Our Womanity Q & A with Dr. Rachel Pope

About Our Womanity Q & A with Dr. Rachel Pope

Dr. Rachel Pope, along with women's healthcare professionals, experts, and inspiring women address commonly asked (and not asked) questions about, health equity, sexual health, menopause, perimenopause, reproductive health care, anatomy, aging and more. Whether you have questions about periods, pregnancy, or menopause, we will do our best to address them here!

Publisher

Dr. Rachel Pope

Category

health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Mar 2023

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

78 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   19. Beyond Hot Flashes with Anna Myers, DNP

   Menopause isn't just about hot flashes and brain fog—for many women, it shows up in the bladder, pelvic floor, and bedroom long before anywhere else. In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with co-founder of The Menopause Retreat, Anna Myers, DNP—a doctorally prepared, board-certified Women's Health, Family Practice, and Urology Nurse Practitioner and Certified Sexual Health Counselor. Together, they dive deep into the unspoken physical and emotional challenges of perimenopause and menopause. Anna explains why women shouldn't accept bladder leakage, painful sex, or recurrent UTIs as "just part of getting older." They discuss Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), debunk common myths surrounding vaginal estrogen, discuss why perimenopause can be a lonely transition, and reveal what's in store for The Reset 2027 Menopause Retreat in Florida. Key Takeaways: * The Evolution of the Menopause Conversation: Women are no longer just asking "Can I have estrogen?"—they are seeking long-term quality-of-life strategies for the next 30+ years. * Menopause "Below the Belt": Hormonal drops can impact the bladder and urethra before hot flashes even begin, causing urinary urgency, frequency, burning, or recurrent UTIs. * Understanding GSM: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) encompasses dryness, irritation, painful intercourse, delayed orgasms, urgency, and bladder symptoms. It's a medical condition, not a personal failing. * Why Systemic HRT Isn't Always Enough: Even if you wear an estrogen patch, you may still need low-dose local vaginal estrogen to treat target tissue in the vagina and urethra directly. * Vaginal Estrogen Myth-Busting: Anna and Dr. Pope bust common myths regarding vaginal estrogen—explaining why it's safe, how it differs from systemic HRT, why non-sexually active women still need it, and how to navigate options beyond messy creams. * The Power of Community: Perimenopause can last for years; in-person retreats provide a safe space to ask intimate questions and build resilience alongside expert clinicians. Guest Bio Anna Myers is a doctorally prepared Nurse Practitioner board-certified in Women's Health, Family Practice, and Urology, as well as a certified Sexual Health Counselor. She brings extensive clinical expertise in sexual medicine, urogynecology, and menopause care, helping women overcome bladder issues, intimacy changes, and pelvic discomfort. She is the co-founder of The Menopause Retreat. Connect & Resources Upcoming Event: The Reset: 2027 Florida Menopause Retreat [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-reset-tickets-2003083457543] Instagram: @themenopauseretreat [https://www.instagram.com/themenopauseretreat/] Facebook: Follow our Facebook page here [https://www.facebook.com/share/1FFH4dMJXo/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Website: The Menopause Retreat [https://www.menopauseandsexualhealth.com/]

2. 

   12 Oct 2026

   18. Desquamative Inflammatory Vaginitis (DIV)with Chailee Moss, M.D.

   Have you suffered from chronic vulvovaginal burning or persistent discharge that keeps getting misdiagnosed as "just another yeast infection"? In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with Dr. Chailee Moss, an expert in vulvovaginal disorders. Dr. Moss sheds light on Desquamative Inflammatory Vaginitis (DIV)—an underdiagnosed inflammatory condition affecting 2% to 4% of women. They discuss why standard PCR vaginitis panels fail to catch DIV, the "three-legged stool" of root causes (immune overactivity, tissue hormone deficiency, and microbiome disruptions), and why in-office microscopy is crucial. Dr. Moss outlines her evidence-based treatment protocol—combining topical estrogen, clindamycin, and hydrocortisone—and explains how to prevent the resulting "yeast bomb" with suppressive antifungal therapy. Finally, they address medical gaslighting, the limits of 15-minute clinical visits, and how taking time to truly listen transforms patient outcomes. Dr. Chailee Moss, MD, is an OB/GYN specializing in vulvovaginal disorders and pelvic pain at Center for Vulvovaginal Disorders. She earned her MD at UNC Chapel Hill and completed residency at The Ohio State University as Chief Resident of Education. Key Takeaways * What is DIV?: A chronic, non-infectious inflammatory condition causing severe burning and profuse, irritating green/thick discharge. * Microscopy vs. PCR: Standard DNA swabs miss DIV because they do not check for white blood cells or parabasal cells; in-office wet mount microscopy is required. * Treatment & Maintenance: Managed via a combination of topical estradiol, clindamycin, and hydrocortisone, often paired with weekly fluconazole to prevent yeast overgrowth. * Overcoming Medical Gaslighting: Systemic time constraints often leave patients dismissed; comprehensive 60+ minute visits and written, customized care plans are key to healing. Resources * Website: vulvodynia.com [https://vulvodynia.com/] * Instagram: @chaileemoss [https://www.instagram.com/drchaileemoss/]

