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In this episode, Dr. G is joined by Kimberley Darey, MD, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, and Chief Medical Officer at Elmhurst Hospital in Elmhurst, IL; and Syeachia Dennis, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Community Medicine Curriculum Director at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, to discuss health issues women would rather avoid talking about.
Can women prevent breast cancer? How can you tell if you’re having a heart attack? If you’re pregnant, should you get the COVID-19 vaccine? Can you breastfeed if you’ve had a beer? When will the hot flashes END?
It’s not weird to have questions about sex, aging or symptoms you’ve never felt before. Women have unique health needs but they’re often busy with family and career, and tend to skimp on personal wellness to focus on caring for others, so they don’t ask. Dr. G and his guests want women to feel empowered to be their own health advocate and ask their doctors those important questions.
Women: invest in your health. Your family and loved ones depend on you, so the gift you give them is your own good health.
Guests
Myths vs. Facts
“It is OK to drink caffeine while pregnant.” – Fact
It’s OK.
“Older women cannot have sex.” – Myth
“I should be concerned about getting the COVID-19 vaccine if I plan on getting pregnant.” – Myth
It’s better to get vaccinated before you’re pregnant, even though the recommendations are that all pregnant and breastfeeding women should get the vaccine.
“Heart disease runs in my family, so there is nothing I can do to prevent it.” – Myth
There are so many things you can do to help lower your risk of heart disease. Move more. Eat better. Stress less. Sleep!
“Exercise is too risky if a woman has heart disease.” – Myth
Doctors want people who are at risk of heart disease or who have heart disease to stay as healthy as possible, and that includes regular exercise. Talk to your doctor about an exercise regimen that’s safe for you.
“Women should have a Pap smear every year.” – Myth
The current recommendations are that women over age 30, depending on Pap smear results, can have a pap smear every 5 years.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of women.” – Fact
But it’s not inevitable. There are many things women can do to lower their risk.
“New moms should rest for an entire month after giving birth.” – Myth
Who’s resting after they have a baby? Women should get as much rest as they can and remember to take care of yourself.
“You must live with hot flashes, even if they make you miserable.” - Myth
There is medication and other methods to help women reduce hot flashes. Work with your doctor. No one has to live in misery.
Listener healthy OH-YEAH!
"Got my mammogram last week." – A.B.
Additional resources