PODCAST · health
OvaryActive
by mbvn
Two gynecologists walk into a recording studio. Sounds like the start of a joke, and frankly, perimenopause can feel like the start of a joke too. Only this joke is on you. And it's not that funny. But back to those two OB/GYNS…. Dr Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch have been caring for the reproductive health of those born with uteruses for a while now. And the doctors are frankly pretty tired of how those body bits — and the people they belong to — get ignored by medical science when they are no longer ideal baby-makers. Half of a woman's life comes after her Build a Baby shop shuts down; however, the medical community does little to educate her about or treat her for issues related to her peri- and post-menopausal body. In this smart, funny, incredibly informed, wonderfully irreverent podcast, Doctors Rebecca and Amy give us the down low on our… down lows. What is perimenopause? What can I expect? How can I feel better? And for crying out loud, WHEN IS IT OVER? Tune in o
Episodes
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Ep 50 | Menopause, Misinformation & Other Bullshit with Amanda Thebe
Join us for one of our LIVE events: https://bit.ly/3UeeHEL Perimenopause is hard enough without being told you need expensive supplements, miracle hormones, and a new workout routine that apparently requires becoming an Olympic athlete. With menopause misinformation everywhere and wellness...
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Ep 49 | ADHD & Perimenopause: WHY is My Brain DOING This?
Is it ADHD, perimenopause, or has your brain simply decided it has reached maximum capacity? In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs are talking about the very real overlap between ADHD symptoms and perimenopause. This includes brain fog, forgetfulness, disorganization, overwhelm, and the sudden...
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Ep 48 | Progesterone in Perimenopause: Sleep Savior, Uterus Protector, Internet Celebrity
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Progesterone: soothing hormone, sleep savior, uterine bodyguard… or wildly overhyped perimenopause celebrity? In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr.…
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Ep 47 | Is Estrogen Safe After a Blood Clot? The Answer Is Annoyingly Complicated
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Blood clots and hormone therapy: two things that can make perimenopause feel even more delightfully complicated. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr....
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Ep 46 | Sex After 40: More Pleasure, Fewer Rules with Julie Weitlauf
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Perimenopause can change your sleep, your body, your mood, and — because apparently the transition needed another hobby — your sex life. Returning…
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Ep 45 | Swallow This, Part 3: Hope Is Not a Clinical Trial
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Perimenopause has officially entered its supplement era, and apparently every capsule on the internet is promising to fix your metabolism, your…
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Ep 44 | Swallow This, Part 2: Creatine and Peptides
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Perimenopause is apparently the new Black Friday for supplement marketing, and this episode is here to check the receipt. In part two of the Swallow…
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Ep 43 | A Terrible Strength: Dr. Kemi Doll on Black Women, Perimenopause, and the Womb Care We're Still Getting Wrong
Perimenopause is already a strange little carnival of bleeding patterns, hot flashes, hormone debates, and wondering whether your body has joined a group chat without you. Dr. Kemi Doll, gynecologic oncologist, uterine cancer scientist, and author of A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the...
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BONUS: Estrogen, Interrupted UNBOXED
In this special bonus episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch celebrate the arrival of their new book, Estrogen, Interrupted and share an excerpt from the audiobook. This preview introduces their candid, science-backed approach to perimenopause: the symptoms no one...
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Ep 42 | Hormones, Heart Health, and Hot Flash Hype: What Menopause Hormone Therapy Can Actually Do
Perimenopause is already handing out enough surprises without the internet yelling that menopausal hormone therapy is either a miracle cardiology cape or a one-way ticket to doom. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch take on the very confusing question of...
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Ep 41 | Brain Docs, Part 2: Brain Fog, Dementia Fears, & Perimenopause
Perimenopause is apparently the perfect time to start worrying about dementia, cholesterol, hearing aids, and whether your brain is quietly packing its bags. This episode of OvaryActive is part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Ayesha Sherzai of the Brain Docs. Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy...
