Sassy Speculum

We are the first generation of women who have actively been told not to have a period. Is this grounded in science or something else?Sources: https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/gut-brainRao, M., Gershon, M. The bowel and beyond: the enteric nervous system in neurological disorders. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 13, 517–528 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2016.107Holzer P, Schicho R, Holzer-Petsche U, Lippe IT. The gut as a neurological organ. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2001 Sep 17;113(17-18):647-60. doi: 10.1002/j.2051-5545.2010.tb00298.xWinter, Gal, Hart, Robert A., Charlesworth, Richard P.G. and Sharpley, Christopher F.. "Gut microbiome and depression: what we know and what we need to know" Reviews in the Neurosciences, vol. 29, no. 6, 2018, pp. 629-643. https://doi.org/10.1515/revneuro-2017-0072doi:10.7759/cureus.9966https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/article_286004_84b20d7653f10cee5838cb13b8ec8333.pdfThe association between Diabetes mellitus and DepressionSV Bădescu,* C Tătaru,** L Kobylinska,* EL Georgescu,* DM Zahiu,* AM Zăgrean,* and L Zăgrean*The bidirectional interaction between antidepressants and the gut microbiota: are there implications for treatment response?Borgiani, Gianlucaa,*; Possidente, Chiaraa,b,c,d,*; Fabbri, Chiaraa,e; Oliva, Vincenzoa,b,c,d; Bloemendaal, Mirjamf,g; Arias Vasquez, Alejandrof,h; Dinan, Ted G.i,j; Vieta, Eduardb,c,d,k; Menchetti, Marcoa; De Ronchi, Dianaa; Serretti, Alessandroa,l; Fanelli, Giuseppea,hAuthor InformationInternational Clinical Psychopharmacology ():10.1097/YIC.0000000000000533, February 06, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000533doi: 10.1038/s41398-019-0466-xAntidepressants affect gut microbiota and Ruminococcus flavefaciens is able to abolish their effects on depressive-like behavior

In today's Sassysode, the badass nutritionist Denice Bracken & I uncover the horrors of fad diets & the issues surrounding emergency contraception. In Sassysodes we strive to keep this unstructured, fun, and lighthearted while also bringing the listener pertinent info on women's health topics that don't get enough time in the spotlight. Take a listen, laugh along side us, and as always... Stay Sassy!*Disclaimer... I am very aware with how late this episode is. The episode was recorded on time, it was me that was the issue... I currently do not have enough time to edit and produce all the episodes I promised... episodes will now be coming out as time allows! :P Take me baby, or leave me.

In this very first SASSYSODE I bring back previous guest Denice Bracken, MScN to chat about the new guideline from the CDC, where someone finally agreed that IUD insertion hurts & the free bleeding movement! This unstructured conversation is different for Sassy Speculum, and I'm excited to bring it to you once monthly (on off weeks from our normal episode!) Take a listen, laugh along side us, and as always... Stay Sassy!

***TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide is briefly discussed in this episode***In this episode of The Sassy Speculum, we dive deep into the often misunderstood and stigmatized world of depression. We explore the multifaceted nature of this condition, delving into both its psychological and physiological aspects. From the impact of societal expectations and trauma to the influence of neurochemistry and gut health, we discuss how depression can manifest differently in women. Our conversation also touches on the importance of a holistic approach to treatment, including lifestyle changes, nutritional support, and the role of therapy. Whether you're struggling with depression yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice to navigate this challenging condition.

Was this supposed to be a comedy special? No. Was it supposed to be on PCOS & nutrition? Yes. Did we go very very awry? Also yes. In this episode you get a fun conversation between two pals about PCOS & nutrition (yes, we did do our job), but also about religion, weight loss, fertility, how messed up the world is, the definition of "woo" (I bet you don't know it), and a lot more! Denice Bracken is an absolutely amazing nutritionist who I am so thrilled to know. She is brilliant, positive, and always knows just what to say. I know you will love her just as much as I do, and when that happens, here's a link to her website to learn more! https://www.wombtowild.com/ you can also find her on Instagram @wombtowild.

Do you frequently get a fast heart beat when you stand up to refill your popcorn bowl? Or, does your vision get dark with dizziness when you get up from bed in the morning? This episode, and those symptoms are all about POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.POTS is a malfunction in our autonomic nervous system which, because this aspect of our nervous system has its fingers in every bodily system, a dysfunction can have wide ranging symptoms outside of just the fast heart beat (tachycardia) and dizziness.Give this episode a listen to learn SO much more about POTS, it's subtypes & what causes it, as well as 2 VERY common conditions that go alongside it, EDS & MCAS.Here's that awesome study I was telling y'all about. SO interesting!!!: Eccles JA, Beacher FD, Gray MA, et al. Brain structure and joint hypermobility: relevance to the expression of psychiatric symptoms. Br J Psychiatry. 2012;200(6):508-509. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.111.092

This interview is a deep dive into all things pelvic floor. A quick discussion with Los Angeles urogynecologist Dr. Victoria Scott, MD leads us into topics like prolapse, urinary incontinence, Ehlers Danlos syndrome, recurrent urinary tract infection-like symptoms, pregnancy, and so much more! There's a whole world of pelvic floor health out there and so many women are missing out on the benefits that arise when it's addressed head on.Dr. Scott is a co-author of an amazing book, A Woman's Guide to her Pelvic Floor: What the F*#% is Going On Down There, available for purchase at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Womans-Guide-Her-Pelvic-Floor/dp/B0BXND9896/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QOJ94AB6TZ39&keywords=what+the+f+is+going+on+down+there&qid=1699417798&sprefix=what+the+f+is+going+on+down+the%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1Dr. Knorr is now available for scheduling with which can be done at www.onespacehealthcare.com/contact and as always, further information about her practice & the podcast can be found at www.sassyspeculum.com

Listen to this year's special Halloween episode full of 5 spooooky stories of common women's woes. Silly stories made up about some of the most obnoxious, overlooked, and overwhelming conditions women often have to deal with. These stories were co-written by host Dr. Adriane Knorr and an unintelligible intelligence who doesn't believe in telling funny stories about women's problems. These stories include:The Enigmatic Case of the Mysterious Yeast Infection The Haunting Ache of the Midnight Cramps The Whispering Shadows of Neglected Feelings The Haunting Cycle of the Unrelenting Urinary Tract Infection The Terrifying Secret Within

We all know self-care is important and something that is much easier said than done... Dive into this episode where I discuss the neuroscience behind self care and how the most popular/hyped up "self-care" routines are totally off-based, but what you can actually do to increase your overall wellbeing!

This episode is all about the MTHFR gene mutation which has been found in at least 50% of the population. I go over what the gene is, what a mutation means, how it might show up in your life, how to get tested and what you can do about it! All of this information is explained in a way so that you don't have to have a medical background to utilize it.