On Health for Women

In this episode I address the overall risks of COVID-19 with various autoimmune conditions, as well as risks for those of you on immunosuppressive medications. This information is not meant to replace your doctor’s advice, and should merely serve as a starting point for a conversation with your health care provider, and to raise your personal health awareness. And I hope it provides you with a sense of support and reassurance. To read an accompanying article go to avivaromm.com/covid-19-autoimmune-disease/

While herbs are an important part of my life and work, this is really a time to be cautious about who you listen to and conservative about what you try. In this episode I urge everyone to follow the CDC precautions for the prevention of COVID-19, adding in the importance of eating well and getting enough rest. For those of you who want to try herbs and supplements to support your immunity, I discuss which herbs and supplement are safe and have enough evidence in supporting immunity that they seem worth a try. For a companion article, go to avivaromm.com/covid-19-natural-prevention/

If you’re pregnant, naturally, you’re concerned about COVID-19 for your own health and your baby’s. Who wouldn’t be? While a thorough search of the medical literature and the CDC website for data on COVID-19 and pregnancy shows just how very little is known at this time about the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, the good news is that what we do know so far is generally reassuring about the risks to otherwise healthy pregnant women and their babies. For an updated article and podcast, visit avivaromm.com/covid-19-in-pregnancy/

The only treatments doctors usually recommend for endometriosis include pain medications, hormonal therapies, and surgery. These treatments have big risks, and aren’t always effective. In this episode I share four supplements and herbs that have been scientifically shown to not only help relieve the pain associated with endometriosis, but actually to reduce lesions and cysts. These natural approaches can be used alone or in combination with conventional treatments. If you, or someone you know, has been suffering from endometriosis, tune in to learn how to take control of your health naturally!To read the accompanying article go to avivaromm.com/endometriosis-herbs-supplements/

Many women have never experienced an orgasm. Many women don't know what they like in sex or how to ask for it. And a lot of women are struggling with chronic pelvic pain and other issues from endometriosis and other conditions that can make traditional sex very uncomfortable. Many of those women think this means they can't experience sexual pleasure. For one company, vibrators and sex toys aren't just about the business of pleasure. It's about helping women find empowerment and getting beyond sexual shame. In this episode I speak with Alexandra Fine, CEO of Dame Products.The mission of this company is to design well engineered sex toys to heighten intimacy and to openly empower the sexual experiences of womankind. Their products are also regularly prescribed by doctors as a drug free affordable solution to low libido, arousal disorders, and sexual function issues for those recovering from abuse, cancer, and more. Go to avivaromm.com/vibrator/ for a transcript and the show notes.

Hair loss. It fills our hair brushes, our sink drains, and our nightmares. It also brings a lot of women to my medical practice. Up to 50% of women will experience significant amount of hair loss in their life. In this episode we explore the common causes of hormonal hair loss and what you can do about it. For the accompanying article and show notes, go to avivaromm.com/hormonal-hair-loss/

Being a new momma can feel over the top exhausting at times - a lot of the time, in fact. But being a new mom with a thyroid problem can feel like holding baby while pushing a piano up a hill. Over the top. And it’s not just a slow functioning thyroid that can be making this time in your life feel crazy. An overactive thyroid can be keeping you from getting sleep and can riddle you with anxiety. You should not have to suffer. Neither should any new mom you know.Welcome to Natural MD Radio episode 120 - What New Moms Need to Know About Their Thyroid - to learn about a problem that’s affecting 1 in 12 new moms, and for which they are notoriously told by doctors and even well-meaning friends and family that “it’s just being a new mom” that has you feeling this way. It’s not, and there’s something you can do.Read the companion article at avivaromm.com/new-moms-thyroid/

Healthy thyroid function is essential to the physical and emotional health of pregnant women and to new moms. It’s also critical for the health of the baby.This is such an important topic that I’ve brought this popular podcast episode and blog back for an encore. I discuss the risks of undiagnosed thyroid problems for mom and baby, how thyroid function changes during pregnancy, and why it’s important for all pregnant women to get complete thyroid testing.You’ll also learn how to advocate for yourself to get the testing that you need, and the steps to take once you have your results.Read the companion article at avivaromm.com/thyroid-in-pregnancy/

Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid problem and the autoimmune form, Hashimoto’s disease, is the most common form of all. We know that 28 million individuals in the US alone are affected, and it's suspected that about 50% more are affected, have symptoms, and remain undiagnosed.Yet many doctors seem reluctant to do an adequate work-up of thyroid function. Some even refuse to give the tests that would help demystify whether you have hypothyroidism or another thyroid problem. This seems strange given how common thyroid problems are, and yet they are quite willing to freely prescribe antidepressants, when it's estimated that 15% of people on an antidepressant are depressed due to a hypothyroidism - which hasn't been diagnosed in them!Sadly, so many women are left believing that their symptoms of depression, fatigue, joint aches, weakness, weight gain and more are all in their head! Perhaps this has even happened to you.There are 6 key tests that can unlock the mystery of your thyroid function and are what your doctor should be looking at. In this encore presentation of Natural MD Radio I’m talking about what thyroid labs I run to diagnose patients and what labs you should ask for if you suspect you might have a thyroid problemShow notes at avivaromm.com/hypothyroid-testing-need-know/

While nobody wants to ever have a medical diagnosis, the diagnosis of hypothyroidism (or Hashimoto’s, the autoimmune form), which is now so common that 1 in 8 women can expect to receive a diagnosis in her lifetime, is readily ‘figureouttable” and with the right approach, generally very straightforward to manage and live with. Having Hashimoto’s doesn’t mean you’re not healthy, it’s definitely not a death sentence, nor does it automatically relegate you to a life of medications, frequent medical appointments, or ongoing testing. I’m going to walk you through the answers to the most common questions women have after getting a thyroid diagnosis - just as I do for patients in my practice.To read the companion article, go to avivaromm.com/hashimotos-diagnosis/

Did you know that spending too much time stuck survival mode can impact your thyroid health? It does so through a profound adrenal-thyroid connection. And what is one of the main things that triggers survival mode? Chronic stress!Because each of us is a living, breathing, complex whole organism, when any one aspect of our lives is affected, each of our internal ecosystems is impacted.. In this episode I focus on the very specific impact of stress on a gland that has enormous influence on our metabolism and weight, mood, and hormones: your thyroid. The important takeaway here is the while stressors may now be a chronic part of our lives, there are things you can do to rein it in so it doesn't wreak havoc on your health - or tank your thyroid. And there are things you can do to reverse it if it is already affecting you.You can read the accompanying article at avivaromm.com/heal-your-thyroid-get-out-of-survival-mode

Happy New Year! …and happy Thyroid Awareness Month! Your thyroid — a little butterfly-shaped gland in your neck — is responsible for controlling your energy and metabolism. Thyroid disease affects an estimated 40 million Americans, and nearly 90% of these are women. Studies show that 1 in 8 women can expect to develop hypothyroidism in her lifetime. In this episode, I discuss how to recognize the symptoms of hypothyroidism, why hypothyroidism is a feminist issue, why the medical community is ignoring this epidemic, and what we can do to change the story.“You are the expert on your own body.” - Aviva RommTo read the article that accompanies this episode of Natural MD Radio and for the Show Notes, go to www.avivaromm.com/hypothyroidism-feminist-issue/

Join me for my conversation with journalist Jennifer Block, author of Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care and Everything Below the Waist: Why Health Care Needs a Feminist Revolution. Jennifer recently found herself at the center of a social media storm over an article she wrote for Scientific American titled "Doctors Are Not Gods." We talk about why she wrote this article and the controversy it created, as well as the state of women's health in a medical system that is often closed to the alternatives women are seeking. For an excerpted transcript and show notes, go to avivaromm.com/jennifer-block/

Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Most people reach for it for everyday headaches like it’s no big deal. Acetaminophen has also long been considered generally safe for use during all stages of pregnancy, making it the first-choice pain and fever medication for pregnant women. Yet acetaminophen is not benign. Given the large number of pregnant women using the drug, even a small increase in risk of adverse outcomes in offspring can have important implications. Join me in this episode where I review the research on Tylenol in pregnancy and share my favorite effective and safe natural alternatives. For the accompanying article, go to avivaromm.com/headaches-in-pregnancy/

