episode of On Health, I’ll be addressing period pain in our teens, the key role our 'hormonal ecosystem' plays and what it means when I say that our menstrual cycle is a 6th Vital Sign. We'll explore conventional and integrative practices to help relieve menstrual pain, how to reframe the way our daughters

Imagine opening an email that contains a revelation that rocks your world to the core, forcing you to completely rethink your origin and your identity- this is exactly what happened to my guest on today's On Health Podcast episode, Dani Shapiro.Every family has secrets. Some are buried and never spoken about, some are maturely disclosed, and others are inconveniently discovered. These discoveries have the ability to shake us to the core and shatter our entire world, especially when related to something as serious as our identity. With the most recent advancements in at-home genetic testing kits like 23andMe and Ancestry.com, these earth-shaking stories are becoming the norm, and the reality of anonymous sperm donors and shady fertility clinics of the past are finally being exposed, creating a painful realization for those coming to learn the truth about who they really are.My guest today is no stranger to this particular kind of pain. With 11 critically acclaimed books under her belt and a hit podcast, Dani S

TRIGGER WARNING: Miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Both physically and emotionally, there is very little that can prepare a woman for something 1 in 4 of us will experience in our lifetime: miscarriage. Early pregnancy loss is a complex topic that has consistently been high on the list of what many healthcare providers, journalists, and female podcasters consider to be taboo to dive deeply into - or even discuss at all, for fear of being perceived as negative. And in this post-Roe era, it’s all the more complicated as women are being denied not just abortion services - but miscarriage support - even sometimes in emergencies. With the complexities of the current reproductive health landscape, I felt now would be a timely and appropriate moment to share an episode from 2020, where I walk you through the miscarriage process from start to finish. In today’s climate, with strict abortion laws and difficulty accessing the medications needed for at-home miscarriage, it’s all the more important that we, as wo

From chronic fatigue to Lyme’s disease to COVID to autoimmune conditions, "invisible" illnesses and those who suffer from them are often disbelieved. It's often a struggle to receive a diagnosis, and more often than not, sufferers do not receive the adequate care they need. Lack of knowledge and understanding from medical providers may lead women to remain silent and hide their suffering, live with persistent symptoms, as well as facing isolation, depression, and anxiety. So where does one even start if suffering from an invisible illness and how does one begin the journey towards reclaiming your own life? Tune into today’s episode of On Health to find outMy guest today, Meghan O'Rourke, is the author of the New York Times bestseller and absolute must-read, The Invisible Kingdom: Re-Imagining Chronic Illness. In her twenties, Meghan began suffering from mysterious symptoms ranging from crushing fatigue to rashes to strange neurologic symptoms. The decade long search for a diagnosis led her down a long path of

An estimated 6,000 women in the U.S. reach menopause every single day—that’s over 2 million each year! And an average of 27 million women between the ages of 45 and 64 experience menopausal symptoms. All this to say, you are not alone if you experience vaginal dryness and/or pain during sex. My goal today is to help you feel comfortable in your body and in your life by sharing what you need to know about the causes of these symptoms, what you can do to soothe and heal your vagina, and how you can make sex comfortable again.    Vaginal dryness also affects women in their 20s and 30s, so even if you're not in menopause, have a listen because you're sure to learn something about your body now—and something for your future self!   In this episode, I talk about: What happens to our hormones leading up to and during menopause and why these changes can lead to vaginal dryness and, in turn, painful sex How to know whether your vaginal symptoms or pain with sex are due to m

As thoughtful consumers, we try to make the best decisions for ourselves and our families. And the bottom line is that we shouldn't have to twice about the possibility that the everyday products we use, from the cookware in our homes to our cosmetics, could pose any level of danger to our health and wellbeing. We should be able to have confidence in the brands that make these products, as well as in the role of the powers that be — specifically the FDA — in ensuring their safety. However, there are unfortunate realities behind many of these everyday goods; PFAS, better known as "forever chemicals,” being one of them.In today’s episode of On Health, I address the threat of PFAS to our wellbeing as women, and to our children as I talk about the recent controversy that was brought to light from behind the shadows of some very misleading marketing by Thinx, a popular period underwear company. I dive into the long-term impact these chemicals can have on our health, the toxicity of labels like "organic" and "natura

Sensitivity to light, sounds, and sometimes smells, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes hours spent in darkened rooms. If you suffer from migraines, then you're all too familiar with these symptoms, which may affect you infrequently or as often as several times each week. Migraines are three times more common among women than men, and are worse prematurely and in menopause when women may experience them for the first time. But it's not just the numbers that are different, women are perceived and treated differently.Today I'm sharing the rich and relevant conversation I had with Dr. Joanna Kempner, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Rutgers, who is doing important work on gender politics and pain, specifically the striking difference between how men and women with pain are treated by doctors.In this episode, we explore the historical emergence of the 'migraine personality,' hysteria, and further disparities in pain treatment for women of color. We explore the societal factors that lead women

Motherhood is a lifelong role, during which there will be no shortage of opportunities to worry. Even before you give birth, your mama-bear radar is engaged, and you’re suddenly motivated to do all you can to protect this precious being growing inside of you. So as hard as it is to manage these worries while we're pregnant, it's also an ideal time to start developing inner practices to help us cope with these worries, both in order to protect ourselves and our little ones. On today’s first official Let’s Chat About That episode of On Health, I’ll be addressing some of these worries head on by answering a voicemail from an expecting mama who is concerned about immunity during pregnancy, currently dealing with the very real feelings of anxiety and fear about getting sick during this time. My goal today is to ease some of these overwhelming worries by providing you with the honest facts so that you can make the most informed decisions to keep yourself and baby healthy now and for the long run. On this

Content Warning: In this episode, we will be talking about maternal mortality, infant mortality, and the impact of racism on maternal health.60% of all maternal deaths are fully preventable, and the complications women experience are not inherent to black or brown bodies. Yet Black and Brown women have been blamed for their "bad outcomes" instead of recognizing that these deaths all too often have to do with failures in the obstetric system. In the US today, a Black woman is 12 times more likely to die of childbirth than a white woman, despite socioeconomic factors.Today on the On Health podcast, I am having a very real and much-needed discussion on the racial disparities in the business of birth, the demand for change, how we can better celebrate Black birthing people, and more, with Kimberly Seals Allers. She is an award-winning journalist, five-time author, international speaker, strategist, and advocate for maternal and infant health. A former senior editor at ESSENCE and writer at FORTUNE magazine, she i