We need to talk about two recent cases of medical racism in maternity care. In this post you’ll learn more about what steps you can take to directly address this crisis. Last month, like so many moments in the reproductive health space, we woke up to information that has our hearts despairing. Two viral videos last month showed Read more…
Before we dig into where we are now, let’s take a moment to remember and honor those we have lost to HIV/AIDS. This Nerd lost Stuart and Bob, uncle figures and mentors in my childhood and young adulthood. I credit them for my love and passion for public health. Here’s a TL;DR of HIV updates: Read more…
The FDA is asking companies to remove black box warnings on hormone therapy for menopause, and many experts agree. A black box warning, which appears in a black-bordered box on a medication, is a warning to healthcare providers that the medication may cause serious adverse effects. The original black box warning for hormone therapy was Read more…
TL;DR: We (clinicians and researchers) generally worry the most about long-term, high dose exposure to things during pregnancy. Using acetaminophen at recommended doses for short periods of time during pregnancy is extremely unlikely to cause significant long-term harm. 👀 In this video, OB/GYN Dr. Katherine Cartwright and MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC help us understand what Read more…
Are there longterm studies on using acetaminophen or Tylenol during pregnancy? It’s very understandable to have questions about using acetaminophen during pregnancy. There’s a lot of information and noise out there that’s hard to sort through. Don’t hesitate to ask your clinician if you have concerns. 🧡 Watch as OB/GYN Dr. Katherine Cartwright breaks it Read more…
What are the limitations of current studies on using Tylenol or acetaminophen during pregnancy? Nerdy Girl and OB/GYN Dr. Katherine Cartwright breaks down the limitations of current studies on using acetaminophen (Tylenol or Paracetamol) during pregnancy. 🤓 Those Nerdy Girls want to help you stay on the frontline of science and health information. ✨ Follow Read more…
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Nerdy Girl Alumna Dr. Chana Davis takes a deep dive into breast cancer risk: what we can and cannot control. (This post was originally published on October 30, 2024.) A candid look at breast cancer risk It’s time to shift the conversation about breast cancer risk and be candid Read more…
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Learn more here. What are Dense Breasts? We say breasts are dense if they have more fibrous and connective tissue. Less dense breasts have more fat and less fibrous tissue. Tissue is typically graded from A through D in terms of density. A is almost entirely fat, while D Read more…
Q: What does sepsis awareness have to do with reproductive health? A: Tons, actually! From natural processes such as menstruation to medical procedures such as abortions, the goings-on of our reproductive systems – particularly in those of us assigned female at birth – may make us more susceptible to infections. And when reproductive healthcare systems Read more…
🔶What is HPV? HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Most people who get HPV clear the virus on their own within two years and don’t have symptoms – but because some types can lead to cancer or genital warts, it’s helpful for everyone to know about HPV prevention and treatment. Read more…
Any update on sexually transmitted infection prevention? Well as a matter of fact, yes there is! There is an exciting update on sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. And sexually transmitted infection prevention is one of the things that makes this Nerd go all starry-eyed! 🤩 ✨ Medication prevention for chlamydia and syphilis (less effective for Read more…
As we prepare to usher in Black Maternal Health Week, I’d like to pay tribute to the first post I ever wrote for Those Nerdy Girls, titled, “We Need to Move the Needle on Black Reproductive Health. Like, Yesterday.” In early 2023, I was intensely homesick while studying in Oxford. In my search for recourse Read more…
A candid look at breast cancer risk It’s time to shift the conversation about breast cancer risk and be candid about what we can and cannot control. We are bombarded by messages about everything we should be doing, or not doing, to avoid cancer. Mainstream media cranks out endless stories about cancer-causing chemicals in our Read more…
The Glucola test is given to pregnant people to test for gestational diabetes and is both necessary and safe. Untreated gestational diabetes can have serious health consequences for both the pregnant person and the baby. What is gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes occurs when a person has elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy. In gestational diabetes, Read more…
Q: Ok, just what IS the difference between sex and gender?! A: To answer this question we need to discuss three different things: 1️⃣ Biological sex (body characteristics), 2️⃣ Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and 3️⃣ Gender identity (our sense of self). 1️⃣ Biological sex refers to the different types Read more…
Cycle Syncing is a methodology when you shift your exercise and eating habits based on your menstrual cycle. The science isn’t completely clear on whether there’s a benefit, but as long as the habits are healthy, there’s no harm in trying. TL;DR: Try to aim for at least 2.5 hours a week of movement that Read more…
Q: How do sex chromosomes determine our reproductive body parts? A: Biologic sex is much less straightforward than most of us have been taught. Humans come in a variety of combinations of body parts (anatomy), hormones, and X and Y chromosomes. Most people either have XY chromosomes and develop typical male anatomy or have XX Read more…
Q: I am 43 years old. Is it too late for me to get the HPV vaccine? A: No, it’s not too late. Adults can get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, too. Talk to your clinician to discuss whether getting the vaccine is right for you. TL;DR: Originally, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was approved Read more…
TL;DR: If you are aged 21 to 65 years and have a cervix* you should be screened for cervical cancer every 3-5 years. 👏 Guess what?! The FDA just approved self-swabbing in the healthcare setting, so if the pelvic exam has been stressing you out, ask your clinician for the self-swabbing option. *Please note, if Read more…
Loss of FDA approval for mifepristone would result in decreased access to safe abortion care. It will also prevent patients with certain types of miscarriage from receiving one of the standard treatment options. TL;DR Mifepristone is one of two medications used for the most common type of early abortion. It is also standard treatment for Read more…
