1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:05,840 Speaker 1: Hello Sunshine, Hey fam Today on the bright Side, we're 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:09,799 Speaker 1: talking women's health with guynecologists and CEO of Sanctum med 3 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: and Wellness. It's doctor Jessica Shephard. Doctor Shepherd weighs in 4 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:16,239 Speaker 1: on the growing debate online about birth control and its 5 00:00:16,239 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 1: side effects, her holistic approach to medicine, and she also 6 00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 1: shares how we can all be better advocates for our 7 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: health and well being. 8 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:26,840 Speaker 2: It's Friday, April nineteenth, and Danielle Robe and. 9 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: I'm Simone Voice and this is the bright Side from 10 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:30,520 Speaker 1: Hello Sunshine. 11 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 2: Okay, first things first, Taylor Swift's new album is officially 12 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:41,559 Speaker 2: here the Tortured Poets Department. Here's a primer to get 13 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:43,920 Speaker 2: you all hyped up if you haven't listened yet. It's 14 00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 2: her eleventh album, Borrow. I can't believe that I've lived 15 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 2: through eleven Taylor Swift albums. 16 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 1: Can you know that number is staggering? 17 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 2: I just remember listening to Taylor Swift in high school 18 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 2: because teardrops on my guitar would come on and I 19 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 2: would like cry along with hers about right. So I 20 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 2: can't believe we're on number eleven. But people online are excited. 21 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 2: There's some really Dope features Florence and the Machine post Malone, 22 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:12,320 Speaker 2: and Taylor is always really creative with her marketing. One 23 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:14,840 Speaker 2: of the fun things that I saw her do is 24 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:19,960 Speaker 2: she offered a limited run of autographed LPs for fifty dollars. 25 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 2: LP's meaning like the vinyl version of her album, and 26 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 2: some fans on social obviously got them and they vanished 27 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,600 Speaker 2: in twenty minutes. I'm surprised they lasted. That long swifties 28 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:34,640 Speaker 2: are for real. I kind of compare it to like Beatlemania. 29 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 2: I know that's a crazy comparison, but that's the hysteria 30 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 2: that goes on. 31 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 1: I don't think it's that crazy. I mean, there's no 32 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:43,760 Speaker 1: fandom like the Taylor Swift fandom. 33 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 2: I feel like Justin Bieber at one moment had like 34 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:50,360 Speaker 2: a huge fandom like that. Obviously Michael Jackson did, but 35 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 2: I can't think of many other artists who get people 36 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 2: this hype. 37 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: But I think Taylor Swift is almost in a league 38 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: of her own because of the lore and the methodology 39 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: that she generates in the easter eggs that she buries 40 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:06,040 Speaker 1: in any of her public appearances or her wardrobe, and 41 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 1: then she follows back up on that in the album 42 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 1: so she really does create a narrative quite unlike most 43 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:14,240 Speaker 1: artists out there. 44 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:19,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think Taylor and Beyonce are really meticulous about 45 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 2: how they launch albums or collections or anything they do. 46 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 2: So it's fun to see people that are that dedicated 47 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 2: to their work. 48 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:29,640 Speaker 1: Okay, we have some news that is making my millennial 49 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 1: heart flutter. Nelly and Ashanti are expecting their first baby together. Danielle, 50 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 1: can we name it? 51 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:40,640 Speaker 3: Is it the shan Is it the Chantelly Baby? 52 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 1: I'm really hoping they come up with something better than that. 53 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,960 Speaker 1: So just a little recap on their dating history. I mean, 54 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 1: they were such a fixture in my childhood in the 55 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 1: early two thousands, but they dated for nearly a decade 56 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:58,639 Speaker 1: back then, and then they also broke up for about 57 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:01,959 Speaker 1: ten years, but reunited in twenty twenty three and they've 58 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 1: been together ever since. When I saw that they were 59 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 1: back together, I was just like so overjoyed for them. 60 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 1: This is Ashanti's first baby at forty three, which I 61 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:13,840 Speaker 1: love that for her. I love that she's creating a 62 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:17,680 Speaker 1: family later in life. Such an inspiration. Nelly, who's almost fifty, 63 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 1: has four kids. He has two from a previous relationship 64 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 1: along with his late sister's children, whom he adopted in 65 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 1: two thousand and five after she died of cancer. I 66 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:29,240 Speaker 1: just learned that these two coming back together starting a 67 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:31,560 Speaker 1: family together. I mean, this is up there with like 68 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 1: Jada and Will for me, Freddie Pince Junior and Sia. 69 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 1: Michelle Geller, what do you mean? 70 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 2: No, the Jada and Will love Ashanti and Nelly are 71 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 2: not in that category. 72 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:44,839 Speaker 3: No, that's crazy, top. 73 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 1: I completely disagree. 74 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:48,840 Speaker 2: Maybe Ben and Jed I feel like they're making people 75 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 2: want to contemplate getting back together with an X. 76 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:54,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, I could see that. I love their music from 77 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:56,520 Speaker 1: back in the day, so agree to disagree. 78 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 2: I keep thinking, like, does the baby come out and 79 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 2: they put like a little band aid under the eye 80 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 2: for Nelly. 81 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:06,720 Speaker 1: If it's a boy, there might be some band aid insignia, 82 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 1: like sewn into a onesie or something. We'll have to 83 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 1: wait and see. 84 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 2: They're definitely gonna have a fresh pair of Air Force 85 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 2: ones Okay, I'm gonna stop making Nelly puns, but anyways, 86 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 2: this is. 87 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 1: Gonna be the freshest little baby out there. 