Advances in Women's Health

Guest: Ann Klopp, M.D., Ph.D. Endometrial cancer treatment is continuing to evolve, with surgery guiding initial decisions and new evidence showing that adding immunotherapy significantly improves outcomes in advanced disease. But key questions remain around tailoring regimens to individual patients. Dr. Ann Klopp highlights the latest advances and challenges in management, particularly in patients with pelvic recurrences. Dr. Klopp is a Professor of Radiation Oncology, the Director of Brachytherapy, and the leader of the gynecologic section at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Guest: Ann Klopp, M.D., Ph.D. The recent NRG0238 trial evaluated whether adding chemotherapy to radiation improves outcomes in patients with localized endometrial cancer recurrences. Hear from Dr. Ann Klopp as she explains the findings and how they could shift practice patterns for patient care. Dr. Klopp is a Professor of Radiation Oncology, the Director of Brachytherapy, and the leader of the gynecologic section in the Department of Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Host: Blake Zwerling, MD The Society of Family Planning and the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine have released updated guidelines for medication abortion. Tune in as Dr. Blake Zwerling, Assistant Clinical Professor of Complex Family Planning, reviews these updates and shares how they can be used in clinical practice.

Guest: Christena Raines, NP Perinatal mood disorders are among the most common complications during pregnancy and immediately following delivery. So front line providers need to be able to initiate treatment. Perinatal Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at UNC Chapel Hill, Christena Raines, discusses her session at the 26th Annual Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Healthcare Conference and the importance of recognizing and treating perinatal mood disorders in our female patients.

Guest: Dawn Kimberly Hopkins, PhD, WHNP-BC Understanding the manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can help to identify this condition in women better. And though it’s a common condition, some providers are unaware of how to diagnose it. Dig into the pathophysiology of PCOS with Dr. Dawn Kimberly Hopkins, Research Associate at the Henry Jackson Foundation in Bethesda, Maryland.

Guest: Genevieve Hofmann, NP Menopause can impact everyday life, and many women go untreated for their menopausal symptoms. To learn more about some of the complex issues surrounding menopause management, join Dr. Genevieve Hofmann, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Certified Menopause Clinician, and Assistant Professor of OB/GYN Health at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who will be discussing these strategies at the 2023 Annual NPWH Women’s Healthcare Conference.

Guest: Jennifer Herrmeyer, RN Approximately less than 30 percent of domestic violence patients will seek care for their injuries, so it’s important for us to reach out to those in need. How can we be better at identifying and caring for these patients? Tune in to learn more with Ms. Jennifer Herrmeyer, Emergency Department Nurse at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Guest: Sadia Haider, MD, PhD After a historic year of legislation for abortion and contraception, there are still many questions surrounding patient care. Tune in as Dr. Sadia Haider, Interim Chair of OB-GYN at RUSH University and President Elect of the Society of Family Planning, discusses the research presented at the 2023 Society of Family Planning Annual Meeting.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Emily M. Godfrey, MD, MPH A recent study presented at the 2023 ACOG Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting examined patient perspectives on clinician communication regarding medication abortion during telemedicine versus in-clinic visits and found that patients prefer to receive abortion care via telemedicine. Learn more about the study’s design and results with Dr. Charles Turck and Dr. Emily Godfrey, Professor of Family Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington.

Guest: Mitchell D. Creinin, MD Dive into the research presented at the 2023 ACOG Annual Scientific and Clinical Meeting that found that the use of levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine device (IUD) in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding reduced blood loss by more than 90 percent over six months with Dr. Mitch Creinin, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as the Director of the Complex Family Planning Fellowship at the University of California Davis Health.

Guest: Mitchell D. Creinin, MD While the use of levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine device (IUD) has been shown to reduce blood loss in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding, these same patients are at an increased likelihood of expelling the IUD. That’s why it’s important to set realistic expectations with patients, as Dr. Mitch Creinin from the University of California Davis Health explains.

