Claim OwnershipGynoCurious
Subscribed: 7Played: 38
Subscribe
© 2023 & 2024
Description
Welcome Gynocurious listeners,
I am Dr. Amy Novatt, board certified ob-gyn, your host of GynoCurious. With each program we are going to explore the experience of being an ob-gyn, the science that guides our practices and the stories women- cis, trans and nonbinary, have shared as they seek health and wellness. From both sides of the speculum we will investigate what it means to be a healer and to be healed.
I have been reflecting on 32 plus years of practice; thinking about all that I have learned, heard and thought about and wanted to bring it to a larger audience. This will not be a medical show that tells you how much estrogen you should take or the scientific method used to evaluate data but instead, a conversation about the larger canvas looking at what its like to be a medical professional working with women and how patients experience the world of ob-gyn.
What is it like sitting in the exam room with a thin sheet of paper covering your naked body? What has been the impact of a cancer diagnosis?
What it is like to go through the menopause?….These are just a few examples of conversations I hope to bring to you.
My intention is not to expose my patients personal histories but rather use their stories as stepping stones to explore many aspects of our bodies, our psyches and the landscape of the medical world.
In a time when most of us are frustrated by the American medical system; with the challenges of limited access, financial limitations, gender and racial discrepancies in care, the insurance morass and a host of other hurdles; my hope is that GynoCurious creates a community of guests and listeners that bring us all closer- to openly explore and understand the experience of illness and health and to break open decades of silence, misunderstanding and shame for having a vagina.
We are going to talk about our fears, sexual explorations and aging adventures with respect, inquiry and science.
For me, knowledge and awareness brings awe, authority and autonomy.
This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Novatt and her guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
While we make every effort to ensure that the information shared is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or corrections.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
In no way does listening, reading, emailing or interacting on social media with our content establish a doctor-patient relationship.
Dr.Novatt does not receive any money from the pharmaceutical industry.
I am Dr. Amy Novatt, board certified ob-gyn, your host of GynoCurious. With each program we are going to explore the experience of being an ob-gyn, the science that guides our practices and the stories women- cis, trans and nonbinary, have shared as they seek health and wellness. From both sides of the speculum we will investigate what it means to be a healer and to be healed.
I have been reflecting on 32 plus years of practice; thinking about all that I have learned, heard and thought about and wanted to bring it to a larger audience. This will not be a medical show that tells you how much estrogen you should take or the scientific method used to evaluate data but instead, a conversation about the larger canvas looking at what its like to be a medical professional working with women and how patients experience the world of ob-gyn.
What is it like sitting in the exam room with a thin sheet of paper covering your naked body? What has been the impact of a cancer diagnosis?
What it is like to go through the menopause?….These are just a few examples of conversations I hope to bring to you.
My intention is not to expose my patients personal histories but rather use their stories as stepping stones to explore many aspects of our bodies, our psyches and the landscape of the medical world.
In a time when most of us are frustrated by the American medical system; with the challenges of limited access, financial limitations, gender and racial discrepancies in care, the insurance morass and a host of other hurdles; my hope is that GynoCurious creates a community of guests and listeners that bring us all closer- to openly explore and understand the experience of illness and health and to break open decades of silence, misunderstanding and shame for having a vagina.
We are going to talk about our fears, sexual explorations and aging adventures with respect, inquiry and science.
For me, knowledge and awareness brings awe, authority and autonomy.
This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Novatt and her guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
While we make every effort to ensure that the information shared is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or corrections.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
In no way does listening, reading, emailing or interacting on social media with our content establish a doctor-patient relationship.
Dr.Novatt does not receive any money from the pharmaceutical industry.
138 Episodes
Reverse
In this episode of GynoCurious, host Dr. Amy Novatt sits down with Dr. Mallory Stuparich, a fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon based in Los Alamitos, California, to take a deep dive into endometriosis — a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory condition affecting roughly 10% of women and girls of reproductive age worldwide. Dr. Stuparich describes endometriosis as a systemic, neuro-immune condition rather than a purely hormonal one, drawing connections to autoimmune disorders, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and POTS.
The two doctors then walk through what a real diagnostic workup looks like, from the "four Ds and an I" symptom pattern (dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, dysuria, dyspareunia, and infertility) to the value of a specialized pelvic exam and transvaginal mapping ultrasound — dispelling the myth that normal imaging rules out the disease. They also cover emerging blood-based tests, the recently updated ACOG guidelines allowing clinical diagnosis without surgery, and the critical distinction between ablative and excisional surgery.
Rounding out the episode, Dr. Stuparich shares lifestyle and dietary strategies — including anti-inflammatory eating patterns and the supplement NAC — that can help manage symptoms alongside medical or surgical treatment. The episode closes with a call for patients to trust their instincts, seek second opinions when something feels wrong, and never suffer in silence. Listeners looking for a specialist can find Dr. Stuparich across social media under her name, and Dr. Novatt reminds her audience that persistent pain always deserves investigation, whatever its cause.
Questions of comments?