88 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 2: Okay, this next story is something I'm having a hard 89 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 2: time talking about it. 90 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 3: It's straight out of my nightmares. Quite honestly. 91 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 2: Emma Roberts recently took to Architectural Digest for a home tour. 92 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:33,159 Speaker 2: I love those videos that they do. I can't believe 93 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 2: celebrities let us into their houses like that. 94 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 3: Do you watch these? 95 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 1: I love this series. I'm obsessed with interiors, So this 96 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 1: scratches that itch for me. 97 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:45,840 Speaker 2: Okay, So Emma Roberts did hers and there's an entire 98 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 2: wall of dolls. I'm talking Barbies, Babies, action figures. 99 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 3: She says that she. 100 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 2: Hopes that every night they're gonna come awake and it 101 00:04:55,400 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 2: would be so thrilling, truly out of my mine. Do 102 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:03,839 Speaker 2: you have any dolls in your house? I know you 103 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 2: have two boys, like, do they like any of those? 104 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 1: I don't have any dolls. 105 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:08,039 Speaker 2: No. 106 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:11,800 Speaker 1: I collect antiques though, I collect vintage furniture. 107 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:14,680 Speaker 3: Okay, but that's cool, Thank you. 108 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: I appreciate it. You know. I've seen the response online 109 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:21,039 Speaker 1: to this, and I have to go off for a 110 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:24,560 Speaker 1: second on a little rant because it bothers me that 111 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 1: people are making fun of Emma for collecting dolls. Especially 112 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:31,040 Speaker 1: I've seen some female empowerment accounts who are making fun 113 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:34,600 Speaker 1: of her for this, and I don't think that that's 114 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 1: necessarily fair because men collect a ton of stuff too, 115 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:42,280 Speaker 1: like pocket knives, fighter jet models, cars, action figures, aka 116 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:43,159 Speaker 1: man dolls. 117 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 3: I mean it's the same thing so Christmas ornaments. 118 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:49,679 Speaker 1: Yeah, Like I if she enjoys this and this brings 119 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 1: her joy, like, let her have her little doll collection. 120 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:56,600 Speaker 2: So it's hard for me to even imagine collections. I 121 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:59,840 Speaker 2: grew up in a family that said collections are for museums. 122 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 2: Everything was like about essentialism. My parents were like anti 123 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:07,119 Speaker 2: stuff because my dad always said, if you collect stuff, 124 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:09,359 Speaker 2: then you have to spend money to store it and 125 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:12,719 Speaker 2: take care of it. And I think my grandfather was 126 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 2: a depression baby, so it was just like no stuff. 127 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:20,679 Speaker 2: So I can't personally imagine, like I collect books. Maybe 128 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 2: that's like the only thing that I have that even 129 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 2: rivals her doll collection. But I'm with you in terms 130 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 2: of happiness. I mean, if that's what gives her joy, 131 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 2: then all power to her. 132 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 1: There's this meme that's been going around for a little while, 133 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 1: and it says that your thirties are all about reconnecting 134 00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:37,159 Speaker 1: with the things that you loved in your teenage years. 135 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 1: And I've been looking for ways to do that intentionally 136 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: in my own life over the past year or so, 137 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 1: and it has been so fulfilling. It's been so much 138 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:51,080 Speaker 1: fun to just tap into that childlike mentality and do 139 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:55,039 Speaker 1: the things that my teenage self loved, Like what like 140 00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:58,280 Speaker 1: going to theme parks with my friends. 141 00:06:58,000 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 3: Also a thing of my nightmares, but keep going. 142 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,040 Speaker 1: Like getting ready with my friends again, that's something that 143 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,839 Speaker 1: I feel like you lose in your thirties when you 144 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 1: grow up, Like that time when you're getting ready in 145 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 1: the bathroom with your girlfriends. That's such a sacred time 146 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 1: and it's such a coming of age institution. So I've 147 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 1: been trying to do that more. That's really fun. 148 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 3: That's so fun. 149 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 2: We used to sit on the floor in front of 150 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:23,600 Speaker 2: like those mirrors that you get at Target for twenty 151 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 2: bucks and do our makeup and listen to music and 152 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 2: talk about who we were going to see that. 153 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: Night exactly, talk about your crushes. It's fun. 154 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, I agree with you. 155 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 2: Up next, we're talking women's health and wellness with doctor 156 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:39,760 Speaker 2: Jessica Shephard. 157 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:40,960 Speaker 1: We'll be right back, y'all. 158 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 2: Welcome back, Simone and I are so grateful that our 159 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 2: next guest is here with us today because you and 160 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 2: I both have a lot of questions. For weeks, we've 161 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 2: been seeing people post on Instagram and TikTok that document 162 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 2: them getting off the pill because of the negative side 163 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 2: effects that they say that they experience. And this is 164 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:11,720 Speaker 2: a big part of both of our algorithms now and 165 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 2: we've been talking about doing this segment like for months. 166 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 1: It's really hard to watch this discourse take place online, 167 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 1: not just because you know, of course, we don't like 168 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 1: to see people in pain, but it's also clear that 169 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:24,960 Speaker 1: a lot of women don't have the information they need 170 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: before they decide on contraception. And also it feels like 171 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 1: they're getting gas lit whenever they do complain about their 172 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: issues with contraception. But fortunately we have called in an expert, Danielle, 173 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:39,720 Speaker 1: We've got Obgin and CEO of sanctum Med. It's doctor 174 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 1: Jessica Shephard. Welcome to the bright Side. Hi everybody. 