Women’s Healthcast

UW-Madison Department of Ob-Gyn

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The latest on ob-gyn health issues and innovations, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. obgyn.wisc.edu

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109 episodes

Fourth Trimester: Pregnancy Prevention

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. On the Women’s Healthcast, we’re airing a Fourth Trimester series, with episodes about physical recovery after birth, postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, and more. Dr. Katie Sampene joined this episode to talk about pregnancy prevention in the fourth trimester. Dr. Sampene as an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. She discussed recommendations for spacing pregnancies, why people may want to consider a birth control method so quickly after giving birth, how different methods affect breast or chest feeding, and more. RESOURCES: Postpartum Family Planning Worksheets https://www.unitypoint.org/locations/unitypoint-health---meriter-hospital/birth-and-newborn-services#familyplanning - UW Department of Ob-Gyn / UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

30m
Mar 13
Fourth Trimester: Breastfeeding

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. For the next few months, the Women’s Healthcast will air a Fourth Trimester series, with episodes about physical recovery, postpartum mental health, birth control after pregnancy, and more. Dr. Molly Lepic joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about a common aspect of the postpartum period: breastfeeding. Dr. Lepic is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. She talked about how breastfeeding works, resources available to support people through the ups and downs of breastfeeding, and more. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

48m
Feb 28
Fourth Trimester: Perineal Tears

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. For the next few months, the Women’s Healthcast will air a Fourth Trimester series, with episodes about physical recovery, postpartum mood changes, breastfeeding, and so much more.  Our first episode covered general questions about physical recovery after giving birth. On this episode, we’ll learn more about one particular aspect of recovery: perineal tears, or perineal lacerations.   These complications are very common during childbirth: somewhere between 60-70 percent of people who give birth experience some degree of tearing in the skin or muscles between the vagina and anus. Despite their frequency, they’re not commonly discussed.   Dr. Jon Pennycuff, a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgeon in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn, joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about perineal tears – how often they happen, how they’re treated, and what he wishes more people understood about them.   RESOURCES: Pelvic Floor Health Guide https://www.augs.org/for-patients/pelvic-floor-health-guide/ – American Urogynecologic Society Third and Fourth-Degree Perineal Tears https://www.augs.org/assets/2/6/Perineal_Tears_Large_Print.pdf – American Urogynecologic Society Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

28m
Feb 14
Fourth Trimester: Physical Recovery

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. For the next few months, the Women’s Healthcast will air a Fourth Trimester series, with episodes about physical recovery, postpartum mood changes, breastfeeding, and so much more. On the first episode of our Fourth Trimester series, Dr. Kim Bannon joined us to talk about physical recovery after giving birth. Dr. Bannon is an obstetrician-gynecologist in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She talked about common body changes in the postpartum period, what to look out for in terms of mental and emotional health, how to tell when you’re ready to resume activities like exercise, and more. Let us know what Fourth Trimester topics you want to know more about here: https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

36m
Jan 31
Introducing the 4th Trimester Mini-Series

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. This can be a time of significant physical and emotional change, and also a period of time where it’s hard to prioritize your own wellbeing.   To kick off 2024, the Women’s Healthcast will air a Fourth Trimester series, with episodes about physical recovery, postpartum mood changes, breastfeeding, and so much more. Over the next several weeks, we will learn more about postpartum health from experts in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.   Let us know what Fourth Trimester topics you want to know more about here: https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

1m
Jan 18
Contraceptive Coercion

Reproductive coercion – any behavior that interferes with someone’s ability to make decisions about their reproductive health – can happen in the context of intimate relationships, family relationships, or even in health care settings.   Laura Swan, PhD, LCSW https://lauraswan.my.canva.site/, research scientist in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Population Health Sciences and the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity, joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about her research on reproductive coercion, and why she thinks it’s important for patients as well as providers to understand reproductive coercion and autonomy.  Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

