Natural Md Radio | Feel Better, Live Better

Welcome to the second half of our alcohol miniseries! In part one, I focused on how alcohol metabolizes differently in women than men and how this increases women's alcohol-related health risks. I also talked about how alcohol can effect puberty, our hormones, and menstrual cycles. If you haven’t already listened, it's a perfect prequel to today's episode, where I talk about how alcohol may impact fertility, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, and breast cancer, giving you food for thought on whether and if so how much drinking is okay for YOU, and also tools for smarter alcohol intake. You’ll walk away from series feeling empowered and equipped with the tools and information necessary to approach alcohol in a way that best matches your lifestyle.   In this episode, I dish on: How alcohol may impact fertility and how to approach drinking while trying to conceive How inflammation caused by alcohol consumption can enhance symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis The role of al

Alcohol. It's the kind of frenemy that many women have a love-hate relationship with. It may make us feel good in the moment—relaxed, more social, less anxious—but many women find that after a drink or several, they’re moody, irritable, don’t sleep as well, and feel overall kind of not-so-great. Are there reasons for this that are unique to women? And can alcohol have hidden effects on our estrogen? Progesterone? Menstrual cycles? What about your gut? Circadian rhythm? Thyroid?  That’s exactly what we’ll explore together in this two part series on women, alcohol, and our hormones. Whether you’re having a dry January or just hitting the brakes a little now that the holiday parties are behind us, what better time of year is there to do a little self-check-in on this anyway? It can be a perfect time to revaluate your relationship with alcohol altogether as you move into a healthier New Year.  We’ll be diving straight into the research and discussing the direct impact alcohol has on women’s ho

At some point, too many of us internalized the belief that being a woman means complete self-sacrifice, not setting healthy boundaries for our well-being, and not taking care of our fundamental needs – even for sleep, quality food, and relaxation. Further, as moms, we often take on the lioness's share of the household. As partners, we plan the dates and stay in touch with old friends. At work, we pick up the slack of others without so much as a peep of protest. But here's the thing- often, others don't even notice that we are doing all of this extra work because we haven't set healthy boundaries - with ourselves or with them. We've been taught to be the "good girl" (definitely listen to last week's podcast episode ALL about this topic if you haven't yet) and with this, we also believe that boundaries are rude or selfish.  So we give and give and give - at the expense of our well-being and sometimes at the expense of our own passions and fulfillment. Time for a reframe! Not only i

From a young age, we’re taught to be "good girls." We’re told to be polite, to be nice, not to interrupt, and to say thank you—even when we don't mean it. As little girls, we're best "seen", not heard and told that if you question authority or speak your mind, then you're bossy, too loud, or even a bitch.  And while we know this is all nonsense as adults, so many of us still hold onto these beliefs and habits, which cause us to remain silent at board meetings, apologize to the other person when they cut us off in the checkout line, and remain silent in the doctor's office when we know something is wrong.  It's "good girl syndrome", and it can seriously affect our health and even our safety, as you'll learn in this episode!  In the episode, I share:  An essential lesson in self-advocacy I learned in 3rd grade that has and continues to serve me powerfully in my life and work  The science behind the "fawning" stress response and how so many of us do it without ev

This week, I'm sharing a replay of my interview with New York Times bestseller, Dr. Emily @Nagoski, author of Come as You Are, because she's so interesting and because as we shift through seasons of our lives (and through pandemic seasons!) our s*xual needs and s*x lives shift and evolve, too. There are certain themes that we hear differently in each phase of our own lives. One of my favorite quotes from this interview is: "The most important factor for women in creating and sustaining a fulfilling s*x life, is not what you do in bed or how you do it, but how you feel about it." It's just one of many pearls Emily drops in this episode! Join me in this episode of Natural MD Radio as I talk with Emily about what we can do to cultivate s*xual wellbeing in our lives and how we learn what's normal and fulfilling for each of us, not externally based norms.  Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone

The thyroid is such a complex part of our endocrine system, involved in hundreds of processes that affect nearly every aspect of our health, so naturally there’s plenty of ground to cover. I’m so thrilled to be picking up where we left off in Part 1 and diving back into all things thyroid. Whether you’re in the midst of thyroid struggles or seeking some general guidance for your overall thyroid wellbeing, I'll be tackling more of your thought provoking questions. I hope you walk away from the conclusion of this series feeling empowered, that much more thyroid literate, and all the wiser. Listen in to learn all about:  All things thyroid antibodies from what they are, what they mean, and whether, when, and what to do if they're elevated  All things about thyroid medications: The pros and cons, testing while taking them, and my go-to recommendations for a variety of situations  The truth about whether Hashimoto's and Grave's disease are 'curable"  How to wisely take

How many times have you sat down to a meal already worried about the calories in the food you’re eating? Or plagued by feelings of guilt and feelings of loss of control instead of the pleasure and nourishment of eating? If you often have an inner food battle, as do so many of us, and if you want to pass a healthy food relationship onto your now or future daughters, today’s episode is for you. Around the holidays specifically, it can be hard to relax and enjoy ourselves when the society we live in is filled with images and ideals of unrealistic body standards.  So join me for a very special episode this week to learn about:The relationship between cortisol and stress eating, and why willpower isn't just about 'you'. The powerful influence of family history culture and society on body image and how this translates into our relationship with food, and what food 'introjects' are The benefits of mindful eating and how this can transform not only your relationship with food, but digestion a

