OvaryActive

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 are here to tell us what’s really going on with our bodies during this hormonal joyride. They talk through the outdated gospel of BMI, the realities of lifestyle changes...

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. Amy Voedisch are talking about everything from IUDs to sterilization myths, and explaining why contraception still matters even when your cycle starts playing hide-and-seek.They break down the science...

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 conversation tackles the messy, misunderstood realities of perimenopause with wit, wisdom, and zero tolerance for pseudoscience.

Dr. Gunter is a bestselling author and advocate for fact-based women’s health...

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 too hormonally charged. From postpartum to perimenopause, they unpack how these hormonal roller coasters are more connected than you think—and why your 30s and 40s feel like a chaotic sequel to adolescence.

You’...

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 different serums.

Joining the Docs is the fabulous Dr. Jessica Healy, who brings her expert insights and her sunscreen to explain the science (and nonsense) behind skincare. This tr...

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 brings her expertise on why perimenopausal sleep is often so elusive, how women are uniquely impacted by sleep disorders, and why sleep medicine isn’t just about popping a pill and hoping for th...

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 your estrogen.

In this enlightening and comforting conversation, the Docs explain down how hormonal fluctuations can scramble memory, multitasking skills, and general cognitive function. They also discuss...

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 of hormones, mood swings, and cognitive hiccups that make perimenopause feel like an elaborate prank. Good (?) news: you're definitely not alone in feeling like your brain is working against you.

The Do...

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 Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Exercise Physiologist, and Gennev’s Senior Director of Lifestyle Care. Stasi is on the show to talk all about the complexities of hormonal shifts and weight gain during p...

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, spoiler alert, sexual health doesn’t just disappear after 40 (or at least, it doesn’t have to).

Joining the conversation is Dr. Leah Millheiser, a sexual medicine expert who knows a t...

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 wine—we won’t judge) and join the Docs for an enlightening discussion.

Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch tackle the ins and outs of the Women's...

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 Dunsmoor–Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch mix science, history, and some observations on how medical research has typically treated women to explain how randomized controlled trials and evolving interpretations of data have reshaped...

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 into the epidemiology of perimenopause. They shed light on how genetics, social norms, and environmental factors play a role in shaping individual experiences. They also discuss the importance of a holistic and personalized approach to man...

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 OvaryActive to breaking down the science and the stats surrounding breast cancer, the role of progestins, and the implications of recent studies. What are the benefits, risks, truths, and mis...

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 sharing a curated holiday gift list to help you focus on the women in your life that are already getting the joy of perimenopause this holiday season. 

The...

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 sessions they attended covered a wide range of topics from understanding hormonal fluctuations to the significance of nutrition and weight management for women during “The Change.” They also heard about new guidelines for breast...

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 explain recent studies with relevant findings for women’s health. First, they look at a study focused on the effects of using topical estrogen during perimenopause and menopause. They also discuss findings fr...

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 periods are changing, if your moods are wonky, if every day something new happens, leaving you wondering “what fresh hell is this?” then it’s perimenopause.

Truth is, ther...

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 Dunsmoor-Su know a lot about women’s bodies. 

Both doctors are practicing ob/gyns with years of experience and knowledge. Both are champions of and ad...

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 tired of how those body bits — and the people they belong to — get ignored by medical science when they are no longer i...