In her New York Times bestselling book, Come As You Are, Dr. Emily Nagoski, says that the most important factor for women in creating and sustaining a fulfilling sex life, is not what you do in bed or how you do it, but how you feel about it. This means that things like stress, mood, trust, connection, and body image are not peripheral factors in a woman’s sexual wellbeing; they are central to it. Join me in this episode of Natural MD Radio as I talk with Dr. Nagoski about what we can do to cultivate sexual wellbeing in our lives and for the next generation. And catch the transcript and show notes at avivaromm.com/emily-nagoski/

The use of herbs for the treatment of common pregnancy symptoms is very common. Studies and surveys estimate that up to 45% of women use an herbal therapy at some point during pregnancy. For better or worse, there are a lot of “experts” on the internet “wild-west” giving advice that may not always be accurate, so it’s important to get your information from reliable sources that you can trust. This episode, from a midwife-herbalist-MD will give you a glimpse into the potential benefits of herbs in pregnancy, and what's safe and what's not.For the accompanying article and episode links, go to avivaromm.com/herbal-medicines-in-pregnancy-safety/

Thalidomide, DES, the Dalkon Shield, Essure, Pelvic Mesh. The list of medical devices and treatments for women that have gone very wrong is extensive. Learn how big business has put profits over women's safety and health, and my top 5 recommendations for avoiding unnecessary, inappropriate, or possibly unsafe medical treatments. For an accompanying article and episode links, go to avivaromm.com/medical-devices/

If you’ve been exploring women’s hormone wellness online, you’ve likely come across articles touting the miracles of seed cycling for regulating the menstrual cycle. In case you missed it, seed cycling is a protocol where you consume specific seed combinations during distinct phases of the menstrual cycle in order to balance female hormones. The excitement is understandable. The promise of a simple, food-based solution to heal your hormonal woes is certainly compelling. However, overall, the science on seeds does not support the claims that are being made - eating this or that seed at a certain time in your cycle doesn’t regulate your hormones. Have a listen to this latest episode of Natural MD Radio, or read the article at avivaromm.com/seed-cycling/

Loss. Abuse. Violence. Bullying. Workplace mistreatment. None of these are experiences we want to have. Yet few humans get through life without being touched by one or another, in some way. This is particularly so for women.For many of us, these experiences create trauma that seems to settle into our bones in ways that shape the fabric of our lives.In this episode my friend Dr. James Gordon, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and a world-renowned expert in using mind body medicine to heal depression, anxiety, and psychological trauma, shares his views on the trauma faced by women in the US, including the impact of sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and microaggressions against women, on physical pain, weight, mood, and self-sabotaging habits, and his wisdom and experience on how to reframe trauma into growth. We also talk about how we can address our concerns and fears as parents in light of school shootings and other random acts of violence we're exposed to in our world at this time.For show notes to avivaromm.com/healing-trauma/

The idea that gut health is central to our total health goes back thousands of years, but it's been largely absent from modern medicine and science until very recently. In my practice as a medical doctor and herbalist, I see the gut as the epicenter of health. It's often one of the first areas of the body that I work on for helping my patients with many, many different types of conditions.What we know about the health of the newborn and the newborn's microbiome for example, how childhood and lifelong health can be altered by cesarean section or introduction of antibiotics to the mom in labor or at the time of the c-section, is eye-opening and just a tip of the iceberg on why the microbiome is something we should all know how to support and protect.Today I want to introduce you to one of the world's leading microbiome experts, Dr. Joseph Petrosino. Dr Petrosino is a Professor and Interim Chairman of the Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine where he's also the Director of the Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research.You can find the show notes at avivaromm.com/microbiome-research/

