Advances in Women's Health

Host: Renée Simone Yolanda Allen, MD, MHSc., FACOG Host Dr. Renee Allen welcomes Dr. Victoria Green, renowned breast cancer researcher and OB/GYN clinician. Dr. Green is an Associate Professor in the Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine. She will review USPSTF recommendations of biennial mammograms compared to ACOG's recommendations, as well as differenc...

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO Guest: Renée Simone Yolanda Allen, MD, MHSc., FACOG Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle welcomes Dr. Renee S. Allen, Board certified OB/GYN and hospitalist, Fellow of ACOG, and Masters of Health Sciences from Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Allen shares her expertise as an OB/GYN hospitalist, the growing support from ACOG in this new arena, and the goals of an emerging subspecialty.

Host: Michael Krychman, MD For women in their 40's and 50's, approximately one in four will develop a pelvic floor disorder such as urinary incontinence. By the age of 80, that prevalence rises to more than 50 percent. The struggle with a pelvic floor disorder has lasting effects on a woman's sexual health, leading to numerous psychosocial and physical consequences in turn. But of equal concern to...

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Studies in the field of anthropology have shown that having a healthy grandmother plays a critically positive role in family cohesion. But the wholistic, personalized health needs of women in their elder years are not always recognized. This care disparity is all the more prominent in general OB/GYN practice, but thanks to the work of a select few, the trends may be about t...

Host: Michael Krychman, MD Many clinicians think that one of the most dangerous things a woman will ever do in her life is to carry and conceive a child. Stemming from this belief, several misconceptions have risen within the medical community, and by extension the general public, concerning risks of sexual activity during pregnancy. Joining host Dr. Michael Krychman at ACOG's annual scientific me...

Host: Maureen Whelihan, MD The increasingly recognized concept of a clinician's "work-life balance" is critical to thriving and avoiding burnout, but the philosophy behind this balance remains poorly understood. Some argue that adequate time alottment to one's priorities is the key factor in sustaining a positive medical career trajectory, but a select few believe that time allocation alone is not...

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Hal Lawrence, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to the program. Dr. Lawrence describes the clinical and administrative experiences that helped prepare him to assume the chief executive leadership role for ACOG since 2011. He then overviews the integral role for ACOG in clinical, econom...

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Tom Gellhaus, President-Elect of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to discuss his vision for ACOG's initiatives to come, inspired in part by both his unique clinical training background and his extensive legislative activity experience on behalf of OB/GYN specialists nationwide. Dr Gellhaus is C linical Associate Profess...

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Mark DeFrancesco, 66th President of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to the program. Dr. DeFrancesco looks back at the accomplishments of his immediate predecessors, and reflects on the three-fold initiative to which he will dedicate his efforts on behalf of ACOG to advance the OB/GYN specialty for years to come. Dr. De...

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Jeanne Conry, 64th President of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Assistant Physician-in-Chief at The Permanente Medical Group in Roseville, CA, and Associate Clinical Professor of OB/GYN at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Conry reflects on three presidential initiatives she advanced during her tenure: (1) form...

Host: Michael Krychman, MD The market for sexual health products and accessories, from moisturizers to lubricants to self-stimulators, is very large, and this creates confusion among patients and physicians alike as to which types of products are most helpful for specific sexual health problems. To address ways to gauge the safety and efficacy of sexual health products on the market, particularly...

Host: Michael Krychman, MD For years, women's sexual health matters have been relatively ignored in both clinical practice and the public eye despite consistently heavy media attention drawn towards men's sexual issues and associated therapeutic products. But there is recent evidence that the tide of public awareness is beginning to change, and that's women's sexual health is becoming more openly...

Host: Michael Krychman, MD Bladder leakage is one of many health-related issues that our female patients deal with. There are newly available treatment options, including non-surgical options, to help remedy the problem. Host Dr. Michael Krychman welcomes Dr. Holly Thacker to decipher the pros and cons of the various options available . Dr. Holly L. Thacker, nationally known for her leadership in...

Host: Prathima Setty, MD Issues of vaginal health are commonly seen in post-menopausal women, breast cancer survivors and women who have had a hysterectomy. According to the US Census Bureau there are nearly 46M women between the ages of 50 and 80, and over 2.8M breast cancer survivors. Existing treatments for post-menopause vaginal health can be time intensive or messy, or contraindicated for hea...

Host: Prathima Setty, MD What are the benefits and harms of screening women for breast cancer? How often should we screen our patients? Are there technological advancements to help our patients live better and longer? Dr. Prathima Setty welcomes Dr. Russell P. Harris, Professor of Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. S upported by an Educ...

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Michael Holick, PhD, MD It seems these days patients know more about the benefits of Vitamin D than their physicians. Doctors are soaking up the information and making sure their patients are taking the proper levels of Vitamin D. Dr. Michael Holick, professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics and director of the Bone Health Care Clinic and the Heliotherapy,...

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Susan Love, MD Dr. Susan Love, medical director and founder of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, joins host Dr. Lauren Streicher to talk about the Love/Avon Army of Women initiative, which seeks to recruit one million women of all ages and backgrounds to participate in breast cancer research. Dr. Love explains how doctors can apply to be involved in the rese...

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Jan Shifren, MD Most research reveals 30 to 40 percent of women in the United States say they have sexual issues. A recent study examined how many women consider their sex issues to be a problem. With host Dr. Lauren Streicher, Dr. Jan Shifren, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School, looks at the finding...

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Eugene Lipov, MD Women who have hot flashes may experience episodes up to 80 times a week. Estrogen is the most common treatment, but oftentimes it's just not enough. Dr. Eugene Lipov, an anesthesiologist and medical director of Northwest Hospital's Advanced Pain Center in Arlington Heights, Illinois, discusses with host Dr. Lauren Streicher his pioneering use of...

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Cassing Hammond, MD What's it like to not be able to get a mammogram because the machine does not accommodate a wheelchair? What's it like to be a paraplegic and want to have a baby? These are just two of the growing number of daily problems facing the more than 25 million women with disabilities in the United States. Dr. Cassing Hammond, director of family planning...

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Mishka Terplan, MD Researchers have no way to determine how significant the problem of substance abuse and pregnancy really is. Very few women will be open and honest when it comes to answering questions about elicit drug use. So how do doctors get their patients the proper help? Dr. Mishka Terplan, an associate professor at the University of Chicago, looks at the is...

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Marilyn Keefe A new president in the White House will change the climate of reproductive health in this country. Where did we stand under the Bush administration, and how will an Obama administration view access to birth control, emergency contraception, preventive health programs for women and comprehensive sex education programs? Marilyn Keefe, director of reproduc...

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Enrique Hernandez, MD Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in women around the world. Many of these deaths can be avoided if women with mild cervical dysplasia are treated early. In the last few years, doctors have clarified the cytology and pathology for women in order to treat the problem effectively, while not over-treating the issue. Dr. Enrique H...

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Marianne Legato, MD Women account for 85 percent of the people in the industrialized world who have reached 100 years of age. What accounts for the longer lifespan of women? Dr. Marianne Legato, founder of the Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, talks with host Dr. Lauren Streicher about the significa...

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Patrick Lowe, MD Robotic surgery for gynecology has only been approved by the FDA since 2005. This method is growing popularity among surgeons due to its success rate in treating endometrial cancer and cervical cancer. Dr. Patrick Lowe, director of the Gynecological Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medic...