Perimenopause is already a rollercoaster—hot flashes, brain fog, and now…SURPRISE! cancer screenings.

In this episode of OvaryActive, Amy and Rebecca sit down with Gynecologic Oncologist Fernanda Musa, MD MS to tackle the less-fun-but-super-important reality: perimenopause is also prime time for gynecologic cancers.

Think of it as the sequel nobody asked for, but everybody needs to watch.

Dr. Musa brings her scalpel-sharp expertise (she is a surgeon, afterall ) and a refreshingly candid approach to topics we’d rather avoid. Cervical and uterine cancers and pesky fibroids that multiply like bad ex-boyfriends both made the list.

She tells you what’s common, what’s rare, and when you should actually worry. Hmmm…not every bloated belly means ovarian cancer, but you shouldn’t ignore it either.

Bottom line? Now you’ll know when to laugh off your perimenopausal chaos, and when to call your gynecologist.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

[0:28] Guest intro: Dr. Fernanda Musa

[2:28] Understanding cervical cancer

[5:19] HPV screening and vaccines

[14:15] Symptoms & diagnosis of endometrial cancer

[18:11] Hormone therapy after uterine cancer

[20:28] Fibroids vs tumors (with symptoms!)

[25:55] Risks & symptoms of ovarian cancer

[32:23] Don’t brush off abnormal bleeding!

[34:20] Final thoughts and encouragement

More about Dr. Fernanda Musa:

swedish.org/doctors/gynecologic-oncology/wa/everett/fernanda-musa-1700044054

Dr. Musa on Instagram @ferniebo

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

Perimenopause: when sneezing, laughing, or even thinking too hard about a trampoline suddenly becomes a bladder hazard. And guess what!? Kegels aren’t the cure-all we were promised.

In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch take us below the belt to talk pelvic floor health—the underappreciated muscle group that keeps your insides from falling out and your basement from springing a leak.

Joining the Docs is Tanya Goodrich, founder of Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy and proud owner of the best blueberry analogy you’ll ever hear. Tanya is here to prove that pelvic floor therapy isn’t scary—it’s empowering, practical, and sometimes even hilarious.

In this conversation, you’ll learn why incontinence isn’t inevitable, what “panic bladder” really means, and why your pelvic floor might be too tight (not just too loose).

Tanya also shares her signature “poo poo ritual,” tips for pain-free sex, and a crash course in blueberry lifting—yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. By the end, you’ll walk away with real strategies for bladder, bowel, and bedroom health… and a few jokes you’ll never un-hear.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

[0:56] Meet Tanya Goodrich

[3:18] What the heck is the pelvic floor?

[5:17] Pelvic floor PT

[6:37] Perimenopause and incontinence

[8:56] Kegels are cancelled

[11:01] Stop peeing “just-in-case”

[20:01] Let’s talk about poop

[27:44] Chronic pelvic pain

[33:18] Sex, menopause, & pain

[42:34] Self-care is NOT scary

Links:

healthypelvis.com

@thehealthypelvis on Instagram

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

If perimenopause has turned your brain to mush and your patience to vapor, fear not—we’ve got your next reading list and your next excuse to hide in a closet with a book.

In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch tackle the hot topic of hot flashes and paperbacks, reminding us that reading is not just fundamental—it’s survival.

These two brilliant minds dive into why reading is a legit form of self-care during perimenopause––wine and doomscrolling can only take you so far. From brain health and stress reduction to reconnecting with yourself when your hormones have ghosted you, they make the case for curling up with a good book—no matter the genre.

You’ll get recs for everything from practical guides like The Menopause Manifesto and The Vagina Bible, to erotica that might just make your estrogen do a double take. Plus, empowering fiction, spicy sci-fi, feminist fantasy, and memoirs that scream “same, girl, same.”

Tune in to fill your TBR pile and your soul. Share this episode and start a book club!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

[0:34] Reading is fundamental

[2:54] Reading instead of scrolling

[5:20] Book Recs: Women’s health, perimenopause, and sexual health

[19:04] Book Recs: Erotica, romance, & beach reads

[24:47] Book Recs: Throwbacks, perimenopause fiction, hot “flush”, & fun fiction

[37:26] Fun Reads from Rebecca: Sci-fi and fantasy

[42:20] Fun reads from Amy: Historical fiction, light reads, murder mysteries

[47:23] Final thoughts

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html