GynoInfo! Frank Talk with Dr. Burki

What is a placebo, and is the placebo effect real?  In this episode of Gyno Info , I answer a listener’s question and explain what placebos actually are. The word “placebo” comes from Latin and means “I shall please.” Historically, it referred to a sugar pill or inactive treatment given when no real therapy was available. Today, giving a placebo without a patient’s knowledge is considered unethica...

Hello.  This week I decided to re‑air an important episode of GynoInfo because iron deficiency in women is something I see every single day in my practice — and it is so often missed. So many of my patients come in feeling exhausted, foggy, overwhelmed, short of breath, losing hair, or just not like themselves. And almost every time, they assume it’s stress, aging, hormones, or “just being busy.”...

In this episode of Gyno Info, I’m breaking down one of the most confusing topics in menopause care: “natural” hormones, “bioidentical” hormones, online supplements… and those pricey saliva (spit) tests. Let’s clear this up. When I say true bioidentical menopause hormone therapy , I mean species‑specific human estrogen and progesterone — the same hormones your ovaries actually make. These are presc...

In this episode of Gyno Info, I’m talking about child marriage — and why I consider child brides to be victims of childhood sexual abuse. As an OB‑GYN, I’ve seen firsthand how early pregnancy and forced marriage impact young girls physically, emotionally, and socially. While many countries officially list 18 as the legal age of marriage, there are still loopholes through parental or judicial conse...

 In this episode of Gyno Info, I’m answering your real questions about menopause hormone therapy, painful sex after menopause, and ectopic pregnancy. First, I break down why two menopausal women might be prescribed totally different HRT regimens. I explain the difference between a combo estrogen + progestin patch and using an estradiol patch with oral bioidentical progesterone. We talk convenience...

If you’re constipated, bloated, or your cholesterol is creeping up… fiber might be the missing piece — and you’re probably doing it wrong. In this episode, I break down soluble vs. insoluble fiber in plain English — what they actually do in your body, how they affect constipation, cholesterol, heart disease risk, and blood sugar… and how much fiber you really need each day. Most people aren’t gett...

In this episode, I answer the most common (and most Googled) questions I get about the birth control pill — in plain, real‑world language. We talk about how to actually take the pill correctly (including what time of day makes the most sense), whether it’s safe to skip your period, what the “mini pill” really means, and the truth about weight gain. Spoiler: the pill does not cause weight gain. And...

If you’ve had bleeding after menopause, even light spotting or brown discharge, this episode is for you. In today’s Gyno Info, I’m breaking down exactly how I evaluate postmenopausal bleeding, when to worry about endometrial cancer, and what the updated ACOG guidelines say about ultrasound, biopsy, and next steps. Postmenopausal bleeding means any bleeding after 12 months without a period — and ye...

What really happens if you feel pain during a C-section? In this episode of Gyno Info: Frank Talk with Dr. Burki , I answer a listener’s question about a traumatic emergency C-section complicated by preeclampsia, where the epidural didn’t provide adequate pain control and general anesthesia was required. I explain:  • What preeclampsia is and why delivery is the cure  • How epidurals and spinal an...

In this episode of GynoInfo , I break down urinary tract infections (UTIs) in plain, everyday language. We’ll talk about the difference between a bladder infection (lower UTI) and a kidney infection (upper UTI) — because the symptoms and urgency are very different. I cover: Burning with urination and frequent peeing Pubic bone pressure and cloudy urine When you can try fluids, ibuprofen, or cranbe...

In this episode, I discuss the lasting impact of childhood sexual abuse on adult women’s sexual health, intimacy, and experiences during gynecologic exams. I explain how early sexual trauma can resurface years later as flashbacks during intercourse, distress during pelvic exams, or “body memories” triggered by medical procedures. Childhood sexual abuse is tragically common and often perpetrated by...

If you’re not sleeping during perimenopause or menopause, it’s not always just hot flashes. In this episode, I explain why sleep disruption at midlife is often more complex. While night sweats can wake you up, they account for only about a third of nighttime awakenings. I often see a pattern of fragmented sleep — frequent wake‑ups, long stretches lying awake, and early morning waking. We discuss o...