Guest: Tiffany A. Moore Simas, MD, MPH, MEd, FACOG Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP New guidelines regarding the screening, diagnosis, and pharmacological treatment of perinatal mental health conditions as well as resources like in-depth toolkits and implementation guides are now available to help optimize the management of patients with perinatal mental health conditions. Find out how these tools can help you better address one of the most common complications of pregnancy with Dr. Charles Turck and Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas, the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UMass Chan Medical School who presented a few sessions focusing on this exact topic at the 2023 ACOG Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting.

Guest: Tiffany A. Moore Simas, MD, MPH, MEd, FACOG According to a poster that was featured at the 2023 ACOG Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, only 75 percent of patients at UMass Chan Medical School were screened for perinatal mental health conditions, and of those screened, white patients were more likely to be connected with appropriate care and treatment than black or Hispanic patients. Dive deeper into the findings that underscore the importance of addressing disparities and inequities in perinatal depression care with Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UMass Chan Medical School.

Host: Hector O. Chapa, MD, FACOG Guest: Susan Crowe, MD Both UNICEF and WHO recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, starting within the very first hour of birth. But are we adhering to that recommendation? Joining Dr. Hector Chapa to discuss the importance of breastfeeding shortly after delivery and how we can help our patients and their newborns reap the benefits of this golden hour is Dr. Susan Crowe, Director of Outpatient Breastfeeding Medicine Consultative Services at Stanford Children's Health who recently spoke about this topic at the 2021 ACOG Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting.

Host: Ana Maria Rosario Guest: Patricia M. Boatwright, MD As any healthcare professional would agree, being passionate about your practice is key to having a good relationship with your patients. But choosing a specific specialty isn’t always an easy or clear decision. Joining Ana Maria Rosario to share how she came to her decision and a few experiences that made her into the healthcare professional she is today is Dr. Patricia Boatwright, an ob-gyn and Associate Professor of Surgery and Population Health Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine.

Guest: Patricia M. Boatwright, MD Ob-gyn Dr. Patricia Boatwright once cared for a patient who told her the following philosophy: "If it doesn't bother you, don't bother it." Sadly, this is far from the only isolated event in which healthcare professionals hear this or a similar mantra from their patients. To help us better manage this all-too-common occurrence, Dr. Boatwright walks us through this particular patient case and how she encourages her patients to listen to their bodies rather than their peers.

Host: Ana Maria Rosario Guest: Patricia M. Boatwright, MD When a patient comes to an appointment saying, “I want” or “I need,” it can be difficult to challenge them. But as ob-gyn Dr. Patricia Boatwright explains, doing so is absolutely critical to ensuring they receive the best and most appropriate care. Tune in to hear Ana Maria Rosario and Dr. Boatwright discuss a patient case and how we can do right by our patients, even if it means challenging their—or even a colleague's—opinion.

Host: Jenn Simmons, MD Guest: Susan Domchek, MD Anytime the topic of genetic testing comes up in the context of breast and ovarian cancers, one question that undoubtedly arises is: who exactly should be tested? That’s the FAQ Dr. Susan Domchek, Director of the McDonald Women’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, answers.

Host: Mario R. Nacinovich, Jr., MSc Guest: Kara Rood, MD A recent study following 346 pregnant patients found that 63 percent of the women were admitted into the hospital for uncertain diagnosis or delivery—all because preeclampsia has many of the same symptoms of other diseases. The good news, however, is that there’s a new test currently underway that could make the diagnosis and treatment of preeclampsia easier in order to prevent potentially dangerous outcomes for the mother and baby, as OB/GYN Dr. Kara Rood explains.