28m
Nov 29, 2023
REPLAY: Promoting Pelvic Floor Health

November is Bladder Health Month. To celebrate, we’re replaying an interview with Angie Sergeant, a nurse practitioner in the UW Health Women’s Pelvic Wellness Clinic. In this interview from 2020, Angie talks about risk factors for pelvic floor disorders, pelvic floor physical therapy and other interventions, and what visits to her clinic look like.  If you’d like to learn more about pelvic floor disorders, join providers in the UW Health Women’s Pelvic Wellness Clinic at a free, virtual Healthy Women Community Talk on November 14, 2023, at 6:00pm. More information and registration here: 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 

16m
Nov 01, 2023
Health Equity Innovations

Health disparities in the United States are a pressing issue – and we see gaps in health outcomes across all aspects of ob-gyn care, too. What role does the health care system have in reducing health disparities? Dr. Denise Howard https://doctors.nyp.org/denise-howard-md-mph/newyork-presbyterian-medical-group-brooklyn-multispecialty sat down with the Women’s Healthcast in advance of delivering the keynote lecture “Our Greatest Challenge: Eliminating Healthcare Disparities” at the 2023 UW Women’s Health and Health Equity Research Lecture & Symposium. Dr. Howard is Chief of Obstetrics & Gynecology at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and Vice Chair in the Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Ob-Gyn. Dr. Howard discussed what she views as common causes of disparities in health care, why she frames the conversation around inequities in health care settings, and some of the most promising innovations in healthcare that could help reduce disparities. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

24m
Oct 25, 2023
E-Visits for Contraception

Can starting a new birth control method, or changing your method, be as easy as opening an app, answering a few questions about your health, and picking up your prescription? E-visits for contraception are increasingly popular, whether offered through clinics or online-only services.  Dr. Eliza Bennett https://www.uwhealth.org/providers/eliza-a-bennett-md, an ob-gyn at UW Health, and Nicole Shapiro https://www.uwhealth.org/providers/nicole-t-shapiro-np, a nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife at UW Health, joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about e-visits for birth control: how the process works, what kinds of birth control are available using this service, and why they launched an e-visit system for UW Health patients.  Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

21m
Oct 11, 2023
Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning

Palliative care – medical care to help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life for people with serious illnesses – is often a key component of cancer care and treatment. During Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Catherine Zhang joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about palliative care, palliative care’s place in gynecologic cancer treatment, and how people can approach conversations around advance care planning in their own lives. Dr. Zhang is a gynecologic oncologist in the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where she cares for people with all types of reproductive cancers. RESOURCES: The Conversation Project https://theconversationproject.org What are palliative care and hospice care? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care- National Institute on Aging Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

23m
Sep 27, 2023
Perineal Tears: Cause and Recovery

Perineal tears, or perineal lacerations, are a very common complication that can happen during childbirth – somewhere between 60-70 percent of people who give birth experience some degree of tearing in the skin or muscles between the vagina and anus. Despite their frequency, they’re not a commonly-discussed topic. Our guest today hopes to change that. Dr. Jon Pennycuff, a Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn, joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about perineal tears – how often they happen, how they’re treated, and what he wishes more people understood about them. RESOURCES: Pelvic Floor Health Guide https://www.augs.org/for-patients/pelvic-floor-health-guide/ – American Urogynecologic Society Third and Fourth-Degree Perineal Tears https://www.augs.org/assets/2/6/Perineal_Tears_Large_Print.pdf – American Urogynecologic Society Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

26m
Sep 22, 2023
Over-the-Counter Birth Control

In July 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved a birth control pill for over-the-counter use, meaning most consumers could buy it from a pharmacy without a prescription. The pill will likely be available sometime in 2024. To learn more about the progestin-only birth control that’s approved for over-the-counter use, we talked with Dr. Amy Domeyer-Klenske. We discussed how the pill works, important safety considerations for people to know, and the remaining questions about how birth control without a prescription might affect availability and access for people in the U.S. Dr. Domeyer-Klenske is an obstetrician-gynecologist, director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and president of the Wisconsin section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. RESOURCES: Progestin-Only Birth Control https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/progestin-only-hormonal-birth-control-pill-and-injection- American College of Ob-Gyns FDA Approves First Nonprescription Daily Oral Contraceptive https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-nonprescription-daily-oral-contraceptive - US Food and Drug Administration Over-the-counter birth control is coming. Here's what to know about cost and coverage https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/19/1188697657/over-the-counter-birth-control-is-coming-heres-what-to-know-about-cost-and-cover - National Public Radio Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

27m
Sep 13, 2023
What’s Next in Menopause Management?

