On Health for Women (Aviva Romm)

In this episode Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz, known as the Kitchen Curandera, and I explore the profound role of ancestral wisdom in women’s health. Felicia shares her journey of carrying forward her great-grandmother’s curanderismo practices and how food, plants, and rituals can transform the way we heal and care for ourselves across life’s stages.

From pregnancy to postpartum to the wisdom years of menopause, this episode is filled with insights on using food and herbs as medicine, as well as creating nourishing rituals that reconnect us to our roots.

Whether you're on a hormone healing journey, a new mama, or navigating perimenopausal or menopausal changes, or simply curious about ancestral healing, this episode offers practical wisdom to guide you.

What You'll Learn

• How ancestral wisdom shapes the way we approach women’s health
• Food as medicine: how nourishing traditions support healing in postpartum and beyond
• Herbs every woman should know for pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause
• Creating rituals and honoring transitions in women’s life cycles
• Why connecting to your roots matters for holistic healing

Links and Resources

• Learn more and register for Herbal Academy's FREE 2025 Virtual Herbalism Conference
• Learn more about Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz and her book Earth Medicines at her website, Kitchen Curandera
• Study herbal medicine with Aviva as a student in her Herbal Medicine for Women course

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/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 Lipman

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/how-to-be-well/

The teen years are a trope and a meme in our culture. We’re inevitably warned the minute we have a baby and admire her cute little face at a family gathering, in a restaurant, waiting in the checkout at the grocery: Just wait until she’s - or he’s -  a teen. And it’s no wonder - the teen years - which we all remember too - are fraught with big changes: big hormonal shifts, changes in our neurobiology, changes in how we see our place in the world, changes in how we see our parents. It’s complicated. 

And it’s become more complicated - for both teens and their parents- in recent years. If you read the news, and certainly if you’re a parent, you can’t have missed the many headlines that have come out in recent years, from the impact of social media on our daughters,  the impact of lockdown during COVID on our teen's mental health, and complicated issues around gender and identity. 

My guest, Dr. Lisa Damour, is here to help us unpack the mystery of teenagers and to support parents of teens. This is a must listen even if you still just have a babe in arms, or if you’re a grandparent, auntie, or healthcare provider. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

The Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to https://avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn more

Burnout is an epidemic. But there's help! Giving yourself time to pause and replenish is so important, and using adaptogens can help.

"The role of adaptogens is not to allow you to not hit the pause button - they are to help you heal when you have hit the pause button and to give you a little extra support during those times." - 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/adaptogens-burnout-2/

Depression has so much to do with inflammation, so today I’m talking about turmeric, an herb that can decrease inflammation and help with your depression.

“One of the effects of turmeric is that it contains chemicals in it that prevent or fight inflammation once it takes hold.” - 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/women-turmeric-depression/

Tired of too many detoxes? Today Dr. Deanna Minich talks about her new book, Whole Detox, taking into account the whole human instead of just the physical.

“To me, a toxin is anything that stands in the way of our growth and healing.” - Dr. Deanna Minich

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/deanna-minich/

Ever wondered who is behind the health articles in the New York Times? The answer is Anahad O'Connor. Listen in as he and Aviva discuss food and health.

“It’s pretty clear that we have a broken food system.” - Anahad O'Connor

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/anahad-oconnor/

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 Dusenbery

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/Doing-Harm/

My hope is to give you an overview of herb safety during pregnancy with practical advice on when to be cautious and what are allies that we can turn to.

“We know that about 90% of pregnant women who go in for prenatal care will come out with a pharmaceutical recommendation, a prescription, at some point during the pregnancy.” - 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/herbal-medicines-in-pregnancy-safety/

I’m so excited to share an encore interview with the brilliant, hilarious, and incredibly insightful Emily Nagoski, author of Come As You Are, Come Together, and Burnout (co-written with her sister). Emily is a renowned sex educator who brings a blend of scientific rigor and relatable storytelling to the conversation about women's sexual health and pleasure. Get ready for a foxy (you’ll have to listen to hear why this is literally true!)conversation full of laughter, wisdom, and relatable experiences. Today we talk about her latest book: Come Together (she does come up the most perfect titles!). Note we talk about SEX and get real. So perhaps not an episode with littles in the car unless you want to do a lot of explaining while you listen. 

In this episode we dive deep into:

• High Expectations and Reality Checks: Emily shares the unexpected challenges of writing Come As You Are and the personal journey that inspired Come Together. Discover how stress and exhaustion can impact desire, even for a sex educator.
• The Emotional Floor Plan: Learn about the emotional floor plan concept that Emily developed to understand her journey from stress to pleasure. This framework is a game-changer for navigating intimacy in long-term relationships.
• Say the Words: Emily and Aviva discuss the importance of desensitizing yourself to sexual language. Get ready to laugh and learn as they share exercises for getting comfortable talking about sex - starting with getting comfortable talking about body parts. 
• The Patriarchy and Pleasure: Emily dives into the complex impact of the patriarchy on sexual relationships. Discover how societal norms and expectations shape our desires and how to break free from them.
• Unleashing Your Inner Wild: Aviva and Emily explore how women can reconnect with their deep feminine energy and inner wise woman. Learn about the power of rewilding and embracing your authentic self.
• Navigating Change: Practical tips for couples on how to navigate change and maintain a strong sexual connection. From creating safe conversations to understanding each other’s needs, this segment is packed with actionable advice.
• The Four Questions: Emily shares four essential questions to help couples understand and improve their sexual relationship. These questions are a roadmap to deeper connection and pleasure.
• The Power of Love: Emily’s profound realization about the impermanence of life and the importance of kindness, compassion, and play in relationships. Aviva reflects on her own 40-year marriage and the lessons she’s learned.

We hope this episode helps you feel seen, heard, and empowered. If you enjoy it - and On Health in general - please share this with a friend and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes on the regular.

Resources Mentioned:

• Emily Nagoski’s books: Come As You Are, Come Together, and Burnout (co-written with her sister).
• Aviva Romm’s courses and blog: AvivaRomm.com

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in...

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/

If you’re pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant any time in the next year, preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy and nourishing your growing baby are probably top of mind. Along with eating as well as you can to optimize your fertility and pregnancy health, this is the time many women consider whether or not they should be taking a prenatal vitamin and which one of the many options to choose. In fact, one of the most common questions I get is: do I need a prenatal vitamin? And if so, how do I know if I’m getting a good quality one?

In this episode I'll share why prenatal vitamins help optimize preconception and pregnancy and what exactly I recommend to the women I work with. Let’s clear the confusion so you can feel confident in the choice you make for your health and baby’s health. 

For an accompanying article, go to avivaromm.com/prenatal-vitamins/

My guest today is a fermentationist and founder of Guts and Glory, Summer Bock, whose goal is to help us all be stronger and more energetic through food.

“I think of a healing journey as a staircase: you take one step at a time, and not every step looks the same.” - Summer Bock

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/fermentationist/

What if we looked deeper than just a disease what was really causing the symptoms? Today I’m sharing the six things that Hashimoto’s is trying to tell us.

"I want us to look underneath at what’s really going 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 avivaromm.com/hashimotos-symptoms-telling-you/

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 problem

Show notes at avivaromm.com/hypothyroid-testing-need-know/

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/ 

Imagine being told you had a “hostile uterus” and sent home, only to discover later you were on the brink of a life-threatening pregnancy complication.

This isn’t fiction. Terms like “hostile uterus” and “irritable uterus” are still in use, and they’re dangerous. In conventional medicine, language like this often subtly blames women’s bodies for medical events, creating a culture where women who advocate for themselves are frequently dismissed—or even labeled “difficult.” Disturbingly, some women, particularly Black mothers, have faced extreme consequences like social services or even police intervention for simply speaking up during labor.

The stakes are high. Medical and obstetric trauma are a reality for far too many, and symptoms of PTSD are often brushed off as “just part of the experience” instead of being acknowledged as trauma caused by medical mistreatment. This climate of dismissal causes many women to skip important screenings and healthcare visits, increasing their health risks.

In this episode, I sit down with Leah Hazard, a midwife, activist, and author who, like me, has seen firsthand the impact of misleading language and inconsistent protocols on women’s health. We discuss the urgent need for self-advocacy in healthcare, why it often feels like an uphill battle, and the unsettling inconsistencies in obstetrics. Leah explains how synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin)—a drug widely used to induce or speed up labor—is administered with inconsistent protocols across hospitals, affecting labor experiences, breastfeeding success, and postpartum mental health.