This year, staying well and preventing colds and flu is more important than ever. Not only is it expected to be a worse-than-average flu season, but we’re also entering another COVID winter. But what is it that you can do that really works to boost your immunity? Can you actually rely on herbs and supplements? What else can you do?  In this episode, I answer these questions and more. I share the top tips that really work to prevent colds and flu in adults and kids—from the practical to the pharmaceutical to the nutritional and herbal.   Have a listen to learn: The difference between colds and flu, and what all the fuss about flu is about The role of flu vaccines and Tamiflu in flu prevention Who might be at higher risk with the flu The roles of exercise, diet, and sleep in boosting immunity - and the surprising importance of not over-exercising The best supplements and herbs to boost immunity, including doses, and what you can safely try if you're pregnant or

Blood sugar balance. It's the starting place in my patient care, and it's the one core thread, other than eating 'whole foods,' that runs through how I personally think about what I eat.   Why? As your body’s preferred energy source, glucose is a substantial and essential piece of our biological puzzle. From your hormones, mood, energy, cravings, and overall health, your blood sugar levels can influence so much more than we might even be aware of. And when blood sugar spikes and crashes this rollercoaster creates some of the symptoms we experience daily like cravings, headaches, anxiety, and more. Enter the Glucose Goddess, biochemist Jessie Inchauspé, and my guest on today's episode, where we dive into blood sugar balance, from what it is, why it's important, and how to get it. Join us for a conversation that is pivotal to women’s health and packed full of information to dramatically improve your overall health and wellbeing - and remarkably quickly and easily.  Jessie and I dis

The thyroid is one of the most important and complex glands in our body. And as women, we need to know a thing or two about it because, statistically, 1 in 8 of us will suffer from thyroid issues during our lifetime, with significant impacts on our overall health and well-being. Naturally, we all have questions surrounding this precious anatomy, but the answers don’t always come as easily, leaving many in the dark with no clear direction.  In Part 1 of this episode, I'm going to be answering the real-life questions sent to me by women just like you, diving deep into thyroid health, dispelling some myths while providing guidance and a dose of empowerment that—you’ve got this—should you need it now or later down the road.    In this episode, I discuss:  How the thyroid functions and what role the thyroid plays in women's health  The differences between and the common symptoms of various forms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism  Best practices for la

Every year, over 5 million parents visit the ER because their child has a fever and they're worried.. Sometimes those visits are necessary. But more often than not, we assume that we unnecessarily fear fever, and assume we have to treat it. As a seasoned physician and mama, my goal is to empower parents to trust their instincts while providing the necessary tools to help you feel more at ease when your child does has a fever - which will happen in most kids at some time or another. And with cold and flu season officially upon us, what better time to tackle this topic and break down some of the fever misconceptions out there. So sit back, relax and trust your own beautiful, mama wisdom as I talk about:  What a fever is, and the science behind why we get them  Misconceptions about fever and whether or not it is something to fear  The risks and benefits of over-the-counter medications and when they are appropriate for use  Best practices when taking a child’s temperat

What do sleep, mucus, and, plant diversity have in common? They're all important aspects of a healthy gut and immune system, which is what I connect the dots on today with my guest-friend and sister MD, Dr. Robynne Chutkan. In this episode, Robynne and I dive deep into gut health with some very important and actionable takeaways. Right in time for cold and flu season, and all year round. You'll walk away from this episode with so much knowledge and insight into keeping you and your family's microbiome and immune system healthy!   Robynne and I discuss:  Dr. Chutkan's experience in medical school and how she became excited to enter the field of gastroenterology  Dr. Chutkan's experience having a sick baby and finding the root cause of her ailments by digging into her medical history  Advice for mothers wanting to support their children's microbiome  Why sleep is SO important for gut health and immunity  How the gastrointestinal system works and w

Human brains do a lot of thinking - to the tune of about 6200 thoughts per day! Most of these are just passing thoughts, but according to researchers, a lot of those that reach our consciousness can be classified as negative thoughts. This week, I’m sharing the science behind the phenomenon that explains this: negativity bias - because it’s a way of thinking that can affect our health, our well-being, and determine whether we live our lives to the fullest. I talk about: Where these kinds of negative thoughts come from  How they affect our health, relationships, and the choices we make—including whether we take big leaps on our dreams!  How to recognize negativity bias in the form of Automatic Negative Thoughts (or ANTS) And I share how you can transform this thinking so that you can reframe inhibiting, fear-based, unhelpful thought patterns into courageous action in your life. If you want to live your life more optimistically and effectively, check out this episode.&nbs