175 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 4: I'm so excited to be here on the bright Side, 176 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 4: especially with you two amazing women. 177 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 2: Doctor Shepherd, it is so great to have you here. 178 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 2: We've been talking about the growing number of social media 179 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:58,679 Speaker 2: posts on birth control and women are really questioning if 180 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 2: they want to be on it or not. Where do 181 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 2: you think this is all coming from and are you 182 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:04,679 Speaker 2: seeing it in your practice? 183 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:07,160 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know, I think that there has been a 184 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 4: lot that we've seen in the last maybe six months 185 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 4: to a year when it comes to birth control, and 186 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 4: I think that's because we're just more aware, we're more informed. 187 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:19,240 Speaker 4: I think the ability for us to have this information 188 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 4: allows us to say, hey, I actually have a choice. 189 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:23,680 Speaker 2: Now. 190 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 4: The backlash of that is that there usually is going 191 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:29,840 Speaker 4: to be a bad versus good right. That's usually where 192 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 4: we see everything go with, Well, if you're on it, 193 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 4: it's bad, and if you're off it, it's good. I 194 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 4: don't think there's ever perfectly right answer, and so I 195 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 4: think that's where that comes with the information which we'll 196 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 4: get in our discussion, for people to actually have a 197 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 4: choice and be okay with where they fall into if 198 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 4: they're on or off. 199 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:51,880 Speaker 1: As a physician an obgyn, I mean, you really are 200 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:55,959 Speaker 1: the ideal line of defense between information and misinformation. And 201 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: I'm sure a lot of patients are bringing those questions 202 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 1: into your office. So how do you help patients select 203 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 1: their birth control in the first place. Yeah, that's a 204 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: great question. 205 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:06,600 Speaker 4: So going back to just a quick history of like 206 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 4: when birth control came on the scene in the nineteen forties. 207 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 4: It was the birth control pill, right, and so it 208 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:13,640 Speaker 4: wasn't perfect, but it was a great way for women 209 00:10:13,679 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 4: to have the choice to prevent pregnancy. So fast forward 210 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 4: to where we are here in twenty twenty four. Think 211 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:22,440 Speaker 4: about where we are right now through productive justice and 212 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:25,320 Speaker 4: how important birth control now is for some people in 213 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:28,840 Speaker 4: certain states where they live. We're kind of back into 214 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 4: place almost to like where we were in the nineteen 215 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:34,680 Speaker 4: forties as far as access and the ability for women 216 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:37,600 Speaker 4: to make decisions for themselves. The fact is that we 217 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 4: have so many different varieties types ways that women can 218 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 4: use birth control, and that's the beauty of it. So 219 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 4: I usually counsel them on all forms of birth control, 220 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 4: like literally everything that's out there. People will usually say, oh, 221 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:52,760 Speaker 4: I'm not taking that, and I dig deeper. I'm like, 222 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:55,120 Speaker 4: oh well why, and what do you think about it? 223 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:58,200 Speaker 4: And a lot of times they'll be like, oh, well, 224 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:01,440 Speaker 4: I didn't really realize that that the information. Now I 225 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 4: can kind of clear that off the slate and make 226 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 4: a better decision for myself. 227 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:08,320 Speaker 1: I can tell you why I haven't been on birth 228 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 1: control for probably ten years. I mean, when I was 229 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: first taking the pill, I struggled with depression. I did 230 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:20,439 Speaker 1: not feel like myself. I had suicidal thoughts. It got 231 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: very severe for me. I also tried the neeuver ring 232 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 1: on my freakin' honeymoon. I got migrains, which I think 233 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:30,280 Speaker 1: were connected to the neeuverring, And I think this is 234 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,119 Speaker 1: what women are struggling with. It's like, Okay, wait a minute, 235 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 1: I've had adverse experiences with birth control. I can point 236 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 1: to three to six other girlfriends of mine who've had 237 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:45,040 Speaker 1: adverse experiences. How do I sort through the anecdotal evidence 238 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:49,679 Speaker 1: versus what we really know definitively about birth control. 239 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 4: I think that's a great place to for many women 240 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:55,680 Speaker 4: who were listening to being like that was me, Like 241 00:11:55,720 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 4: I had something that happened, or I didn't feel like myself. 242 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 4: Because everyone's feel physiology is so different, so it's very 243 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:04,960 Speaker 4: hard for me to predict how someone's going to respond 244 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:07,960 Speaker 4: to a certain form of birth control. So now let's 245 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 4: go back to the fundamental of are you trying to 246 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 4: prevent pregnancy or not? And if someone is, I'm like, okay, 247 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:17,679 Speaker 4: let's go through all the different varieties and let's figure 248 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:20,120 Speaker 4: out let's tweak something for the birth control pill, say, 249 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:23,079 Speaker 4: we have so many different varieties in whether it has 250 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:26,520 Speaker 4: a different amount of estrogen in it, whether it's a monophasic, 251 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 4: a triphasic, whether it's only progesterone. You know, maybe you're 252 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:32,440 Speaker 4: responsive to estrogen in a way that is not good 253 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 4: for you. And I'm like, well, let's try a progesterone 254 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 4: only pill. And then I would say, even though it's 255 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:39,319 Speaker 4: a limited list, there are some birth controls that don't 256 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:41,840 Speaker 4: have hormones. But I do have a lot of patients 257 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 4: who are like, I hear you, doctor Shepherd. I know 258 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 4: you have other options. I'm not open to them. I 259 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 4: just want to be off. And I'm like, great, yeah, 260 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 4: that's patient autonomy, that's your choice. 