Episode Highlights:

• The Hidden Power of Words: We explore how terms like “hostile uterus” subtly place blame on women’s bodies, fueling a culture that sees women as “difficult” when they advocate for themselves.
• The Impact of Medical Dismissal: Leah shares real-life stories of women whose symptoms were dismissed, leading to delayed or inadequate care—even in life-threatening situations.
• Birth Trauma and Mental Health: Medical trauma affects a shocking number of women, with many experiencing PTSD symptoms that are often minimized or overlooked, leaving lasting emotional scars.
• Inconsistent Pitocin Protocols: Leah uncovers how the administration of synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) varies greatly across hospitals, impacting everything from labor experience to breastfeeding outcomes and postpartum mental health.
• The Essential Need for Self-Advocacy: We discuss why knowing your body—and the language around it—is crucial in navigating a system that too often undermines women’s voices.
• A Call to Change the Narrative: This episode isn’t just for those with a womb; it’s a call to examine how society, medicine, and language intersect in women’s health, challenging us to create a more compassionate healthcare experience.

If this episode resonated with you, consider taking action by sharing it with a friend or leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t miss out on future episodes! Make sure to subscribe to On Health for more conversations like this one, bringing you expert insights and empowering you to take control of your health and well-being.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

The Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to

I’ve been hearing a lot of patients talk about brain fog in my practice lately, so today I’m talking through ten things your brain fog could be telling you.

“We need your sharp focus now, we need every woman able to contribute her best to the world.” - 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/what-brain-fog-is-telling-you/

Today I'm talking to Dr. Larry Rosen about the epidemic of overmedication of our children for behavioral issues and what we can do about it. 

“Something like over 3/4 of kids report moderate or severe stress in the past school year.” - Dr. Larry Rosen

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/larry-rosen/

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/

Alcohol. It's the kind of frenemy that many women have a love-hate relationship with. It may make us feel good in the moment—relaxed, more social, less anxious—but many women find that after a drink or several, they’re moody, irritable, don’t sleep as well, and feel overall kind of not-so-great. Are there reasons for this that are unique to women? And can alcohol have hidden effects on our estrogen? Progesterone? Menstrual cycles? What about your gut? Circadian rhythm? Thyroid?  

That’s exactly what we’ll explore together in this two part series on women, alcohol, and our hormones. Whether you’re having a dry July 4th or just hitting the brakes a little now, what better time of year is there to do a little self-check-in on this anyway? It can be a perfect time to revaluate your relationship with alcohol altogether.  

We’ll be diving straight into the research and discussing the direct impact alcohol has on women’s hormonal and long-term health, so you can make the most informed decisions when it comes to alcohol consumption that best fit your lifestyle. 

In the first of this two part series on women, alcohol, and our hormones, we'll deep dive into... 

• Why we need to know how much a "drink" really is in terms of alcohol content 
• The differences between how men and women metabolize alcohol and why this is so important 
• The differences between light, moderate, heavy, and binge drinking and why it matters 
• How your personal background can play a role in the way you react to alcohol 
• The truth about red wine consumption and the French Paradox  
• The dynamic between alcohol, inflammation, leaky gut, blood sugar, and thyroid health 
• How alcohol impacts estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and our menstrual cycles 

This episode will give you food for thought and some important information to consider as you intentionally reflect on whether and how much to include alcohol in your lifestyle with zero judgment. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. 

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

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 Kempner

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/kempner-migraine/

Here's a little secret: hidden inflammation, not genetics, is the most common underlying cause of chronic illness.

Hidden inflammation is a root cause of:

• Premenstrual syndrome
• Period pain
• Chronic aches and pains
• Digestive problems
• Allergies and eczema
• Trouble losing weight
• Trouble sleeping
• Depression
• Alzheimer’s
• Autoimmune diseases
• Heart disease, Cancer, Diabetes

The problem is most doctors are not aware of hidden inflammation let alone how to identify or address it. Western medicine leads us to believe that we have no control over our health destiny. It’s just assumed that chronic disease is an inevitable fact of life.

But it’s not.

So how can we get ahead of chronic inflammation?

In this week's episode of the On Health podcast, I sat down with Shilpa Ravella, MD, the author of A Silent Fire: The Story of Inflammation, Diet and Disease. gastroenterologist and Assistant Professor at Columbia University Medical Center.

Tune in as we discuss:

• What hidden inflammation is and how to test for it
• How inflammation is both a cause and a risk indicator for diseases such as heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and depression
• The most common myths about anti-inflammatory diets and why food restriction is not the answer
• The two most important factors in an anti-inflammatory diet
• The truth about the healthiest protein sources
• The connection between gut health, food intolerances, and inflammation 

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @dr.avivaromm to join the conversation. Follow Shilpa on Instagram @shilpa.ravella and visit her website at www.shilparavella.com.

Please share this important topic by sending the link to the show to someone you love.

Plus get your copy of my book Hormone Intelligence which offers up a full plan on reducing inflammation!

It's time to change the reputation of grains and carbohydrates. Listen in to hear Dr. Alan Christianson talk about how these foods can be good for you.

“Grains have gotten a bad rap, but the data is strong that they are health promoting.” - Dr. Alan Christianson

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/alan-christianson/

For many, the advent of a COVID-19 vaccine was a welcome relief allowing for greater social connection and a return to life as we knew it - or sort of. For many, the advent of vaccinations was incredibly confusing.

Now, with Delta, the cards seemed to be shuffled differently. the playing field has shifted, and there's a lot of uncertainty again. More choices often means exhausting internal decision-making loops. Add to the mix the vaccine now becoming available for young people 12-18, and vaccine or testing mandates in many workplaces.

In this episode I go through the data of the vaccine and what you need to know regarding its impact on hormonal health, autoimmune, fertility, pregnancy, and children’s health. My goal in sharing this episode is simple: to provide you with my interpretation of the most recent, trusted data out there, so that you can make informed decisions for yourself and your loved ones when applicable. I hope that it does just that.

“You’re holding your baby too much.” “Just let them cry it out.” “You’ll spoil them if you respond every time they cry.”

If you’ve ever heard these words—or wondered yourself whether nurturing your baby too much could backfire—you’re not alone. But the science is clear: responding to and connecting with our babies doesn’t spoil them; it builds their brains for lifelong emotional resilience and mental health.

In this episode of On Health, I’m joined by neuroscientist, doula, and infant sleep specialist Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum, author of The Nurture Revolution: Grow Your Baby’s Brain and Transform Their Mental Health. We’re diving into:

• Why babies need co-regulation, not early independence
• The neuroscience behind sleep training—and why much of it conflicts with infant brain development
• How small, intentional nurturing acts can buffer against stress and even heal intergenerational trauma

And because so many parents today are raising children without the village we deserve, we’ll also talk about what it means to nurture our babies—and ourselves—sustainably.

If you’ve ever felt torn between instinct and conventional parenting advice, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and science-backed reassurance. Tune in now.

Links and Resources

• Greer’s book, The Nurture Revolution 
• Greer Kirshenbaum’s website
• Greer’s workshops, resources, and coaching for parents and professionals
• Safe cosleeping guidelines from the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab at University of Notre Dame 
• Aviva’s podcast on colic in babies 
• Join The Mama Pathway, Aviva’s complete pregnancy, postpartum, and new mama journey 

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

The Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn more

Mentioned in this episode:

The Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to https://avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn more

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

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 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/herbal-antibiotic-alternatives/

We’ve all heard about the pervasive problem of bullying in schools, but have you heard about food allergy bullying?

Robyn O'Brien and I discuss how to recognize the symptoms of bullying in your kids, the unique dangers of food allergy bullying, and how parents can work together with their kids, other parents, and educators to keep kids with food allergies safe, and thriving.

“Bullying can be as vicious as any kind of cancer… it can literally destroy a kid from the inside out.” - Robyn O'Brien

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//food-allergy-bullying/

Welcome to the new medicine for women! From the stuff your mother never told you, to the stuff your doctor never learned, On Health is what happens when a midwife + a Yale trained MD shares about all things women’s health. From periods to menopause, sex to reproductive health politics, motherhood to mental health, join me for taboo-busting conversations that demystify and destigmatize our bodies, all while bridging the gap between conventional medicine and wellness. Along the way, we'll be exploring the science and wisdom of how our bodies work, what makes us well, what gets in the way, and how we can live our best lives on our terms, authentically and bravely. When it comes to women's health and well-being, there's nothing we won't talk about. 