Host: Maureen Whelihan, MD The increasingly recognized concept of a clinician's "work-life balance" is critical to thriving and avoiding burnout, but the philosophy behind this balance remains poorly understood. Some argue that adequate time alottment to one's priorities is the key factor in sustaining a positive medical career trajectory, but a select few believe that time allocation alone is not enough. Dr. Michael Foley, Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Banner University Medical Center-Phoenix, argues in favor of what he calls work-life harmony, where aspects of meaningfulness, relationships, and wellbeing better guide one's life and career decisions. Joining host Dr. Maureen Whelihan at ACOG's Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco, Dr. Foley applies a martial arts-centered perspective on medical careers based on his extensive experience as a seventh-degree black belt and the founder of The Center for Humane Living.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Jeanne Conry, 64th President of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Assistant Physician-in-Chief at The Permanente Medical Group in Roseville, CA, and Associate Clinical Professor of OB/GYN at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Conry reflects on three presidential initiatives she advanced during her tenure: (1) formal, ongoing investigations into the environmental impacts on health, (2) a national campaign to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, and (3) launch of the Well Woman Task Force.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Mark DeFrancesco, 66th President of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to the program. Dr. DeFrancesco looks back at the accomplishments of his immediate predecessors, and reflects on the three-fold initiative to which he will dedicate his efforts on behalf of ACOG to advance the OB/GYN specialty for years to come. Dr. DeFrancesco is managing partner at Westwood Women’s Health in Waterbury, Connecticut, a division of Women’s Health Connecticut. He is a founding member of this organization, and served as its chief medical officer for many years.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Tom Gellhaus, President-Elect of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to discuss his vision for ACOG's initiatives to come, inspired in part by both his unique clinical training background and his extensive legislative activity experience on behalf of OB/GYN specialists nationwide. Dr Gellhaus is Clinical Associate Professor of OB/GYN and Director of General OB/GYN at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa. City.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Hal Lawrence, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to the program. Dr. Lawrence describes the clinical and administrative experiences that helped prepare him to assume the chief executive leadership role for ACOG since 2011. He then overviews the integral role for ACOG in clinical, economic, and political spheres of the national healthcare environment, and how the voices from this organization can help shape the future of American medicine.

