Our Womanity Q & A with Dr. Rachel Pope

Did you know doctors are paid systematically less for procedures on female anatomy? (For example, 45% more to biopsy a penis than a vagina). This shocking reality, highlighted by creator René Jay @bornwithadarktan and Dr. Kemi Doll’s book A Terrible Strength , is a baked-in structural issue. In this episode of Our Womanity , host Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with urogynecologist Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgeral...

There is an undeniable buzz around testosterone for women right now. While many patients report feeling more energized, happier, and clearer of mind after adding it to their hormone therapy regimen, clinical questions and nuances still remain. In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with world-renowned urologist Dr. Mohit Khera , Professor and Director of the Laboratory for Andrology Research a...

If you experience severe, sharp burning at the vaginal opening, you know how frustrating the journey to a clear diagnosis can be. In this episode, world-renowned pelvic pain expert Dr. Jill Krapf joins Dr. Rachel Pope to share a massive milestone in neuroinflammatory vulvar pain research: a gold-standard, 3-month clinical trial testing a brand-new topical Ketotifen cream. Ketotifen is a mast cell...

Strength training is having a massive moment for women in midlife, but it comes with a silent side effect showing up in clinical offices: pelvic organ prolapse. In this "15-Minute Consult," Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with Dr. Jessica Jenkins, PT, DPT, ATC, to discuss how to protect your pelvic floor while lifting heavy, managing internal abdominal pressure, and keeping your organs exactly where the...

As a board-certified OBGYN, I’m the first to admit: while I’m an expert in hormones and menopause, I am not a dermatologist. Yet, my patients come to me every day with skin concerns that feel like "cruel and unusual punishment." You’re already dealing with hot flashes and night sweats—why are the cystic acne and chin hairs back too? To give you the answers you deserve, here is a "15-minute consult...

Is testosterone the "missing piece" of your hormone puzzle, or is it a social media-fueled performance enhancer? In this deep-dive episode, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Dr. Tami Rowen , a lead gynecologist at UCSF and expert in sexual and transgender health, to separate data from hype. They tackle the confusing world of testosterone for women—from its role in desire and energy to the hidden histor...

"Hormones—what is the deal with them?" In this special solo episode, Dr. Rachel Pope pulls back the curtain on the world of hormone therapy (HT). While we know that hormones are vital for cardiovascular health, bone density, and quality of life, there is still so much the medical community is uncovering about the "perfect" dose and duration for the average woman. Dr. Pope gets personal in this epi...

"By age 40, one in five women has dealt with an eating disorder—twice the rate we see by age 21." – Harvard University While society often frames eating disorders as a struggle for teenagers, the reality is that women in midlife are increasingly vulnerable. In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pope addresses the "silent epidemic" affecting millions of women as they navigate the convergence of hormonal shif...

"I’m eating exactly the same way I always have, but I’m gaining weight." If this sounds like you, you aren’t alone—and you aren’t broken. In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with registered dietitian Gretchen Spetz to explain why the traditional "calories in, calories out" model fails women in perimenopause and menopause. As estradiol declines, our bodies undergo a profound physiological sh...

Weight frustration in perimenopause isn't just about vanity—it’s about a physiological shift that changes how our bodies handle fuel. In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with midlife health expert Ann Konkoly to demystify GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic and Zepbound), the hidden dangers of visceral fat, and why the scale is often a "shitty measurement" for your actual health. In this episod...

Many women reach midlife feeling frustrated that what once worked no longer does. Despite exercising regularly and eating “healthy,” they experience weight gain, fatigue, injuries, and stalled progress. Host Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Jody Trostler , certified menopause fitness and health coach, master health coach, and personal trainer, to discuss how hormonal shifts change the body’s response...

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women nationwide , yet during midlife—the crucial time for prevention—many women fall out of regular medical care. Host Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Dr. Lisa Larkin , an internal medicine and women's health expert and founder of Ms. Medicine . They discuss why women's cardiovascular risk spikes around menopause and what you can do about it now. The Mid...

This episode addresses a terrifying but common experience for midlife women: the cognitive changes, or "brain fog," that pop up during perimenopause and menopause. Many women fear they are experiencing early-onset dementia. Host Dr. Rachel Pope speaks with Dr. Rita Shkullaku , a board-certified internist with a special interest in nutrition, obesity, and hormones as they relate to cognitive wellne...