If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation.

Today I’m talking all about fever in kids: what you need to know, the safety and risks of medications, and gentle alternatives you might consider using.

“Fever is at the top of the list of the three conditions parents are most afraid of their kids getting.” - 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/natural-fever-treatments/

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/

Today I’m talking about what may be causing your breast tenderness and teaching you seven natural treatments to help you kiss breast tenderness goodbye. 

“Good bras are expensive, but they can save you years of breast, back, and neck pain and even headaches.” - 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/breast-tenderness/

In a new series called Natural MD Library, Dr. Aviva Romm talks about the incredible digestive benefits of bitters as herbal and botanical medicine.

"I use herbal medicine as an extension of food." - 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/bitters-for-digestion/

Is music part of your wellness practice? Today’s guest, Taina Asili, is a New York based Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and activist. We discuss music as an integral part of wellness, the importance of self-care in social justice work, and Taina’s tips for how to get involved in activism for beginners.

“Music is an important part of my wellness practice.” - Taina Asili

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/taina-asili/

Maybe you have a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s and are already on thyroid hormone replacement medication, but you’re still not feeling better – and your thyroid antibodies are still not coming down. Perhaps your doctor said it’s just something you have to live with – nothing can be done. But is there a natural solution?

The answer is a resounding “Yes.” You actually can bring thyroid antibodies down, and you can do it naturally. In this episode, Dr. Aviva Romm shares the seven steps she uses in her practice to help her patients reduce and even normalize their thyroid antibodies. 

“I take evidence based medicine very seriously — what I’m telling you is something that I would take myself, or tell my family member, or my best friend.” - 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/reduce-hashimotos-antibodies/

As many of you know, for the past 4 years I’ve been writing a new book. It's called Hormone Intelligence and I wanted to share with you an interview about my book, with talk show host, actor and filmmaker, Ricki Lake, and documentary producer, Abby Epstein, who created The Business of Being Born, and the forthcoming Business of Birth Control.

Today I'm talking about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which that 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 avivaromm.com/pcos-natural-prescription/

Amy Myers is a doctor practicing functional medicine, focusing on thyroid disease. Today Aviva is talking to her about her practice and treatments.

“I made the best decision I could at the time that I had with the information I had, and that’s all you can do.” - Amy Myers

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/amy-myers/

Does your baby suffer from colic? Today, I'm talking all about how you and your baby can survive colic, from causes, to techniques, to herbs you can use.

“The fact of the matter is that however much your baby is crying, if it’s excessive, it’s one of the most distressing problems that you can have in an otherwise healthy mom and healthy baby.” - 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/colic-guide/

Your period is an amazing cycle. At least, that's what today's guest Alisa Vitti believes. Learn about her book and her new period tracking app, My Flo.

"The whole purpose of the cycle is to create continuous change, not just in your body so you can potentially be a vessel for conception, but also to create forward momentum in your life." - Alisa Vitti

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/alisa-vitti/

If that time of the month and period pain gets you curled up in a ball, or stretched out on your sofa binge-watching Netflix hugged up with your best friend at the moment - your hot water bottle - listen to this episode. This may be an herbal medicine that you too will find fascinating, and perhaps one that brings you some relief when you need it. For an accompanying article and show notes go to avivaromm.com/cannabis-period-pain/

Join me for a dynamic conversation with Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake about their new documentary - The Business of Birth Control. Looking at the complex relationship of hormonal contraception to women’s health and liberation, their film features the stories of activists, doctors and scientists who are blowing the whistle on how hormonal birth control affects the mind and body. The film revisits the 1970’s Nelson Pill Hearings, where feminists disrupted the proceedings to demand informed consent and follows a courageous group of bereaved parents who are fighting to get warning labels on Yaz and NuvaRing fifty years later.

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/

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/

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 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/

Today I’m talking to Pilar Gerasimo about a different kind of rhythm. Hacking this biological rhythm can transform your energy, sleep, and life.

“One of the fundamental root causes of imbalances, conditions, and diseases are systems out of rhythm and out of balance.” - Pilar Gerasimo

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/pilar-gerasimo/

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/

The Pill is an easy to use and popularly prescribed method to prevent pregnancy, but do we know the true effects that it is having on our bodies, minds, and overall health? Today I give you the whole story on the side effects, risks, and dangers of The Pill, and an overview of my favorite alternative contraceptive methods.

“When it comes to oral contraceptives, the truth is that we have not gotten the whole story.” - Dr. 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/the-pill-risks/ 

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 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/adrenal-fatigue-real-thing/

How do you know whether you have a problem with your adrenals, thyroid, or both? Today I'm talking about the symptoms and crossover between the two.

“I’m always addressing, ‘How do I help this woman to heal and nourish her stress in her life and how do we rebalance and re-support those adrenals.’” - 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/heal-your-thyroid-get-out-of-survival-mode/

Endometriosis. If you've been suffering with it silently, as so many women are, you know how much it can impact your life. In this podcast I share some of the science-backed herbs and supplements I use in my medical practice for helping my patients address the symptoms and associated underlying causes of endometriosis, including inflammation and immune dysregulation in endometrium-like tissue.

While studies on natural therapies and endometriosis are still in their infancy (as is the study of endometriosis in general!), these therapies provide you with options your physician is unlikely to be aware of, and which may provide relief and even endometriosis reversal that might allow you to reduce your need for medications and surgery.

For a companion article go to avivaromm.com/endometriosis-herbs-supplements/

Welcome to On Health where today I talk about understanding stress during pregnancy, bust myths, and share real tips to take care of yourself before and when the stress hits the fan.

In this episode I explore: 

• The impact of how we talk about stress in pregnancy and its effects on moms-to-be on
• Why it's important to understand stress during pregnancy
• The pressure to always feel happy when you're pregnant and the guilt unrealistic expectations cause pregnant women to feel
• What stress really is, including the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ kinds
• Why some stress is normal during pregnancy - and why you're not doing anything wrong
• What studies say about stress and how it can affect your pregnancy and your baby
• The most common causes of stress in pregnancy
• Spotting stress signs and trying out stress-busters like meditation or yoga
• The importance of sleep, staying active, eating well, and finding folks to talk to
• How talking to your midwife, doctor, or a mental health pro can be a big help- and what they need to know, too
• Why you’re taking care of you is taking care of your baby too

Thank you for listening to the On Health Podcast. And please remember to treat yourself with kindness and love through your pregnancy journey - and beyond, and share this with a mama who you think would appreciate hearing this today.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to https://avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn more

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Medical gender bias is killing women. The medical field doesn't take our concerns seriously, which is why it's time for us to speak up.

"We’ve learned somewhere along the line that voicing our real needs, expressing our dissatisfactions, our discomfort, our pain, is whining." - Aviva Rom

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/medical-gender-bias/

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 Temmerman

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/marleen-temmerman/

My guest today, Shafia Monroe, has been “Birthing CHANGE” all her life. A renowned midwife, doula trainer, motivational speaker, and cultural competency trainer. Shafia, has been appropriately called the “Queen Mother of the Midwife Movement” for her pioneer midwifery work. Besides her work as a home birth midwife for over 35 years, Shafia has devoted herself to improving birth outcomes in African-American communities, by training midwives and doulas - teaching traditional birth and postpartum practices using the legacy of the 20th century African American midwife. Join us for this inspired conversation with this fountain of grace and wisdom.

Show notes can be found at avivaromm.com/black-mothers-lives-matter/

Alcohol. It's the kind of frenemy that many women have a love-hate relationship with. It may make us feel good in the moment—relaxed, more social, less anxious—but many women find that after a drink or several, they’re moody, irritable, don’t sleep as well, and feel overall kind of not-so-great. Are there reasons for this that are unique to women? And can alcohol have hidden effects on our estrogen? Progesterone? Menstrual cycles? What about your gut? Circadian rhythm? Thyroid?  

That’s exactly what we’ll explore together in this two part series on women, alcohol, and our hormones. Whether you’re having a dry January or just hitting the brakes a little now that the holiday parties are behind us, what better time of year is there to do a little self-check-in on this anyway? It can be a perfect time to revaluate your relationship with alcohol altogether as you move into a healthier New Year.  

We’ll be diving straight into the research and discussing the direct impact alcohol has on women’s hormonal and long-term health, so you can make the most informed decisions when it comes to alcohol consumption that best fit your lifestyle. 

In the first of this two part series on women, alcohol, and our hormones, we'll deep dive into... 