Can you relate to this? Do you suddenly find yourself catastrophizing when you’re on the verge of something great happening for you? Do you get stopped in your tracks by a fear just when life feels good and happy? If you have "happiness anxiety," you know it’s a real thing and can be a serious impediment in your life, keeping you from taking chances on relationships, opportunities, growth – and even just freaking enjoying your life in a big way. I promise you, you’re not crazy, you’re not alone, and it’s something you can totally transform. How? Listen to this episode of Natural MD Radio and read the show notes at avivaromm.com/anxiety-anticipation/

Strident debates about vaccinations have erupted in the public sphere which aren't helpful to parents trying to interpret lots of conflicting information about vaccine safety. In this episode of Natural MD Radio I share both my own story as I weighed whether to vaccinate my own four children in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as well as my experience as a healthcare provider, first as a homebirth midwife and then as a medical doctor. I also share links where you can find information about catch-up schedules, and some guidance on what to do - and avoid - if you are now choosing to implement vaccinations for any reason, including being able to send your kids to school in the absence of vaccine exemptions.

If you’ve been given an HPV diagnosis or have been told that you have ‘precancerous’ cervical changes or cervical dysplasia, there’s a good chance you’re freaking out. It’s a scary thing to hear, and often, the information isn’t delivered with the whole picture: namely that most HPV infections clear up on their own and most pre-cancerous lesions resolve spontaneously, with very little risk that they will progress to cancer.While appropriate conventional follow-up testing and treatment are absolutely essential with HPV and all cervical changes, and are part of a safe, healthy integrative approach, I'd like to share what's known about the natural approaches that have been researched with some promising results that women might want to use, not as a substitute, but while waiting to do follow-up testing for mild to moderate cervical changes. To read a companion article to this episode, go to avivaromm.com/natural-approaches-hpv/

Most women don't think about their cervix until they have to get a Pap smear. As if the pelvic exam wasn’t stressful enough, getting the news that you had abnormal Pap or positive HPV results, especially when accompanied by words like “cervical dysplasia,” “biopsy,” or “pre-cancerous,” can spin you out with worry. I get it. We’re not given much intel on what all those test results and terms really mean. On top of it, HPV vaccine marketing has put the fear of cervical cancer out there in a big way - so hearing you have HPV can make you panic.In this episode I break it all down for you, explaining the most common abnormal results that show up on these tests, what they mean, and what next steps are recommended for you, at your specific age. Hopefully it will put these results into perspective, and help you breathe a little more easily.To read a companion article to this episode, go to avivaromm.com/abnormal-pap-positive-hpv/

The Pap test, HPV screening, pelvic exams. As if hopping onto an exam table butt-naked wasn’t stressful enough, knowing what to do about these tests can be super confusing. I’m going to break it all down so you know what to say yes to, when and why, and when to say, “Thank you, but no!” To read a companion article to this episode, go to avivaromm.com/pelvic-exams/

Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/natural-treatments-measles-symptoms/

Thousands of chemicals used in beauty products, a $70 billion a year industry, are governed by federal regulations that haven’t been updated in decades. The laws that govern the FDA's authority over the cosmetics industry are just two pages long and have not been updated since 1938, when they were first enacted. Such meager tools leave federal officials nearly powerless to regulate the makeup, lotions, toothpastes, deodorants and other elixirs that often are applied to the most intimate parts of the human body.Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/clean-beauty-matters/

If nobody ever told you what a healthy vagina is supposed to smell like, join the club. But knowing is incredibly important because what makes a vagina’s odor healthy – or not – has an impact on your overall health. Listen to this episode of Natural MD Radio to learn all about the deadly douche story that never should have happen, how to sort out healthy scents from problem-signaling odors, and what you can do to get your vaginal ecology in top form.Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/healthy-vagina-smell/

If you have decided it’s time to come off the pill, have no fear. Most women transition off it without much problem. You’re not doomed to a life of hormonal imbalances. With the targeted strategies I walk you through you can reset, your hormone balance so that you, too, have healthy, natural cycles.Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/post-pill-reset/