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Ep 40 | Brain Docs, Part 1: Migraines, Hormones, & Perimenopause
Perimenopause can make your brain feel like it left the room — not that it remembers why it went there in the first place. In this first part of a two-part series with the Brain Docs, OvaryActive is talking all about migraines, hormones, cholesterol, hearing aids, and whether your brain is…
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Ep 39 | Weird Symptoms of Perimenopause
Perimenopause: where your body starts doing weird things and then gaslights you about it. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su dive into the "wait…what?" symptoms. Those random, head-scratching changes that pop up during the menopause transition. Think…
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Ep 38 | When Hormones Are Not the Only Answer
Perimenopause: the phase where your body does whatever it wants, whenever it wants, and your brain has thoughts about it. So what happens when hot flashes hit, anxiety creeps in, and suddenly you're questioning everything from your wardrobe to your worth? And more importantly…what if the problem...
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Ep 37 | When Its NOT Peri: Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA) with Chrisandra Shufelt, MD
Perimenopause is still taking the blame… but in this unexpected third installment (because Amy just got too excited), we're talking about functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). Dr. Chrisandra Shuflet joins the Docs in this episode of OvaryActive to explain FHA, tell us why it is often missed…
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Ep 36 | When It's NOT Peri: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Perimenopause gets blamed for a lot of things – mood swings, weird cycles, rogue chin hairs – but sometimes the culprit isn't peri at all. In Part 2 of When It's NOT Peri, the Docs are talking about polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition that looks suspiciously like perimenopause but...
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Ep 35 | When It's NOT Peri: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
Perimenopause gets blamed for a lot… but sometimes it's innocent. In this first episode of our two-part series When It's NOT Peri, the Docs talk about what happens when symptoms that look like perimenopause are actually something else entirely. Sometimes the ovaries aren't "transitioning"……
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Ep 34 | Heart Disease and Perimenopause: The Risk Factors We're Missing
When we talk about perimenopause, we talk a lot about symptoms, but not nearly enough about what's happening to your heart. Since February is Heart Health Month, it's the perfect time to take a "beat" to focus on your cardiovascular health. In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs zoom out from…
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Ep 33 | Do I Need Birth Control or Hormone Therapy?
Birth control or hormone therapy? Why does this decision feel like a personality test you didn't study for? In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs tackle one of the most confusing (and hotly debated) topics in perimenopause: when birth control is actually the right choice, when menopausal…
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Ep 32 | Perimenopause + Migraines: Your Brain on Hormones
Hot flashes, mood swings, surprise chin hairs… and now migraines? Welcome to perimenopause, where your hormones throw a rave in your brain and forget to invite you. In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs tackle the maddening intersection of migraine misery and perimenopause chaos, complete with...
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Ep 31 | This is the HOT FLASH Episode
Hot flashes: the unofficial mascot of perimenopause and the original reason so many midlife women carry a personal fan or freezer pack, or insist on that open window in January. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su finally give hot flashes their own…
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Ep 30 | Topical Viagra & Hot Flash Chaos: The Menopause Conference Recap You Didn't Ask For
Perimenopause: the magical season where sleep disappears, hormones riot, and suddenly everyone thinks you're "doing great" when actually you're googling whether rage counts as cardio. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch return with their second annual...
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Ep 29 | Merry Perimenopause 2025 Edition
Welcome back to the annual holiday classic Merry Perimenopause. While there's not much "jolly" about perimenopause, these gifts can add a little more joyeux to your noël! Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch jingle all the way through help for your hot flashes, cold flashes, brain fog…
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Ep 28 | Stronger Not Thinner: Strength Training in Perimenopause
Perimenopause: that magical stage where your body suddenly decides it's the boss, your pants shrink overnight, and your motivation to exercise hides under the bed. On the episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch welcome the hilarious and whip-smart Dr. Marily Oppezzo...
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Ep 27 | Testosterone, Perimenopause, and the Fountain of Nope
You've seen it all over social media, testosterone is apparently the miracle cure for every perimenopausal woe. Low libido? Tired? Losing muscle tone? Influencers say "Just add T!" The Docs say…not so fast Ready for the truth? In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca...
