Women’s Healthcast

Extreme Heat and Pregnancy

Our summertime risks from extreme heat exposure are rising. And while extreme heat exposure can be dangerous for all of us, pregnant people are especially vulnerable.   Dr. Laura Hanks [https://www.obgyn.wisc.edu/directory/profile/82437173] joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to talk about extreme heat and pregnancy. Dr. Hanks is an obstetrician-gynecologist and assistant professor in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In our conversation, she helped define extreme heat, talked about common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and shared her recommendations for staying safe and staying cool in periods of high heat. More resources for heat safety: * Heat and Medications [https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/hcp/clinical-guidance/heat-and-medications-guidance-for-clinicians.html] – US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  * Cooling Centers by State [https://nchh.org/information-and-evidence/learn-about-healthy-housing/emergencies/extreme-heat/cooling-centers-by-state/] – National Center for Healthy Housing  * Heat and Pregnancy [https://www.epa.gov/children/heat-and-pregnancy] – Environmental Protection Agency  * Heat and Pregnancy [https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/risk-factors/heat-and-pregnancy.html] – US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about using this form [https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7]!

Paths to Parenthood: Third-Party Reproduction

There can be many paths to becoming a parent. Third-party reproduction – or using donor eggs, donor sperm, donor embryos, or gestational carriers as part of a person or family’s fertility care journey – is incredibly common.   Dr. Laura Cooney [https://www.obgyn.wisc.edu/directory/profile/97887809] joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to talk about the whole range of third-party reproduction options. Dr. Cooney is a reproductive endocrinology and infertility physician in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She talked about common types of third-party reproduction, why people and families might choose these services, the important role of mental health support during the fertility process, and some of the legal and financial considerations of third-party fertility care.   Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about using this form [https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7]!

Vulvovaginal Health After Menopause

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, or GSM, is incredibly common – some research suggests more than 80 percent of people might experience symptoms like vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, or urinary incontinence after menopause. And unlike some other symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes or night sweats, genitourinary symptoms don’t get better over time. That makes recognizing the symptoms and learning about treatment options all the more important.   Dr. Margaret Wilkes [https://www.obgyn.wisc.edu/directory/profile/501390329] joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to demystify GSM. Dr. Wilkes is a urogynecologist in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She talked about the normal hormonal changes that cause GSM, the three categories of GSM symptoms she most commonly sees, and the variety of hormonal and non-hormonal treatments available today.   Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about using this form [https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7]!

Health and Aging: Weight and Wellness, Part 2

Over the last few months, the Women’s Healthcast has focused on how aging can affect our health. For the last two episodes in the Health and Aging series, we consider the impact of aging on metabolism – including societal implications.  In Weight and Wellness, Part 1 [https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/aging-weight-1/], Dr. Kate Sample [https://www.obgyn.wisc.edu/directory/profile/84564079]  joined us to talk about how different life stages can affect body composition. In the second half of our conversation, Dr. Sample discusses additional options for improving health with age, the potential impacts of GLP-1 medications, and how to tell whether so-called “simple” solutions on social media are actually effective.  Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 [https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7]

Health and Aging: Weight and Wellness, Part 1

Over the last few months, the Women’s Healthcast has focused on how aging can affect our health. For the last two episodes in the Health and Aging series, we consider the impact of aging on metabolism – including societal implications.  Dr. Kate Sample [https://www.obgyn.wisc.edu/directory/profile/84564079] joined us to share her insight into changes in body composition that come with age. Dr. Sample is a clinical associate professor in the University of Wisconsin Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In part one of this interview, she talked about natural changes in weight, muscle mass, and bone density that come with age, the effects of life stages such as pregnancy and menopause on metabolism, as well as how hormonal changes affect our bodies.  Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 [https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7]