• Why we need to know how much a "drink" really is in terms of alcohol content 
• The differences between how men and women metabolize alcohol and why this is so important 
• The differences between light, moderate, heavy, and binge drinking and why it matters 
• How your personal background can play a role in the way you react to alcohol 
• The truth about red wine consumption and the French Paradox  
• The dynamic between alcohol, inflammation, leaky gut, blood sugar, and thyroid health 
• How alcohol impacts estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and our menstrual cycles 

This episode will give you food for thought and some important information to consider as you intentionally reflect on whether and how much to include alcohol in your lifestyle with zero judgment. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Welcome to the second half of our alcohol miniseries! 

In part one, I focused on how alcohol metabolizes differently in women than men and how this increases women's alcohol-related health risks. I also talked about how alcohol can effect puberty, our hormones, and menstrual cycles. 

If you haven’t already listened, it's a perfect prequel to today's episode, where I talk about how alcohol may impact fertility, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, and breast cancer, giving you food for thought on whether and if so how much drinking is okay for YOU, and also tools for smarter alcohol intake. 

You’ll walk away from series feeling empowered and equipped with the tools and information necessary to approach alcohol in a way that best matches your lifestyle.   

In this episode, I dish on: 

• How alcohol may impact fertility and how to approach drinking while trying to conceive 
• How inflammation caused by alcohol consumption can enhance symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis 
• The role of alcohol in menopause, hot flashes, and sleep struggles 
• Alcohol and breast cancer: risks, susceptibility, genetics, and more 
• How alcohol may impact methylation and DNA 
• The top tips for drinking in a way that mitigates the risks of alcohol, while still being able to enjoy light intake should you want to 

Whether you're trying to conceive, are currently pregnant, going through menopause, struggling with PCOS or endometriosis, or simply want to learn more about the potential long-term effects of alcohol on your health, - even just light drinking - this series as a must-refer-back-to one for various cycles of your life. So listen, save and share it! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. 

Content Warning: In this episode, we will be talking about maternal mortality, infant mortality, and the impact of racism on maternal health.

60% of all maternal deaths are fully preventable, and the complications women experience are not inherent to black or brown bodies. Yet Black and Brown women have been blamed for their "bad outcomes" instead of recognizing that these deaths all too often have to do with failures in the obstetric system. In the US today, a Black woman is 12 times more likely to die of childbirth than a white woman, despite socioeconomic factors.

Today on the On Health podcast, I am having a very real and much-needed discussion on the racial disparities in the business of birth, the demand for change, how we can better celebrate Black birthing people, and more, with Kimberly Seals Allers. She is an award-winning journalist, five-time author, international speaker, strategist, and advocate for maternal and infant health. A former senior editor at ESSENCE and writer at FORTUNE magazine, she is also a leading voice on the racial and socio-cultural complexities of birth, breastfeeding, and motherhood. Additionally, she is the founder of Irth, a new "Yelp-like" app for Black and Brown parents to address bias and racism in maternity and infant care. Kimberly also created Birthright, a podcast about joy and healing in Black birth that centres on positive Black birth stories.

• 
  
• In this episode, we discuss:
• How weathering - the phenomenon of being exposed to ongoing racism - impacts Black pregnant and birthing women 
• Kimberly's journey into breastfeeding and birth activism - and how it's a family affair for her 
• The Irth app and how Kimberly is challenging medical bias and shining a light on much needed provider and birth space accountability 
• Black birthing joy and how it is possible to hold both the reality of these statistics and the celebration for Black birthing people 
• How we can push for change despite generations of struggle 
• And so much more! 

Tune in for an incredibly raw conversation and a very real look into a black woman’s reality as an expecting mother and beyond. Your eyes will be further opened to the injustice that continues to exist in this country and you will feel more inspired than ever to do what you can to take action as an advocate.

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Follow Kimberly @iamksealsallers, get your copy of The Big Letdown: How Medicine, Big Business, and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding, listen to the Birthright Podcast and check out the Irth App at www.kimberlysealsallers.com

Motherhood is a lifelong role, during which there will be no shortage of opportunities to worry. Even before you give birth, your mama-bear radar is engaged, and you’re suddenly motivated to do all you can to protect this precious being growing inside of you. So as hard as it is to manage these worries while we're pregnant, it's also an ideal time to start developing inner practices to help us cope with these worries, both in order to protect ourselves and our little ones.

On today’s first official Let’s Chat About That episode of On Health, I’ll be addressing some of these worries head on by answering a voicemail from an expecting mama who is concerned about immunity during pregnancy, currently dealing with the very real feelings of anxiety and fear about getting sick during this time. My goal today is to ease some of these overwhelming worries by providing you with the honest facts so that you can make the most informed decisions to keep yourself and baby healthy now and for the long run.

On this episode, I discuss:

• The likelihood of developing respiratory illness while pregnant
• Non-respiratory infections to be aware of: herpes, toxoplasmosis, and Listeria
• What you need to know about the cold, the flu, COVID, and RSV while pregnant, including prevention and what to do about common respiratory symptoms and fever
• Universal symptoms that tell you it's time to get medical care
• How to minimize exposure and boost immunity safely in pregnancy

I hope this episode brings you the peace of mind, reassurance, and ease to carry you through your pregnancy and into your journey through motherhood. I look forward to connecting with you and answering more of your women’s health-related questions in future episodes of this series! Remember, you can call me at (413) 889-4549 and leave a voicemail for a chance to be featured on the next one!

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation.

Sensitivity to light, sounds, and sometimes smells, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes hours spent in darkened rooms. If you suffer from migraines, then you're all too familiar with these symptoms, which may affect you infrequently or as often as several times each week. Migraines are three times more common among women than men, and are worse prematurely and in menopause when women may experience them for the first time. But it's not just the numbers that are different, women are perceived and treated differently.

Today I'm sharing the rich and relevant conversation I had with Dr. Joanna Kempner, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Rutgers, who is doing important work on gender politics and pain, specifically the striking difference between how men and women with pain are treated by doctors.

In this episode, we explore the historical emergence of the 'migraine personality,' hysteria, and further disparities in pain treatment for women of color. We explore the societal factors that lead women to feel guilty for speaking up about their pain, whether it be chronic pain caused by a condition like migraine or acute pain for example, with a heart attack, and the ways that the stigma of pain affects pain research and the implications of this for the current and future treatment of women's pain.

Joanna and I discuss:

• The historical context for the diagnosis previously called ‘hysteria’
• The stigma women who have migraines might experience
• How people who suffer from migraines take on stereotypes
• What happens when a migraine is not recognized as a disability
• How the pharmaceutical industry plays on women’s guilty
• Why the medical community so often disbelieve women
• The patient-blaming language of medication overuse
• The irrationality of the opioid crisis
• How and why women of color remain invisible in medical research and have their pain treated differently

Tune in to learn why these disparities in pain treatment still exist, how they are affecting our care, and how we can address this in our own lives.

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Check out Joanna’s incredible work and grab a copy of her book Not Tonight: Migraine and the Politics of Gender and Health at www.joannakempner.com

As thoughtful consumers, we try to make the best decisions for ourselves and our families. And the bottom line is that we shouldn't have to twice about the possibility that the everyday products we use, from the cookware in our homes to our cosmetics, could pose any level of danger to our health and wellbeing. We should be able to have confidence in the brands that make these products, as well as in the role of the powers that be — specifically the FDA — in ensuring their safety. However, there are unfortunate realities behind many of these everyday goods; PFAS, better known as "forever chemicals,” being one of them.

In today’s episode of On Health, I address the threat of PFAS to our wellbeing as women, and to our children as I talk about the recent controversy that was brought to light from behind the shadows of some very misleading marketing by Thinx, a popular period underwear company. I dive into the long-term impact these chemicals can have on our health, the toxicity of labels like "organic" and "natural" in products that clearly contain PFAS, what products to be aware of, how to limit your exposure, and the importance of advocating for real, systemic change to keep ourselves, our families, and future generations as safe and healthy as possible.

Join me as I discuss:

• The definition and history of PFAS and why they are classified as "forever chemicals"
• Where menstrual products fall under the FDA's regulatory category and what this ultimately means for their safety
• How much PFAS exposure we are getting from menstrual products and the health risks associated with this
• Tips and best practices to reduce exposure to PFAS when it comes to both menstrual products and everyday living
• Why the issue of these chemicals present in our products requires systemic change and what needs to be done moving forward

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation.

