OvaryActive
Two gynecologists, Dr Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr Amy Voedisch, host a podcast about perimenopause and menopause. They aim to educate and empower women about the often-ignored health issues that arise when the body is no longer focused on reproduction. The show is smart, funny, and irreverent, providing real information without hype or myths. New episodes are released on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
Episodes
Ep 46 | Sex After 40: More Pleasure, Fewer Rules with Julie Weitlauf
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Perimenopause can change your sleep, your body, your mood, and — because apparently the transition needed another hobby — your sex life. Returning guest Julie Weitlauf, PhD, joins the OvaryActive Docs to talk about low libido, vaginal dryness, unpredict
Ep 45 | Swallow This, Part 3: Hope Is Not a Clinical Trial
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Perimenopause has officially entered its supplement era, and apparently every capsule on the internet is promising to fix your metabolism, your wrinkles, your joints, your brain, and maybe your credit score. In the third installment of the Swallow This
Ep 44 | Swallow This, Part 2: Creatine and Peptides
We have an announcement! OvaryActive has a Patreon! Help support the show — become a patron for as little as $5/month! patreon.com/cw/OvaryActive Perimenopause is apparently the new Black Friday for supplement marketing, and this episode is here to check the receipt. In part two of the Swallow This supplement series, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch dig into the body-building-adjacent
Ep 43 | A Terrible Strength: Dr. Kemi Doll on Black Women, Perimenopause, and the Womb Care We're Still Getting Wrong
Perimenopause is already a strange little carnival of bleeding patterns, hot flashes, hormone debates, and wondering whether your body has joined a group chat without you. Dr. Kemi Doll, gynecologic oncologist, uterine cancer scientist, and author of A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing joins this episode of OvaryActive. Together the docs zoo
BONUS: Estrogen, Interrupted UNBOXED
In this special bonus episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch celebrate the arrival of their new book, Estrogen, Interrupted and share an excerpt from the audiobook. This preview introduces their candid, science-backed approach to perimenopause: the symptoms no one warned you about, why "it's normal" is not a treatment plan, and why women deserve better information, be
Ep 42 | Hormones, Heart Health, and Hot Flash Hype: What Menopause Hormone Therapy Can Actually Do
Perimenopause is already handing out enough surprises without the internet yelling that menopausal hormone therapy is either a miracle cardiology cape or a one-way ticket to doom. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch take on the very confusing question of whether hormone therapy can help prevent cardiovascular disease in menopause. They walk through the his
Ep 41 | Brain Docs, Part 2: Migraines, Hormones, & Perimenopause
Perimenopause is apparently the perfect time to start worrying about dementia, cholesterol, hearing aids, and whether your brain is quietly packing its bags. This episode of OvaryActive is part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Ayesha Sherzai of the Brain Docs. Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch are talking with Dr. Sherzai all about dementia prevention, brain health, and the deeply rude r
Ep 40 | Brain Docs, Part 1: Brain Fog, Dementia Fears, & Perimenopause
Perimenopause can make your brain feel like it left the room — not that it remembers why it went there in the first place. In this first part of a two-part series with the Brain Docs, OvaryActive is talking all about dementia, brain fog, and the very real panic that happens when midlife memory glitches start feeling a little too ominous. Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch welcome Dr. Aye
Ep 39 | Weird Symptoms of Perimenopause
Perimenopause: where your body starts doing weird things and then gaslights you about it. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su dive into the "wait…what?" symptoms. Those random, head-scratching changes that pop up during the menopause transition. Think asthma out of nowhere, itchy ears that won't quit, or sudden dizziness that makes you question your balanc
Ep 38 | When Hormones Are Not the Only Answer
Perimenopause: the phase where your body does whatever it wants, whenever it wants, and your brain has thoughts about it. So what happens when hot flashes hit, anxiety creeps in, and suddenly you're questioning everything from your wardrobe to your worth? And more importantly…what if the problem isn't just the symptom, but the story you've been told about it? In this episode of OvaryActive, Julia
Ep 37 | When Its NOT Peri: Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA) with Chrisandra Shufelt, MD
Perimenopause is still taking the blame… but in this unexpected third installment (because Amy just got too excited), we're talking about functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). Dr. Chrisandra Shuflet joins the Docs in this episode of OvaryActive to explain FHA, tell us why it is often missed or dismissed, and how it's diagnosed. The conversation explores how disrupted brain signaling leads to
Ep 36 | When It's NOT Peri: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Perimenopause gets blamed for a lot of things – mood swings, weird cycles, rogue chin hairs – but sometimes the culprit isn't peri at all. In Part 2 of When It's NOT Peri, the Docs are talking about polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition that looks suspiciously like perimenopause but actually comes from a completely different hormonal playbook. The hosts explain what PCOS actually is, why
Ep 35 | When It's NOT Peri: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
Perimenopause gets blamed for a lot… but sometimes it's innocent. In this first episode of our two-part series When It's NOT Peri, the Docs talk about what happens when symptoms that look like perimenopause are actually something else entirely. Sometimes the ovaries aren't "transitioning"… they're waving a much earlier white flag. This episode of OvaryActive zeroes in on premature ovarian insuffic
Ep 34 | Heart Disease and Perimenopause: The Risk Factors We're Missing
When we talk about perimenopause, we talk a lot about symptoms, but not nearly enough about what's happening to your heart. Since February is Heart Health Month, it's the perfect time to take a "beat" to focus on your cardiovascular health. In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs zoom out from hot flashes and hormones to talk about the number one killer of women: cardiovascular disease. They also
Ep 33 | Do I Need Birth Control or Hormone Therapy?
