Women’s Healthcast

Reproductive autonomy is defined as an individual’s ability to make decisions about their reproductive health and access reproductive health services without interference or coercion. In 2025, there are a lot of social and policy factors at play that impact people’s reproductive autonomy both in the U.S. and worldwide. Dr. Leigh Senderowicz and Amy Williamson joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to help us understand the reproductive autonomy landscape in 2025. This interview was recorded in June of 2025. Dr. Senderowicz is an assistant professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin. Amy is the associate director of the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity, a group that conducts research and shares evidence that focuses on Wisconsinites’ access to abortion and contraception. Past podcast episodes mentioned in the interview: Reproductive Health Worldwide E-Visits for Contraception Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, in the United States. For Wisconsin in particular, rates of both diseases are on the rise. Dr. Jess Dalby joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to talk about the signs and symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea, the risks of untreated disease, and how to get tested and treated for common STIs. She also talked about a recent study that found chlamydia and gonorrhea are increasing in Wisconsin, and what’s behind the rising rates. Dr. Dalby is an associate professor in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. She is also a medical consultant on sexually transmitted infections for the City of Milwaukee Health Department. Dr. Dalby co-authored a paper published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal about rising rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea: read Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Infection Rates in Wisconsin, 2010-2022. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7

In August 2024, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated recommendations for pain management during intrauterine device placement. Dr. Molly Lepic and Dr. Abigail Cutler joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to tell us more about what these recommendations mean for patients, and why pain management during IUD placement is such a hot topic. Dr. Lepic and Dr. Cutler are both obstetrician-gynecologists in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. They talked about the different types of IUDs, how getting an IUD works, why pain or discomfort during the procedure can be an important consideration for many patients, and what today’s pain management options look like. Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a common treatment option that can be immensely helpful for people experiencing pelvic floor issues like incontinence or prolapse. But some patients may be reluctant to consider pelvic floor PT, or unsure about how it works. Sari Archer and Carrie Schwoerer joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to tell us more about pelvic floor disorders, how physical therapy can help, what the process is like, and where physical therapy fits under the broader umbrella of treatment options for pelvic floor issues. Sari Archer is a nurse practitioner in the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. Carrie Schwoerer is a physical therapist and rehabilitation manager with UW Health. If you’d like to learn even more about pelvic floor disorders and treatment options, please join us on September 30, 2024, for a Healthy Women Community Talk featuring even more experts in pelvic health! https://www.obgyn.wisc.edu/community-talks Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7

One in eight people in the United States have high blood pressure or hypertension during their pregnancies. What does that mean for their health moving forward? Our guests joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about blood pressure and cardiovascular concerns during and after pregnancy. Dr. Kara Hoppe is an associate professor in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Megan Knutson-Sinaise is a research coordinator and health coach. They discussed how common blood pressure issues are during pregnancy, important signs and symptoms to be aware of, and what people should know about their lifelong cardiovascular health after high blood pressure during pregnancy. Resources: Treating chronic hypertension in early pregnancy benefits parents, babies – National Institutes of Health Life’s Essential Eight - American Heart Association Staying Healthy After Childbirth – UW Department of Ob-Gyn Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. On the Women’s Healthcast, we’re airing a Fourth Trimester series, with episodes about physical recovery after birth, postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, and more. Dr. Katie Sampene joined this episode to talk about pregnancy prevention in the fourth trimester. Dr. Sampene as an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. She discussed recommendations for spacing pregnancies, why people may want to consider a birth control method so quickly after giving birth, how different methods affect breast or chest feeding, and more. RESOURCES: Postpartum Family Planning Worksheets - UW Department of Ob-Gyn / UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. For the next few months, the Women’s Healthcast will air a Fourth Trimester series, with episodes about physical recovery, postpartum mood changes, breastfeeding, and so much more. Our first episode covered general questions about physical recovery after giving birth. On this episode, we’ll learn more about one particular aspect of recovery: perineal tears, or perineal lacerations. These complications are very common during childbirth: somewhere between 60-70 percent of people who give birth experience some degree of tearing in the skin or muscles between the vagina and anus. Despite their frequency, they’re not commonly discussed. Dr. Jon Pennycuff, a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgeon in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn, joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about perineal tears – how often they happen, how they’re treated, and what he wishes more people understood about them. RESOURCES: Pelvic Floor Health Guide – American Urogynecologic Society Third and Fourth-Degree Perineal Tears – American Urogynecologic Society Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know what health issues you'd like to learn about here! https://forms.gle/XaoArBtnxfHxA4Up7