At a time when the pace of medical advances can be breathtaking, the rate of maternal death in the United States remains stubbornly high at 14 for every 100,000 live births. The United States is one of only two developed countries whose maternal death rate actually worsened between 1990 and 2015. Unfortunately, African American women have the highest infant mortality rate of any group in the U.S. Why aren't we saving black mothers? Well, it's a matter of poor obstetric practices in the U.S. combined with overt racism. Women are more likely to be dismissed for pain than men. Our pain is often treated as stress or anxiety -- and black women fare worst.Did you know that black mothers die at three to four times the rate of white mothers? And did you know that black mothers are an astonishingly 243% more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes? In a national study of five medical complications that are the common causes for maternal death and injury, African American women in the United States are two to three times more likely to die than a white woman with the same condition.Today I am thrilled to be joined by a woman that is a student in my course on herbal medicine for women. She is making inroads to changing the culture of birth in the US -- both one mother at a time and on a larger organizational level. Aza Nedhari is a certified professional midwife, family counselor pursuing a PhD in organizational leadership, and the founding executor of Mamatoto's Village, a perinatal support organization in Washington D.C. She has more than 15 years of experience in youth development, reproductive and sexual health, and program development and curriculum design.Fiercely dedicated to women, Aza is doing something I have never seen before and her model has a real opportunity to create global systemic change. In addition to helping pregnant women identify and work through any needs they may have, teaching women what the mother's role is as a co-creator in the birth process, and tailoring their perinatal program to the mothers' needs, Mamatoto's Village also offers massages for pregnant women, helps these women learn how to grocery shop healthily, and offers overnights and regular checkups for post-partum women."We walk that journey with her to have her be in a better place and position than when she walked through the door." - Aza NedhariJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/saving-black-mothers/

Detoxification is something our bodies do naturally. Unfortunately, things are much different for us now than they were for our ancestors. While they were exposed to very few environmental toxins as little as 75 years ago, the same cannot be said for us today. We are simultaneously being overloaded by external toxins and undersupported by our diets because our diets are not balanced enough to keep our natural detox processes robust.Over the past few weeks of our series on detoxification, we have talked about the impact that too much detoxification can have on your health, as well as the differences between metabolic and psychologic detoxification and the dangers of fad detoxes. I want to wrap up this series discussing the very powerful role that some foods and supplements can play in our body's natural detoxification processes. I also want to share some of my favorite botanicals and herbs that I use with my patients to support their natural detoxification processes.Today I'm excited to dive into the steps of a 12-week detox program. Along the way, I'll share with you some of my absolute favorite botanicals and herbs to use to support the detoxification process while also showing you how to be intentional about limiting exposures to harmful toxins in your home, food, and household products.Listen in as I talk about the historical and scientific support behind these detoxifying herbs and the steps you can take to rid your home and your body of the harmful toxins that are getting in the way of your health."The more we can return to simple and natural, the more we can use less." - Aviva RommJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/detoxification-101/

Did you know that we are facing a continuing growing cesarean section crisis? The overuse of cesarean sections, especially in the United States, is not new, but it has certainly continued to become more prevalent globally over the past 15 years. Women's ability to give birth is not greatly dependent on geography, and yet many women in low-income countries do not even have access to this method of birth when necessary. Wide variations in intervention statistics between regions tell us that something is very wrong.Joining me is Dr. Marleen Temmerman, a force in bringing the overuse and under-access of cesarean sections to the wider medical community. She is an obstetrician/gynecologist and a world leader in women's and children's health.Notably, Dr. Temmerman was the senior author on a series of focus articles in The Lancet medical journal for October 2018. She also has a strong record of diplomacy, advocacy, and clinical expertise. She also served as the director of the Department of Reproductive Health and Research for the WHO, as an elected senator for the Belgian parliament, and is the founding director of the International Centre of Reproductive Health at Ghent University, with offices in Kenya and Mozambique."Who is contributing to the increase in cesarean sections? Basically, it is the gynecologists who hold the knife." - Dr. Marleen TemmermanJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/marleen-temmerman/