Birth control or hormone therapy? Why does this decision feel like a personality test you didn't study for? In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs tackle one of the most confusing (and hotly debated) topics in perimenopause: when birth control is actually the right choice, when menopausal hormone therapy makes more sense, and why TikTok might not be the best place for medical nuance. Dr. Rebecc
Ep 32 | Perimenopause + Migraines: Your Brain on Hormones
Hot flashes, mood swings, surprise chin hairs… and now migraines? Welcome to perimenopause, where your hormones throw a rave in your brain and forget to invite you. In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs tackle the maddening intersection of migraine misery and perimenopause chaos, complete with aura weirdness, estrogen roller coasters, and the universal fear of bright lights and strong perfumes
Ep 31 | This is the HOT FLASH Episode
Hot flashes: the unofficial mascot of perimenopause and the original reason so many midlife women carry a personal fan or freezer pack, or insist on that open window in January. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su finally give hot flashes their own episode. The Docs turn up the heat (literally and emotionally) as they talk through the lived chaos that is "
Ep 30 | Topical Viagra & Hot Flash Chaos: The Menopause Conference Recap You Didn't Ask For
Perimenopause: the magical season where sleep disappears, hormones riot, and suddenly everyone thinks you're "doing great" when actually you're googling whether rage counts as cardio. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch return with their second annual Menopause Society Conference recap. If you're wondering whether testosterone drops off a cliff in midlife
Ep 29 | Merry Perimenopause 2025 Edition
Welcome back to the annual holiday classic Merry Perimenopause. While there's not much "jolly" about perimenopause, these gifts can add a little more joyeux to your noël! Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch jingle all the way through help for your hot flashes, cold flashes, brain fog, bad backs, night sweats, and the eternal question: why does perimenopause feel like puberty, déjà vu, and
Ep 28 | Stronger Not Thinner: Strength Training in Perimenopause
Perimenopause: that magical stage where your body suddenly decides it's the boss, your pants shrink overnight, and your motivation to exercise hides under the bed. On the episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch welcome the hilarious and whip-smart Dr. Marily Oppezzo from Stanford. She is a behavior-change expert who's figured out how to help people actually do the hea
Ep 27 | Testosterone, Perimenopause, and the Fountain of Nope
You've seen it all over social media, testosterone is apparently the miracle cure for every perimenopausal woe. Low libido? Tired? Losing muscle tone? Influencers say "Just add T!" The Docs say…not so fast Ready for the truth? In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su are here for just that. Even though it is not exactly what you're seeing on social media––it is
Ep 26 | Swallow This: The Truth About Supplements and Perimenopause
Feeling overwhelmed by the supplement aisle? Are there pills that might actually help during perimenopause or are you just buying expensive urine? This episode of OvaryActive dives into the pharmacy aisle of supplements. The Docs are talking about everything from influencer "miracle" blends to your best friend's turmeric obsession. Separating data from drama and giving you the straight, if sarca
Ep 25 | Use a Mirror to See What's Up…Down There
Perimenopause: your hormones have packed up and left, your skin starts new hobbies, and your vulva occasionally throws a tantrum. In this episode of OvaryActive, we're talking about that neglected body part everyone loves to ignore—until it itches, burns, bleeds, or grows suspicious bumps. Joining the conversation are gynecologists and fellow podcasters Dr. Ashley Fuller and Dr. Meredith McClure,
Ep 24 | When Bleeding Isn't *Just* Perimenopause: The Need-to-Know about Gynecological Cancers
Perimenopause is already a rollercoaster—hot flashes, brain fog, and now…SURPRISE! cancer screenings. In this episode of OvaryActive, Amy and Rebecca sit down with Gynecologic Oncologist Fernanda Musa, MD MS to tackle the less-fun-but-super-important reality: perimenopause is also prime time for gynecologic cancers. Think of it as the sequel nobody asked for, but everybody needs to watch. Dr. Mu
Ep 23 | Sneezed and Peed? Let's Talk Pelvic Floor Therapy
Perimenopause: when sneezing, laughing, or even thinking too hard about a trampoline suddenly becomes a bladder hazard. And guess what!? Kegels aren't the cure-all we were promised. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch take us below the belt to talk pelvic floor health—the underappreciated muscle group that keeps your insides from falling out and your baseme
Ep 22 | Best Books for Perimenopause & Midlife Women: Hot Flashes & Page Turners
