EPISODE · May 5, 2026 · 36 MIN
Season 2: Episode 9: Candid Conversations: Navigating Women’s Health in Midlife
from Midlife Mavens · host midlifemavens2024
On this episode of the Midlife Mavens podcast, psychologists Marci Burroughs and Carol O’Saben interview family nurse practitioner Mary Katherine Roberts about women’s health topics often left undiscussed, especially pelvic floor problems after pregnancy, childbirth, or hysterectomy. They explain how pelvic floor weakening can contribute to urinary issues, cystocele (bladder prolapse), and rectocele (rectal bulging), and discuss practical strategies such as changing positions to empty the bladder, pelvic floor physical therapy, splinting/bracing, and pessaries, with surgery as a later option and urogynecology referrals for specialized care. The conversation also covers hormone replacement therapy, including early testosterone decline, individualized HRT approaches, libido being affected by mental health and medications like SSRIs, and the role of estrogen and testosterone in bone health and osteopenia, noting HRT may still be considered even years after menopause. 00:00 Hysterectomy Prolapse Shock 00:25 Podcast Intro Disclaimer 01:27 Meet Nurse Practitioner MK 02:42 Why Pelvic Floors Go Unspoken 04:59 Peeing Problems Position Fixes 06:10 Pelvic Floor PT Beyond Kegels 08:14 Prolapse After Hysterectomy 10:26 Urogynecology Slings Pessaries 13:17 Cystocele Rectocele Explained 15:42 Rectocele Bathroom Workarounds 18:39 Breaking Shame Seeking Help 19:42 Mid Episode Therapy Plug 20:48 Testosterone Dip And Perimenopause 22:18 HRT Options 24:12 Libido Is More Than Hormones 27:12 Bone Density Osteopenia Hormones 30:06 Starting HRT After Ten Years 31:55 Myths Pain And Advocacy 34:43 Find A Provider Who Listens 35:45 Closing Resources And Goodbye Got a question or a suggestion for a future episode? Use our “Ask Us Anything” Form: https://forms.gle/3bo4KuaXfGxCUS9C9 If you are looking for a therapist and would like to reach out to Marci or Carol, take a look at their websites: Marci: https://www.marciburroughsphdcst.com Carol: https://www.drosaben.com Other therapist directories you can use to help you find therapy include: Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/th… Mental Health Match: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/ American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists: https://aasect.org iTherapy: https://itherapy.com
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What this episode covers
Midlife Mavens hosts Marci Burroughs and Carol O’Saben interview women’s health nurse practitioner Mary Katherine Roberts (MK) about overlooked midlife gynecologic issues, especially pelvic floor dysfunction after childbirth and also after hysterectomy, including cystocele and rectocele. They discuss common symptoms, practical strategies and options such as pessaries and urogynecology referral for specialized repair. They note many patients aren’t counseled on prolapse risks or post-surgical recovery limits. MK also covers hormone replacement therapy, emphasizing individualized approaches, testosterone decline starting in the late 20s, libido’s multifactorial nature (including SSRI effects), and the role of estrogen/testosterone in bone health and osteopenia, disputing that HRT is always off-limits years after menopause. The episode encourages women to speak up, seek informed providers, and not suffer in silence.
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Season 2: Episode 9: Candid Conversations: Navigating Women’s Health in Midlife
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