Resources:

For PFAS-free options for menstrual underwear, check out guides from Better Goods and Mamavation

The Green Science Policy Institute has lists of PFAS-free consumer products—from rain gear to car seats.

The Environmental Working Group’s database can help you to identify cosmetics and body products that do not contain PFAS.

Additional Reading:

Are Your Menstrual Products Hazardous To Your Health? https://avivaromm.com/menstrual-products/

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC) Impacting Your Hormone Balance https://avivaromm.com/hormone-disruptors/

The Toxins That Could be Tanking Your Thyroid https://avivaromm.com/thyroid-toxins/

For an in-depth discussion of the role of endocrine disruptors on our reproductive health - and what you can do - get your copy of my bestselling book, Hormone Intelligence

An estimated 6,000 women in the U.S. reach menopause every single day—that’s over 2 million each year! And an average of 27 million women between the ages of 45 and 64 experience menopausal symptoms. All this to say, you are not alone if you experience vaginal dryness and/or pain during sex. My goal today is to help you feel comfortable in your body and in your life by sharing what you need to know about the causes of these symptoms, what you can do to soothe and heal your vagina, and how you can make sex comfortable again. 

Vaginal dryness also affects women in their 20s and 30s, so even if you're not in menopause, have a listen because you're sure to learn something about your body now—and something for your future self! 

In this episode, I talk about: 

• What happens to our hormones leading up to and during menopause and why these changes can lead to vaginal dryness and, in turn, painful sex 
• How to know whether your vaginal symptoms or pain with sex are due to menopausal changes or to another condition 
• Effective, easy, and practical tips that you can use for vaginal dryness and painful sex 
• The differences between lubes, moisturizers, and oils, when and how to use each, and why hyaluronic acid may be a great option 
• My recommendations for herbal remedies and the pros and cons of a variety of supplements 
• The hormonal approaches currently available and which option may be the right choice for your treatment 
• The surprising and sexy tip to help heal vaginal dryness and pain during sex 

I truly believe this is a phase of our lives that is meant to be filled with empowerment, self-love, and, when desired, self-pleasure.  

And remember, you too, can call me at (413) 889-4549 and leave a voicemail with your women’s health-related questions, which may just get featured in a future episode! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. 

From chronic fatigue to Lyme’s disease to COVID to autoimmune conditions, "invisible" illnesses and those who suffer from them are often disbelieved. It's often a struggle to receive a diagnosis, and more often than not, sufferers do not receive the adequate care they need. Lack of knowledge and understanding from medical providers may lead women to remain silent and hide their suffering, live with persistent symptoms, as well as facing isolation, depression, and anxiety. So where does one even start if suffering from an invisible illness and how does one begin the journey towards reclaiming your own life? Tune into today’s episode of On Health to find out

My guest today, Meghan O'Rourke, is the author of the New York Times bestseller and absolute must-read, The Invisible Kingdom: Re-Imagining Chronic Illness. In her twenties, Meghan began suffering from mysterious symptoms ranging from crushing fatigue to rashes to strange neurologic symptoms. The decade long search for a diagnosis led her down a long path of discoveries about conventional, integrative alternative medicine - and herself! Her book and wisdom is a healing balm for anyone struggling with or who loves someone with chronic disease.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What an invisible illness is, and some of the most common known conditions for which women are most commonly dismissed
• Meghan's journey of seeking a diagnosis and treatment for a constellation of symptoms while redefining her sense of self as someone with an invisible illness.
• Medical gaslighting, self-gaslighting, and gender as obstacles to women receiving proper medical care
• The role online groups and alternative medicine played in finally getting a diagnosis
• Why it's so important to deeply trust her your body and learn to discern is -- and isn'tt -- working for you from medical interactions to conventional and alternative therapies
• Non-negotiables for living well, and navigating work and motherhood, with a chronic condition
• The impact of long-COVID on raising awareness and changing the cultural and medical narrative about chronic, invisible illnesses
• How to advocate for yourself in conventional medicine and integrative wellness
• Many of you listening will find yourself in Meghan story. I hope this interview and her book give you a feeling of being less alone and remind you of the need for compassion for yourself or those in your life.

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Follow Megan @meghanor and grab a copy of her book at meghanorourke.com.

Imagine opening an email that contains a revelation that rocks your world to the core, forcing you to completely rethink your origin and your identity- this is exactly what happened to my guest on today's On Health Podcast episode, Dani Shapiro.

Every family has secrets. Some are buried and never spoken about, some are maturely disclosed, and others are inconveniently discovered. These discoveries have the ability to shake us to the core and shatter our entire world, especially when related to something as serious as our identity. With the most recent advancements in at-home genetic testing kits like 23andMe and Ancestry.com, these earth-shaking stories are becoming the norm, and the reality of anonymous sperm donors and shady fertility clinics of the past are finally being exposed, creating a painful realization for those coming to learn the truth about who they really are.

My guest today is no stranger to this particular kind of pain. With 11 critically acclaimed books under her belt and a hit podcast, Dani Shapiro has dedicated her entire adult life to the exploration of family secrets, weaving personal experience into her work and shining a light on what's been left in the dark. After a test result from a random at-home ancestry.com kit revealed the truth about her father, her entire world was turned upside down at the age of 54, and today, she’s sharing her story.

Join us as we discuss:

• The truth of my own family secret and how it affected me as a young girl
• How increased access to DNA tests and ancestry kits is unraveling some deep mysteries and secrets for many but few were even looking for
• The history of assisted reproductive medicine and the shame around male infertility, especially in the 60s
• Dani's insights on healing and forgiveness, both how they can happen and when it just seems they can’t happen
• Healing the mother wound - even and especially if we have a rocky relationship with our own mothers
• Anonymous sperm donors and how it may be essential to our health to know where we come from
• The ultimate question- do family secrets need to be brought to light or can they remain secrets?
• and so much more!

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Follow Dani @daniwriter and grab a copy of her books at danishapiro.com

If your teen daughter is struggling with period pain and you're looking for answers - or you're a teen here for yourself - this episode is for you.

Period pain, or what’s medically known as dysmenorrhea, has become such a normalized part of the menstrual experience, so much so that regularly taking ibuprofen to numb the discomfort and skipping out on important life obligations is something we’ve come to blindly accept as "normal" - which we owe ourselves more than to believe. Our periods should not be painful!

So too, when it comes to our teenage daughters. But if that's the case, what level of discomfort is actually considered "normal?" And when is it time to search for possible underlying causes?

On today’s episode of On Health, I’ll be addressing period pain in our teens, the key role our 'hormonal ecosystem' plays and what it means when I say that our menstrual cycle is a 6th Vital Sign. We'll explore conventional and integrative practices to help relieve menstrual pain, how to reframe the way our daughters view their periods from a monthly curse to a useful indicator of overall systemic wellness, and more.

After all, given that we have about 400 periods in our lifetime, learning how we can influence and support ourselves throughout our menstrual cycles at an early age can set us up for decades of greater ease and health! 

In this episode, I talk about:

• The menstrual cycle as the 6th vital sign and why it’s an important indicator of overall health
• The difference between primary and secondary dysmenorrhea
• Why period pain should never be dismissed, especially when it interferes with your life
• Proactive lifestyle and dietary approaches to address the root causes of menstrual pain
• How to determine when it’s appropriate to take NSAIDS like ibuprofen and other medications
• My herbal and supplement recommendations for menstrual discomfort, including whether there's a role for cannabis in period pain in teens

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. And remember, you can call in a question, too! Just dial (413) 889-4549 and leave your message!

TRIGGER WARNING: Miscarriage and pregnancy loss. 

Both physically and emotionally, there is very little that can prepare a woman for something 1 in 4 of us will experience in our lifetime: miscarriage. Early pregnancy loss is a complex topic that has consistently been high on the list of what many healthcare providers, journalists, and female podcasters consider to be taboo to dive deeply into - or even discuss at all, for fear of being perceived as negative. And in this post-Roe era, it’s all the more complicated as women are being denied not just abortion services - but miscarriage support - even sometimes in emergencies. 

With the complexities of the current reproductive health landscape, I felt now would be a timely and appropriate moment to share an episode from 2020, where I walk you through the miscarriage process from start to finish. In today’s climate, with strict abortion laws and difficulty accessing the medications needed for at-home miscarriage, it’s all the more important that we, as women, have the knowledge about what to expect and how to safely miscarry, should we or someone we love choose or be forced to, either at home or otherwise. 