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Ep 26 | Swallow This: The Truth About Supplements and Perimenopause
Feeling overwhelmed by the supplement aisle? Are there pills that might actually help during perimenopause or are you just buying expensive urine? This episode of OvaryActive dives into the pharmacy aisle of supplements. The Docs are talking about everything from influencer "miracle" blends to…
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Ep 25 | Use a Mirror to See What's Up…Down There
Perimenopause: your hormones have packed up and left, your skin starts new hobbies, and your vulva occasionally throws a tantrum. In this episode of OvaryActive, we're talking about that neglected body part everyone loves to ignore—until it itches, burns, bleeds, or grows suspicious bumps.…
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Ep 24 | When Bleeding Isn't *Just* Perimenopause: The Need-to-Know about Gynecological Cancers
Perimenopause is already a rollercoaster—hot flashes, brain fog, and now…SURPRISE! cancer screenings. In this episode of OvaryActive, Amy and Rebecca sit down with Gynecologic Oncologist Fernanda Musa, MD MS to tackle the less-fun-but-super-important reality: perimenopause is also prime time for...
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Ep 23 | Sneezed and Peed? Let's Talk Pelvic Floor Therapy
Perimenopause: when sneezing, laughing, or even thinking too hard about a trampoline suddenly becomes a bladder hazard. And guess what!? Kegels aren't the cure-all we were promised. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch take us below the belt to talk pelvic...
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Ep 22 | Best Books for Perimenopause & Midlife Women: Hot Flashes & Page Turners
If perimenopause has turned your brain to mush and your patience to vapor, fear not—we've got your next reading list and your next excuse to hide in a closet with a book. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch tackle the hot topic of hot flashes and…
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Ep 21 | Hormones Hocus Pocus: Lab Testing in Perimenopause
Welcome to the wild west of perimenopause, where hot flashes meet hashtags and popular influencers suddenly have a lab test recommendation—thanks, TikTok. Hormone lab testing is "trending" and the Docs are taking a skeptical scalpel to the flood of hormone lab testing trends that have invaded…
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Ep 20 | Does HRT Cause Breast Cancer?
In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs dive headfirst into the hot (flash) topic of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for breast cancer survivors. It's complicated, it's emotional, and yes, it's got a healthy splash of perimenopause thrown in—because nothing says "fun" like navigating midlife...
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Ep 19 | Battle of the Belly Bulge: Weight Loss Meds & Perimenopause
Welcome to the magical mystery tour that is perimenopause, where your hormones throw a rave and forget to invite your metabolism. In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs tackle the ever-fun topic of weight gain during perimenopause—because just when you thought you had your fitness routine down,...
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Ep 18 | Birth Control During Perimenopause (yes, you might need it!)
Ahhhh…perimenopause: the delightful phase of life where your hormones throw a rager and forget to invite you. If you thought contraception was a concern of your younger years, think again. In this episode, the Docs are tackling the wild world of birth control during perimenopause—because yes, you...
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Ep 17 | Perimenopause, Pain, and Misinformation with Dr. Jen Gunter
Perimenopause: it's not just hot flashes and rage-cleaning your kitchen at 2 a.m. (although that's part of it). In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs get into the chaos and confusion that is hormonal fluctuation with none other than Dr. Jen Gunter, the internet's favorite OBGYN and...
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Ep 16 | Ask Us Anything: Perimenopause Edition
Perimenopause: it's like puberty's older, meaner cousin who shows up uninvited and messes with your thermostat. We asked for your all-things-perimenopause questions on Instagram, and now Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch are here to answer! In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs take...
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Ep 15 | Perimenopause & Your Skincare Routine
Let's face it—perimenopause isn't exactly known for its sparkling perks (unless you consider surprise hot flashes a "perk"). But what it does bring is a whole new relationship with your skincare routine. In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs are diving into the hormonal chaos that makes your...
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Ep 14 | Your Brain on Peri: Sleep
Strap in and grab your magnesium and chamomile tea—this week we're battling Perimenopause's sworn nemesis: a good night's sleep. Joining the Docs for the third part in the Your Brain on Peri series is the brilliant Dr. Meredith Broderick—triple-board certified in neurology, sleep medicine, and...
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Ep 13 | Your Brain on Peri: Cognition
Ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why you're there? Or found yourself staring at a to-do list like it's written in an ancient language? You're not alone. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su tackle the maddening phenomenon of brain fog…
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Ep 12 | Your Brain on Peri: Mood
Perimenopause: the magical time of life when your emotions decide to go on an unpredictable rollercoaster ride, leaving you laughing, crying, and irrationally furious—all within the span of a single coffee break. This is the first in a three-part series about your brain during perimenopause. In...