261 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 1: Yeah. 262 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:55,319 Speaker 2: What I'm hearing is that it's not a one size 263 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:58,840 Speaker 2: fits all approach or solution. I think what's so great 264 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 2: about the Internet is that men are getting to share 265 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 2: their stories. But what I'm recognizing is not everybody's body 266 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 2: is the same. 267 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 1: One of the reservations that I have about birth control 268 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:12,800 Speaker 1: is how it manipulates the cycle. And I just feel 269 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:16,599 Speaker 1: like the cycle is an indicator of overall health for 270 00:13:16,679 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 1: the female body, and so can you explain how does 271 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 1: the pill change the cycle. 272 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 4: Yeah, so when you look at the phases of your 273 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 4: menstrual cycle, you have the actual bleed, which is your menstruation, right, 274 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 4: So that's kind of how we dictate what is day 275 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:34,720 Speaker 4: one of your cycle is your first day of a bleed, 276 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:37,440 Speaker 4: and that can last anywhere from five to seven days, 277 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 4: and then you go to the follicular phase, right, so 278 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:42,840 Speaker 4: you don't get pregnant. It's like Groundhog's Day. Every month, 279 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 4: your body is in default to get pregnant, so it's like, 280 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 4: let's get pregnant, and then it doesn't, and it's like, oh, 281 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:51,640 Speaker 4: and then every month it's like, let's get pregnant. So 282 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:55,440 Speaker 4: in birth control, what it's trying to do is prevent 283 00:13:56,200 --> 00:14:01,880 Speaker 4: that actual follicle from releasing during the ovulatory portion, which 284 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 4: is that just that short timeframe and when you release 285 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 4: an egg. And so in order for it to do that, 286 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 4: the way that it does is it the lock up 287 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:12,960 Speaker 4: a better term, overrides the system, right, and so it's 288 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:16,959 Speaker 4: overriding what your body is continuing to do where it's 289 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 4: saying I'm going to decrease, whether it's the lhed surge 290 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 4: which comes right before ovulation, so that it's not a surge, 291 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 4: and then the body will be like, oh, well, if 292 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 4: the LH is not going up, then I'm not going 293 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 4: to ovulate, And just putting in these subtle points throughout 294 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 4: the menstrual cycle in order for it to suppress either 295 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 4: ovulation or not have the endometrial lining which is getting 296 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:45,280 Speaker 4: ready for that deposited fertilized egg to have the development 297 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 4: that it usually does. 298 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:49,960 Speaker 2: In terms of specific side effects for birth control, can 299 00:14:50,040 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 2: we go through a few of them and bust some myths? 300 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 1: Yeah? Do it? Okay? 301 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 2: Does the pill increase risk of cancer? 302 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:01,600 Speaker 4: That is a good question. So when we look at cancers, right, 303 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 4: because it's never just one cancer. It decreases your risk 304 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 4: of ovarian cancer, it reduces your risk of endometrial cancer. 305 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 4: Does it increase your risk of breast cancer? Yes, with 306 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 4: that caveat answer, I always say from a scientist's respective, 307 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:21,160 Speaker 4: when that answer is yes, you always have to add 308 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 4: to that. But with what risk, right, because it can 309 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 4: never just be a yes, it increases your risk or 310 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 4: breast cancer, which I believe is what we see going 311 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 4: through kind of like social media. It's like a very 312 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 4: simple kind of statement, birth control increases breast cancer? When 313 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 4: we actually look at like the relative risk or the 314 00:15:38,840 --> 00:15:40,960 Speaker 4: absolute risk of what it's going to increase it by, 315 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 4: it actually is a very small risk of what it's 316 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:46,440 Speaker 4: going to increase it by. So let me even break 317 00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 4: that down further for you. If you were to take 318 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:51,840 Speaker 4: all the reproductive organs, including breast, including that into the 319 00:15:51,840 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 4: reproductive organs, the most deadly form of reproductive cancers is 320 00:15:57,000 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 4: ovarian right. And so when you look at it from 321 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 4: more of a broad perspective of everything that I do 322 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 4: in my life, whether it's from a medication perspective, whether 323 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 4: it's a lifestyle, whether it's walking down the street, is 324 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 4: a risk. How do I want to kind of prioritize 325 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:13,960 Speaker 4: that risk in what I'm looking for as an outcome. 326 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:17,640 Speaker 4: What's important for my health, what's important for my lifestyle. 327 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 4: That's what I believe is more of the important question. 328 00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:23,240 Speaker 2: And like your family, I'm not good at science, but 329 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:27,320 Speaker 2: I can imagine family history comes into play. You really 330 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 2: kind of have to be the CEO of your own. 331 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 4: Health, absolutely, and family history is an important part. 332 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:36,160 Speaker 2: Okay, I have two more for you, birth control and infertility. 333 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 2: Is there a link there? 334 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 4: We have a lot of studies looking at infertility and 335 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 4: actual birth control, and it does not increase your risk 336 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 4: of infertility. And the reason I'll even expound on that 337 00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 4: more is that infertility is caused by multiple factors and 338 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 4: a lot of times it can be due to the tubes, 339 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 4: it can be due to the ovary, can be due 340 00:16:57,960 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 4: to the uterus, it can be due to the sperm 341 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:02,760 Speaker 4: right and so there can be a male factor of infertility. 