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

Can I touch you? [Encore Episode from Dr. Sophia]

In celebration of the 1st year Anniversary of the Dr Sophia, ObGyn podcast, Dr. Sophia shares her favorite episode from the past year “Can I Touch You.” In this episode, we talk about why it’s important for doctors to ask to touch patients before they examine them, how patients’ bodies are to be honored and respected by health care professionals, and how we can advocate for ourselves in a way that cultivates mutual respect and good health outcomes. Yes, you do have a say on how your doctor interacts with you during an examination. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

#22: Should I be worried about breast pain?

Considering that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are on a quest to actually have a wider conversation about breasts, namely breast pain. In this episode, we cover a lot of ground in terms of what constitutes breast pain, when it occurs, why it occurs – either before menopause and after menopause–, if it is an indication of breast cancer, how to alleviate breast pain, etc. We also talk about why you should not be anxious or fearful of certain types of breast pain…instead it’s a matter of understanding why it’s happening and how to address it. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.
TIMING:
[3:23] What is breast pain? 
[4:23] Breast pain and breast cancer
[8:48] Hormonal changes and breast pain 
[17:03] Non-hormonal factors causing breast pain
[20:30] Breast pain anxiety 
[26:10] Menopause and breast pain 
[29:07] Alleviating PMS breast pain
[30:38] How your lifestyle can affect breast pain
 

#21: Vaginal health

Do you know what vaginal health is? This is a topic that is rarely talked about. So in this episode we talk openly and in detail about aspects you need to know about your vagina: including how it smells like, its pH environment, its microbiome, yeast infections, bacterial vaginitis (BV) infections….and Dr. Sophia’s favorite subject, vaginal discharge (or vaginal secretions)! Join us and get ready to hear about so many things you wondered about your vagina and vulva. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.
TIMING: 
[4:09] How do we describe a healthy vagina? 
[6:09] Vaginal discharge and odor 
[14:00] What causes vaginal imbalances? 
[18:45] Yeast infections cause and symptoms 
[23:15] Gut microbiome and probiotics on vaginal health
[26:50] Bacterial vaginosis cause and symptoms 
[31:44] Treating BV and yeast infections 
[39:15] Personal hygiene and vaginal health

#20: Perimenopause crash & burn

Perimenopause seems elusive…until it hits you. Dr. Sophia is going through this personally, and it is quite a whirlwind. Listen as she explains, even as an ObGyn who deals with perimenopausal patients all the time, actually experiencing these symptoms first hand are surprising and almost…unbelievable. One of the reasons why it’s shocking is that we go through perimenopause at a time in our lives where we are in our vibrant 40s and we don’t expect to feel this way. Join us as she opens up about her journey through this transition, learn about perimenopause and how you can address challenges that can arise. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.
TIMING:
[2:07] Dr. Sophia’s experience with perimenopause
[8:27] Mental health and reaching out to a therapist
[9:40] Dr. Sophia’s HRT treatment
[13:20] Perimenopause versus menopause
[18:10] Empathy for women struggling with perimenopause
[24:10] Hormone treatment for menopause symptoms
[28:30] Mental health changes and hormones
[31:54] We blame ourselves
[35:03] Acknowledgement and speaking with your doctor
 

#19: Abortion and women's rights with Dr. Sandy Dorcelus

It’s your choice! You get to decide what is best for yourself and your health because it’s your body. We are absolutely delighted to have Dr. Sandy Dorcelus, ObGyn, as our guest for today’s show. Dr. Dorcelus specializes in family planning and she joins us for an important and candid conversation on all things related to abortion, women’s health, and a women’s right to choose. We go through the basics of abortion, stigmas surrounding abortion, the emotional and cultural load of abortion on women, and the hopeful future with Kamala Harris becoming president. It is an episode where we address all different aspects surrounding abortion, from medical, to politics, law, cultural, psychology, and more. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

#18: Get to know ALL your birth control options

Did you know that there are at least 8 options for birth control? Most of us know only a few, and don’t know what they do exactly, or their pros and cons clearly. In this episode, we go through all forms of birth control from the pill, patch, ring, injectables, IUD, implants, condoms, vaginal gel, spermicide, and sterilization. We describe each of them, how to use them, the timeframe in which they are used, whether they are hormonal or nonhormonal, and so much more. It’s a great episode to know all your birth control options so that you are equipped to make the best decision that works for you. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

#17: You have a say

We have a tendency to view doctors as “Gods” when it comes to making decisions for our health care. We feel that doctors always have the right and only answer(s) and that we are left to abide by them. But that is not so, as Dr. Sophia explains, each one of us as individuals have agency, have a say, in our health. In today’s episode, we explore why this is important and how we can address this. For example, we can do this by listening to our bodies before making a decision, asking questions to the doctor to understand what other options are there, being clear on what we want for our health and lives, etc. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

#16: Mental health in postpartum and menopause

July is Minority Mental Health Month, and we wanted to focus this episode specifically on 2 main mental health topics that are associated with black and brown women as it pertains to obgyn: postpartum depression and menopause. Both of these topics can cause fluctuations in our mental state because of inevitable hormonal changes. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

#15: Early miscarriage

Early miscarriage, which is losing a pregnancy by 13 weeks, is not a topic that women - nor doctors - address openly. In this episode, we talk about the roller coaster of emotions that early miscarriage entails for women. We also explore how important it is to share this experience with loved ones. Even when you first realize that you are pregnant, sharing the news vs waiting before telling anyone is a topic we cover so that if an early miscarriage does unfortunately occur, you can go through that difficult journey with love and support. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

#14: Tampon Taboo

Tampons. Some women are very comfortable with them, but many women find them intimidating... and even taboo. In this episode, we talk about where these preconceptions stem from, how to use a tampon, whether tampon affects your virginity, potential risks to be aware of, etc. We even talk about our first awkward personal experiences with tampons. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.