Lady Parts Doctor

What starts as a conversation about Tylenol and the latest headlines quickly unfolds into something deeper: mom guilt, medical fear, the weight of responsibility, and what it really means to trust yourself. But this isn’t a heavy lecture—it’s a real, relatable conversation between Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH, and Dr. Nicole Kumi, PhD, PMH-C, two women, moms, wives, and entrepreneurs sharing the journey we’re all navigating. From raising sons to second-guessing ourselves, we’re talking about the messy, meaningful parts of womanhood with honesty, curiosity, and a little laughter too.

We’re closing out the season with a bang (and a few brain-busters)! In this interactive episode, Dr. Hack is testing what you think you know about your body (and you do know a lot). From vulvas and vaginas to breasts and beyond, we’re serving up a mix of surprising truths, stubborn myths, and eye-opening facts that even the most well-informed listeners might second guess. Play along, challenge your own knowledge, and walk away feeling even more empowered and informed about your health.

Mood swings, brain fog, and burnout? It might not just be stress—it could be perimenopause. In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH explores the connection between hormonal changes and depression during the menopausal transition. Backed by clinical evidence and national research studies, she breaks down why this critical phase is so often misunderstood, how to recognize real warning signs, and what steps you can take to protect your mental health. Because yes—healthcare is self-care, and knowledge is power.References:1. Kessler RC, McGonagle KA, Zhao S et al. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders in the United States. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1994;51:8–19. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]2. Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Liu L, Gracia CR, Nelson DB, Hollander L. Hormones and menopausal status as predictors of depression in women in transition to menopause. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2004;61:62–70. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]3. Bromberger JT, Epperson CN. Depression During and After the Perimenopause: Impact of Hormones, Genetics, and Environmental Determinants of Disease. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018 Dec;45(4):663-678. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2018.07.007. Epub 2018 Oct 25. PMID: 30401549; PMCID: PMC6226029. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226029/#R4)4. Behrman S, Crockett C. Severe mental illness and the perimenopause. BJPsych Bull. 2023 Nov 13;48(6):1-7. doi: 10.1192/bjb.2023.89. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37955045; PMCID: PMC11669460. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11669460/#:~:text=Fluctuations%20of%20hormone%20levels%20and,episodes%20of%20mental%20illness%2C%20including5. https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/perimenopause-rocky-road-to-menopause6. https://www.swanstudy.org/womens-health-info/depression-menopause/7. https://www.swanstudy.org/wps/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/SWAN-Fact-Sheets-Depression.pdf8. Santoro N, Epperson CN, Mathews SB. Menopausal Symptoms and Their Management. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2015 Sep;44(3):497-515. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2015.05.001. PMID: 26316239; PMCID: PMC4890704. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4890704/)9. Kravitz HM, Colvin AB, Avis NE, Joffe H, Chen Y, Bromberger JT. Risk of high depressive symptoms after the final menstrual period: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Menopause. 2022 Jul 1;29(7):805-815. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001988. PMID: 35796553; PMCID: PMC9268212. { https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35796553/ ) 10. Gibbs Z, Lee S, Kulkarni J. What factors determine whether a woman becomes depressed during the perimenopause? Arch Womens Ment Health 2012;15:323–332.

As the seasons change, even small adjustments to your daily habits can noticeably improve your energy, mood, and overall well-being. In this episode, Dr. Hack introduces her personal method for helping you get back to an active lifestyle. Rooted in clinical recommendations, this method is designed to help you optimize your health with realistic, sustainable steps. Small shifts, big results. Let’s step into your next level of wellness together.Links:https://ladypartsdoctor.com/https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-during-pregnancyhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19961/https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/water-healthy-drinks/index.htmlhttps://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/water/how-much-water-do-you-need

As Black Maternal Health Week begins, Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH sits down with public health leader Dr. Nina Ashford, PhD to confront the alarming state of Black maternal health in America. Together, they unpack how recent political shifts, federal data suppression, and DEI backlash are putting reproductive justice at risk. Dr. Ashford, Chief of Public Health Services for Montgomery County, brings decades of expertise in policy, practice, and advocacy to help us understand what's at stake—and what we can do to protect our health, our rights, and our communities. This is a conversation about truth, resilience, and the power of collective action in a time of uncertainty.

It takes seven years to become a neurosurgeon—seven years of intense training to master brain surgery. But shockingly, that's also the average time it takes for a woman to receive an endometriosis diagnosis. Why does it take so long, and what can we do about it? In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH is joined by Dr. Mallory Stuparich, MD, a leading minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, to break down the science, symptoms, and solutions for this misunderstood condition that affects millions of women worldwide.

In this powerful first episode of Black History Month, Dr. Stephanie Hack explores the historical and present-day intersections of Black women’s reproductive health and bodily autonomy. From the harrowing history of Lucy, Betsey, and Anarcha—the enslaved women subjected to medical experimentation—to the ongoing fight for self-ownership and healthcare equity, this episode is a call to reclaim our bodies. Dr. Hack shares five actionable steps Black women can take to assert full control over their health and well-being, reminding us that self-care is a form of resistance.

Have you ever wondered how you can lower your risk of cervical cancer right now? This episode isn’t just for you—it’s for every woman you care about. Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH, our trusted OB/GYN and women’s health expert, reveals everything you need to know about preventing cervical cancer at every stage of life. From the power of the HPV vaccine to the life-saving importance of screenings in your 20s, 30s, 60s, and beyond, she breaks it all down in a way that’s practical, empowering, and easy to follow. We’ll also uncover the shocking truth about racial disparities in cervical cancer and how we can work together to create change.As you build your self-care practice for 2025, routine screenings are an essential act of love—not just for yourself but for the women who look up to you, lean on you, and walk beside you. Listen in, then share this life-changing conversation with your sisters, friends, mothers, and daughters—because knowledge saves lives.