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Ep 11 | Weight Management During Perimenopause
Ah, perimenopause, that magical time when your body decides to play metabolic musical chairs without telling you the rules. Suddenly your favorite jeans feel like they belong to someone else and the weight gain is like a surprise subscription box — you don't remember signing up for it, but it…
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Ep 10 | Menopause, Mood Swings, & Mojo––Keeping the Spark Alive
Perimenopause: the time in a woman's life when her hormones decide to play an elaborate game of musical chairs, and her body is just along for the ride. As if hot flashes and brain fog weren't enough, let's talk about another under-discussed topic—sexual health. In this episode the Docs are…
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Ep 9 | Hormone Replacement Therapy Series: Women's Health Initiative
What do brain fog, bone health, and breast cancer all have in common? They're all part of the rollercoaster ride that is menopause. Ever wondered how hormone therapy became such a controversial topic, or why some studies seem to contradict each other? And is it possible to navigate perimenopause...
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Ep 8 | Hormone Replacement Therapy Series: Estrogen
What do a 1940s scientific breakthrough, a 2000s public health scandal, and your perimenopause symptoms have in common? Answer: Estrogen. In this episode, the Docs kick off a hormone therapy series by telling listeners the dramatic story of estrogen. How "she" got famous, suffered a scandal, and…
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Ep 7 | Hot Flashes Heard Around the World
How does perimenopause show up in your life compared to others'? Why do experiences vary so widely across cultures? What factors contribute to how people experience perimenopause? Each person's experience is completely unique, but in this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs are offering insight and...
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Ep 6 | The (Whole) Truth on IUDs During Perimenopause
Have you seen the headlines about an increased risk of breast cancer associated with levonorgestrel IUDs? You might know these IUDs as Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, or Liletta. Before you head to your OBGYN to schedule a removal, hang on: there's so much more to the story than just the headline. Lucky...
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Ep 5 | Merry Perimenopause
What do you give to the woman who has everything? She has it all–– including hot flashes, sleepless nights, blotchy skin, unexplained weight gain, and even a decreased (or increased?) libido. Do you need just the perfect gift guide for the woman in your life who has ALL these things? The Docs…
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Ep 4 | Meeting of the Menopause Society
Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su attended the Menopause Society's annual conference in September 2024. It wasn't just a chance for them to hang out with each other in person, it was also a great opportunity to gain the latest insights into perimenopause and menopause. In this episode…
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Ep 3 | The Estrogen Equation: Aging Insights
Changes to your skin––add it to the list of things women face during perimenopause. It's completely understandable that you'll want to change up your skincare routine. However, you may want to get more information before slathering yourself with topical estrogen in response to skin changes and...
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Ep 2 | Peri-What-Now?
We would have called this episode "What Fresh Hell is This?" but the title was already taken. But this title also works, because when we mention perimenopause to people, we often get that confused German Shepherd head tilt and "periwhatnow?" Given that this podcast is focused around…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Two gynecologists walk into a recording studio. Sounds like the start of a joke, and frankly, perimenopause can feel like the start of a joke too. Only this joke is on you. And it's not that funny. But back to those two OB/GYNS…. Dr Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch have been caring for the reproductive health of those born with uteruses for a while now. And the doctors are frankly pretty tired of how those body bits — and the people they belong to — get ignored by medical science when they are no longer ideal baby-makers. Half of a woman's life comes after her Build a Baby shop shuts down; however, the medical community does little to educate her about or treat her for issues related to her peri- and post-menopausal body. In this smart, funny, incredibly informed, wonderfully irreverent podcast, Doctors Rebecca and Amy give us the down low on our… down lows. What is perimenopause? What can I expect? How can I feel better? And for crying out loud, WHEN IS IT OVER? Tune in o
HOSTED BY
mbvn
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does OvaryActive have?
OvaryActive currently has 52 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is OvaryActive about?
Two gynecologists walk into a recording studio. Sounds like the start of a joke, and frankly, perimenopause can feel like the start of a joke too. Only this joke is on you. And it's not that funny. But back to those two OB/GYNS…. Dr Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch have been caring for the...
How often does OvaryActive release new episodes?
OvaryActive has 52 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to OvaryActive?
You can listen to OvaryActive on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts OvaryActive?
OvaryActive is created and hosted by mbvn.
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