Today I talk with Joanna Kempner, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Rutgers, who is doing important work for gender politics and pain. In this episode of Natural MD Radio, we discuss the idea of a migraine personality, the historical concept of hysteria, and how this has all evolved to create a disparity in pain treatment for women -- especially women of color in the United States.We also talk about the societal factors that have led many women to feel guilty for speaking up about their pain, whether it be chronic pain caused by a condition like migraine or pain after childbirth, for example. We share the ways that the stigma of pain affects pain research and the implications that this has for the current and future treatment of women's pain.Listen to today's episode to learn why these disparities in pain treatment still exist and how we can combat them in our own lives."If a drug worked well it would not create a situation in which it was exacerbating the very problem it was treating." - Joanna KempnerJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/kempner-migraine/

Vitex earns a place in my Top 5 Favorite Herbs for Women and today, I want to tell you how this powerful herb can help with your hormones. Hormonal imbalances are one of the most common complaints I see in my practice, and include conditions like PMS (to which more than 150 symptoms have been attributed, and which affects millions of women, irregular menstrual cycles (menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS, fertility challenges, and menopausal symptoms. Robust scientific evidence now supports the traditional use of vitex for women's hormones - I'll walk you through what you need to know in this episode."A lot of hormonal symptoms we chalk up as “normal” are actually signals that something is out of balance in the body – if you’re ready to regain your health, you might find a great ally in vitex!"Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/vitex-hormones/

If you're freaking out at a little (or a lot) at the thought of pushing a small cantaloupe sized head out of your vagina and also want to do everything you can to avoid unnecessary medical interventions at your birth, including cesarean, you’re probably here because you’re doing your homework ahead of time to learn what to do to make this upcoming passage into motherhood as short, easy, empowering, and as safe as possible for yourself - and your baby. I'm here to help!Thirty-five years of practice initially as a home birth midwife, and then as an MD specializing in women’s health, including obstetrics, as well as being a momma of four, has shown me that labor and birth can be - yes - hard work - but beautiful, powerful events in our lives. While there should be absolutely no judgment over what type of birth experience you prefer or ultimately require, it’s worthwhile considering what natural tools we have that can help us avoid the speed bumps that often lead to preventable birth interventions - the most common being not going into labor within a reasonable amount of time after your due date (this is hotly debated - most obstetricians think within a week after, however normal human gestation actually goes up to two weeks after, which most midwives support), having a long labor, or need for pain medication, which often becomes the case when labor is going long."While there should be absolutely no judgment over what type of birth you prefer or require, it’s worth considering the natural tools that can help you avoid preventable birth interventions." - Aviva Romm.Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/herbs-easier-labor/

You've heard me use the term 'food as medicine' in the past. Today, in the third episode in our series on detoxification, I'm going to talk about what that really means. While it's easy to think we need all kinds of supplements and fancy detoxes, food as medicine is not an abstract concept. Which foods are detoxification foods and how exactly do they help us?You'll learn about nutrients that are important to maintaining a healthy diet and healthy life, and how we can get them in our foods."Food as medicine is not an abstract concept." - Aviva Romm.Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/detoxification-101/

I am sure that you have all heard about trendy detox programs, but did you know that detoxification is different than the term 'detox'? Last week I shared just the tip of the iceberg on the dangers of environmental toxins in our bodies and in our surroundings. In the second episode in our series on detoxification, today I dive into how detoxification really works.I talk about detoxification, why it's important, and how it's related to the toxins we are being exposed to on a regular basis. We are all detoxifying every single day. Our bodies do it naturally. It's not something we're supposed to do intentionally. But because we're both overexposed to environmental triggers and deficient in the nutrients needed to support detoxification, I explain why we need to make a more conscious effort to mind the detoxification processes."The sheer volume of chemicals we're exposed to every day is so great that it threatens to overload our natural systems." - Dr. RommJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/detoxification-101/

Every day it seems there is a new fad detox or cleanse program promising to help us get healthier. But what led us to believe that these programs were needed? The burden to detoxify the body has been placed on women and our diets, yet biological systems are already in place to do just that. So is detoxification real?Listen in to today’s episode where I discuss the environmental factors that we should be worried about, the origins and effects of these toxic chemicals, and what you can do to protect yourself and your children in the future."If we can't drink our water, if we can't breathe our air, if we can't trust our soil, that is a global crisis that affects us all." - Aviva RommJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/detoxification-101/

