About this episode

Dr. Fiona Lovely discusses pelvic health with Dr. Christine Vaccaro and Heather Florio, focusing on interstitial cystitis and the importance of accurate diagnosis.

In this episode, Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes two distinguished guests who are reshaping the conversation around women's pelvic health. Dr. Christine Vaccaro, a double board-certified urogynecologist and reconstructive pelvic surgeon, brings her expertise in clitoral anatomy, interstitial cystitis, and the critical role of both estrogen and testosterone in bladder function. She is joined by Heather Florio, CEO of Desert Harvest, whose decades of research-driven work offer practical solutions for those suffering from chronic bladder pain. Together, they discuss why conditions like interstitial cystitis are so frequently misdiagnosed as recurrent UTIs, how androgen-blocking medications can have lasting effects on the pelvic floor, and why a thorough, systematic pelvic exam remains the gold standard for accurate diagnosis. The conversation also explores the similarities between male and female anatomy in development (we all begin with a clitoris!), the importance of self-exploration for maintaining intimacy, and the growing need for better clinician education on menopause and sexual medicine. No matter what you are experiencing, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and a path…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Fiona Lovely

Guests: Dr. Christine Vaccaro, Heather Florio

Topics covered

• pelvic health
• interstitial cystitis
• bladder function
• women's health
• sexual medicine
• menopause

Keywords

• pelvic pain
• clitoral anatomy
• chronic bladder pain
• UTIs
• androgen-blocking medications
• pelvic exam
• self-exploration
• clinician education

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Desert Harvest

More episodes of Not Your Mother's Menopause with Dr. Fiona Lovely

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• Ep. 226: Mental Health and Iron, what's the connection with Dr. Fiona Lovely · July 7, 2026 · 30 min
• Ep. 225 - Menopausal Medicine Update with NP Shelby Sheppard · June 30, 2026 · 1h 27m
• Ep. 224 -Patriarchy Stress Disorder and Menopause with Jeffrey Tambor · June 23, 2026 · 1h 17m
• Ep. 223 - Nervous System Regulation for Menopausal Health with Dr Navaz Habib · June 16, 2026 · 1h 19m

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