Our Womanity Q & A with Dr. Rachel Pope

Did you know that certain childbirth-related injuries can have a significant impact on women's lives? Let's talk about an important statistic that highlights the importance of addressing this issue. In the general population, the risk of experiencing a third or fourth-degree perineal injury (tear) during childbirth, which involves the rectum and the sphincter muscle, is approximately 6.7%. These i...

Fibroids, also known as uterine fibroids or leiomyomas, are noncancerous growths of the uterus (womb) that often appear during childbearing years. These growths are composed of muscle tissue and can vary in size, ranging from small, pea-sized nodules to large, round masses that can distort the shape and size of the uterus. In this episode of Our Womanity podcast, host Dr. Rachel Pope delves into t...

Pelvic floor physical therapy, also known as pelvic floor rehabilitation or pelvic physical therapy, is a specialized branch of physical therapy that focuses on the evaluation and treatment of the pelvic floor muscles and associated structures. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues located at the base of the pelvis that support various organs, including the blad...

This is our first video episode! Watch here ! Do you look at your Vulva or do you cringe at the thought? Noticing any physical changes is actually vital to taking care of your female anatomy. The changes can help discover whether you need to check in with your OBGYN, women’s care provider, or primary care provider. Join Dr. Rachel Pope this week as she explores essential tips and information for m...

We are continuing with our "How to..." series by delving into the world of Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs). OCPs, commonly known as birth control pills or simply "the pill," are a form of hormonal contraception designed to prevent pregnancy. But that’s not the only thing OCPs are prescribed for. There are two primary types of OCPs: Combination Pills : These OCPs contain two key hormones—estrogen a...

Storks, “the birds and bees,” “the facts of life." Starting a conversation about sex with your kids can be challenging, but it's a crucial aspect of their development. In the episode, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Psychiatrist Dr. Elisabeth Gordon , Integrative Sexual Health Psychiatry and Sex Therapy - using a broad understanding of sexuality, from the anthropological and sociological through the...

Pee with the door open? Yes or no? That depends on your preferred level of intimacy, boundaries, and communication. This week, we introduce a refreshing dose of reality. It reminds us that every relationship has its ups and downs, its ebbs and flows. Yet, with a willingness to learn, communicate, and be vulnerable, couples can experience a fulfilling, passionate connection that stands the test of...

About 80% of women only orgasm through clitoral stimulation. The clitoris is a highly sensitive and erogenous area that plays a crucial role in sexual pleasure for many women. While some women may be able to achieve orgasm through other forms of stimulation, such as vaginal penetration, the clitoris is often the primary source of orgasmic pleasure for a significant percentage of women. So how do s...

Amidst the beauty of parenthood, it's common for women to encounter challenges in their intimate lives. The emotional and physical changes that occur after childbirth can affect a woman's perception of herself and her sexuality. We received the question: “Can women become basically asexual after having one or more children?” In the episode, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by expert Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg...

“Breast cancer was the most common cancer in women worldwide, contributing 25.8% of the total number of new cases diagnosed in 2020.” - World Cancer Research Fund . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies five major types of cancer: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. (A sixth type of gynecologic cancer is the very rare fallopian tube cancer.) So how does cance...

Hot flashes. Hot flashes. Hot Flashes. Is it the high temperatures or am I dying? Peri-menopause has many symptoms and it’s hard to figure out which symptoms are related to peri-menopause when it kicks in. And when you live in extremely hot countries or have had a hysterectomy, it’s very hard to tell. There are about 48 symptoms of menopause, according to Hot Tea Mama , so how can you tell? In the...

Feminism. Equality. Women vs Men. Merriam-Webster defines Feminism as the “belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.” Are we really equal or does the concept need to be redefined? In the episode, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Juliana Lunguzi, a former member of parlia...

Let’s talk about sex. Specifically, women’s sexuality. Or is that out of bounds? Does being “respectable” mean being a “non-sexual being?” Was women’s sexuality always stigmatized? Let’s find out together. In the episode, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by Professor Renee Sentilles to discuss why we should care about stigmatizing women’s sexuality. Professor Sentilles specializes in American women’s his...

Women and Ageism. There is a stigma for women around getting older and there is often the urge to grasp onto our youth in order to maintain our “sense of value.” This is also evident in the media we consume. Prime examples of positive portrayals of aging in the media are Golden Girls and And Just Like That… (Sex and the City reboot). Two TV shows that portray menopause and aging very differently....

Sigh. Hormones. Whether you’re pre-adolescent, teenager, young adult, transitioning, pregnant, pre or post-menopausal, hormones can be tricky. According to HormoneHealth.co.uk , “Levels of hormones naturally fluctuate at various life stages, most noticeably during puberty and in women during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. They can also be affected by lifestyle and certain medical co...

The postpartum period. Oh my goodness. You’ve heard about it and you may have experienced it personally but what is postpartum? The National Library of Medicine describes it in 3 phases: The postpartum period has been termed the “fourth stage of labor”, and has three distinct but continuous phases. The initial or acute period involves the first 6–12 hours postpartum. This is a time of rapid change...

“Lichen sclerosus is an inflammatory disorder that affects skin on your genitals. It causes irritation, skin changes, itching and pain. It’s most common in people assigned female at birth, including women who have been through menopause and girls who haven’t started puberty. There’s no cure for lichen sclerosus, but treatment can relieve symptoms.” - Cleveland Clinic . Genitourinary Syndrome of Me...

Have you heard of the term “spectatoring?” Masters and Johnson coined the term “spectatoring,” and Psychology Today describes it as, “watching yourself have sex, accompanied by an anxious, internal, self-conscious dialogue. The internal chatter can include worries about one’s body (‘I wonder if he thinks I look fat’) or about one’s sexual performance (‘He must be bored, I’m taking too long to come...

This episode’s question is: If you don’t use it, are you gonna lose it? The phrase “use it or lose it” has been made in reference to anything from golf, to vacation days, to gift cards. The concept seems to have come from doing the books in your business, which “encourages anyone with budget responsibility to launch projects that would cost money in the coming year with this year's budget.” - Brai...