Dr.Sophia, ObGyn - Embrace your body. Embrace yourself.

This is the 4th installment where my co-host, Touseef Mirza, openly shares her personal menopause journey on HRT (hormone replacement therapy). In this episode, Touseef talks about unexpected side effects she encountered while on HRT, which then prompted some trials and tribulations. We cover bleeding episodes, blood tests, ultrasound, hormone dosing, etc. When it comes to HRT, we have a tendency to talk about the positives - of which there are many - but it is also important to recognize that there can be some unwanted effects too. By seeing the full picture of HRT, you will be better equipped to understand what is happening and make more informed decisions about your health. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza. Here are the previous installments of Touseef on HRT: #43: My experience on HRT with Touseef Mirza #28: Reading my labs for HRT with Touseef Mirza #12: Should I go on HRT? with Touseef Mirza

When you find out that you are pregnant, it’s key to go see your ObGyn to start the process of ensuring that proper care for yourself and your baby is addressed from the very beginning. In this episode we talk about the many tests that help monitor the birthing journey as well as everyday lifestyle practices that women can adopt to make their pregnancy healthier, manageable, and enjoyable. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Many women don’t go see their ObGyn because they had bad experiences in the past where they weren't given the care and attention they needed. So let me start by saying that you deserve care and gentleness from your obgyn in every single encounter. In this episode, we talk about many aspects on why patients might not want to see their ObGyn, what “care” actually looks like from a genuinely caring ObGyn, how one can express their fear to the health care provider and create a human connection, etc. I dedicate this episode to my grandmother who taught me how to care for others with an open heart. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Well we made it to a milestone! I am truly grateful and excited to arrive at our 50th episode! In the spirit of 50, both Touseef and I share our personal journey as it pertains to being 50 years of age. I talk about reaching 50 in merely 2 years…yes you read that right…and what that signifies to me. And Touseef shares how being in her 50s has become the best time of her life and how she got there. This is a different type of episode where we let our hair down and have a real girlfriend talk in terms of where we are right now through the lens of embracing ourselves and our lives. Come hang with us! I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza

We usually talk about perimenopause from a woman's lens. But we rarely talk about how their partner experiences this transition and how it can affect the relationship. In this episode, we have a special guest, Rich Wison, who opens up about his journey with his wife as she went through perimenopause. As he describes, the journey began with confusion, strain on the relationship, and not knowing what was wrong - to eventually recognizing the cause as being perimenopause. He also graciously shares how his partner’s perimenopause symptoms impacted him emotionally, affected the connection with his wife, as well as how both were able to find solutions together through a strong conviction of partnership. It is a must listen for men and women alike dealing with perimenopause. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

When we typically think about STI (sexually transmitted infection) or STD (sexual transmitted disease), we think about the usual culprits of chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, etc. But there are also other less familiar bacteria that cause vaginal infections: ureaplasma and mycoplasma. These bacteria, and also BV (bacterial vaginosis), are a different type of STI because they are actually part of the normal vaginal flora. It is only when ureaplasma, mycoplasma, and BV are in imbalance, that they can cause negative vaginal effects similar to STIs, such as vaginal irritation, discharge, odor, etc. In this episode, we dive into all of these confusing areas and more. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

The majority of women experience PMS, or premenstrual syndrome. And many times PMS appears in mischievous ways where we don’t even realize that it has inflicted us with a sudden sunken state of existential crisis or feeling like our minds and bodies have been taken over by unknown forces. But why does this happen to us and what can we do about it? In this episode, Dr. Sophia candidly talks about her current personal experience with PMS. We also break down what causes PMS, discuss a more severe form of PMS called PMMD (premenstrual dysphoric syndrome), and talk about how we can move forward in a way to help ourselves and the women around us through this tricky cyclical part of our menstrual phase. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

In celebration of the 2nd year Anniversary of the Dr Sophia, ObGyn podcast, I'm sharing my favorite episode from the past year “Peri / menopause: vaginal & sex symptoms.” In this episode we talk about how even though we have more info now on perimenopause and menopause in the public sphere, one area that isn’t still talked about a lot is how perimenopause/menopause can cause vaginal and sex symptoms. So dove deep on how the changing levels of hormones for women in peri/menopause affects the vagina and vulva, which then can lead to certain conditions during sex, such as abrasions and affecting orgasm. We also talk about certain approaches to help alleviate these symptoms. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

When we think about pregnancy, the birthing process, and delivery, we focus mostly on the mother to be – and rightfully so. AND it’s also important to have the woman's partner, either husband, life partner, boyfriend who is the father of the baby, to be also involved for the support, care, advocacy of the woman and baby. In this episode, we explain why this is important and how the partners can be involved from prenatal care all the way up to the delivery room. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Childbirth is viewed as a beautiful and spectacular phenomenon. At the same time, women need to also know the full scope of normal changes and potential physiological complications that can happen to their vagina and vulva during vaginal delivery. In this episode, we talk about the amazingness of the vagina and what it’s able to do during childbirth, the different types of potential vaginal and vulva tears that can occur, what physicians can do to avoid the severity of vaginal / vulva tears or lacerations, etc. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

For women, weight is usually a constant point of attention and carries a lot of shame around it. We have a tendency to focus more on fitting into the perfect dress or pant size vs fully understanding what is actually a healthy weight for us. In this episode, we talk about all things weight and health, including how weight actually affects our bodies from a health perspective, reframe our view on weight, address how to overcome the shame around being overweight, BMI, ozempic, and so much more. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Information on perimenopause and menopause has finally started to flood the public sphere since the past few years. That being said, one area that isn’t talked about a lot is how perimenopause/menopause can cause vaginal and sex symptoms. In this episode, we talk about how the changing levels of hormones for women in peri/menopause affects the vagina and vulva, which then can lead to certain conditions during sex, such as abrasions and affecting orgasm. We also talk about certain approaches to help alleviate these symptoms. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Since May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month, we talk on this episode about what preeclampsia is and how it affects pregnant women. This condition can actually lead to very serious effects, such as seizures and even death, so it’s imperative that pregnant women know the signs of preeclampsia as soon as possible so that it can be addressed quickly. I also explain that the health of both the expecting mom and baby need to be closely addressed if preeclampsia occurs. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.