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A packed hallway at the ACNM Annual Meeting turned into the perfect backdrop for a clear, compassionate deep dive on adolescent gynecology. We talk candidly about what really helps teens feel safe in care: transparent consent, real confidentiality, and avoiding unnecessary pelvic exams. From there, we walk through the high-yield topics every clinician faces with young patients—irregular cycles after menarche, painful periods that derail school days, and the difference between normal discharge and vaginitis that needs treatment.

We spotlight the red flags that can’t be missed, especially ovarian torsion posing as vague lower abdominal pain, and why transabdominal ultrasound often beats transvaginal imaging for adolescents. You’ll hear how we build a thorough menstrual history that captures timing, flow, and impact on daily life; how we normalize the maturing hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis; and where first-line therapies like NSAIDs, combined pills, progestin-only methods, and levonorgestrel IUDs fit. We also lay out a patient-led approach to contraception counseling—centered on goals like bleeding control, privacy, and ease of use—while weaving in emergency contraception, STI screening strategies, and the crucial role of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical and other cancers.

Throughout, we keep the focus on trauma-informed practice. That means offering safe words like stop and out during exams, letting teens handle instruments to reduce fear, and moving complex conversations to when patients are fully dressed. We include considerations for transgender and gender-diverse adolescents, from menstrual suppression to reputable clinical resources. By combining practical tools with a respectful tone, this episode gives you a roadmap to adolescent gyn that improves comfort, detects danger early, and builds trust that lasts into adulthood.

If this conversation helps you care for teens with more confidence, subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

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A fracture rarely starts with drama. It’s often a quiet misstep, a stumble off a curb, or a slip on a throw rug—and that’s exactly why bone health deserves our full attention. We’re taking a clear, practical tour through osteoporosis and osteopenia: what they are, why they’re “silent,” and how to get ahead of them with smart screening, daily habits, and targeted treatments.

We unpack the biology of bone remodeling—osteoclasts that break down old bone and osteoblasts that build new—and the outsized role estrogen plays as it declines through perimenopause and menopause. You’ll hear exactly who should get a DEXA scan at 65 and who needs it earlier based on risk factors like prior adult fractures, long-term steroid use, low body weight, family history, or conditions like hyperthyroidism, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. We demystify T-scores versus Z-scores so you can read your results with confidence and know where osteopenia ends and osteoporosis begins.

From there, we get tactical. Nutrition that actually moves the needle, weight-bearing exercise and resistance training you’ll actually do, and when medication is actually warranted. We round it out with fall prevention you can implement today: balance training, better lighting, grab bars, safer footwear, and a clutter-free path through your home. If you care about staying strong, steady, and independent, this conversation gives you the tools.

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Ever wonder how midwifery knowledge makes its way from practice to publication? This episode pulls back the curtain on the world of midwifery publishing with two luminaries who shape how we learn and share our profession's wisdom.

We're joined by Dr. Melissa Avery, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, and Dr. Julia Philippi, lead author of the foundational text Varney's Midwifery. These publishing powerhouses share their journeys and offer practical advice for midwives at every career stage who want to contribute to our collective knowledge.

"Your work doesn't do you," Dr. Avery reminds us. "Until we write about it and disseminate it, no one else is really benefiting from it." Both guests demystify the publishing process, from crafting that intimidating first draft to navigating peer review. Their message is refreshingly straightforward: just start writing. Whether you're considering a clinical case study for JMWH or wondering how textbooks like Varney's evolve to reflect contemporary practice, this conversation provides the roadmap you need.

We explore the differences between journal articles and textbooks, the value of becoming a peer reviewer, and practical strategies like forming writing teams and protecting your writing time. For students and educators, Dr. Philippi offers fascinating insights into how midwifery texts might evolve to meet changing learning styles, potentially moving beyond the "eight-pound two-ounce textbook" to more interactive formats.

Whether you're a student, new graduate, or seasoned midwife, this episode will inspire you to share your unique midwifery knowledge and experiences. Your voice matters—and with the right approach, it can strengthen midwifery care everywhere.

#EveryMidwifeHasAStory #AcademicMidwife #GetPublished #MidwivesWhoWrite #TheScholarlyMidwife #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork @jblearning @midwiferyandwomenshealth @juliaphillippi