Call 845-307-7446 or email [email protected]
Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
On this episode of GynoCurious, Dr. Amy Novatt sits down with fashion industry veteran Lisa Metcalfe to explore the language we use around aging and what it really means to reinvent yourself in midlife. After a 40-year career in fashion, Lisa made a bold move in 2022, leaving New York City for the Hudson Valley, a shift that unexpectedly plunged her into loneliness before leading her to build a thriving community of women through dinners, vulnerability, and shared stories.
The conversation digs into the double standards women face around aging, from backhanded compliments like "you look great for your age" to the fashion industry's obsession with anti-aging. Lisa and Amy trace how the words used by parents, partners, and peers shape self-perception, and share research showing that positive beliefs about aging can add years to your life and improve physical and cognitive health. They also open up about deeply personal territory: breast cancer recovery, menopause, postpartum changes, and the silence that so often surrounds women's bodies.
Ultimately, this episode is a celebration of curiosity, authenticity, and boldness as tools for a fulfilling third act. Lisa shares how her journey led her to found a support group called "Your Third ACT-ually" and open a Hudson Valley thrift shop that's become a hub for connection. The takeaway: reinvention isn't loss, it's opportunity, and staying curious, honest, and unafraid of failure is what keeps women feeling alive at any age.
Questions of comments?
Call 845-307-7446 or email [email protected]
Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
In this solo episode of GynoCurious, Dr. Amy Novatt takes a deep dive into urinary tract infections — one of the most common bacterial infections affecting women, with an estimated 150 million cases worldwide each year. She breaks down what UTIs are, how they develop, who is most at risk, and why women face a lifetime risk of over 50% of experiencing at least one. From anatomy to hormonal changes to birth control methods, Dr. Amy explains the many factors that make women uniquely vulnerable to these infections.
Dr. Amy then walks through the latest science on diagnosis, challenging the outdated assumption that the bladder is sterile and introducing the concept of the urinary and vaginal microbiome. She explains how shifts in lactobacillus levels — particularly around menopause — increase the risk of infection, and how modern diagnostic tools like urine dipsticks, clean-catch cultures, and imaging are used to accurately identify and distinguish UTIs from conditions like overactive bladder or vaginitis. She also addresses a critical and often overlooked point: asymptomatic bacteria in the urine should not automatically be treated with antibiotics.
Finally, Dr. Amy reframes UTI treatment and prevention through a holistic, microbiome-centered lens. She discusses the judicious use of antibiotics — shortest effective course, first-line agents only — and highlights promising non-antibiotic strategies including vaginal estrogen, cranberry tablets, D-mannose, methenamine, and probiotics. She closes with a look at emerging therapies like UTI vaccines and bacteriophage therapy, urging listeners to have informed conversations with their providers rather than defaulting to antibiotics at the first sign of symptoms.
Questions of comments?
Call 845-307-7446 or email [email protected]
Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
In this episode of GynoCurious, Dr. Amy Novatt sits down with Lola Mainieri, a psychology graduate and menstrual health researcher, to explore the deep-rooted cultural shame surrounding menstruation. Lola shares how reading about the effects of birth control on the brain sparked her academic fascination with menstrual health, which led to her senior thesis examining how a person's attitude toward their period affects body image and self-objectification. Together, Amy and Lola trace the historical stigma around menstruation — from menstrual huts and food contamination myths to supernatural concepts like "mana" — and connect those ancient fears to the silence and shame that still persist today.
The conversation turns to the present-day consequences of menstrual stigma, including period poverty — the struggle many face to afford basic menstrual products. Lola highlights alarming statistics: one in four students in the U.S. can't afford period products, menstrual products are still taxed as luxury goods in many states, and widely used tampons have been found to leach harmful metals into the body. Dr. Amy and Lola discuss how these barriers drive girls out of school during their periods, the urgent need for free products in public restrooms, and the broader lack of scientific research into products designed for people who menstruate.
Questions of comments?
Call 845-307-7446 or email [email protected]
Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
In this episode of GynoCurious, Dr. Amy Novatt welcomes Charlessa Thatcher and Theda Zawaiza — two practitioners who have dedicated their lives to bringing qigong, tai chi, and other integrative movement practices to diverse and underserved communities. Charlessa, a certified Tai Chi EZ Senior Trainer, Qigong instructor, and licensed social worker, and Theda, a Qigong and Tai Chi teacher, massage practitioner, and former federal education policy analyst with a PhD, share their personal journeys into energy medicine and explain the foundational principles of qigong and tai chi — including the concept of qi (life force energy), meridians, and how these practices cultivate healing from within.
Charlessa shares her remarkable story of being diagnosed with multiple myeloma and undergoing two transplants — a stem cell transplant and a T-cell transplant — during which her daily qigong practice became a cornerstone of her recovery. Her joy and presence in the hospital were so palpable that nurses, doctors, and chaplains began asking to join her practice sessions. Theda also shares her own path to qigong through chronic back pain and the stress of decades working on Capitol Hill, and both guests explain the science behind their practices, including NIH-funded research showing benefits for stress reduction, cardiovascular health, immune function, chronic pain management, and fall prevention in older adults.
Together, Charlessa and Theda have launched Wellness Essentials, a women-owned, African American-owned business offering free and donation-based qigong, yoga, meditation, and pain management programming to communities that have historically had little access to these healing modalities.
Questions of comments?
Call 845-307-7446 or email [email protected]
Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States