Dr.Sophia, ObGyn - Embrace your body. Embrace yourself.

It’s not just pads and tampons anymore when it comes to period products. There are also menstrual cups, discs, reusable and disposable period underwear, and more. In this episode, we look at these different options one by one, how to use them, the pros and cons of each, absorbency benefits and considerations, and any risks to watch out for, such as Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). I am joined by my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Being in postpartum after delivering a baby can be a difficult transition period for the body. Being in perimenopause can also come with its own health effects. But did you know that for some women, both can actually happen at the same time, potentially unleashing a hormonal nosedive! In this episode, we talk about what perimenopause and postpartum are, why they occur, when women can experience both simultaneously, the compounding effects of going through both at once, etc. I am joined by my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

This can be a sensitive, or even to some, politically incorrect topic to talk about considering today’s cultural conversation around body positivity. I am all about body positivity AND as an ObGyn who needs to make sure that your body and your baby’s body is biologically healthy, weight needs to be part of that conversation. In this episode, we talk about why obesity can affect a woman’s pregnancy, such as a higher risk of gestational diabetes during pregnancy, complications that can arise during delivery, higher risk to the baby during and after the delivery, etc. All that being said, with the right precautions and monitoring, a healthy and joyful pregnancy is possible for all women. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

When most people hear postpartum, they immediately think about postpartum depression. But postpartum is sooooo much more than that. And then there's the 5/5/5 way of approaching postpartum  on social media that keeps popping up; what is that? So let’s clear the air. In today’s episode, we explain what postpartum is exactly, what changes happen to our bodies when postpartum happens (and let me tell you there are many!); and what are the best ways that a new mom can navigate the time after giving birth and recovery. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Summer is here and it’s such a fabulous time to be outside, soak up the sun, travel, and be more social. With all of this fun, there’s also unfortunately a few things that can come up, which can affect your vaginal area. In this episode, we go over common situations and activities that can happen more often during the summer: from staying in your swimsuit for too long, taking long road trips, dating more and being more sexually active. We explain how these situations can lead to unpleasant vaginal odor, urinary tract infections (UTIs), vaginal irritation, etc. We also talk about how you can prevent these health issues and have the best summer ever!  I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.
 

If you are a perimenopause or menopausal woman in the United States who is on estrogen patches as part of your hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), you may have been encountering difficulty, and maybe even finding it impossible, to get your estrogen patches from your pharmacy. What is happening? First, don’t stress out, we have other solutions. Second, listen to this episode where we talk about why this is happening in 2026, what effects can happen when your estrogen level drops, and options you can look into with your healthcare provider while supplies are scarce. I also share what my own patients are going through and how I am helping them through these challenging times. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

During childbirth, many things can evolve in different ways depending on many factors, including how the labor progresses, how the baby is doing, and how the mother’s body responds throughout the process of delivery. In this episode we talk about what is happening during a vaginal delivery, if and when to consider having a C-section, when to use various approaches for assisted deliveries, why one way of giving birth versus another occurs, and so much more. I also talk about why, as an ObGyn, my preferred way of delivering babies is vaginally, when it is the safest option for both mother and baby. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Yes, we regularly talk about vaginas on this podcast, now let’s talk about another V word that we need to talk more about: Vasectomy. You may be asking, “Why are we talking about vasectomy on a women’s health and obgyn podcast?” Because when vasectomy is not discussed or taken seriously, the responsibility for preventing pregnancy permanently falls the majority of the time on…you guessed it… women. So this episode is for ALL - men and women. We talk about what exactly a vasectomy is, the comparison of procedures for men and women, and the risks associated with permanent sterilization for men vs women. We also talk about how a vasectomy actually does not affect a man’s “manhood”, and I also share some patient stories including the dynamics between partners that arises on this topic, and so much more. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

This is the 4th installment where my co-host, Touseef Mirza, openly shares her personal menopause journey on HRT (hormone replacement therapy). In this episode, Touseef talks about unexpected side effects she encountered while on HRT, which then prompted some trials and tribulations. We cover bleeding episodes, blood tests, ultrasound, hormone dosing, etc.  When it comes to HRT, we have a tendency to talk about the positives - of which there are many - but it is also important to recognize that there can be some unwanted effects too. By seeing the full picture of HRT, you will be better equipped to understand what is happening and make more informed decisions about your health. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.
 
Here are the previous installments of Touseef on HRT: 
#43: My experience on HRT with Touseef Mirza
#28: Reading my labs for HRT with Touseef Mirza
#12: Should I go on HRT? with Touseef Mirza

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection/disease (STI or STD). It’s a tricky STI because although sometimes one may not show symptoms, the infection can still lead to health issues. So it’s important to catch it before it gets too grave. In this episode we talk about what chlamydia is, the different ways it can be transmitted, what are the symptoms, how can one test for it (even if there are no symptoms present), what is the treatment, what are its long-term effects, etc. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.