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OvaryActive: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Dr Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su, Dr Amy Voedisch
Two gynecologists walk into a recording studio. Sounds like the start of a joke, and frankly, perimenopause can feel like the start of a joke too. Only this joke is on you. And it's not that funny. But back to those two OB/GYNS…. Dr Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch have been caring for the reproductive health of those born with uteruses for a while now. And the doctors are frankly pretty tired of how those body bits — and the people they belong to — get ignored by medical science when they are no longer ideal baby-makers. Half of a woman's life comes after her Build a Baby shop shuts down; however, the medical community does little to educate her about or treat her for issues related to her peri- and post-menopausal body. In this smart, funny, incredibly informed, wonderfully irreverent podcast, Doctors Rebecca and Amy give us the down low on our… down lows. What is perimenopause? What can I expect? How can I feel better? And for crying out loud, WHEN IS IT OVER? Are your ovaries starting to overreact? Grab a partner, a buddy, a random woman who looks on the verge of tears, and listen up. You're not in this alone. And as the docs say, "You're not crazy. This is actually happening."
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- 1 weeks ago25 min
Ep 49 | ADHD & Perimenopause: WHY is My Brain DOING This?
Is it ADHD, perimenopause, or has your brain simply decided it has reached maximum capacity? In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs are talking about the very real overlap between ADHD symptoms and perimenopause. This includes brain fog, forgetfulness, disorganization, overwhelm, and the sudden inability to keep all those carefully balanced plates spinning. ADHD may become more noticeable in midlife, especially for women whose inattentive symptoms went undiagnosed as kids. They explain what ADHD can actually look like in women, why old coping strategies may stop working during perimenopause, and when it might be worth getting a formal ADHD evaluation instead of assuming hormones are responsible for everything. Sometimes the answer is hormones. Sometimes it's ADHD. Sometimes your brain has simply opened 47 tabs and refuses to tell you where the music is coming from. You'll hear about ADHD versus perimenopause symptoms, hormone therapy and stimulants, estrogen and dopamine, study limitations, and why worsening ADHD symptoms in your late 30s or 40s may be worth discussing with your doctor. The research still has plenty of unanswered questions, but one thing is clear: if your mental gigabytes suddenly feel full, you're not imagining it. What you'll hear in this episode: [0:30] Why ADHD comes up NOW [3:30] ADHD diagnosis basics [7:38] ADHD Symptoms checklist [12:04] Peri & ADHD tools [17:35] Let's talk data! [23:52] We hear you. We see you. You're not crazy. Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch Support the show: patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.
- 3 weeks ago43 min
Ep 48 | Progesterone in Perimenopause: Sleep Savior, Uterus Protector, Internet Celebrity
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Progesterone: soothing hormone, sleep savior, uterine bodyguard… or wildly overhyped perimenopause celebrity? In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch take on micronized progesterone, progestins, and the many confident claims the internet has made about both. Because apparently even hormones need a PR team. The Docs explain the difference between progesterone, progestogens, and progestins; why micronized progesterone is formulated the way it is; and why progesterone creams and "natural" wild yam products are not doing what TikTok may have promised. The episode also looks at progesterone's reputation for improving sleep, why some people feel dramatically better while others feel absolutely nothing, and the small subset who can experience poor mood effects instead of calm. Finally, Rebecca and Amy tackle the complicated evidence around micronized progesterone, breast cancer risk, and long-term hormone therapy. Listeners will walk away knowing what the research actually says, what it definitely does not say, and why "it depends" remains medicine's least satisfying but frequently most correct (for now) answer. What you'll hear in this episode: [0:46] Progestogens: Pick a Lane [3:43] Micronized, Not Magical [5:34] Please Don't Put That There [8:10] Protecting the Uterus, Ideally [12:12] Bleeding: Worth Investigating [17:51] Allopregnanolone Enters the Chat [21:27] When "Calming" Backfires [23:16] More Doesn't Always Mean Better [25:10] Sleep Savior? Let's Check the Data [32:20] Breast Cancer Risk: Hello, Nuance [41:07] The Five-Year Rule That Isn't Really a Rule [42:17] Progesterone: Neither Villain Nor Savior Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch Support the show: patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.
- Aug 27, 202632 min
Ep 47 | Is Estrogen Safe After a Blood Clot? The Answer Is Annoyingly Complicated
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Blood clots and hormone therapy: two things that can make perimenopause feel even more delightfully complicated. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch dig into the risk of blood clots with menopausal hormone therapy, and why the internet's favorite phrase, "It's totally safe," deserves a few very large asterisks. Rebecca and Amy take a data-driven look at what we actually know about oral versus transdermal estrogen, including findings from the Million Women Study. They also explain what "provoked" blood clots really mean, when prior clots may make estrogen especially risky, why a hematologist might need to join the group chat, and how shared decision-making should work when the research doesn't give a clean yes-or-no answer. Listeners will come away understanding why hormone therapy recommendations need to be individualized, what questions to ask their clinician, and why "we don't have enough data yet" is sometimes the most medically accurate answer available. What you'll hear in this episode: [0:43] Clot risk controversy [1:54] Not birth control estrogen [3:15] Million Women Study [10:31] Let's talk about our high risk ladies [12:03] Provoked clots debate [18:54] Prior clot evidence [25:05] Clinical counseling approach [30:25] Shared decision making Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch Support the show: patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.
