Women’s Healthcast

For many young people, the idea of starting to get a period is at least a little bit stressful.   Dr. Katie O’Brien [https://www.obgyn.wisc.edu/directory/profile/1562270162], a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist in the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, helps kids and families in her clinic feel more prepared for periods. She joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to talk about what periods are, how to choose the right period products for you, when to get help for heavy or painful periods, and more.  Resources shared by Dr. O'Brien: Welcome to Your Period! [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653788/welcome-to-your-period-by-yumi-stynes-and-dr-melissa-kang-illustrated-by-jenny-latham/] - by Yumi Stynes and Dr. Melissa Kang Scarleteen.com  [https://www.scarleteen.com/read/menstruation] Your Changing Body [https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/sexual-health/changing-body/] - KidsHealth.org 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]

In August 2024, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated recommendations for pain management during intrauterine device placement. Dr. Molly Lepic and Dr. Abigail Cutler joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to tell us more about what these recommendations mean for patients, and why pain management during IUD placement is such a hot topic. Dr. Lepic and Dr. Cutler are both obstetrician-gynecologists in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. They talked about the different types of IUDs, how getting an IUD works, why pain or discomfort during the procedure can be an important consideration for many patients, and what today’s pain management options look like. 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]

Incidence and mortality rates for endometrial cancer within the United States are on the rise. We also see a significant disparity in survival rates for endometrial cancer between Black and white patients in the U.S. Charlotte Gamble [https://www.medstarhealth.org/doctors/charlotte-ruth-gamble-md-mph] joined this episode of the Women's Healthcast to discuss disparities in treating and diagnosing endometrial cancer. Dr. Gamble is an attending surgeon in gynecologic oncology at the Washington Cancer Institute at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center, which is part of Georgetown University. She discussed the disparities seen at every stage of cancer, from diagnosis through treatment. She also talked about what needs to change to make sure all patients have equitable access to cancer care. 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]

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a common treatment option that can be immensely helpful for people experiencing pelvic floor issues like incontinence or prolapse. But some patients may be reluctant to consider pelvic floor PT, or unsure about how it works. Sari Archer [https://www.uwhealth.org/providers/sari-l-archer-np] and Carrie Schwoerer [https://www.uwhealth.org/providers/carrie-schwoerer-pt] joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to tell us more about pelvic floor disorders, how physical therapy can help, what the process is like, and where physical therapy fits under the broader umbrella of treatment options for pelvic floor issues. Sari Archer is a nurse practitioner in the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. Carrie Schwoerer is a physical therapist and rehabilitation manager with UW Health. If you’d like to learn even more about pelvic floor disorders and treatment options, please join us on September 30, 2024, for a Healthy Women Community Talk featuring even more experts in pelvic health! https://www.obgyn.wisc.edu/community-talks [https://www.obgyn.wisc.edu/community-talks] 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]

As part of the Women’s Healthcast series about the fourth trimester, we’ve talked about physical recovery [https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/4thtri-recovery/], breastfeeding [https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/4thtri-breastfeeding/], birth control after pregnancy [https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/4thtri-birth-control/], postpartum mental health [https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/4thtri-mental-health/], and long-term health concerns after birth [https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/4thtri-heart-health/]. For the final episode in this series, Dr. Tiffany Green talked about inequities in postpartum health and policies that impact peoples’ ability to recover after giving birth. Dr. Green is an associate professor in the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Population Health Sciences and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She talked about common barriers to postpartum health, and policy changes that could make big changes in support for families. 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]