Vasomotor symptoms, also known as hot flashes, are one of the most common and most disruptive symptoms of the perimenopause transition. For some people, they can happen more than seven times a day. And once hot flashes start, people experience them for an average of 2 years (but sometimes as long as 10 to 12 years). On this episode of the Women’s Healthcast, Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry https://www.med.unc.edu/obgyn/directory/genevieve-neal-perry-m-d-ph-d/ joins us to talk about a new understanding of what causes hot flashes, what hot flash management has looked like until now, and her recent studies examining new treatment options for these symptoms. Dr. Neal-Perry is the Robert A. Ross Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. RESOURCES: Safety of Fezolinetant for Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Fulltext/2023/04000/Safety_of_Fezolinetant_for_Vasomotor_Symptoms.13.aspx - Obstetrics and Gynecology 5 of the Most Common Questions About Menopause https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/5-of-the-most-common-questions-about-menopause - American College of Ob-Gyns Hormone Therapy for Menopause https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/hormone-therapy-for-menopause - American College of Ob-Gyns Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

22m
May 10, 2023
Equity and Access in Fertility Care

In early April 2023, the World Health Organization released a new report https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility that suggests one in six adults – or roughly 17.5% of the world’s adult population – will be affected by infertility in their lifetime. Despite how common infertility is, access to treatment in the United States is inconsistent. This week (April 23-29, 2023) is National Infertility Awareness Week. For this episode of the Women’s Healthcast, we wanted to focus on equity and access in the infertility world. First, we’ll hear from Dr. Kate Schoyer https://obgyn.mcw.edu/blog/people/doctors/schoyer/, a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist in the Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Ob-Gyn, about whether everyone in the U.S. has equitable access to fertility care, what kinds of barriers may stand in the way of building a family, and what would need to change to make sure that those one in six adults can take advantage of needed fertility services. Then we’ll hear from a Wisconsin couple – Karron and Brian – about how the financial realities of fertility care in the U.S. impacted their treatment journey. IVF – American Society for Reproductive Medicine https://www.reproductivefacts.org/topics/topics-index/in-vitro-fertilization-ivf/ ICSI – American Society for Reproductive Medicine https://www.reproductivefacts.org/topics/topics-index/intracytoplasmic-sperm-injection/ Coverage and Use of Fertility Services in the U.S. – Kaiser Family Foundation https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/coverage-and-use-of-fertility-services-in-the-u-s/ Resolve.org https://resolve.org/ Building Families Alliance Wisconsin https://www.buildingfamilieswi.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 

25m
Apr 26, 2023
Back to Basics: Pregnancy Prevention

There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right birth control -- what will work with your lifestyle? What are your goals? Are there other health issues you should consider before starting a method? Where can you go to find the right birth control for you? On this Back to Basics episode of the Women’s Healthcast, guest experts Dr. Ryan Luellwitz and Dr. Paula Cody answer all our common birth control questions: what kinds of birth control are available, how they work, and how someone can figure out what might be a good method for them. Resources for more information: Birth Control - Bedsider.org https://www.bedsider.org/birth-control Birth Control - Center for Young Women's Health https://youngwomenshealth.org/health-guides-index/ Birth Control - Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control Birth Control - Young Men's Health https://youngmenshealthsite.org/guides/birth-control/ Title X Clinics Locator - US Dept of Health and Human Services https://opa-fpclinicdb.hhs.gov Women's Healthcast: Emergency Contraception https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/emergencycontraception/ Women's Healthcast: The State of Abortion Rights in 2022 https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/abortion2022/ Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

1s
Apr 12, 2023
STIs and Safer Sex

Sexually transmitted infections (or STIs) are incredibly common – over half of people in the U.S. will have an STI at some point in their life. Despite being so common, we still approach STIs with a lot of stigma and shame, and maybe even avoid talking about them at all! On this Back to Basics episode of the Women’s Healthcast, guest experts Dr. Ryan Luellwitz and Dr. Paula Cody talk about safe sex, preventing or avoiding STIs, and how to find testing and treatment if you think you may have an STI. RESOURCES: Planned Parenthood - What are STIs? https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex Bedsider - Sexually Transmitted Infections https://www.bedsider.org/sexual-health-and-wellness/sexually-transmitted-infections-stds-stis Center for Young Women's Health - STIs https://youngwomenshealth.org/guides/sti-information/ Young Men's Health - Sexually Transmitted Infections https://youngmenshealthsite.org/guides/sexually-transmitted-infections/ U.S. CDC - Sexually Transmitted Diseases https://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

