Women’s Healthcast

Reproductive autonomy is defined as an individual’s ability to make decisions about their reproductive health and access reproductive health services without interference or coercion. In 2025, there are a lot of social and policy factors at play that impact people’s reproductive autonomy both in the U.S. and worldwide.  Dr. Leigh Senderowicz [https://www.obgyn.wisc.edu/directory/profile/41388660] and Amy Williamson [https://core.wisc.edu/staff/williamson-amy/] joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to help us understand the reproductive autonomy landscape in 2025. This interview was recorded in June of 2025.  Dr. Senderowicz is an assistant professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin. Amy is the associate director of the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity [https://core.wisc.edu/], a group that conducts research and shares evidence that focuses on Wisconsinites’ access to abortion and contraception.   Past podcast episodes mentioned in the interview:  Reproductive Health Worldwide [https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/globalhealth/] E-Visits for Contraception [https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/evisits/] 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]

Uterine fibroids are incredibly common – between 20 and 70 percent of people with uteruses will develop fibroids during their lifetimes. And while these growths typically aren’t dangerous, they can still cause some issues.   Since July is Fibroids Awareness Month, we are replaying an interview from 2022 with Dr. Bala Bhagavath. He’s a reproductive endocrinologist and reproductive surgeon. In this interview, he talks about common symptoms of uterine fibroids, the broad variety of treatment options, and whether all fibroids need to be treated.   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]

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, in the United States. For Wisconsin in particular, rates of both diseases are on the rise.   Dr. Jess Dalby [https://www.fammed.wisc.edu/directory/9143/] joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to talk about the signs and symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea, the risks of untreated disease, and how to get tested and treated for common STIs. She also talked about a recent study that found chlamydia and gonorrhea are increasing in Wisconsin, and what’s behind the rising rates.   Dr. Dalby is an associate professor in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. She is also a medical consultant on sexually transmitted infections for the City of Milwaukee Health Department.  Dr. Dalby co-authored a paper published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal about rising rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea: read Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Infection Rates in Wisconsin, 2010-2022 [https://wmjonline.org/124no2/jacques/]. 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]

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]