Join me as I discuss: 

• The signs and symptoms of early pregnancy loss and the different types of miscarriage 
• The options for miscarriage care including watch and wait, medications, and surgical procedures  
• What to expect in a miscarriage 
• Tips and best practices for an optimal at-home miscarriage experience 
• Herbal recommendations for when the miscarriage begins - Find more information in the accompanying article, here!   
• How to determine when medical care and attention is needed 
• Miscarriage aftercare and when you can try again 

If you are living in a state with strict abortion laws where it’s difficult to access the medications needed for a medication miscarriage approach at home, be sure to check out my podcast interview with Imani Wilson-Shabazz of Plan C, an organization dedicated to helping women easily and affordably access the medications used to manage both an abortion and a miscarriage. 

I hope that this episode provides you with all you need to know to fell less alone and to know miscarriage isn't your fault, and how to make an informed decision about the miscarriage options that work best for you and your individual situation without shame, how to feel more empowered about this common experience, and how speak up for yourself if necessary to get the care you need. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. 

Have you wondered if you or someone you know has Long COVID? It's VERY possible!

As of 2023, the CDC estimates that 1 in 5 people, as many as 1 in 3 college students, and a preponderance of menopausal women who have had COVID still experience symptoms more than 3 months—or more—after being infected. Long COVID continues to impact the everyday lives of countless "long haulers" globally. 

On today’s episode, I'm joined by journalist Fiona Lowenstein, an early and prominent voice in the Long COVID patient movement, who wrote the New York Times article that first blew the lid open on Long COVID.

Fiona's story sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of long haulers, highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of the condition, and provides hope that healing can happen over time.

We discuss:

• Fiona's experience as part of the first wave of people who got sick with COVID in NYC and how little the medical community knew how to help them
• The major gap between what COVID long-haulers are experiencing and medical testing Medical gaslighting, racism, homophobia, and how these systemic biases affect many people's abilities to get help
• The similarities between Long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome and the realities of post-viral illnesses 
• The effects of Long COVID from mental health challenges to neurological issues, chronic fatigue, POTS, and more.
• How Fiona's started their online peer support group and how this group helps other COVID long-haulers
• What Fiona wishes people who don’t have Long COVID knew about living with the illness and the change they wish to see in the medical community

If you or a loved one is dealing with Long COVID or another invisible illness, I hope that this podcast offers hope, empowerment, and support. Please send this to someone who needs reassurance that they are not alone, or a friend, to help them better understand the realities of chronic invisible disease.

Thank you for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Follow Fiona at @fi_lowenstein, check out the Mutual Aid Book Exchange, grab a copy of her book and learn more about The Body Politic at www.fionalowenstein.com

In this fresh and delightful episode I sit down with Olivia Amitrano,  herbalist, host of the popular What’s the Juice podcast and founder of Organic Olivia, a successful botanical medicines company. Olivia opens up about her transformative journey through herbalism, personal growth, and the essential practice of honest self-reflection on the relationships in our lives and our relationship to ourselves. 

We dive deep into Olivia’s:

• First encounters with plants and how this sparked her enduring passion for herbal medicine.
• Insights on the art of noticing and the power of forming deep, meaningful relationships with the natural world.
• Exploration of how our health is intricately influenced by our relationships and environments.
• Personal experiences with codependency, the importance of establishing boundaries, and the journey of self-discovery and the courage it takes to face uncomfortable truths.
• Revelation that deeper personal changes were needed beyond herbs and foods to heal not just her insulin resistance, but her resistance to making changes in her habits.
• Realizations about the effects of substances like caffeine and cannabis on her health and well-being.
• Unique practice of hosting internal funerals to release habits and relationships that no longer serve her.
• Engagement with "parts" work and internal family systems therapy to understand and heal different facets of herself.

Olivia and I share insights about: 

• The use of herbs in dreamwork and their subtle, yet profound, influence on the psyche.
•  How slowing down and allowing plants to guide us can lead to profound personal growth.
• The intersection of mindfulness and self-compassion in achieving true well-being beyond herbs and foods.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

I used to believe that for every good thing that happened to me, something bad had to happen as well to even it out, like a universal balancing system. Every time something good was going to happen, I always thought to myself, “What will the payback be?” In my years of experience working with and talking to women, I have learned that lots of women live with this fear, often for a long time.

Listen in as I talk about why we have this fear, acknowledge that you’re not crazy for having it, and how to shift out of this kind of thinking so you can live your life with freedom instead of fear.

In this episode I discuss:

• How fear keeps you from taking risks -  and how this protects and hinders us
• How negativity bias is a symptom of adrenal overload
• The role of the amygdala in fear
• How your brain remembers threats
• How negative emotions get attached to positive emotions
• What happens when we go into fight or flight mode
• What intuition really is
• How to get out of this fear
• The power of neuroplasticity
• The importance of being aware of your feelings
• How to use cognitive disruption to shift from fear to freedom
• Why I love taking deep breaths
• The value of journaling
• How to practice forgiveness

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Today 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 problem. 

"So many women are left believing that their symptoms of depression, fatigue, joint aches, weakness, weight gain, and more are all in their head." - Aviva Romm

Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine.

Pregnancy is already a time of heightened concern and sense of responsibility – after all, we know that what we do has an impact on our own health – and our baby’s development, growth, and health. Certainly, for women around the globe, COVID-19 has added multiple new layers of concern, worry, and questions on so many aspects of healthcare and mothering: whether it’s safe to get pregnant during this time, where to have your baby (i.e., home vs. hospital), whether to get the vaccine, how much should you worry, should you be around friends and family while you’re pregnant, what about after baby is born?

Making such significant decisions – and one that neither midwives and medical doctors nor pregnant women have had to deal with before – is a tough position to be in, and I know it can be scary.

Compared to last year this time, we know a whole lot more about this virus, how to protect ourselves, and about how to navigate pandemic life while pregnant. So let’s take a close look at what we’ve learned so far about COVID-19 in relation to childbearing and breastfeeding. We'll also some of your questions about vaccines for pregnant and nursing mamas.

For an accompanying article, visit avivaromm.com/covid-19-in-pregnancy/

Many of us are aware of the ethical minefield of fast fashion—from the labor issues to the environmental damage. But did you know that the clothes in your closet could be making you sick? In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning investigative journalist Alden Wicker, author of To Die For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick and How We Can Fight Back. Alden’s deep dive into the world of fashion goes beyond the well-known stories of sweatshops and waste to uncover the hidden impact of unregulated toxic chemicals in our clothing on our personal health.

From flame retardants and PFAS to endocrine disruptors, Alden and I explore the unseen dangers lurking in everyday garments and how these chemicals are connected to a myriad of health problems, from skin issues to autoimmune diseases, fertility challenges, and even cancer. We’ll talk about why these chemicals are allowed in the first place, what the fashion industry isn’t telling you, and how you can protect yourself and your family—without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re looking for practical tips to detox your wardrobe or want to learn more about the systemic changes needed in the fashion industry, this episode will empower you to make safer, more informed choices when it comes to your clothes.

Episode Highlights:

• How Alden Wicker got into sustainable fashion journalism—starting with a troubling case of Delta flight attendant uniforms making women sick.
• The toxic truth: What chemicals are lurking in our clothing, and why is no one talking about it?
• How these chemicals are affecting not just the environment but also our bodies.
• From rashes to reproductive health issues—how clothing can impact autoimmune diseases and fertility.
• Why women are disproportionately affected by toxic chemicals in fashion, and the industry’s gender gap in addressing the problem.
• Practical tips: How to choose safer clothing, avoid harmful chemicals, and shop smarter without spending a fortune.
• Beyond your wardrobe: How you can join collective actions and advocacy to help push for systemic change.
• Alden’s advice to her younger self: Simplifying health and happiness.

Resources & Links:

• Alden Wicker’s Website: EcoCult.com
• Safer States: saferstates.org
• Toxic-Free Future: toxicfreefuture.org
• Follow Alden on Instagram: @ecocultcom
• Connect with Dr. Aviva Romm: @dr.avivaromm

If this episode resonated with you, consider taking action by sharing it with a friend or leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t miss out on future episodes! Make sure to subscribe to On Health for more conversations like this one, bringing you expert insights and empowering you to take control of your health and well-being.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

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/

Trigger Warning: This episode contains sensitive topics related to pregnancy loss and fertility challenges. Listener discretion is advised.