- Aug 13, 202654 min
Ep 46 | Sex After 40: More Pleasure, Fewer Rules with Julie Weitlauf
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Perimenopause can change your sleep, your body, your mood, and — because apparently the transition needed another hobby — your sex life. Returning guest Julie Weitlauf, PhD, joins the OvaryActive Docs to talk about low libido, vaginal dryness, unpredictable bleeding, less-intense orgasms, and the deeply unsexy experience of thinking about tomorrow's dinner during intimacy. The conversation explores why satisfying sex in midlife may require more time, better stimulation, fewer distractions, and a willingness to stop comparing forty-something you to your nineteen-year-old self. Julie explains how mindfulness, body image, relationship dynamics, sexual shame, past experiences, and changing identities can all influence desire and pleasure. Big surprise, simply telling yourself to relax is not a particularly effective treatment plan. This conversation offers practical ways to expand the sensual menu, reconnect with pleasure, and approach midlife intimacy with curiosity instead of panic. What you'll hear in this episode: [1:35] Perimenopause, Sex Myths, & Midlife [5:07] Recenter what you want [9:13] Relationships & Life's Mental Load [13:55] Normal Desire & Pleasure Gaps [16:51] Expand Your Menu [26:17] Menopause Sex Concerns (mindfulness, sensate focus, body image, scheduling) [40:26] Substance Use and Sexuality [44:08] Questioning Sexual Identity in Midlife [48:07] Relationship and Family Dynamics [52:47] Make Pleasure a Priority by Expanding Your Intimacy Menu Resources: Julie Weitlauf on LinkedIn Managing Hot Flushes and Night Sweats by Myra Hunter psychologytoday.com/us Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.
- Jul 30, 202635 min
Ep 45 | Swallow This, Part 3: Hope Is Not a Clinical Trial
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Perimenopause has officially entered its supplement era, and apparently every capsule on the internet is promising to fix your metabolism, your wrinkles, your joints, your brain, and maybe your credit score. In the third installment of the Swallow This series, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch sort through another round of popular supplements with their trademark mix of evidence, skepticism, and just enough sarcasm to make reading medical studies almost fun. This episode tackles berberine, glucosamine, CoQ10, collagen, and NAD+, separating promising science from clever marketing. Rebecca and Amy explain why the quality of a study matters just as much as the headline, how industry-funded research can paint a very different picture than independent studies, and why "natural" doesn't automatically mean effective, or even safe. Listeners will learn which supplements may have a role for specific medical conditions, which ones don't live up to the hype for perimenopause, and why the phrase "more research is needed" is sometimes the most honest answer in medicine. What you'll hear in this episode: [0:55] Berberine buzzkill [3:05] Natural GLP-1... maybe? [6:32] Leave your liver alone [8:03] Dog joint medicine? Glucosamine reality check [14:21] CoQ10 heart talk [20:00] Collagen vs. wrinkles [25:17] Lasers in the vag (please don't) [29:34] NAD+ hype train [32:43] DON'T INJECT RANDOM STUFF! [33:47] Cowboy hats for the Wild West [35:29] Social media vs. science Studies Mentioned: Gianturco SL, Mattingly AN. Distinguishing between compounding facilities and the development of the 503B bulk drug substance list. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). Jan-Feb 2021;61(1):e8-e11. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2020.06.024 A 2-yr Randomized Controlled Trial on Creatine Supplementation during Exercise for Postmenopausal Bone Health. Philip D Chilibeck et al. Med Sci Sports Exerc.2023. Prokopidis K, Witard OC. Understanding the role of smoking and chronic excess alcohol consumption on reduced caloric intake and the development of sarcopenia. Nutrition Research Reviews. 2022;35(2):197-206. Prokopidis K, Giannos P, Triantafyllidis KK, Kechagias KS, Forbes SC, Candow DG. Effects of creatine supplementation on memory in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Rev. Mar 10 2023;81(4):416-427. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuac064 Avgerinos KI, Spyrou N, Bougioukas KI, Kapogiannis D. Effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function of healthy individuals: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Exp Gerontol. Jul 15 2018;108:166-173. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2018.04.013 Ye Y, Liu X, Wu N, Han Y, Wang J, Yu Y, Chen Q. Efficacy and Safety of Berberine Alone for Several Metabolic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Apr 26;12:653887. Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch Support the show: patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: <a href= "https://stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html" target="_blank" re
- Jul 16, 202626 min
Ep 44 | Swallow This, Part 2: Creatine and Peptides
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Perimenopause is apparently the new Black Friday for supplement marketing, and this episode is here to check the receipt. In part two of the Swallow This supplement series, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch dig into the body-building-adjacent products showing up all over social media, including peptides, creatine, and the many "miracle" promises aimed at people who are tired, foggy, sweaty, and understandably over it. They start with peptides, the trendy injectable alphabet soup being marketed for healing, metabolism, anti-aging, and performance. The verdict? Big no. We think you'll understand once you hear what peptides actually are and why FDA-approved peptide medications are very different from what is being sold online. Then the Docs turn to creatine, which thankfully has more information and science behind it and does not immediately need to be thrown into the medical dumpster fire. This episode covers what looks promising, what looks sketchy, what is probably safe, and what should absolutely not be injected into your body unless you are in an actual doctor's office and not a cash-pay wellness cave. What you'll hear in this episode: [0:29] Supplements, again [1:39] Influencer red flags [2:57] Peptides: alphabet soup and a hard nope [10:17] Safety risks and compounding [13:47] Creatine enters politely dressed as muscle sprinkles [22:27] Kidney caveat [24:37] Supplement quality roulette [25:35] Please don't inject things Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch Support the show: patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.
