What’s causing all your period issues? Find out now

podcast

August 18, 2021

An Honest Conversation with an OB-GYN

with podcast guest

Heather Irobunda

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Dr. Heather Irobunda is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist currently practicing at NYC Health and Hospitals. Heather serves as the Medical Director for We Are Robyn, a service to connect new parents with specialists to find support for their unique parenthood journeys, and also serves as the Maternal Health advisor for Peloton, helping plan fitness content for pregnant and postpartum people.

This episode was inspired by the hundreds of conversations I’ve had over the years about uncomfortable gynecologic visits. I wanted to talk to an OB-GYN about ways to feel more comfortable and safe at these appointments. When you’ve listened, come find me on Instagram (@NicoleMJardim) – I’d love to hear your takeaways.

In this episode, we talk about how you can get to know your body, taking control of your OB-GYN visits, how to advocate for yourself, why you should be selective when choosing your OB-GYN, the systemic issues that perpetuate a lower standard of care for Black and brown people, and so much more!

Highlights

  • How the pandemic has impacted our collective menstrual cycles
  • The most common reasons patients visit their OB-GYN
  • Our counterproductive obsession with being super “clean”
  • Factors that change the smell of your vagina
  • Dr. Irobunda’s tips for keeping your vagina healthy
  • Figuring out what your body is telling you
  • The surprising impact of your partner’s microbiome
  • Our fears around OB-GYN visits
  • What Dr. Irobunda wants you to know before your next OB-GYN visit
  • Communicating with your provider about anxiety or trauma
  • Dismantling problematic power dynamics with your healthcare providers
  • Choosing the right OB-GYN
  • Healthcare disparities experienced by Black people and people of color
  • Systemic racism issues within the medical field
  • The importance of advocating for yourself
  • Dr. Irobunda’s work in patient advocacy and improving patient experiences
  • Dr. Irobunda’s experience with racism and sexism both as a patient and in medical school

Resources

Want even more hormone and
period lovin' content?

Bonuses include: Fix Your Period workbook to use alongside the actual book
Period Toolkit that includes a series of ebooks on vaginal steaming, how to use CBD for your menstrual cycle problems, seed cycling, how to use castor oil packs to support your period and fertility, and how to live in harmony with your cycle

You shouldn’t live in fear that you’ll be dealing with hellish symptoms forever. Suffering does not have to be a mandatory part of your journey – you have the power to bring about big change for yourself and begin a new chapter in your period story.

Take the quiz to unveil the real cause of your symptoms and start your journey toward periods that are “no big deal.”

Dr Jolene Brighten

Is This Normal

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and thought leader in women’s medicine. She is board certified in naturopathic endocrinology and trained in

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