Cleanses, detoxes, and fasts have existed for centuries for various purposes and with varying degrees of scientific validity. It is more common than ever for people to be self-administering a detox, cleanse, or fast as a way to lose weight or regulate toxins. Some of these traditional healing practices can have merit, but when done to extremes they can cause health problems -- especially for women and their thyroid health. Are there safe detox programs?Listen in to today's episode to hear what a healthy detox program looks like, what health complications can be caused by entering into a fast under the wrong circumstances and how to know whether a cleanse is a good choice for you.“Too much of a good thing can become a problem.” - Aviva RommJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/detoxification-101/

Today I'm talking about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which affects over 5 million women in the U.S, and what natural approaches you can take to help.“You can reduce or eliminate any of the stresses that you don’t have to have. So stop saying yes to so many things - say no to things that you don’t have to take on.” - Aviva Romm.Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to www.avivaromm.com/pcos-natural-prescription/

What is vaginal seeding and why is the infant microbiome so important? Two modern medical practices, antibiotic use and cesarean section, carry consequences even when used appropriately. Both practices have been recognized as being overused in recent decades. Studies have demonstrated that babies born by cesarean have a greater lifetime risk of obesity, type one diabetes, asthma, and celiac disease.Joining me today is Doctor Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello. She is one of the most accomplished and respected microbiome researchers in the world and arguably the leading researcher on the infant microbiome, cesarean section, and the microbiome's impact on health. Dr. Dominguez-Bello’s landmark pilot study on the partial repopulation of the vaginal microbiome of babies born by cesarean led to the term vaginal seeding - now a self-help practice being used by some parents and midwives in the United States. We discuss the practice of vaginal seeding, the effects of cesarean section, consequences of antibiotic use, probiotics, and ongoing clinical trials at the forefront of infant microbiome research.“We have evidence that we can normalize the microbiota of babies that are born by c-section if they are exposed to vaginal bacteria, vaginal fluids.” - Dr. Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello.Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/restoring-babys-microbiome-after-cesarean/ 

Have you ever been to the doctor to ask about symptoms of adrenal fatigue – like fatigue, anxiety, weight gain, cravings, hair loss, hormonal imbalances, thyroid symptoms – only to be told: “You’re fine, there’s nothing wrong with you?" The dominate medical model has a tendency to overlook women's symptoms and tell us that it's all in our heads, but I have news for you: Your symptoms are not just in your head. You’re not crazy. Something new that doctors don’t recognize yet is going on.In today’s episode of Natural MD Radio I discuss the controversial topic of adrenal fatigue and whether or not it is a real thing, and I bet you'll be surprised by what I have to say! Tune in to learn the science of what's really going on in your body, why the medical system isn’t keeping up, and what you can do to get the care you need to take back your health.“Doctors are taught, ’if we can’t measure it, then it’s not happening.’”-- Dr. Aviva RommJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/adrenal-fatigue-real-thing/

Even though you might not know it, Dr. Philip Landrigan’s work has directly impacted your life. Every time you are fueling your car or walking into your home and don’t have to worry that your child might be exposed to lead paint, it’s thanks to Dr. Landrigan. Dr. Landrigan was the first to document the effects of lead poising on American children, which led to the US government mandating the removal of lead from many products that we interact with on a daily basis. After “getting out the lead,” Dr. Landrigan turned his attention to cleaning up our food supply and bringing to light the risks that pesticides pose to the health of our children and families.So how can you protect your children from environmental toxins? Chemicals are everywhere in today’s world and it’s impossible to protect your child completely from the risks that they pose… but don’t panic! In today’s episode of Natural MD Radio, Dr. Landrigan and I discuss the 3 biggest hazards to your child’s health, and what you can do — starting today — to keep your family safe.“There’s no way that any parent can protect their child completely against chemicals — chemicals are just too ubiquitous in today’s world — my philosophy is to give parents actionable information.” - Dr. Philip LandriganJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/environmental-toxins-with-philip-landrigan/