If perimenopause has turned your brain to mush and your patience to vapor, fear not—we've got your next reading list and your next excuse to hide in a closet with a book. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch tackle the hot topic of hot flashes and paperbacks, reminding us that reading is not just fundamental—it's survival. These two brilliant minds dive int
Ep 21 | Hormones Hocus Pocus: Lab Testing in Perimenopause
Welcome to the wild west of perimenopause, where hot flashes meet hashtags and popular influencers suddenly have a lab test recommendation—thanks, TikTok. Hormone lab testing is "trending" and the Docs are taking a skeptical scalpel to the flood of hormone lab testing trends that have invaded exam rooms and inboxes alike. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su
Ep 20 | Does HRT Cause Breast Cancer?
In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs dive headfirst into the hot (flash) topic of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for breast cancer survivors. It's complicated, it's emotional, and yes, it's got a healthy splash of perimenopause thrown in—because nothing says "fun" like navigating midlife with a side of oncology. They talk all about the swirling myths, the clickbait headlines, and the TikTok
Ep 19 | Battle of the Belly Bulge: Weight Loss Meds & Perimenopause
Welcome to the magical mystery tour that is perimenopause, where your hormones throw a rave and forget to invite your metabolism. In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs tackle the ever-fun topic of weight gain during perimenopause—because just when you thought you had your fitness routine down, suddenly your jeans won't button no matter what you do. Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su
Ep 18 | Birth Control During Perimenopause (yes, you might need it!)
Ahhhh…perimenopause: the delightful phase of life where your hormones throw a rager and forget to invite you. If you thought contraception was a concern of your younger years, think again. In this episode, the Docs are tackling the wild world of birth control during perimenopause—because yes, you can still get pregnant, and yes, that's as terrifying as it sounds. Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr.
Ep 17 | Perimenopause, Pain, and Misinformation with Dr. Jen Gunter
Perimenopause: it's not just hot flashes and rage-cleaning your kitchen at 2 a.m. (although that's part of it). In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs get into the chaos and confusion that is hormonal fluctuation with none other than Dr. Jen Gunter, the internet's favorite OBGYN and myth-slayer-in-chief. From PMS to PMDD to bleeding that seems to follow no known calendar system, this conversati
Ep 16 | Ask Us Anything: Perimenopause Edition
Perimenopause: it's like puberty's older, meaner cousin who shows up uninvited and messes with your thermostat. We asked for your all-things-perimenopause questions on Instagram, and now Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch are here to answer! In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs take listener questions in an "Ask Us Anything" session where no question is too personal, too awkward, or
Ep 15 | Perimenopause & Your Skincare Routine
Let's face it—perimenopause isn't exactly known for its sparkling perks (unless you consider surprise hot flashes a "perk"). But what it does bring is a whole new relationship with your skincare routine. In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs are diving into the hormonal chaos that makes your skin suddenly act like a moody teenager again—and what you can actually do about it––without buying 47
Ep 14 | Your Brain on Peri: Sleep
Strap in and grab your magnesium and chamomile tea—this week we're battling Perimenopause's sworn nemesis: a good night's sleep. Joining the Docs for the third part in the Your Brain on Peri series is the brilliant Dr. Meredith Broderick—triple-board certified in neurology, sleep medicine, and behavioral sleep medicine (basically, she's the Swiss Army knife of slumber science). Dr. Broderick brin
Ep 13 | Your Brain on Peri: Cognition
Ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why you're there? Or found yourself staring at a to-do list like it's written in an ancient language? You're not alone. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su tackle the maddening phenomenon of brain fog during perimenopause. Spoiler alert: It's not just you, and no, you're (probably) not losing your mind—just
Ep 12 | Your Brain on Peri: Mood
Perimenopause: the magical time of life when your emotions decide to go on an unpredictable rollercoaster ride, leaving you laughing, crying, and irrationally furious—all within the span of a single coffee break. This is the first in a three-part series about your brain during perimenopause. In part one, OvaryActive hosts Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch dive deep into the murky waters
Ep 11 | Weight Management During Perimenopause
Ah, perimenopause, that magical time when your body decides to play metabolic musical chairs without telling you the rules. Suddenly your favorite jeans feel like they belong to someone else and the weight gain is like a surprise subscription box — you don't remember signing up for it, but it keeps showing up! In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs are chatting with Stasi Kasianchuk, a Registe