Host: Prathima Setty, MD What are the benefits and harms of screening women for breast cancer? How often should we screen our patients? Are there technological advancements to help our patients live better and longer? Dr. Prathima Setty welcomes Dr. Russell P. Harris, Professor of Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Supported by an Educational Grant from BD Diagnostics. ReachMD retains full editorial control of the content for this program.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Susan Love, MD Dr. Susan Love, medical director and founder of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, joins host Dr. Lauren Streicher to talk about the Love/Avon Army of Women initiative, which seeks to recruit one million women of all ages and backgrounds to participate in breast cancer research. Dr. Love explains how doctors can apply to be involved in the research process and how your patients can become part of the army of women.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Eugene Lipov, MD Women who have hot flashes may experience episodes up to 80 times a week. Estrogen is the most common treatment, but oftentimes it's just not enough. Dr. Eugene Lipov, an anesthesiologist and medical director of Northwest Hospital's Advanced Pain Center in Arlington Heights, Illinois, discusses with host Dr. Lauren Streicher his pioneering use of the stellate ganglion block to alleviate hot flashes for women. The two cover the procedure for administering the block, the success rate and complications, as well has how Dr. Lipov came up with the concept. Dr. Lipov also talks about how the block aids in better sleep patterns for post menopausal women.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Cassing Hammond, MD What's it like to not be able to get a mammogram because the machine does not accommodate a wheelchair? What's it like to be a paraplegic and want to have a baby? These are just two of the growing number of daily problems facing the more than 25 million women with disabilities in the United States. Dr. Cassing Hammond, director of family planning and contraception at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and director of ob/gyn services at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, discusses with host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo the challenge of contraception choices, welcoming these patients to the typical doctor's office, as well as the cutting-edge clinic designed especially for this group of women at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Mishka Terplan, MD Researchers have no way to determine how significant the problem of substance abuse and pregnancy really is. Very few women will be open and honest when it comes to answering questions about elicit drug use. So how do doctors get their patients the proper help? Dr. Mishka Terplan, an associate professor at the University of Chicago, looks at the issues of universal drug screening for all pregnant women, confidentiality, inpatient and outpatient drug rehabilitation programs and the stigma of being a substance abuser, with host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Marilyn Keefe A new president in the White House will change the climate of reproductive health in this country. Where did we stand under the Bush administration, and how will an Obama administration view access to birth control, emergency contraception, preventive health programs for women and comprehensive sex education programs? Marilyn Keefe, director of reproductive health programs for the National Partnership for Women & Families in Washington, DC, joins host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo to discuss these questions and how the Supreme Court will look at these issues over the next four years.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Enrique Hernandez, MD Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in women around the world. Many of these deaths can be avoided if women with mild cervical dysplasia are treated early. In the last few years, doctors have clarified the cytology and pathology for women in order to treat the problem effectively, while not over-treating the issue. Dr. Enrique Hernandez, chairman of the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, joins host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo to talk about the treatment plan for women with mild cervical dysplasia as well as recommendations for treating the disease in the future.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Marianne Legato, MD Women account for 85 percent of the people in the industrialized world who have reached 100 years of age. What accounts for the longer lifespan of women? Dr. Marianne Legato, founder of the Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, talks with host Dr. Lauren Streicher about the significance of gender on life span. They discuss the roles that biology, lifestyle, and social factors play in longevity, and probe whether social changes in the industrialized world may be closing the gap.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Patrick Lowe, MD Robotic surgery for gynecology has only been approved by the FDA since 2005. This method is growing popularity among surgeons due to its success rate in treating endometrial cancer and cervical cancer. Dr. Patrick Lowe, director of the Gynecological Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, talks with host Dr. Lauren Streicher about the benefits of robotics and the types of surgery cases that benefit from this cutting edge technology.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Laura Berman, PhD How can doctors make their female patients more comfortable talking about sexual dysfunction in the clinical setting? It could be as easy as adding a question to patient intake forms or posting a sign in the waiting room. Host Dr. Lauren Streicher and guest Dr. Laura Berman, an assistant clinical professor of ob/gyn and psychiatry at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, talk candidly about female sexual dysfunction issues and treatment options.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Kim Lebowitz Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, and that statistic holds true for female cardiac patients. Linking heart disease and depression, the American Heart Association recently recommended that all cardiac patients be screened for depression. Dr. Kim Lebowitz, director and founder of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, discusses with host Dr. Lauren Streicher the new field of cardiac psychology and how doctors can screen their cardiac patients for the signs and symptoms of depression.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Lorie Chaiten, JD For the past 25 years, the U.S. government has funded abstinence-only sex education in public schools. Still, 47 percent of high school students report having had sexual intercourse and 70 percent are sexually active by age 19. Lorie Chaiten, director of the Reproductive Rights Project for the Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU of Illinois, talks with host Dr. Lauren Streicher about the implications for young people's sexual health when they are denied access to complete and accurate science-based information.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Sharmila Makhija, MD Since the Gardasil vaccination has only been administered to young girls and teens since 2006, there are still questions concerning who should get the vaccine and under what circumstances., and the effectiveness of the vaccine if not taken according to suggested protocol. Dr. Sharmila Makhija, director and associate professor of gynecologic oncology at the University of Alabama, tackles with host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo who should receive the vaccine. They also discuss whether or not it's beneficial for patients to be typed and tested for HPV before receiving the vaccinations, and what happens if a patient becomes pregnant while receiving the vaccine.