In this episode of Perimenopause: Head to Toe , Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with Dr. Karen Connor, a seasoned physical therapist with over 20 years of experience, to discuss how perimenopause and menopause affect the pelvic floor. Dr. Connor shares her extensive expertise in pelvic health, shedding light on the changes women experience during this stage of life and how pelvic floor physical therapy...

This episode features Dr. Diana Ponsky , a renowned facial plastic surgeon in Cleveland, Ohio, who leads Ponsky Facial Plastic Surgery . Double board-certified in Facial Plastic Surgery and ENT, Dr. Ponsky specializes in natural facial rejuvenation. She discusses how hormonal shifts impact the face and what women can do about it. The Hormonal Impact on Aging Dr. Ponsky notes that a sharp drop in h...

In this episode of Our Womanity features a conversation with Sundae Bean , a transformation facilitator who supports individuals and organizations as they traverse through life quakes and other major shifts. A trusted voice for navigating life between worlds, Sundae is currently dedicated to organizational transformation in Switzerland and is widely known for her podcast, IN TRANSIT . Perimenopaus...

This episode of Perimenopause: Head to Toe features Dr. Sameena Rahman , an OB-GYN and specialist in sexual medicine and menopause. She is also the founder of the GYN and Sexual Medicine Collective Dr. Rahman highlights that women in their mid-40s often experience confusing bodily changes. Symptoms include: Menstrual Changes: Unpredictable periods, with some becoming heavier or stopping for months...

In this episode of Perimenopause: Head to Toe, Dr. Rachel Pope welcomes Dr. Danette Conklin, PhD, a Clinical and Health Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Conklin shares her expertise on the intersection of behavioral health, weight management, and midlife transitions, including perimenopause and menopause. As Director of Behavioral Heal...

In this episode of Perimenopause: Head to Toe, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by expert dermatologist Dr. Melissa Mauskar , who dives into how perimenopause and menopause affect our skin. From changes in the face to thinning skin, Dr. Mauskar explains why skin and hair transformations during this time are not only inevitable but also manageable. Dr. Mauskar is an Associate Professor in the Departments...

Welcome back to Our Womanity! In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with Lindsay Means, CNP , a nurse practitioner at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Institute at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. They explore how perimenopause and menopause affect ENT health and the common issues women face during this time. Lindsay Means earned her Master's in Nursing at Malone College and became a F...

In this episode, join Dr. Rachel Pope and her colleagues, Dr. Anne Sammarco and Dr. Maria Shaker , as they reflect on their recent trip to Tanzania. Dr. Pope shares the personal connection she has with the country, dating back to her early career when she worked on a research project about obstetric fistulas. Fast forward nearly two decades, and she returns with her colleagues to assist with fistu...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jewel Kling, an expert in women's health and menopause. Dr. Kling is a professor of medicine, chair of the Division of Women's Health at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is also the director of the Women's Health Center and dean of the Mayo Clinic Arizona Campus. With a background in public health and internal medicine, Dr. Kling has become a recognized l...

In this powerful episode of Our Womanity , we sit down with Maisha Sullivan Ongoza, the visionary behind P.A.S.H.I. — the Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative. Maisha shares how this community-rooted organisation is tackling period poverty, reducing stigma around menstruation, and centering ancestral wisdom through eco-friendly, reusable menstrual products. From intergenerational teachings led...

In this episode of Our Womanity Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with Dr. Lily Gutnik , a breast surgeon and global health advocate dedicated to advancing equitable healthcare for women. Dr. Gutnik’s journey is deeply rooted in her experience as a first-generation immigrant. After her parents fled religious persecution in the former USSR, she grew up in the United States, where she developed a profound a...

With the changes unfolding in the U.S. under the new administration, I wanted to launch this season of Our Womanity with powerful stories of women uplifting women around the world. In this episode, I proudly welcome Habiba Corodhia Mohamed , Founder of WADADIA . The journey of WADADIA began with a defining moment in Habiba C. Mohamed’s life. Initially dedicated to veterinary medicine, her path too...