342 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:05,800 Speaker 4: So when you lump those all together, there has been 343 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 4: no direct link between birth control causing one of those 344 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:14,399 Speaker 4: causes of infertility significantly. And the other thing that I 345 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:18,000 Speaker 4: would say is when we look at actual reasons for 346 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 4: infertility nowadays, most of that will be two things such 347 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 4: as pcos endometriosis. And then also we do have a 348 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:30,960 Speaker 4: higher age at which most women will have children now 349 00:17:31,240 --> 00:17:34,320 Speaker 4: and that significantly increase your risk of infertility. 350 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 1: Can I ask one follow up question about the infertility? 351 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:41,919 Speaker 1: Does birth control cause temporary infertility? Not long term, but 352 00:17:42,240 --> 00:17:45,359 Speaker 1: temporary as the cycle is getting back to normal. Is 353 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:47,360 Speaker 1: there any risk of temporary infertility? 354 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:50,160 Speaker 4: Depends what kind of birth control you are on, because 355 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:51,879 Speaker 4: so if it say the IUD, the IUD is what 356 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:54,040 Speaker 4: we would consider a local form of birth control. So 357 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,400 Speaker 4: once you remove it, it's not there, and so fertility 358 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 4: is resumed. Birth control pills the one that is in 359 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:03,800 Speaker 4: you arm, the implanted one. Those ones because they're systemic 360 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 4: and depending on how long they were used, once you 361 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:10,399 Speaker 4: come off, it does take some time for it to 362 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:13,879 Speaker 4: somewhat come out of your system completely, for your system 363 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 4: to start doing the natural course of the ovulation and 364 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 4: the menstrual and ludial and follicular phase, for it to 365 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:23,959 Speaker 4: now say, okay, we're doing full frontal of a cycle 366 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:26,439 Speaker 4: and I'm ready to get pregnant. So that timeframe is 367 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 4: different for everyone, So I don't know if I would 368 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:32,080 Speaker 4: term it like an infertile time. I would say it's 369 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:35,120 Speaker 4: more of like a resolution time that maybe some people 370 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 4: are not getting pregnant. But I've had plenty of patients 371 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:39,160 Speaker 4: who come off and then the next month they get pregnant. 372 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 4: But I do always make a disclaimer. I'll say, hey, 373 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 4: coming off birth control, depending on how long they've been on, 374 00:18:45,119 --> 00:18:48,439 Speaker 4: can take up to a year where you might become 375 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 4: pregnant because of it coming out of your system, which 376 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:53,119 Speaker 4: I can never dictate how long it would be for someone. 377 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:56,040 Speaker 2: Okay, the last one that I hear that's very common 378 00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 2: online is weight gain. 379 00:18:58,040 --> 00:19:01,440 Speaker 4: This is where I will personally say I have seen 380 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:05,080 Speaker 4: people have slight weight gains depending on which one. I 381 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:08,359 Speaker 4: will say that for people who are on the injectable, 382 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:13,080 Speaker 4: I do see a significant increase in weight for those patients. 383 00:19:13,640 --> 00:19:16,000 Speaker 4: I would say with birth control pills, it's like a 384 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 4: five to seven pound difference that I would see in patients. 385 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 4: That's been validated in studies. But I also think a 386 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:24,479 Speaker 4: lot of that weight gain too, has to be this 387 00:19:24,600 --> 00:19:28,239 Speaker 4: difference in water retention. I will say that even I 388 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:30,439 Speaker 4: go through that now, you know, being on the IUD, 389 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:34,120 Speaker 4: at certain parts of my cycle, I'm like, oh, I'm 390 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:37,879 Speaker 4: definitely in that phase because I just look different me 391 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 4: my hand's a bit different. 392 00:19:39,960 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 3: In my face also. 393 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 4: But then it's like the next week you're like, oh 394 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 4: I am cut this week, and you're like, oh, well, 395 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 4: I just didn't retain all that water. So the weight 396 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:53,280 Speaker 4: gain is I think is a very valid point. When 397 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 4: patients bring that up to me, I do take that 398 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:57,760 Speaker 4: seriously because they know their body. 399 00:19:58,400 --> 00:19:59,119 Speaker 3: Doctor Shepherd. 400 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 2: We're going to take a quick break, but when we 401 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:04,960 Speaker 2: come back, we're talking more specifically about IUDs and the 402 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 2: videos on social media. Of people recording their IUD procedures. 403 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 1: We're back, doctor Shepherd. I'd love to have you a 404 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:21,439 Speaker 1: in on the discussion around IUDs and the pain involved 405 00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 1: with these procedures, because this conversation is popping off on 406 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:29,080 Speaker 1: Instagram and TikTok right now. Patients are filming themselves getting 407 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:32,720 Speaker 1: an IUD inserted and removed. But from your perspective, is 408 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:35,240 Speaker 1: there any reason to believe that the IUD is any 409 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:38,280 Speaker 1: more problematic or risky than other forms of birth control. 410 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 4: I will say as a procedure, right, it's a procedure 411 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:45,080 Speaker 4: that's needed to take it in and also remove it. Granted, 412 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:47,160 Speaker 4: putting it in is much harder than taking it out. 413 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 4: Is that it is. I like to put it in 414 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:53,160 Speaker 4: the category of uncomfortable. There are some people. I mean, 415 00:20:53,200 --> 00:20:55,600 Speaker 4: I've put in thousands because I love IUDs, and so 416 00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:57,640 Speaker 4: I would say, over the course of my fifteen plus 417 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:00,880 Speaker 4: years of putting it in, I do deposit with this 418 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:06,680 Speaker 4: is an uncomfortable procedure. If at any moment it goes 419 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:09,880 Speaker 4: to exquisite or severe pain, I need you to let 420 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:13,400 Speaker 4: me know. And I think that's where as providers we fault. 