27m
Mar 22, 2023
Back to Basics: Consent and Bodily Autonomy

Understanding bodily autonomy and consent can be crucial tools for navigating healthy relationships of all kinds, including romantic relationships. But helping young people build a strong sense of self and understand boundaries and autonomy should start when kids are as young as possible, well before romantic relationships are on the horizon. On this Back to Basics episode of the Women’s Healthcast, guest experts Dr. Ryan Luellwitz https://www.uwhealth.org/providers/ryan-luellwitz-do and Dr. Paula Cody https://www.uwhealth.org/providers/paula-j-cody-md-mph define bodily autonomy, share some low-stakes examples of how young kids can understand and exercise their autonomy, and clear up some common questions about consent. RESOURCES: Tea Consent (Blue Seat Studios - YouTube) https://youtu.be/fGoWLWS4-kU How Do You Know if Someone Wants to Have Sex with You? (Planned Parenthood - YouTube) https://youtu.be/qNN3nAevQKY Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

38m
Mar 08, 2023
Back to Basics: Sex, Gender, Sexuality

Our understanding of gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, and sexual orientation has expanded so much over time. On this Back to Basics episode of the Women’s Healthcast, guest experts Dr. Ryan Luellwitz and Dr. Paula Cody make sure we have a solid foundation to understand the nuances of biological sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and more. They also offer resources for young people, parents, and other supportive adults to learn more about gender identity and expression, and answer questions shared by young people in Wisconsin. Resources shared in the episode: Gender Identity Workbook for Kids https://www.newharbinger.com/9781684030309/the-gender-identity-workbook-for-kids/ Gender Quest Workbook: A guide for teens and young adults https://www.newharbinger.com/9781626252974/the-gender-quest-workbook/ Genderspectrum.org https://genderspectrum.org/ Genderdiversity.org http://genderdiversity.org/ The Gender Creative Child https://theexperimentpublishing.com/catalogs/spring-2016/gender-creative-child/ The Transgender Child https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Transgender-Child-Revised-Updated-Edition/Stephanie-Brill/9781627783248 The Transgender Teen https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Transgender-Teen/Stephanie-Brill/9781627781749 Scarleteen.com https://www.scarleteen.com/ Transstudent.org (Gender Unicorn) https://transstudent.org/graphics/ World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care https://www.wpath.org/soc8 Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

38m
Feb 22, 2023
Back to Basics Bonus: Period Products

Just about half the world’s population has had or will have a period at some point. But despite how common menstruation is, there can still be some confusion or even stigma around period products like pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and more. And that’s not even getting into the huge industry around so-called feminine hygiene products that can often do more harm than good.   On this bonus episode of the Women’s Healthcast Back to Basics series, Dr. Paula Cody and Dr. Ryan Luellwitz walk us through the period aisle, help us understand the differences between the products available, and offer some considerations that can help us figure out which products are the right choice for us. And while we’re in this aisle, we talk about the multi-billion-dollar feminine hygiene industry and why we can pass on all those products. For a deeper dive into feminine hygiene products and how to care for vulvas and vaginas, listen to the Women's Healthcast interview with Dr. Laura Jacques: Vulvar Health, Care, and Cleaning https://womenshealthcast.podbean.com/e/vulvarhealth/. The American College of Ob-Gyns has a guide for choosing and using period products https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/your-first-period. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