Ep 10 | Menopause, Mood Swings, & Mojo––Keeping the Spark Alive
Perimenopause: the time in a woman's life when her hormones decide to play an elaborate game of musical chairs, and her body is just along for the ride. As if hot flashes and brain fog weren't enough, let's talk about another under-discussed topic—sexual health. In this episode the Docs are talking all about the complexities of intimacy, desire, and connection during perimenopause because, spoile
Ep 9 | Hormone Replacement Therapy Series: Women's Health Initiative
What do brain fog, bone health, and breast cancer all have in common? They're all part of the rollercoaster ride that is menopause. Ever wondered how hormone therapy became such a controversial topic, or why some studies seem to contradict each other? And is it possible to navigate perimenopause without feeling like a contestant on "Survivor: Hormonal Edition"? Grab a cup of tea (or a glass of wi
Ep 8 | Hormone Replacement Therapy Series: Estrogen
What do a 1940s scientific breakthrough, a 2000s public health scandal, and your perimenopause symptoms have in common? Answer: Estrogen. In this episode, the Docs kick off a hormone therapy series by telling listeners the dramatic story of estrogen. How "she" got famous, suffered a scandal, and is beginning to resurge in light of more information on menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Dr. Rebecca
Ep 7 | Hot Flashes Heard Around the World
How does perimenopause show up in your life compared to others'? Why do experiences vary so widely across cultures? What factors contribute to how people experience perimenopause? Each person's experience is completely unique, but in this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs are offering insight and wisdom to explain the complexities of perimenopause. Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch get
Ep 6 | The (Whole) Truth on IUDs During Perimenopause
Have you seen the headlines about an increased risk of breast cancer associated with levonorgestrel IUDs? You might know these IUDs as Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, or Liletta. Before you head to your OBGYN to schedule a removal, hang on: there's so much more to the story than just the headline. Lucky for us, our Docs, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su, have dedicated this episode of OvaryAc
Ep 5 | Merry Perimenopause
What do you give to the woman who has everything? She has it all–– including hot flashes, sleepless nights, blotchy skin, unexplained weight gain, and even a decreased (or increased?) libido. Do you need just the perfect gift guide for the woman in your life who has ALL these things? The Docs have just that for you in this episode of OvaryActive. Drs. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Amy Voedisch are shar
Ep 4 | Meeting of the Menopause Society
Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su attended the Menopause Society's annual conference in September 2024. It wasn't just a chance for them to hang out with each other in person, it was also a great opportunity to gain the latest insights into perimenopause and menopause. In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs share their top takeaways from the Menopause Society's conference. The session
Ep 3 | The Estrogen Equation: Aging Insights
Changes to your skin––add it to the list of things women face during perimenopause. It's completely understandable that you'll want to change up your skincare routine. However, you may want to get more information before slathering yourself with topical estrogen in response to skin changes and unwanted signs of aging. In this episode of OvaryActive, Drs. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Amy Voedisch expla
Ep 2 | Peri-What-Now?
We would have called this episode "What Fresh Hell is This?" but the title was already taken. But this title also works, because when we mention perimenopause to people, we often get that confused German Shepherd head tilt and "periwhatnow?" Given that this podcast is focused around perimenopause, we wanted to make sure listeners were clear on what perimenopause actually is. So what is it? If your
Ep 1 | Meet the Docs!
Why are women's bodies and their health so poorly understood and so often ignored, especially after their best baby-making years? Great question. The good news is, information and truth are out there. The bad news is, so is a lot of nonsense, myth, and fear-mongering. The best news is, OvaryActive exists to get you answers about your body and what it's up to. Drs. Amy Voedisch and Rebecca Dunsmo
Trailer | OvaryActive
Two gynecologists walk into a recording studio. Sounds like the start of a joke, and frankly, perimenopause can feel like the start of a joke too. Only this joke is on you. And it's not that funny. But back to those two OB/GYNS…. Dr Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch have been caring for the reproductive health of those born with uteruses for a while now. And the doctors are frankly pretty t
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