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: James M Nicholson, MD,MSCE Over the last decade the rate of cesarean sections has increased from 22 percent to as much as 30 percent in some parts of the country. Cesarean risk increases with potential placental insufficiency and concerns about cephalo pelvic disproportion. How does AMOR-IPAT (active management of risk in pregnancy at term), a preventive induction technique, limit cesarean risk? Dr. James M. Nicholson, assistant professor in family practice and community medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, talks with host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo about this technique designed to prevent cesarean deliveries.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Wendie Berg, MD, PhD The number of women affected by breast cancer every year is staggering: almost 180,000 new cases and upwards of 40,000 deaths. Researchers are focused on finding novel ways to detect a malignancy before it spreads-to the lymph nodes and beyond. Dr. Wendie Berg, a breast imaging radiologist associated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, talks with host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo about her latest work: studying the use of ultrasound, in conjunction with mammography, to detect breast cancer in high-risk women.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Elizabeth Kavaler, MD A large number of women suffer from pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence in the United States, many of these women are postmenopausal. Statistics show that one in nine women will undergo surgery for this issue. Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler a urologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York joins host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo to discuss the best ways to treat and prevent the issue of pelvic relaxation.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Elizabeth Kavaler, MD One in 10 American women reports a medically confirmed urinary tract infection (UTI) every year. Combined with the rise of antibiotic resistance in the treatment of cystitis, this has prompted the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology to amend their guidelines on traditional UTI therapy for women of reproductive age. Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler, urologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, joins host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo to examine these guidelines, and to share treatment advice for urogenital infections.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Cynthia Wong, MD Epidural anesthesia has changed dramatically since its introduction to the obstetric arena in the early 1970s. Now we have various types of epidurals we can administer during labor. One of the major obstacles for anesthesiologists is determining how women perceive pain during labor and how to administer the proper dosage of pain medication. Dr. Cynthia Wong, associate professor of anesthesiology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, joins host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo to discuss these issues, and her recent study that looks at the rate of Cesarean deliveries when epidural anesthesia is administered at different times during labor.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: Sharmila Makhija, MD We are finding the highest prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) among women in their early 20s, but the FDA now recommends that an HPV vaccine be administered to women up to the age of 45. Why? Because recent research tells us that the at-risk population may be larger than we think. Dr. Sharmila Makhija, associate professor of gynecologic oncology at Emory University School of Medicine, weighs the pros and cons of this new recommendation with host Dr. Lauren Streicher.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: David Grimes, MD There are so many choices when it comes to choosing the right contraceptive for your patient that it can make your head spin. Dr. David A Grimes, a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina Medical School helps sort out with host Dr. Lauren Streicher the latest options in contraception. They also look at the option of male hormonal contraception and what future birth control methods may soon be available.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD Guest: David Grimes, MD Intrauterine contraception is underutilized in America, compared with usage rates around the globe: despite its documented efficacy, a mere two percent of American women choose this form of birth control. Dr. David A. Grimes, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, reviews the multitude of benefits linked to intrauterine contraception with host Dr. Lauren Streicher. Dr. Grimes also delves into specifics behind the levonorgestrel intrauterine device.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Abimbola Famuyide, MD For women with severe cardiac disease, pregnancy is not advisable due to significant risks of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Dr. Lisa Mazzullo talks with Dr. Abimbola Famuyide, principle investigator in a recent study on hysteroscopic steriization at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Famuyide's research provides new safer choices for women with heart issues.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Karen Rosene-Montella, MD The physiological changes that occur in pregnancy often present a series of clinical obstacles. What conditions should most concern us? How can pre-conception education ease the process? Dr. Karen Rosene-Montella, professor of medicine and obstetrics and gynecology at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and principal author of Medical Care of the Pregnant Patient, talks with host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo about treating this challenging patient population.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Stanley Gall, MD Since the 1990s, we have seen a resurgence in infant deaths related to pertussis. Once thought to be a disease of childhood, pertussis attack rates are very high among non-immunized adults. Dr. Stanley Gall, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and women's health at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, analyzes the risk-benefit ratio of immunizing pregnant women and other vulnerable populations with host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD Guest: Joseph Flaherty, MD Do the career choices made by female physicians play a central role in the projected shortage of doctors? Host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo explores this provocative idea with Dr. Joseph Flaherty, dean of medicine, and professor of psychiatry and community health sciences at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, taking an in-depth look at the substantive issues that confront many contemporary women in medicine. Beyond gender considerations, does the pursuit of a more balanced life negatively impact the standard of care?

Host: John Armstrong, MD Guest: Maj. Gen. Carla Hawley-Bowland, MD Maj. Gen. Dr. Carla Hawley-Bowland, commanding general at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, chief of the United States Army Medical Corps, and the first female Medical Corps General in the history of the United States Army, speaks about the leadership structure that afforded her the opportunity to assume this landmark post. Dr. Hawley-Bowland also touches on women's health issues in the military, and the impending formation of a national military hospital. Dr. John Armstrong hosts.