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of "On Health," I sit down with Chelsea Leyland, a globetrotting DJ, mother, epilepsy and endometriosis activist, documentary filmmaker, and menstrual health entrepreneur. Chelsea shares her journey through endometriosis, pregnancy loss, and becoming a mother and the importance of breaking the silence around these common issues so we can get the support we need - and so we can support each other with compassion and understanding.  

We dive deep into Chelsea’s… 

• Long struggle with endometriosis – and her path to finally receiving a correct diagnosis.
• Challenges finding effective treatments - and what finally helped relieve both seizure and endometriosis symptoms. 
• Pregnancy losses and the importance of open dialogue rather than taboo and silence. 
• Emotional journey following her miscarriages, the steps she took to honor her losses, and how she found the courage to try again.
• Decision to speak publicly about her experiences with endometriosis and pregnancy loss and why she believes it's crucial to reduce stigma.Heartfelt words of wisdom for women currently grieving a pregnancy loss or struggling with infertility.
• Daily wellness routines that are essential for managing her chronic conditions while also balancing motherhood - and how she deals with ‘s#it days.’
• The power of community and shared experiences in healing and empowerment.
• Chelsea's advice to her younger self and thoughts on resilience and hope.

Thank you for tuning into On Health for Women. Remember, you are not alone on your journey, and a supportive community is here for you. Please connect with me on social media. Your stories matter and can provide comfort and support to others, too.And don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "On Health" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Follow Dr. Aviva on Instagram.

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

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/

The PCOS gut connection is a surprising new approach to a complex condition that Despite the fact that 1 in 10 women experience PCOS, the medical model has little to offer beyond or instead of prescription medications - which can help but aren’t ‘answers.’

One significant root cause that research is revealing is the connection between the microbiome and PCOS. In fact, gut health may play a much bigger role in PCOS than was ever previously considered. Join me in this episode as we explore the PCOS Gut connection. And for a companion article go to avivaromm.com/pcos-gut-connection/

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/

It's important to heal a leaky gut because the problem can affect your immune system, mood, and more. Today I'm telling you how to do it.

“We know that what goes on in your gut doesn’t just stay in your gut.” - 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/heal-leaky-gut/

There’s a food allergy that tends to fly under the radar. Today I'm talking about histamine intolerance: the symptoms, the cause, and how you can heal.

"Depending on the root cause of your histamine intolerance, it can actually be highly reduced or even reversed." - 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/histamine-intolerance/

Thirty percent of women between the ages of 20 and 50 have bacterial vaginosis (BV). The medical model thinks about BV - and our bodies - all wrong! So what’s a gal to do? In this episode, I share with you my 7 lifestyle tips to prevent bacterial vaginosis and the protocol that I use to treat bacterial vaginosis naturally.

“Your optimal vaginal ecology depends on your optimal whole body ecology.” - Dr. 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/prevent-treat-bacterial-vaginosis/

Have you ever felt torn between dreaming big and staying realistic? Between trusting your instincts and wondering if fear is holding you back? In today’s conversation, we’re diving deep into what it truly means to reclaim your personal sovereignty—the ability to stand fully in your own power, free from self-doubt, external expectations, and the weight of comparison.

My guest today, Dr. Emma Seppälä, is a psychologist, researcher, and bestselling author dedicated to helping people cultivate happiness, resilience, and self-leadership. As a Yale lecturer and the Science Director at Stanford’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research, she’s spent years studying what actually helps us thrive—not just succeed.

Together, we explore:

• The social science behind self-doubt and imposter syndrome—and how to break free from it.
• The inner critic: where it comes from, why it keeps us small, and how to find inner quiet.
• The role of meditation and breathwork in rewiring our nervous systems for resilience.
• How comparison culture and social media impact our self-worth—and how to navigate them with sovereignty.
• Why we need to redefine success and self-worth in a world that constantly tells us who we should be.
• Daily practices to help you stay rooted in self-trust, confidence, and joy.

This conversation is full of powerful takeaways, practical tools, and a deeply personal look into how we all wrestle with self-doubt—even those of us who have spent decades doing this work. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re enough, struggled with self-judgment, or wanted to free yourself from limiting beliefs, this episode is for you.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend who might need a reminder of their own power. And if you love it, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other women find this show!

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Despite advancements in medical technology and a growing awareness of maternal health, the emotional and psychological experiences of birthing mothers in the US often go unnoticed. In this eye-opening episode, Aviva Romm, an experienced midwife and MD, delves into a topic that is often overlooked and misunderstood—birth trauma. Aviva shares her personal birth story, other birth stories, and draws from decades of experience to explore the hidden epidemic of birth trauma that is affecting an alarming number of women.

In this episode Dr. Aviva discusses:

• Birth trauma: what it is, how it manifests, and why it’s more common than you might think
• The profound impact of birth trauma on maternal mental health
• Real stories from women who have experienced trauma during labor and birth, highlighting the emotional and mental impact that can linger long after the baby is born.
• The surprising central factor most women report as the cause of birth trauma: medical mistreatment and lack of informed consent and communication..
• The critical importance of centering the mother’s well-being in the birthing process for the mother, the baby, and the family
• The actionable steps that can be taken by both healthcare providers and loved ones to support mothers before, during, and after birth to prevent trauma and promote healing.

Why This Episode Matters:

Birth is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life, yet the emotional and psychological well-being of mothers often takes a back seat to physical outcomes. By bringing this issue to the forefront, Dr. Romm aims to empower women, educate healthcare professionals, and spark a much-needed conversation about the importance of “matrifocal: maternal health care.

Tune in to the full episode to understand the true impact of birth trauma and what we can do to support the emotional and psychological well-being of mothers.

Share Your Story: Have you or someone you know experienced birth trauma? Please join the conversation on Dr. Aviva’s  Instagram @dr.avivaromm and use #HealingBirthTrauma.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

If you have kids, you’ve probably had experience with ear infections. Today I share prevention tips and home remedies to treat kid's ear infections the natural way, and also discuss how to know when antibiotics are necessary.

“Ear infections do not have to be an inevitable part of childhood.” - 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/natural-remedies-ear-infections/

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/

After being hospitalized due to postpartum complications, Brandi Frazier knew that something had to be done to help women. If she had not advocated for herself throughout her pregnancy and postpartum, she could have lost her life, a fate that has befallen to a shocking number of other African-American mothers. From these experiences she created Bee Empowered Mama, an organization that provides online resources, workshops and community to coach mamas to self advocate for themselves from the moment they find out they’re pregnant, and beyond. Join me for this inspired and inspiring conversation with Brandi.

In recognition of Maternal Mental Health Month I am re-sharing this 2023 conversation with the founders of The Motherhood Center in NYC. With Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS) being the #1 complication associated with birth in the US and the #2 cause of maternal mortality, this remains a critical conversation.

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It’s not just you. You're not crazy. You're not a bad mom. You're not alone. These are words and deep beliefs that resonate through and form the backbone of today’s guests, Catherine Birndorf, MD, and Paige Bellenbaum, LMSW. Catherine and Paige are dedicated to changing the perinatal mental health terrain, and they do it through The Motherhood Center, a place of radical acceptance, nurturance, and individual and group support. On today’s episode, we pull back the curtain on motherhood and redefine what is considered "normal" and "typical". With PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders) being the #1 complication associated with birth and the #2 cause of maternal mortality, this is a critical conversation. On today’s episode, we unpack why it’s so important that we talk more about these conditions, how to do your best to prevent PMADs, and what to do if you or someone you love has symptoms. 

Aviva, Paige, and Catherine discuss: 

• The definition of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS) and the different diagnoses that fall under the PMAD umbrella 
• What PMAD taboos still exist today, why this needs to change, and how Roe v. Wade affects these taboos 
• Paige and Catherine’s personal stories with perinatal mood disorders and what brought them to the point of specializing in PMADS and opening the motherhood center 
• The kinds of physical and psychological feelings and symptoms associated with PMADs and signs birthing people and their providers should watch out for 
• Why we need to move in the direction of making it mandatory for OB-GYNs, midwives, pediatricians, and any providers who come in contact with newer expecting mothers to begin educating their patients about PMADS and screening for symptoms  
• The effects of the pandemic, social isolation, and potential cultural contributors on PMADS  
• The role of medication and psychotherapy in treating conditions 

For more information or to reach out visit themotherhoodcenter.com or call (212) 335-0034. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Today I’m talking to Kellyann Petrucci about her Bone Broth Diet, the three steps to make this diet work long term, and the success stories she’s seen.