- Jun 25, 20261h 6m
Ep 43 | A Terrible Strength: Dr. Kemi Doll on Black Women, Perimenopause, and the Womb Care We're Still Getting Wrong
Perimenopause is already a strange little carnival of bleeding patterns, hot flashes, hormone debates, and wondering whether your body has joined a group chat without you. Dr. Kemi Doll, gynecologic oncologist, uterine cancer scientist, and author of A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing joins this episode of OvaryActive. Together the docs zoom out from the usual menopause chaos to talk about something bigger: the hidden crisis in gynecologic care, especially for Black women, and why "you're fine" has done a truly Olympic amount of damage. They get into it all, the stories, science, and systemic failures behind disparities in fibroids, endometriosis, heavy bleeding, uterine cancer, and routine gynecologic care. Dr. Doll shares why maternal mortality is only the tip of the iceberg. And she also shares how Black women are often conditioned to minimize pain and symptoms and why doctors need to stop asking vague questions like, "Any problems with your period?" when someone may be casually working from a bathtub in an adult diaper. Listeners will learn how language shapes care, why "normal" bleeding is not always normal, how misinformation finds its opening, and why better questions, better data, and better listening can literally change outcomes. Also: nuance is not as catchy as a wellness influencer selling chamomile DNA rearrangement, but unfortunately for the internet, it matters. What you'll hear in this episode: [0:34] Meet Dr. Kemi Doll [3:03] Beyond maternal mortality [5:22] Uterine cancer and menopause [7:00] Power of patient stories [10:25] Dismissal and invisibility [13:22] Asking better questions [19:30] Rebranding birth control [29:01] Why write? [32:04] Endometriosis misdiagnosis story [38:38] Nuance over quick fixes [45:37] Bleeding patterns and cancer risk [48:38] Let's talk HRT, unopposed estrogen, and estrogen cream [56:39] Myths! We always have to cover myths! [1:04:28] Wrap up Links: kemidoll.com kemidoll.com/book @kemidoll on Instagram @kemidollcoach on Facebook @kemidoll on LinkedIn Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.
- Jun 16, 202616 min
BONUS: Estrogen, Interrupted UNBOXED
In this special bonus episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch celebrate the arrival of their new book, Estrogen, Interrupted and share an excerpt from the audiobook. This preview introduces their candid, science-backed approach to perimenopause: the symptoms no one warned you about, why "it's normal" is not a treatment plan, and why women deserve better information, better care, and a lot less medical shrugging. Listen in for a first taste of the book, including what perimenopause really is, why it can feel so unpredictable, and how Rebecca and Amy are working to make this stage of life less confusing, less isolating, and slightly less "why are my pants suddenly attacking me? Links: Get your copy of Estrogen, Interrupted: bit.ly/Estrogen-Interrupted-preorder Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.
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About OvaryActive
Two gynecologists walk into a recording studio. Sounds like the start of a joke, and frankly, perimenopause can feel like the start of a joke too. Only this joke is on you. And it's not that funny. But back to those two OB/GYNS…. Dr Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch have been caring for the reproductive health of those born with uteruses for a while now. And the doctors are frankly pretty tired of how those body bits — and the people they belong to — get ignored by medical science when they are no longer ideal baby-makers. Half of a woman's life comes after her Build a Baby shop shuts down; however, the medical community does little to educate her about or treat her for issues related to her peri- and post-menopausal body. In this smart, funny, incredibly informed, wonderfully irreverent podcast, Doctors Rebecca and Amy give us the down low on our… down lows. What is perimenopause? What can I expect? How can I feel better? And for crying out loud, WHEN IS IT OVER? Are your ovaries starting to overreact? Grab a partner, a buddy, a random woman who looks on the verge of tears, and listen up. You're not in this alone. And as the docs say, "You're not crazy. This is actually happening."
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Frequently Asked Questions
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