3. 

   1 Oct 2026

   17. Peptides for Perimenopause & Menopause with Jackie Giannelli, FNP-BC, MSCP

   Are peptides a revolutionary biohack for longevity, skin, and fat loss, or just another unregulated social media trend? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with Jackie Giannelli—board-certified nurse practitioner, Menopause Society certified specialist, and founder of the Well Versed Collective. Jackie breaks down the complex world of peptides, explaining what these amino acid chains actually do as cellular signaling molecules. Together, they cover the full spectrum of peptide medicine: from FDA-approved therapies like GLP-1s and Bremelanotide (Vyleesi) for sexual desire, to off-label regenerative peptides (BPC-157), growth hormone secretagogues (Sermorelin), and beauty peptides (GHK-Cu). They discuss the critical difference between topical vs. injectable forms, the FDA's regulatory landscape (Category 1 vs. Category 2), the dangers of black-market "research-grade" peptides, and why hormone optimization and basic lifestyle habits must always come first. Guest Bio Jackie Giannelli, MSN, FNP-BC, MSCP, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner, Menopause Society certified specialist, and clinical strategist for Mount Sinai's Carolyn Rowan Center for Women's Health and Wellness. She is the founder of the Well Versed Collective and author of the midlife women's health newsletter In the Saddle. Practicing in New York City and Connecticut, Jackie specializes in hormone optimization, peptide therapy, sexual wellness, and evidence-based longevity protocols. Key Takeaways * What Peptides Actually Are: Chains of amino acids that act as cellular signaling molecules, telling cells to perform their natural functions more efficiently. * Basics Before Peptides: Peptide therapy relies on existing cellular pathways; optimizing sleep, movement, nutrition, and Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) ensures maximum safety and efficacy. * FDA-Approved vs. Off-Label: Highlighting FDA-approved peptides like GLP-1s (weight loss) and Bremelanotide/Vyleesi (HSDD) versus off-label or experimental peptides. * The GHK-Cu Spectrum: Topical copper peptides have modest dermatologic data for skin quality, but injected GHK-Cu lacks human randomized controlled trials. * Red Flags & Black-Market Risks: Buying "research use only" (RUO) peptides online via cryptocurrency carries high risks of contamination, lack of purity, and inaccurate dosing. Always work with licensed clinicians sourcing from 503A or 503B compounding pharmacies. * Sexual Medicine & GLP-1s: High-dose GLP-1s can sometimes blunt libido and orgasm by reducing dopamine reward pathways. Strategies like microdosing, hormone optimization, or combining with Vyleesi/oxytocin can preserve sexual wellness. * Cycling & Health Screenings: Growth hormone secretagogues require periodic cycling to let cells rest and mandate up-to-date cancer screenings (mammograms, etc.) prior to use. Resources & Links Mentioned * Jackie Giannelli Website: jackiegiannellinp.com [https://jackiegiannellinp.com/] * Social Media: Instagram @jackie.giannellinptalks [https://www.instagram.com/jackie.giannellinptalks/?hl=en] * Featured Longevity Practice: Kinetic Edge Health [https://kineticedgehealth.com/]

Who has been a guest on Our Womanity Q & A with Dr. Rachel Pope

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Anne Sammarco
• Dr Maria Shaker
• Dr Jewel M Kling
• Maisha Sullivan Ongoza

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

59

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

Contact Our Womanity Q & A with Dr. Rachel Pope

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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