“What we want is these healthy proteins, these healthy fats, and then we want your fibrous vegetables.” - Kellyann Petrucci

Join Dr. Aviva Romm as she dishes up a weekly dose of the whole truth on health and medicine.

If you find yourself feeling chronically overwhelmed, with a to-do list you can’t ever get to the bottom of, and a nagging feeling that you’re never quite doing enough, this episode is for you. Joining me is Jenny Odell, the acclaimed author of zthe books How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy and Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond Productivity Culture. An artist and educator based in Oakland, California, Jenny’s work shines a light on how we can reclaim our attention in an increasingly digital world, while escaping from the clutches of productivity culture.  I also share my personal story of how a recent vacation followed by COVID has caused me to rethink my own attention economy - and how this has been shifting my nervous system - and perspectives - on ‘what’s enough.”

Join us as we explore insights on the importance of rest, reflection, and mindful living as part of taking back our lives, power, and mental well-being including: 

• What the attention economy is and how it’s impacting our mental well-being
• The compare and despair impact of social media on women’s health
• The misconception of "doing nothing" and its true meaning.
• The anxiety and irritability that comes from constantly racing the clock
• Chronodiversity and the power of nature for expanding time
• Strategies for reclaiming our attention by focusing on what truly matters.
• The importance of rest and reflection in maintaining overall well-being.
• Practical tips for incorporating mindful practices into daily life.
• How to start making small changes toward a more intentional and fulfilling life.

Resources Mentioned:

More from Jenny Odell:

• How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy 
• Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond Productivity Culture
• Jenny's website

The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution : Dr. Aviva’s book on taking back your health - while nourishing your adrenals and supporting your thyroid

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here:...

In this must-listen episode I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Lisa Mosconi, a leading neuroscientist and author of The Menopause Brain,  and my friend, back to On Health to demystify the profound impact of menopause on the female brain. Dr. Mosconi offers invaluable insights into how menopause is more than a hormonal shift - it's a significant neuroendocrine change, and a potentially very important and powerful time in our lives. 

We dive deep into:

• How perimenopause and menopause really impacts the female brain - including the role of estrogen during this time
• Common cognitive symptoms of perimenopause and menopause including brain fog, sleep problems, and memory lapses
• Why it might be that women in cultures that see menopause more positively have fewer symptoms
• The powerful role 'older women' can play as leaders, providers, and guides in families, communities, and society
• The pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including it’s role in Alzheimer’s prevention
• The supportive role of nutrients, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids for women's brain health
• The importance of access to a wide variety of options so that we can pick what's best for us in feeling our best in menopause.

Knowledge is power. Understanding menopause's impact on the brain allows us to make informed choices, turning a phase often approached with dread into an opportunity for empowerment and well-being. Join us to transform how you think about menopause and prioritize your brain health through this pivotal time - whatever age you are - because it’s never too early to start protecting your beautiful brain!

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Could your love relationship use a bit of boost? Some calm in the storm? Or are you looking for love that’s been hard to find? In this On Health for Women episode I’m joined by Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a wonderful couples therapist, professor, author of Love Every Day and the host of the Reimagining Love podcast. Together we explore the real meaning of love and how it can be cultivated through daily practices of self-awareness, self-compassion, and intentional connection. Whether single, in a relationship, or simply seeking a better relationship with yourself, this conversation offers powerful tools to foster a deeper, more resilient connection to yourself and others.

Dr. Solomon sheds light on using Relational Self-Awareness (RSA) to build fulfilling partnerships, understand our Family-of-Origin influences, and tackle relationship conflicts as a team. Join us as we unpack the complexities of intimacy and share practical guidance on nurturing love in ways that are both transformative and healing.

In this episode we explore: 

• Love as Daily Practice: Why love is more than a feeling—it’s a mindful practice that requires small, intentional actions each day.
• Understanding Family-of-Origin: How early family dynamics, or our "Original Love Classroom," shape our relationship patterns, and ways to move beyond them.
• Navigating Attachment Styles: A look at common attachment patterns like anxious and avoidant types, and ways to harmonize different styles in relationships.
• Relational Self-Awareness (RSA): How RSA can unlock healthier relationships by increasing empathy, self-understanding, and resilience.
• Turning Conflict into Connection: Practical tools for approaching challenges as a team and transforming conflict into intimacy and personal growth.
• Self-Compassion and Self-Respect: Balancing self-love with loving others without losing yourself in the relationship.
• Modern Dating Realities: Dr. Solomon shares insights into why dating can be difficult today and how to embrace a compassionate approach.
• Long-Term Partnership Wisdom: Dr. Solomon’s advice on nurturing enduring love with the help of daily practices that strengthen connection, respect, and joy.

If this episode resonated with you, consider taking action by sharing it with a friend or leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t miss out on future episodes! Make sure to subscribe to On Health for more conversations like this one, bringing you expert insights and empowering you to take control of your health and well-being.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

My guest today is Dr. Susan Blum, a medical doctor, a pioneer in functional medicine, and the founder and director of Blum Center for Health. In today’s episode, we take a deep dive into Dr. Blum’s upcoming book, Healing Arthritis: Your 3-Step Guide to Conquering Arthritis Naturally.

“Arthritis is an epidemic that nobody is talking about.” - Dr. Susan Blum

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/healing-arthritis/

If it’s taking longer than you thought it would to get pregnant, or if you’ve been told you have a fertility problem, or even if you have a ton of friends who have faced fertility challenges, you might be freaking out a little – or chances are, even a lot.

But please don't lose hope or confidence in your body; there’s a lot you can do to supercharge your fertility – and the most powerful place to start is with the foods you eat. In fact, I recommend all women – even if not planning to conceive for a year or more – follow an optimal fertility diet, as not only does it improve likelihood of conception, but it improves overall health for you and baby during pregnancy and beyond.

Listen to this episode to learn about my optimal fertility diet - and go to avivaromm.com/the-optimal-fertility-diet/ for a companion article.

If you have thyroid issues, times of stress can be hard. Today I'm talking to Dr. Izabella Wentz about tips to help you stay healthy in times of stress.

"If I’m stressed usually sleep, meditation, and walks in nature are going to be the three things that get me back on track." - Dr. Izabella Wentz

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/supporting-thyroid-stress/

Listen in as I talk to creator of the Spirit Junkie Movement Gabrielle Bernstein about resolutions and habits, and how to make them really stick.

"I’ve been on a very steadfast practice of turning inward and looking for my peace and self worth and happiness from my internal condition, not from the outside world." - Gabby Bernstein

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/gabrielle-bernstein/

It would be so wonderful if winter was merry and bright for everyone, but for so many women it is a SAD time of year. SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder — I like to call it the winter blues — and it’s what makes some of us want to curl up in bed and hibernate during the dark winter months. But how do you know if the underlying cause of your depression is SAD… or if it is your thyroid? In this episode, I’ll discuss the symptoms of SAD vs. low thyroid function, how to get your thyroid tested, and my top 7 tips for treating SAD naturally.

“Happiness is our natural state as human beings.” - Dr. 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/seasonal-affective-disorder/

On today's show I’m talking about adaptogens, a whole group of herbs that can help us heal our chronic energy and stress problems.

"Adaptogens help your body and your mind to cope more effectively with the demands of everyday life." - 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/adaptogens-beating-stress/

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. 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/

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/

Heavy periods. At least 50% of women struggle with them enough to, well, absolutely skip wearing white pants during that time of the month, and for 1 in 6 women, they’re severe enough to significant impact quality of life – from disruptive, frequent trips to the bathroom to change pads or tampons, to serious at-work period accidents, to staying home from work social engagements, and basically living life for fear of public period accidents.

Maybe this is something you’ve heard is “just a normal” part of having a menstrual cycle. (Nope!) Perhaps, like so many women, you’ve even heard this from your doctor! (Wrong!) Blowing through pads or tampons each cycle, stressing about ‘period accidents,’ arranging your life around your period, or feeling dang tired each month – or all the time – is anything but normal – and it’s certainly not something you should just have to ‘deal with, ’ever!

In this episode, I’ll share the causes of heavy periods – along with what you can do to identify your underlying causes, lighten your flow, and take back your life if heavy periods have been getting your down. For a companion article, go to avivaromm.com/heavy-periods/

What does it take to live a good life? Today Aviva talks to Jonathan Fields about his new book and the community he has built around living a good life.

“If you say yes to everybody else, if you don’t know how to say no to the things that matter less, then it means that they things that really do matter to you, you have no time to do in a way that gives you meaning.” - Jonathan Fields

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/jonathan-fields/