E65: Understanding Your Menstrual Health or the "5th Vital Sign" with Dr. Holly Ouilette

Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! This week I am joined by Dr. Holly Ouilette to share her expertise on menstrual health, discussing the importance of recognizing the menstrual cycle as a vital sign of overall health. She delves into the complexities of normal vs. irregular cycles, the impact of hormonal imbalances, and the effectiveness of various birth control methods in managing cycle irregularities. Dr. Ouilette also explores non-hormonal treatments and the significance of tracking menstrual cycles for diagnosing potential health issues, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of menstrual health management.Dr. Holly Ouillette is a gynecologist with Elite Women's Care. She is a skilled practitioner dedicated to advancing women's health. Dr. Ouillette is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) and specializes in minimally invasive surgery including da Vinci Robotic Surgery. During her residency training at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston she was awarded the title of Outstanding Resident Surgeon by The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. After residency she went on to gain additional training in minimally invasive surgery at The Women's Hospital of Texas Pelvic Restorative Center. Prior to her aforementioned training in Houston, TX she received her bachelor's degree at The University of Michigan followed by her medical doctorate at Wayne State University.Before joining Elite Women's Care Dr. Ouillette practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology in a large referral hospital in Detroit, Ml. There she cared for patients of the highest acuity while training resident physicians. She was the associate program director for the residency program and was responsible for the medical training of 16 future physicians per year. Her passion for teaching will become apparent as she cares for you and takes the time to educate you on your medical conditions, making sure you fully understand your diagnosis and the treatment options.00:00 - Introduction00:47 - Background of Dr. Holly Ouilette03:26 - Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign04:52 - Understanding the Menstrual Cycle Phases08:01 - Normal vs. Irregular Menstrual Cycles10:21 - Managing Heavy and Painful Periods11:59 - Age-Related Cycle Variability12:38 - Significance of Irregular Periods14:48 - Pain Management and Non-Hormonal Interventions24:42 - Thyroid Function and Fertility28:25 - Addressing Concerns without Hormonal Birth Control38:06 - Access to Care and Patient EducationConnect with Dr.Holly Connect with Dr. RellerMy linktree: linktr.ee/kerryrellermdPodcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprout.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy Website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwaterallergy/homeSubscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, iheartradio, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.