421 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:16,320 Speaker 4: I have heard too many stories from patients where they 422 00:21:16,359 --> 00:21:20,119 Speaker 4: get some type of procedure, whether it's an endometrial biopsy 423 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:24,440 Speaker 4: an IUD insertion, where there is no conversation about it, 424 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:27,159 Speaker 4: like we're going to do this, and your legs are 425 00:21:27,240 --> 00:21:29,280 Speaker 4: up and then all of a sudden, there's instruments going 426 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:32,800 Speaker 4: into your vagina and there is no word about what's happening. 427 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:35,360 Speaker 4: And so I've heard that, and I think that's where 428 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:38,959 Speaker 4: it becomes very painful, because there's no conversation about it. 429 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:41,920 Speaker 1: Well, that's one of the questions that people are raising 430 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:46,400 Speaker 1: right now online. Should there be more anesthesia around this procedure? 431 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:47,359 Speaker 1: What do you think? 432 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:52,200 Speaker 4: I think that if patients pain tolerance, okay, is very subjective, 433 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:54,879 Speaker 4: and that's why I'm talking about pain in this category 434 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 4: of where between the two of you, you guys could 435 00:21:57,680 --> 00:22:00,840 Speaker 4: have the same experience of an uncomfortable or painful situation 436 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:03,320 Speaker 4: and report it completely different. Right. 437 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:04,720 Speaker 1: And so there are. 438 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:07,080 Speaker 4: People who know I don't have a good pain tolerance, 439 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:09,560 Speaker 4: and I'm like, great, thank you for letting me know. 440 00:22:10,119 --> 00:22:13,400 Speaker 4: I may give you an injection of lytocine into your 441 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:14,840 Speaker 4: cervix to help with the insertion. 442 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:15,479 Speaker 1: Okay. 443 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:17,359 Speaker 4: There are some people who are like, you know what 444 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:21,080 Speaker 4: I'm okay, let's try to let's go. I walk them 445 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:23,800 Speaker 4: through it. I tell them when the most uncomfortable portion 446 00:22:24,040 --> 00:22:26,400 Speaker 4: is coming up. I also let them know at any 447 00:22:26,480 --> 00:22:29,240 Speaker 4: time during this procedure, if you feel it's getting to 448 00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:33,320 Speaker 4: a level where this is now really intolerable pain, you 449 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:34,600 Speaker 4: have to let me know. 450 00:22:35,359 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: I think that we. 451 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:39,480 Speaker 4: Do need to take a step back as healthcare providers 452 00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:43,000 Speaker 4: to give a voice to patients, to allow them to 453 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:45,520 Speaker 4: express what they may be feeling, what they're going through, 454 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 4: to be heard, especially women. One thing that we have 455 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:52,560 Speaker 4: not brought up in that conversation is again going to 456 00:22:53,280 --> 00:22:57,679 Speaker 4: the intimacy of that actual kind of interaction, and for 457 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:01,159 Speaker 4: women who have maybe had some issues or maybe some 458 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:05,960 Speaker 4: exchanges or even assaults or trauma in their previous life 459 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:08,399 Speaker 4: and now something going on down there where there's not 460 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:11,639 Speaker 4: a lot of conversation that can trigger a lot of anxiety, 461 00:23:11,920 --> 00:23:14,639 Speaker 4: which can heighten pain. It can trigger a lot of 462 00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:18,280 Speaker 4: tense moments in the body that can trigger much more 463 00:23:18,359 --> 00:23:21,800 Speaker 4: pain that's felt. So I think again bringing it back 464 00:23:21,800 --> 00:23:25,439 Speaker 4: from the patient perspective, am I okay? And then for 465 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:27,960 Speaker 4: providers to be a little bit more astute to saying 466 00:23:28,080 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 4: are you okay? Is this something that is outside of 467 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:35,040 Speaker 4: this experience that maybe needs to be attended to before 468 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:37,399 Speaker 4: we actually go through with this procedure. 469 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:42,960 Speaker 2: I took a college course about women's health that revolutionized 470 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:45,920 Speaker 2: my life, and one of the things that I learned 471 00:23:45,960 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 2: that I realized a lot of women don't know is 472 00:23:48,359 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 2: that during any procedure that you're having, your obgin should 473 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:56,560 Speaker 2: be talking you through it and saying, I'm inserting this, 474 00:23:56,560 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 2: this is going to be cold. 475 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:02,199 Speaker 3: And that actually cold ever warning about HL, but talking 476 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 3: you through it really helps. 477 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:05,600 Speaker 2: And I think that's something that people should know to 478 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:07,960 Speaker 2: expect and if you're not getting it, you should ask 479 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 2: for it. 480 00:24:09,119 --> 00:24:09,800 Speaker 1: Yeah. 481 00:24:10,160 --> 00:24:12,399 Speaker 4: I think that patients can stop us. 482 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:13,200 Speaker 1: What are you doing? 483 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:14,280 Speaker 4: What's going on? 484 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:15,320 Speaker 3: Yeah? 485 00:24:15,359 --> 00:24:17,960 Speaker 1: And sometimes we're not heard because we don't know what 486 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:23,320 Speaker 1: questions we should be asking. So, doctor Shepherd, what questions 487 00:24:23,440 --> 00:24:27,960 Speaker 1: should patients be asking their doctor when they're considering changing 488 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:30,520 Speaker 1: to a new type of birth control or experimenting with 489 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:31,480 Speaker 1: one in the first place. 490 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 4: I think they should know what does it do? I 491 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:36,680 Speaker 4: think the questions that you asked previously on like how 492 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:39,560 Speaker 4: does it actually work? Because think about it's such an 493 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:43,320 Speaker 4: umbrella term birth control, right yet there's like what seven 494 00:24:43,359 --> 00:24:46,280 Speaker 4: to ten different types of birth control? What are the 495 00:24:46,320 --> 00:24:49,560 Speaker 4: different types, how do they work? And do you think 496 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 4: this is a good fit for me? 497 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:51,800 Speaker 2: Right? 498 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:54,240 Speaker 4: I think those are valid questions to ask. I always 499 00:24:54,280 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 4: say to patients, you know, if you feel that you 500 00:24:57,840 --> 00:24:59,720 Speaker 4: get to the end of your appointment, which again is 501 00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:03,040 Speaker 4: all short, and you know, cut off, that you didn't 502 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:05,920 Speaker 4: get all your questions answered, then don't make a decision 503 00:25:05,960 --> 00:25:09,040 Speaker 4: in that time. Were the CEO of our health? Being 504 00:25:09,080 --> 00:25:12,840 Speaker 4: the CEO requires doing research and saying for me as 505 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 4: a person in the journey that I am in the 506 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:17,320 Speaker 4: time and space where I am and why I'm wanting 507 00:25:17,359 --> 00:25:19,919 Speaker 4: to get this certain thing at the doctor's office, I 508 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:22,199 Speaker 4: have to do the work as well. I have to 509 00:25:22,200 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 4: do the work. 510 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:26,760 Speaker 1: Well, that's where I'm really enjoying learning more about functional medicine. 511 00:25:26,800 --> 00:25:29,480 Speaker 1: For anyone who doesn't know, functional medicine is a form 512 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:33,640 Speaker 1: of alternative medicine that focuses on identifying the root causes 513 00:25:33,680 --> 00:25:36,879 Speaker 1: of disease and pain and doctor Shepherd, you studied at 514 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 1: the Institute for Functional Medicine. So what is it that 515 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:42,280 Speaker 1: appeals to you about functional medicine and where do you 516 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:46,160 Speaker 1: see it offering an alternative to traditional Western approaches. 517 00:25:47,080 --> 00:25:49,760 Speaker 4: Yeah, that is, you know, a great way to segue 518 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:51,680 Speaker 4: into how I practice Now. You know, I started a 519 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:55,800 Speaker 4: very evidence based academic medicine and just over the years, 520 00:25:55,840 --> 00:25:58,880 Speaker 4: I've really allowed myself to step back and say, how 521 00:25:58,920 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 4: can I serve my page in another way where they're 522 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:06,600 Speaker 4: more a part of the actual diagnosis and management of 523 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:10,280 Speaker 4: their body. And that's where functional medicine comes in, because 524 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:14,679 Speaker 4: it's behavioral change. Yep, it's lifestyle changes, which to me 525 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:18,240 Speaker 4: has been the hardest part of practicing medicine is because 526 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:20,400 Speaker 4: I will say, I know why this is happening from 527 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:23,959 Speaker 4: a functional standpoint, and here's how we can do this together. 528 00:26:24,520 --> 00:26:26,080 Speaker 4: But you're going to have to do some of this 529 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:29,480 Speaker 4: work because it requires a lot of different changes. 530 00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:31,520 Speaker 1: Can you give us an example of some of those 531 00:26:31,560 --> 00:26:35,800 Speaker 1: lifestyle changes? If a patient came to you seeking out 532 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:39,880 Speaker 1: a functional medicine approach, what kind of lifestyle changes would 533 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:43,560 Speaker 1: you prescribe in order to minimize painful periods or regulate hormones? 534 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:46,600 Speaker 4: Absolutely, so, when we look at that actual cycle that 535 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:49,560 Speaker 4: we went through earlier in the different phases, is being 536 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:51,920 Speaker 4: very in tune with your body. So knowing when you're 537 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:55,080 Speaker 4: going through those different phases, and then in that is 538 00:26:55,119 --> 00:26:58,520 Speaker 4: adjusting whether it's sleep, whether it's the type of exercise 539 00:26:58,560 --> 00:27:00,320 Speaker 4: that you do, whether it's the type of food that 540 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:02,480 Speaker 4: you eat. So I do believe that nutrition is one 541 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:05,560 Speaker 4: of the most important pillars of health, but in a 542 00:27:05,680 --> 00:27:09,560 Speaker 4: conjunction with now how your body regulates and how your 543 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:13,480 Speaker 4: body changes the intake that you get through food according 544 00:27:13,480 --> 00:27:16,920 Speaker 4: to your cycle. That's like a revolutionary science that really 545 00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:20,600 Speaker 4: requires you to listen to your body, to understand your body, 546 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:23,679 Speaker 4: and to pushing through those hard times initially when you 547 00:27:23,720 --> 00:27:26,040 Speaker 4: start to make those behavioral changes, because your body is 548 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:27,719 Speaker 4: always going to want to revert back to what it 549 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 4: does naturally or what it's been doing forever, and so 550 00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:33,560 Speaker 4: that push through really is where you're going to get 551 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:37,160 Speaker 4: the benefit. I've noticed for patients who have endometriosis, when 552 00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:40,240 Speaker 4: we're actually able to restrict some things from their diet, 553 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:43,800 Speaker 4: they do see some changes in how they have pain 554 00:27:44,119 --> 00:27:46,760 Speaker 4: or The best thing also is what we're able to 555 00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:49,800 Speaker 4: do with our mind. I'm very big on mindfulness and 556 00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:54,360 Speaker 4: the ability to mitigate and get through pain through our minds. 557 00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:56,600 Speaker 4: But again that's a lot of work and a lot 558 00:27:56,600 --> 00:27:59,280 Speaker 4: of what we see in Eastern medicine. But the ability 559 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:01,280 Speaker 4: to do that is there, and I firmly believe that. 560 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:04,119 Speaker 2: I have one last question before you leave. I want 561 00:28:04,160 --> 00:28:08,119 Speaker 2: you to talk about your philosophy as a physician. 562 00:28:09,040 --> 00:28:12,440 Speaker 4: Yeah. My philosophy really is I want people to be 563 00:28:12,680 --> 00:28:17,240 Speaker 4: their best advocate and really tune into what do I 564 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:20,840 Speaker 4: want as the best outcome for myself in health because 565 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:23,720 Speaker 4: I do believe that health is your best currency. You 566 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:25,800 Speaker 4: are the one who gets to decide what you want 567 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:28,440 Speaker 4: to show up with in twenty thirty years from now, 568 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:31,959 Speaker 4: and so having a team on your side from a 569 00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:36,280 Speaker 4: medical perspective, from health advocacy perspective, and from who you 570 00:28:36,320 --> 00:28:39,640 Speaker 4: surround yourself with and how they believe in health truly 571 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:42,600 Speaker 4: is going to form and weave this lifestyle for you 572 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:45,320 Speaker 4: in health and wellness and to give you the best 573 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:47,800 Speaker 4: outcome and to help build a legacy in health because 574 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:50,400 Speaker 4: we have nothing butter health in the end, and you 575 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:53,240 Speaker 4: have to be willing to do the work in order 576 00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:58,200 Speaker 4: to get that amazing outcome of impeccable quality of life. 577 00:28:58,360 --> 00:29:02,160 Speaker 2: Yes, well said, thank you for your time and for 578 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:03,240 Speaker 2: your great work. 579 00:29:04,120 --> 00:29:07,960 Speaker 1: Also, doctor Shepherd, I have to mention obgu I N's 580 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:11,040 Speaker 1: are heroes in my eyes, but specifically black obg I n's. 581 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:14,680 Speaker 1: I chose a black O BG in to deliver both 582 00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:19,520 Speaker 1: of my babies because I felt scared and unsafe about 583 00:29:19,600 --> 00:29:23,120 Speaker 1: the conditions that exist for black women in the medical system, 584 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:25,520 Speaker 1: especially as they're giving birth. Makes me emotional to talk 585 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:31,760 Speaker 1: about it. But thank you for pursuing this work and 586 00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:32,600 Speaker 1: answering the call. 587 00:29:32,960 --> 00:29:36,239 Speaker 4: Thank you, I really appreciate that because it's rough out 588 00:29:36,280 --> 00:29:38,800 Speaker 4: here in these streets. You know, it's not many of us, 589 00:29:38,880 --> 00:29:43,320 Speaker 4: and the calling is like so intense because we see 590 00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:45,800 Speaker 4: it and then we look at the force that we 591 00:29:45,840 --> 00:29:47,680 Speaker 4: have and we're like, there's only so many of us. 592 00:29:47,720 --> 00:29:50,880 Speaker 4: How do we actually like accommodate this great need? 593 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:51,280 Speaker 1: Yea? 594 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:53,880 Speaker 4: And it sometimes it's heartbreaking because you're like, I can't 595 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:56,400 Speaker 4: get to everybody and I want to, and how do 596 00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:59,120 Speaker 4: we do this? So thank you for those words, because 597 00:29:59,160 --> 00:30:01,560 Speaker 4: you know, we have little groups of like obgyn's and 598 00:30:01,560 --> 00:30:03,560 Speaker 4: we talk and you know, we go through some of 599 00:30:03,600 --> 00:30:05,840 Speaker 4: the times that we hear of tragedies and we're just like, 600 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:08,800 Speaker 4: I don't understand why it keeps happening, you know. So 601 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:11,800 Speaker 4: it's very heartbreaking and from a standpoint of people who 602 00:30:11,960 --> 00:30:15,120 Speaker 4: do it as their work, but we can't fix it. Yeah, 603 00:30:15,160 --> 00:30:16,920 Speaker 4: sometimes it's hard, but. 604 00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:20,680 Speaker 1: You are fixing it just by existing. Like just knowing 605 00:30:20,960 --> 00:30:24,160 Speaker 1: that I can seek out a black obgyn and I 606 00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:27,000 Speaker 1: can feel safe with her, feel safe with someone like you. 607 00:30:28,040 --> 00:30:30,320 Speaker 1: That is part of the solution. 608 00:30:30,560 --> 00:30:31,440 Speaker 4: I appreciate that. 609 00:30:32,240 --> 00:30:35,520 Speaker 1: Doctor Shepherd. Thank you so much for coming here and 610 00:30:35,560 --> 00:30:39,960 Speaker 1: bringing honesty. I actually love that you were like, listen, 611 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:42,040 Speaker 1: there's not always going to be a clear answer to 612 00:30:42,120 --> 00:30:46,160 Speaker 1: this question. There is nuance here, and that's so important. 613 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:49,800 Speaker 1: I'm someone who exists in the nuance. I seek it out. 614 00:30:49,840 --> 00:30:52,320 Speaker 1: I appreciate it, and I'm so happy that you brought 615 00:30:52,400 --> 00:30:54,480 Speaker 1: that to our show. So thank you for having me. 616 00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:55,560 Speaker 4: I love this conversation. 617 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:03,840 Speaker 1: Jessica Shepherd is an obgin and the founder and CEO 618 00:31:04,040 --> 00:31:05,960 Speaker 1: of Sanctum med and Wellness. 619 00:31:08,400 --> 00:31:10,600 Speaker 2: Okay, before we wrap today's show, I just want to 620 00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:12,640 Speaker 2: say that doctor jess is a. 621 00:31:12,640 --> 00:31:13,480 Speaker 3: Unicorn to me. 622 00:31:14,560 --> 00:31:15,480 Speaker 1: What do you mean by that? 623 00:31:16,080 --> 00:31:20,960 Speaker 2: I find her to be one of the most smart, 624 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:24,640 Speaker 2: thoughtful doctors that I've ever interviewed, and I've interviewed it 625 00:31:24,680 --> 00:31:28,720 Speaker 2: done and she just I love her holistic approach to 626 00:31:28,840 --> 00:31:32,080 Speaker 2: medicine and to science and to our bodies. The functional 627 00:31:32,120 --> 00:31:34,080 Speaker 2: medicine approach is something I think we both love. 628 00:31:34,320 --> 00:31:39,600 Speaker 1: I really appreciate a doctor who refuses to stay stale 629 00:31:39,880 --> 00:31:44,000 Speaker 1: in the past. She is constantly growing and evolving and learning. 630 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:46,880 Speaker 1: I mean, she studied at the Institute for Functional Medicine, 631 00:31:46,880 --> 00:31:51,000 Speaker 1: so she is constantly seeking out new approaches to her 632 00:31:51,080 --> 00:31:54,320 Speaker 1: field and what she does and looking for ways to 633 00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:58,920 Speaker 1: better serve our patients. For me, the biggest takeaway from 634 00:31:58,920 --> 00:32:03,560 Speaker 1: that conversation is to be your own best advocate, and 635 00:32:03,640 --> 00:32:07,800 Speaker 1: that is the cornerstone of her philosophy as a physician. 636 00:32:08,600 --> 00:32:12,920 Speaker 1: And I just think that that's so important whatever kind 637 00:32:12,960 --> 00:32:16,080 Speaker 1: of medical treatment you are seeking, you know, whether you're 638 00:32:16,520 --> 00:32:20,960 Speaker 1: looking for birth control, whether you are you know, recovering 639 00:32:21,040 --> 00:32:25,720 Speaker 1: from some sort of trauma, whether you're giving birth. 640 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:29,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I also think that our lives are so cluttered, 641 00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:33,080 Speaker 2: we're consuming so much. There's so much information that it's 642 00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:37,800 Speaker 2: really hard to take the time to be the CEO 643 00:32:37,880 --> 00:32:40,480 Speaker 2: of your own health, Like our health is like number one. 644 00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:44,040 Speaker 2: So I like that reframe. I like taking responsibility for 645 00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:47,480 Speaker 2: your own health. And I love what you said at 646 00:32:47,480 --> 00:32:49,960 Speaker 2: the end of that interview in terms of seeking out 647 00:32:50,040 --> 00:32:55,240 Speaker 2: a black OBGYN. Doctor Shepherd has been so committed to 648 00:32:55,360 --> 00:32:59,640 Speaker 2: creating safe spaces for patients and for women. She even 649 00:32:59,640 --> 00:33:03,560 Speaker 2: started her own practice, Sanctum Met and Wellness. I'm just 650 00:33:03,600 --> 00:33:05,160 Speaker 2: grateful for people like her. 651 00:33:05,840 --> 00:33:15,480 Speaker 1: Anyone who is her patient. So lucky, yests Danielle. I 652 00:33:15,560 --> 00:33:17,600 Speaker 1: am so stoked to report that we are going to 653 00:33:17,640 --> 00:33:19,920 Speaker 1: be making this a regular thing. We're going to have 654 00:33:20,040 --> 00:33:22,600 Speaker 1: on a women's health expert about once a month to 655 00:33:22,640 --> 00:33:25,840 Speaker 1: answer our health questions and take care of some very 656 00:33:26,040 --> 00:33:29,320 Speaker 1: crucial myth busting for us. So send us an email 657 00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:32,040 Speaker 1: or a voice note with your questions to Hello at 658 00:33:32,040 --> 00:33:33,840 Speaker 1: the bright sidepodcast dot com. 659 00:33:34,160 --> 00:33:34,760 Speaker 3: On Monday. 660 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:39,200 Speaker 2: We are manifesting big love. I'm not just talking about me, 661 00:33:39,320 --> 00:33:42,080 Speaker 2: I said, we on purpose. We have the privilege of 662 00:33:42,120 --> 00:33:45,840 Speaker 2: speaking to Catherine Woodward Thomas, author of the New York 663 00:33:45,880 --> 00:33:50,080 Speaker 2: Times bestselling book Calling in the One seven Weeks to Attract. 664 00:33:49,720 --> 00:33:52,880 Speaker 3: The love of your life. It is a must listen. 665 00:33:54,360 --> 00:33:56,440 Speaker 3: The bright Side is a production of Hello. 666 00:33:56,240 --> 00:34:01,120 Speaker 2: Sunshine, and iHeart Podcasts and as executive produced by Recons Witherspoon. 667 00:34:00,880 --> 00:34:05,200 Speaker 1: Production by Arcana Audio. Courtney Gilbert is our associate producer. 668 00:34:05,360 --> 00:34:09,040 Speaker 1: Our producers are Stephanie Brown and Jessica Wank. Our engineer 669 00:34:09,120 --> 00:34:13,839 Speaker 1: is PJ. Shahamat and our senior producer is itsy Qinthenia Our. 670 00:34:13,920 --> 00:34:17,680 Speaker 2: Conna's executive producers are Francis Harlowe and Abby Ruzka. 671 00:34:17,840 --> 00:34:19,960 Speaker 3: Arcana's head of production is Matt Schultz. 672 00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:23,880 Speaker 1: Natalie Tulluck and Maureen Polo are the executive producers for 673 00:34:23,920 --> 00:34:24,879 Speaker 1: Hello Sunshine. 674 00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:28,360 Speaker 2: Julia Weaver is the supervising producer, and Ali Perry is 675 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:32,200 Speaker 2: the executive producer for iHeart Podcasts. This week's episodes were 676 00:34:32,239 --> 00:34:33,520 Speaker 2: recorded by Graham Gibson. 677 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:37,640 Speaker 1: Our theme song is by Anna Stump and Hamilton lighthauser. 678 00:34:37,760 --> 00:34:40,240 Speaker 2: Special thanks to Connell Byrne and Will Pearson. 679 00:34:40,800 --> 00:34:43,080 Speaker 1: That's it for today's show. I'm Simone Boyce. You can 680 00:34:43,080 --> 00:34:45,760 Speaker 1: find me at Simone Voice on Instagram and TikTok. 681 00:34:45,960 --> 00:34:49,640 Speaker 2: I'm Danielle Robe on Instagram and TikTok. That's ro b 682 00:34:49,800 --> 00:34:52,520 Speaker 2: a y See you Monday, fam, See you later.