19m
Feb 10, 2023
Back to Basics: Menstrual Cycle and Periods

Welcome to Back to Basics, a new series from the Women’s Healthcast answering some of the most common questions about sexual and reproductive health. Guest experts Dr. Ryan Luellwitz https://www.uwhealth.org/providers/ryan-luellwitz-do and Dr. Paula Cody https://www.uwhealth.org/providers/paula-j-cody-md-mph will bring us back to the basics of anatomy, gender, sexuality, the menstrual cycle, safe sex, sexually transmitted infections, birth control, bodily autonomy, and so much more. In our second episode, Dr. Luellwitz and Dr. Cody answer some of our most common questions about periods and the menstrual cycle: what’s the average age when people might get their first period, why do we experience cramps, or acne, or emotional changes around our periods, and when to talk to a doctor if pain or heavy bleeding is disrupting your daily life. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

39m
Jan 26, 2023
Back to Basics: Anatomy and Puberty

Welcome to Back to Basics, a new series from the Women’s Healthcast! Over the next several episodes, we will answer some of the most common questions about sexual and reproductive health and provide resources for parents and supportive adults who may want to start having these conversations with the kids in their lives. Guest experts Dr. Ryan Luellwitz https://www.uwhealth.org/providers/ryan-luellwitz-do and Dr. Paula Cody https://www.uwhealth.org/providers/paula-j-cody-md-mph will bring us back to the basics of anatomy, gender, sexuality, the menstrual cycle, safe sex, sexually transmitted infections, birth control, bodily autonomy, and so much more. In this first episode, we tackle the basics of anatomy and puberty: Why is it so important to learn and use correct anatomical terms when we are learning about bodies, development and sexual/reproductive health? When should children learn anatomically correct terms for body parts, and what are those parts? What is puberty, and when does it typically happen? There’s a lot to cover in this conversation. Resources shared by Dr. Cody and Dr. Luellwitz: It’s Not the Stork – Robie Harris http://robieharris.com/?page_id=221 What Makes a Baby – Cory Silverberg https://www.corysilverberg.com/what-makes-a-baby Teaching Children with Downs Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality – Terri Couwenhoven https://www.terricouwenhoven.com/work Healthychildren.org https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx Kidshealth.org https://kidshealth.org/ ACOG.org https://www.acog.org/womens-health/healthy-teens Youngwomenshealth.org https://youngwomenshealth.org/ Youngmenshealthsite.org https://youngmenshealthsite.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 

40m
Jan 12, 2023
Back to Basics in 2023

Starting in January 2023, the Women’s Healthcast will air a Back To Basics series with the aim of answering some of the most common questions about sexual and reproductive health and providing resources for parents and supportive adults who may want to start having these conversations with the kids in their lives. Guest experts Dr. Ryan Luellwitz and Dr. Paula Cody will bring us back to the basics of anatomy, gender, sexuality, the menstrual cycle, safe sex, sexually transmitted infections, birth control, bodily autonomy, and so much more. Dr. Luellwitz is an obstetrician-gynecologist in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Ob-Gyn with a special interest in contraception management of all types. Dr. Cody is a pediatrician in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Pediatrics. She works with adolescents and young adults with a special interest in eating disorders, sexuality and reproductive health, menstrual disorders and high-risk behaviors. We hope you’ll join us as we get Back to Basics in the new year. Thanks for listening to the Women’s Healthcast, from the University of Wisconsin Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

1m
Dec 21, 2022
Surgical Sterilization

Since the spring of 2022, ob-gyn clinics around the U.S. have reported an increase in questions about tubal ligation, also known as surgical sterilization or salpingectomy. Dr. Laura Hanks joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about why those requests are up, and tell us more about surgical sterilization: what happens during the procedure, why people might be interested in permanent birth control, and how she helps patients make sure sterilization is right for them. Dr. Hanks is an obstetrician-gynecologist in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

38m
Dec 08, 2022
Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Dr. Laura Hanks joined the Women’s Healthcast to tell us more about how robotic surgery works, what kinds of procedures in the ob-gyn world can and can’t be performed with this method, and how to weigh the risks and benefits when deciding whether robotic-assisted surgery is right for you. Dr. Hanks is an obstetrician-gynecologist in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn.

