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: 
Biological sex (body characteristics), 
Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and 
Gender identity (our sense of self). 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…
As a matter of fact, most abortion care in the U.S. is safely provided with the help of two medications (also called “abortion pills”): mifepristone and misoprostol. Recent court challenges and ballot measures on abortion care have put the availability of mifepristone at risk (more on that below). Mifepristone is a hormone-blocking medication used for Read more…
A recent study finding lead and other metals in tampons has raised concern on social media. However, there is not yet convincing evidence showing that these metals in this context pose any real health concern. You could certainly use one of many available alternative menstrual products until more information is available if the possibility of Read more…
This is another in our new series: Nerdy Notes: Science in Story & Verse In these posts, our Nerdy Girl scientists and clinicians will share personal stories, insights, poetry, and more. While these posts may be lighter in terms of numbers and figures, they will still be rooted in our tradition and commitment to providing Read more…
According to the makers of Plan B®, this over-the-counter emergency contraception pill typically is good for four years when stored correctly. Think of a dry, dark place that stays around room temperature. (So not the bathroom 
). Folks thinking about buying Plan B® for future use should check the expiration date on the outside of Read more…
What types of hormone therapy can help with hot flashes and other menopause symptoms? Medications that deliver estrogen into your bloodstream can help relieve bodywide symptoms related to menopause. You can take a pill or wear a patch, but those aren’t the only FDA-approved options. Menopause marks the one-year anniversary of your final menstrual period. Read more…
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
This is the second in our new series: Nerdy Notes: Science in Story & Verse In these posts, our Nerdy Girl scientists and clinicians will share personal stories, insights, poetry, and more. While these posts may be lighter in terms of numbers and figures, they will still be rooted in our tradition and commitment to Read more…
Your iron supplement dose depends on how much iron you need and how well you tolerate iron. Taking your iron pill every other day and combining it with vitamin C may help you get the most benefit from your supplement. About 2 in 3 people worldwide don’t get enough iron, including roughly 1 in 7 American adults. People who Read more…
Which iron supplement is best? There is no “best” type of iron supplement. Inexpensive supplements are widely available and generally work just as well as more expensive iron formulations. The human body usually does a pretty good job of keeping iron in balance. Despite this, iron deficiency is common, especially in people who menstruate. It’s also Read more…
Welcome, Nerds to our new series: Nerdy Notes: Science in Story & Verse In these posts, our Nerdy Girl scientists and clinicians will share personal stories, insights, poetry, and more. While these posts may be lighter in terms of numbers and figures, they will still be rooted in our tradition and commitment to providing accessible Read more…
As we close out Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Those Nerdy Girls is offering a glimpse into the risk factors, (mis)perceptions, and disparities surrounding breast cancer with the hopes of expanding people’s perspectives and encouraging more far-reaching advocacy! Please enjoy the infographic slides we put together:
