EP 50: Pelvic Health, Shame & Intimacy: What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You ft. Dr. Sarah Oreck

So many women are silently navigating pelvic pain, chronic BV, UTIs, and other symptoms — feeling embarrassed, dismissed by doctors, or completely disconnected from their own bodies. And what we don't talk about enough? How much this affects your confidence, your intimacy, and your relationship with yourself.In this episode, Madden is joined by Dr. Sarah Oreck, a Columbia-trained reproductive psychiatrist and co-founder of Mavida Health, for one of the most validating and important conversations we've had on this show. Whether you're single, dating, in a relationship, or married — this one is for you.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:The real (and often ignored) women's health issues: BV, pelvic pain, vaginismus, vulvodynia, perimenopause, chronic UTIsWhat medical gaslighting actually does to your nervous system and your trust in relationshipsHow pelvic health symptoms quietly erode your confidence and make you avoid intimacyWhy you don't need to apologize — not to your doctor, not to your partner, not to anyoneHow to start rebuilding your connection with your body (and why your skincare routine counts)What emotionally supportive partners actually do (and what's a red flag)The importance of leading with curiosity"The pelvis holds a lot. I actually think it's a place that stores a great deal of trauma and a great deal of anger. That's why the mental health piece is always so important to link with the physical. A lot of people are just running to OBs and urologists trying to figure it out — but mental health support in all of this is essential."— Dr. Sarah Oreck CONNECT WITH DR. SARAH ORECK:Dr. Sarah Oreck is a Columbia-trained reproductive psychiatrist with a practice focused on women's mental health across every life stage — from fertility and pregnancy to perimenopause and beyond. She is the co-founder of Mavida Health, a virtual mental health platform making specialized reproductive psychiatric care accessible and affordable. Mavita is currently serving patients in California, New York, New Jersey, and Texas, with rapid expansion underway.Dr. Oreck's Instagram: @sarahoreckmdDr. Oreck's TikTok: @drsarahoreckMavida Health Instagram: @mavidahealthLearn more about Mavida Health HERECONNECT WITH YOUR HOST MADDEN ZAPPA:Madden Zappa is a dating and relationship coach who helps people recognize and break the patterns that keep them dating the same person over and over again. Through her podcast "We're Dating the Same Guy," Madden combines vulnerable personal stories with practical frameworks to help listeners date smarter, healthier, and more intentionally. Her approach is refreshingly honest—she's willing to share her own uncomfortable truths and dating mistakes to help others avoid the same cycles. With expertise in attachment styles, dating psychology, and relationship patterns, Madden creates content that speaks to the late-night Google searches we're all too afraid to admit we're making.Madden's Instagram: ⁠@maddenzappa⁠STAY UP TO DATE WITH WE'RE DATING THE SAME GUY:We NOW have an Instagram. Follow us over at ⁠@datedifferentlyco⁠Submit YOUR dating stories and questions: ⁠Date Differently Diaries (completely anonymous)⁠✨As always, we do not gatekeep how to date smarter. If this episode moved you or taught you something new, think it would be beneficial for others to hear, please take a moment to follow, leave a review, and SHARE! Pass this episode along to someone who would love it too or head on over Instagram to share the most recent episode.