In this listener Q&A episode, I answer common questions about endometriosis diagnosis, the saliva test for endometriosis, pubic hair removal, and how long IUDs last. We discuss whether there’s a reliable non‑surgical test for endometriosis, how the newer saliva‑based Endo test works, and how it compares to imaging or surgical diagnosis. I also explain what endometriosis is and why it can cause...

In this episode, I’m talking about something I see far too often in my practice: women living with endometriosis for years before anyone takes their pain seriously. Let me say this clearly — debilitating period pain is not normal. Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus starts growing outside of it. Every month, that tissue responds to hormones just like the uterine l...

In this episode, I’m breaking down something I see all the time in my practice — women who start snoring or feeling exhausted after menopause and assume it’s “just aging.” It’s not always that simple. I explain what sleep apnea actually is, why it can be dangerous, and how repeated drops in oxygen during the night can affect your brain, heart, and overall health. We talk about what concerning snor...

When I launched Gyno Info Frank Talk in August 2025, I didn’t have a social media following. I just had a mission: give women clear, evidence‑based gynecologic information without shame, confusion, or fluff. Less than six months later, we’ve reached 100,000+ YouTube views across nearly 50 countries, with listeners in India, Indonesia, Japan, the United States, Brazil, and beyond. That tells me som...

One of the most common questions I hear in my office is: “Can I still have sex after a hysterectomy?” The answer is yes. In this episode of Gyno Info , I explain why a hysterectomy removes the uterus — not the entire vagina — and what that means for your sex life. I walk you through basic anatomy and break down the different types of hysterectomies, including: Vaginal hysterectomy Abdominal hyster...

Can Birth Control Cause Vaginal Dryness? What Lubricant Should You Use? And Are Anal Skin Tags Normal? In this episode of Gyno Info, I answer three common (and important) questions about birth control side effects, vaginal dryness, painful sex, choosing the right lubricant, and anal skin tags vs hemorrhoids. If you’ve noticed dryness on the pill, pain during sex, or changes in your anal skin — thi...

In this episode, I’m breaking down why tanning beds are one of the biggest contributors to premature aging, wrinkles, and skin cancer — especially melanoma. The truth is simple: there is no such thing as a healthy tan. When your skin tans, it’s not “glowing” — it’s responding to DNA damage. I explain the three main types of skin cancer and what they can look like: Melanoma – the most dangerous for...

In this final episode of my PCOS series, I walk you through your treatment options for managing symptoms, weight gain, and fertility. PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a hormone and insulin‑resistance disorder that can cause irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, scalp hair thinning, weight gain, and difficulty getting pregnant. Treatment always starts with one key question: Are you trying...

In this episode of Gyno Info, I continue our PCOS series and explain why weight gain — especially belly fat — is so common with PCOS. We review the key symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), how I confirm the diagnosis with hormone blood tests and transvaginal ultrasound, and most importantly, the role of insulin resistance in driving weight gain, hunger, and long-term health risks like dia...

PCOS can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially when you’re first hearing the diagnosis. My goal in this episode is to break things down in a clear, straightforward way so you can better understand what’s happening in your body. I talk about common symptoms, how PCOS can affect menstrual cycles and ovulation, and why higher testosterone levels play such an important role. We also explore how...

Welcome to GynoInfo! On this week's episode I’m answering real questions sent in by listeners — the kind of questions people often have but aren’t always sure how to ask in a doctor’s office. We talk about vaccinations and why they matter for long‑term health, clear up common confusion around vaginal douching (spoiler: your vagina is very good at taking care of itself), and address an importa...

Iron deficiency doesn’t just happen out of nowhere — and in this episode, I explain some of the most important reasons why it develops. One of the biggest clues can be blood loss, including blood you might notice in your stool or urine. We talk through common causes of iron deficiency, what ongoing or hidden blood loss can signal, and why it’s so important to take these signs seriously instead of...

Welcome to  Gyno Info, this week  we’re talking about something many pregnant women experience—but don’t always feel prepared for: morning sickness. I explain what morning sickness (also called nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, or NVP) really is, why it happens, and what you can do to feel better. I also share some personal insight from my own experiences caring for patients, along with practical,...