Laila Ali is a world class athlete, fitness & wellness expert, TV host, cooking enthusiast, founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand, mother of two, and daughter of the late beloved global icon and humanitarian, Muhammad Ali. In today’s episode, we dive into Laila’s story of how she discovered women’s health as her passion after she retired from her career as a four-time undefeated boxing world champion. Tune in to hear Laila’s own journey to health, how she prioritizes self-care while working as a rockstar entrepreneur and mama, and her practical tips to start cooking and implementing healthy eating habits for you, and your whole family.“Don’t get bitter — get better.” - Laila AliJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/laila-ali/

There’s no doubt about it – antibiotics are a good thing. They save lives every day. But are they as safe as they are common? In today’s episode, we dive into the largest global public health threat facing the world today — antibiotic resistance. The overprescribing and inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics, and the overuse of antibiotics in the food industry, is creating resistant strains of bacteria that no longer respond to antibiotics that used to effectively treat certain infections. Tune in to learn why antibiotics get overprescribed, how you can get the tools and information you need in order to do your part to stop this trend, and my 8 go-to herbal antibiotic alternatives for common infections.“More is not better in the case of antibiotics.” - Aviva RommJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/herbal-antibiotic-alternatives/

Lealah Henderson is a new mom with an empowering birth story to share. I had the pleasure of being part of Lealah’s home birth team, and am thrilled that Lealah is so generous in sharing her beautiful story with my Natural MD Radio community! In today’s episode, we discuss why Lealah decided to have a home birth, how she assembled her dream birth team, and she shares a detailed account of the birth as it unfolded. Tune in to learn firsthand what home birth is like, and how family and community can make all the difference. Note that we do talk graphically about birth in this episode.“I knew that I could do this at home, and I knew I had the support that I needed to do this at home.” - Lealah HendersonJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/home-birth-family-affair/

Did you know that only about 26% of women have taken a close look at their own lady parts? Do you know the difference between a vagina and a vulva? Today we are going to go (down) there! I start by talking about terminology, how to define your parts, and why words are important. Then, in the second half of the episode, I’ll walk you through how to get comfy and take a look for yourself. If you’re not ready for that step, don’t worry — you can still learn a lot about your body simply by tuning in!“When it comes to your lady parts — knowledge is power.” - Dr. Aviva RommJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/lady-parts/

Today I’m joined by Maya Dusenbery, a writer, the editor of Feministing.com, and the author of the new book Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick, which explores how gender bias in the medical system is harming women. In this episode we discuss the unconscious biases against women that exist in medicine, where these biases come from historically, and how activism and spreading awareness can help shed light on the issue. It’s time for the medical system to start trusting women’s voices, and it’s going to take big change from health care providers — and brave action from patients — to make it happen.“Throughout medical history women’s activism has been very important in creating change.” - Maya DusenberyJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/Doing-Harm/

If you’ve been suffering from endometriosis, you know how much it can impact your life — and you might try anything to get relief from the pain. You also know that the only treatments doctors recommend include pain medications, hormonal therapies, and surgery. These treatments have big risks, and aren’t always effective. In this episode I share four supplements and herbs that have been scientifically shown to not only help relieve the pain associated with endometriosis, but actually to reduce lesions and cysts. These natural approaches can be used alone or in combination with conventional treatments. If you, or someone you know, has been suffering from endometriosis, tune in to learn how to take control of your health naturally!“So many women are going to medications or surgery first because they don’t know that there are other options.” - Aviva RommJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/endometriosis-herbs-supplements/

For Dr. Frank Lipman health is more than just the absence of disease — it’s a total state of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellbeing. Dr. Lipman is a widely recognized trailblazer in functional and integrative medicine and the New York Times Bestselling Author of five books. In this episode of Natural MD Radio, Dr. Lipman joins us to talk about his new book How to Be Well. We discuss how millennials inspired Dr. Lipman to write this practical guide to health, why it’s about more than functional or integrative medicine, and how the key to transforming your health is in simple lifestyle changes taken at your own pace.“I’m a big believer in the extraordinary power of ordinary things.” - Dr. Frank LipmanJoin Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine. To learn more about this episode of Natural MD Radio go to avivaromm.com/how-to-be-well/