25m
Nov 21, 2022
Vasectomy: Asked and Answered

Over the last few months, Google searches about vasectomy – the procedure for male sterilization – have skyrocketed. Dr. David Paolone https://urology.wisc.edu/blog/staff/paolone-md-david-r/ joined the Women's Healthcast to tell us more about how vasectomy works. He discussed what preparation and recovery for vasectomy look like, cleared up some common vasectomy myths, and talked about how he counsels patients to make sure the procedure is the right choice for them. Dr. Paolone is a board-certified urologist in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Department of Urology. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

38m
Aug 24, 2022
Privacy, Security, and Cycle Tracking Apps

Lots of questions about menstrual tracking or cycle tracking apps popped up after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to an abortion in June 2022. Questions like: are these apps secure? Could data tracked in these apps be used to criminalize people who seek abortion care? Should people be concerned about using cycle tracking apps? Dr. Jenna Nobles joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about why people may be interested in using cycle tracking apps, how they work, common concerns around data security and safety, and how to evaluate whether using a cycle tracking app is the right choice for you. Dr. Nobles is a professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for Demography and Ecology https://cde.wisc.edu at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

30m
Aug 04, 2022
Choosing Lubricants and Vaginal Moisturizers

Vaginal moisturizers, lubricants, and vaginal estrogen can be helpful tools for improving sexual wellbeing, but how many of us know how to choose the right ones? Dr. Jon Pennycuff joined the Women’s Healthcast to discuss why people use vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, the variety of available products, and what we should consider when choosing a moisturizer or lubricant. He also talked about vaginal estrogen as an option to address some issues like itching, dryness, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Dr. Pennycuff is an assistant professor in the UW-Madison Department of Ob-Gyn’s Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. RESOURCES: A Woman’s Touch Sexuality Resource Center: https://sexualityresources.com https://sexualityresources.com/ Vulvovaginal Atrophy resources (UW-Madison Department of Family Medicine and Community Health): https://www.fammed.wisc.edu/vulvovaginal-atrophy/   Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

36m
Jun 15, 2022
The State of Abortion Rights in 2022

We’re releasing this episode on June 1, 2022, and sometime in the next few weeks, the United States Supreme Court will issue a decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Their decision in this case could have huge effects on abortion legality and abortion access across the country. Dr. Jenny Higgins joined the Women's Healthcast to talk about today’s landscape of abortion access in Wisconsin, what the Supreme Court decision could mean for access in our state and beyond, and what the research tells us about how limitations to abortion can affect people’s health and wellbeing. Dr. Higgins is the director of the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and the UW Department of Ob-Gyn's Division of Reproductive and Population Health. Resources mentioned by Dr. Higgins: Abortion Finder: https://www.abortionfinder.org https://www.abortionfinder.org/ Aid Access: https://aidaccess.org/en/ Center for Reproductive Rights: https://reproductiverights.org https://reproductiverights.org/ Guttmacher Institute: https://www.guttmacher.org https://www.guttmacher.org/ If/When/How Legal Helpline: https://www.reprolegalhelpline.org https://www.reprolegalhelpline.org/ M+A Hotline: https://www.mahotline.org https://www.mahotline.org/ National Network of Abortion Funds: https://abortionfunds.org https://abortionfunds.org/ Plan C: https://www.plancpills.org https://www.plancpills.org/ Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org https://www.plannedparenthood.org/ Safe and Supported in the U.S.: https://abortionpillinfo.org https://abortionpillinfo.org/ UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity: https://core.wisc.edu https://core.wisc.edu/ Follow the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity on social media! https://twitter.com/WiscCORE https://www.instagram.com/wisccore/ https://www.facebook.com/WiscCORE/ Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

37m
Jun 01, 2022
Finding Out About Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are incredibly common – between 20 and 70 percent of people with uteruses will develop fibroids during their lifetimes. And while they’re often benign, they can still cause some troublesome symptoms. Dr. Bala Bhagavath joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about common symptoms of uterine fibroids, the broad variety of treatment options, and whether all fibroids need to be treated. Dr. Bhagavath is the director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

39m
May 25, 2022
Effective Advocacy in Healthcare Settings

Preparing for a doctor’s visit can feel intimidating. How do we make sure all our questions are answered and our concerns are taken seriously? How many of us know how to be effective self-advocates in medical settings? On this episode of the Women’s Healthcast, Cheryl Casey’Grant shares tips and resources to make sure we’re getting the best care. Cheryl is an outreach specialist in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7 

18m
Apr 27, 2022