Speaking of Women's Health

Send us Fan MailIf your body seems to “flip a switch” after ovulation, you’re not imagining it and you’re not alone. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker talks through a lesser-known but very real problem: progesterone allergy and progesterone intolerance, often grouped under progestogen hypersensitivity. The most important clue is timing, with symptoms that reliably worsen in the luteal phase when progesterone rises and then ease when your period starts and hormones fall.Dr. Thacker walks through what progesterone is supposed to do in women’s health and why it can still trigger trouble for some people, whether it’s your own endogenous progesterone or synthetic progestins in hormonal birth control, fertility treatment, IUDs, or menopausal hormone therapy. She covers the full range of symptoms, from cyclical hives, rashes, itching, swelling, and asthma-like breathing issues to mood changes, anxiety, migraines, breast tenderness, bloating and heartburn. We also explain the difference between a true allergy that can be dangerous and an intolerance that can feel awful but may respond to smarter dosing, timing and formulation choices.Support the show

Send us Fan MailTwo little voices kick off a Mother’s Day special, and that warm family moment quickly opens into bigger questions about women’s health that too often get ignored until they’re urgent. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD shares what every woman should understand earlier: fertility has a biological clock that doesn’t match how healthy you can feel in your 30s and 40s, and ovarian aging is a major driver of infertility. She talks about when to seek an infertility evaluation, why conditions like endometriosis and celiac disease can be behind unexplained infertility, and how the real-world costs of IVF shape people’s choices. She also shares a hopeful story about stress reduction and acupuncture as a supportive option for some patients who are experiencing fertility issues. Next, she gets practical about varicose veins and spider veins, especially during pregnancy and with weight changes. Because May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, she ends with a focus on bone health, menopause, and prevention. Bone loss can speed up dramatically in the early years after menopause, and osteoporosis can stay silent until a fracture.  She also touches on under-recognized factors like celiac disease, persistent nutrient deficiencies, and why biotin supplements can disrupt thyroid, cardiac, and hormone lab tests. Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhen sleep is fragmented by mouth breathing or a restricted airway, the ripple effects can show up as cavities, restless sleep, drooling, picky eating, speech concerns, bedwetting, and ADHD-like behavior in kids. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker interviews Dr. Rachel Rosen, DDS, a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Breathe Institute affiliate in Ohio, to connect the dots between airway, oral function, and whole-body health from infancy through adolescence. They talk through what modern pediatric airway screening should look like and why a quick glance at tonsils or a single referral often misses the bigger picture. Dr. Rosen explains how mouth breathing dries the mouth, drives tooth decay, and why the end goal stays simple: tongue up, lips sealed, and healthy nasal breathing. You’ll also hear practical, parent-friendly guidance on what to watch for at home, why symptoms can peak deep in REM sleep, and how inflammation, allergens, and diet can worsen the cycle. If you’re looking for more information, follow Dr. Rosen on Instagram or Facebook or visit greatbeginningspd.com.Support the show