Every time you're fuelling your car or walking into your home and don’t have to worry about lead exposure, it’s thanks to my guest today, no less than one of my heroes, Dr. Phillip Landrigan. But the question still remains— how can you protect your children from environmental toxins? Chemicals are everywhere in today’s world, and it’s impossible to protect your child completely from the risks that they pose...but don’t panic! Dr. Landrigan and I discuss the 3 biggest hazards to your child’s health and what you, your community, and policymakers can do—starting today—to keep families safe.   Dr. Landrigan and I discuss:  How to detect lead poisoning symptoms in your child and how often they should be screened for lead exposure  The two negative developments in today’s society that threaten to undo all the progress made in lowering lead exposure   How you can test for lead in your home and what you can do to protect your family  The known (and unkn

George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery—these are names you know. I hope. But what about Kira Dixon Johnson, Yolanda Kadima, and Tatia Oden French? These are names that you may not have heard. They are the names of Black women who needlessly died in childbirth, several of whom reported symptoms and concerns to their medical provider prior, but who were dismissed or ignored. My guest today, Tracie Collins, is passionate about changing both the statistics and the narrative surrounding Black birthing people. As the founder of the National Black Doulas Association, she's breaking down racial disparities in the medical system and fighting against America’s unacceptable Black maternal death rate by ensuring Black women know their birthing options. She joins me on the podcast to share more about the realities, challenges, and burdens of Black women, and how change requires changing the medical system. Tracie and I discuss:  How to hold space for both having the data to change the system while

Despite years of evidence about the incredible outcomes, safety, and cost-effectiveness of midwives, midwifery care is still not the standard for pregnancy and birth in the US, and access to birthing centers remains limited. Yet, studies show they are associated with a reduction in cesareans, preterm births, increased breastfeeding success, and an overall positive experience of birth. This is why we need birthing centers and why the work of my guests, visionaries Nashira Baril and Katherine Rushfirth, is critical for creating a sea change in how people birth in this country.  Aviva, Nashira, and Katherine discuss: Nashira’s and Katherine’s origin stories into birth work What a birthing center is and how does it differ from home or hospital birth options The advantages of birthing centers and working with a midwife  The fact that the birthing center model remains majority white-led and why this needs to change   The huge financial savings birth centers put back

Perfectionism. It's a common relentless inner stress that I know I'm not alone in experiencing. What you might not realize is that it's a common symptom of being stuck in mode of survival mode. In this episode I invite you to reframe Perfectionism, along with being a "Good Girl" and other traits of survival mode that can be causing us stress without our even knowing it, and take a deep dive into how we can understand our Superpowers and Shadow Sides to create a more peaceful, balanced life. Join me as I share: My personal experience with Perfectionism and how one of my patients shifted my perspective The potential health consequences of Perfectionism The meaning behind "hungry ghosts" and why you may be holding on to your past Symptoms that suggest you may be struggling with Perfectionism Seven simple practices to help shift out of Perfectionism For the accompanying article, visit avivaromm.com/perfectionism-adrenal-overdrive/ Thank you so much for taking the time to tu

Curious about vaginal seeding and whether it is safe and recommended for you and your baby? To date, more than 20 studies have found that the microbiome in cesarean-born babes is different than that of vaginally born infants. These differences can persist to 4 years of age and may pose lasting health consequences. I know this may sound scary but I have some great news to share: researchers and microbiologists are exploring solutions to help increase the health outcomes for mothers and babies through a technique they named Vaginal Seeding, which can be used following a cesarean. This is ground-breaking and pivotal research as the number of cesareans continues to rise on a global level. Tune in to today’s episode to learn what vaginal seeding is, the current research supporting the technique, the potential benefits and risks of vaginal seeding, and ways you can support the newborn microbiome.Let’s explore this further. For the accompanying article, go to avivaromm.com/vaginal-seeding-after-cesarean/.  Thank you

We are facing what continues to be a global cesarean section crisis. The overuse of cesarean sections, especially in the United States, is not new, but it has continued to become more prevalent here and globally over the past 30 years. Joining me this week is obstetrician/gynecologist and world leader in women's reproductive rights, Marleen Temmerman, MD. Listen in as we talk about the dual problem of both the overuse and under-access of cesarean sections for women around the world, and the impact of both of these on women’s health and safety. I know you'll be as moved and inspired as I am hearing Dr. Temmerman's story and important research findings.  Aviva and Marleen discuss:  The why's behind the overuse and increase of cesareans  Misconceptions about cesarean sections, natural births, and breeches   The importance and role of midwives and why every birthing person needs one   The various impacts and long-term effects of cesareans on babies&

"It’s all in your head." "It’s normal for women to suffer." "We just don’t know what causes that." Chances are you’ve heard one of these medical myths before, and it has kept you from receiving important diagnoses and timely treatment. Medicine is, without a doubt, a cultural institution and a power structure, and like other systems, it has perpetuated myths that keep us believing in its power while disbelieving in our own. On today’s episode, I break down eight prominent medical myths that are alive, well, and profoundly—and sometimes dangerously—affecting women’s health. I also share tools to get empowered with your health and why you should stop being so damn polite when you are being ‘doctor-splained’ to. Your health may depend on you being a little bit of a badass.  Let’s explore this further. For the accompanying article, go to avivaromm.com/medical-myths  Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your l