In this episode, we chat about our mental health experiences, and how the stigmas against getting help from someone. We talk about concepts like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and how generational trauma can affect us trying to find help.

If anyone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out to those who can help. You're not alone.

Remember: "No is an answer."

Real talk, real women. No shame.

Come follow us at: 

IG Dr. Latisha- @bloodsugarbae 

IG Dr. Jennifer - @regenerate.physio   

For more information about:

We're back after our short break! In today's episode we chat about the uncomfortable topic of hemorrhoids and our experience with them.

Dr. Jennifer talks about what hemorrhoids are, causes, treatments, and any stigmas while Dr. Latisha talks about her recent story; and what she was I taught about hemorrhoids.

External hemorrhoids

• Itching or irritation in your anal region.
• Pain or discomfort.
• Swelling around your anus.
• Bleeding.

Internal hemorrhoids can cause:

• blood on the tissue after having a bowel movement
• skin that sticks out of the anus during bowel movements

Hemorrhoids (piles) are swollen veins that sometimes protrude from the anus.

Real talk, real women. No shame.

Come follow us at: 

IG Dr. Latisha- @bloodsugarbae 

IG Dr. Jennifer - @regenerate.physio   

Menstrual cycles range from every 23-35 days, length of bleeding 4- 6 days on average, amount = up to 6 tbsp, 2-7 pads or tampons soaked the whole cycle, cramping minimal, ovulation day 10-16, luteal phase 14 days, estrogen spike and fall, progesterone role

Types of protection

• Pads
• Tampons
• Undies
• Cups
• Free bleed

Not dirty, natural and yes you can still have sex

Everyone with endometriosis experiences symptoms differently. Symptoms range along a spectrum including: “killer cramps” to heavy or irregular periods, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and or constipation, pain with urinating, pain during sex, fatigue, brain fog, and infertility.

Some may experience all of these symptoms on a chronic or cyclical basis, while others may experience no symptoms at all. This colorful symptom profile is one of the factors that makes endometriosis difficult to diagnosis.

A diagnosis of endometriosis cannot be confirmed by CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds. The abnormal cells need to be collected via biopsy, during a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy.

While symptoms can give doctors a suspicion of endometriosis, relying on symptoms alone may lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment. If you suffer from any of the symptoms previously mentioned, book an appointment to speak to your doctor or a specialist. Preparing for that appointment is vital.

In addition, this ‘non-biopsy approach’ to diagnosis dilutes the research effort; conducting studies on uncertain or induced “endometriosis” leads to uncertain results and hinders progress. 

It is of course prudent to rule out differential diagnoses, but physical examination, imaging and lab studies related to an endometriosis diagnosis commonly have poor sensitivity, specificity and predictive values - and are often operator-dependent.

Hence, they cannot be used alone to confirm a diagnose or rule out the disease.  Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Real talk, real women. No shame.

Come follow us at

IG Dr. Latisha- @drlatishapt  

IG Dr. Jennifer - @regenerate.physio 

Listen in on our new episode this week called: Self Care Isn't Selfish. We chat about:

💥What self-care means to us

💥 Women's innovations towards self-care needs

💥Self Care schedule, and how to be present with your time

Book Referenced:

• The secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle By Emily Nagoski

Real talk, real women. No shame.

Come follow us at

IG Dr. Latisha- @drlatishapt  

IG Dr. Jennifer - @regenerate.physio 

Rhonda White is a disability advocate, family ambassador, trainer, and community connector. She is the mother of four beautiful children of whom her youngest daughter has multiple support needs. The needs of her daughter influenced her entry into the world of disabilities and advocacy. 

As a parent advocate for her daughter, Ms. White fully exercises her drive and passion in family advocacy in roles from a Resource Specialist to a Family and Community Engagement Liaison at Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities providing information, resources, and local and national training to improve support systems for families.  For over 10 years at Quality Trust, Ms. White has extended her role to an active community liaison and a compelling presenter and facilitator.

She instinctively puts her audience at ease and engages them in meaningful discussion on issues affecting the quality of life for families and their family members with a disability throughout their lifespan. Ms. White's expertise is in hearing issues and in finding solutions and creating strategies for families to experience a good life in their communities. She participates as a member of local parent support and advocacy groups and holds leadership roles on both local and national committees and councils.

Presently, Ms. White continues to demonstrate her commitment to the sustainability of families through the establishment of the Quality Trust Family Ties of DC, a new DC parent matching program to connect parents of children with disabilities for information, resources, and emotional support.

Be sure to subscribe to the Feel Better Naked podcast.

Real talk, real women. No shame.

IG Dr. Latisha- @drlatishapt

IG Dr. Jennifer - @regenerate.physio

THESE DEATHS ARE ALMOST ENTIRELY PREVENTABLE

CDC data confirms African American women are significantly higher pregnancy-related mortality ratios among Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native women (actually 2 to 3 times more likely than white women!); gaps have not changed over time and guess what it is increased with age, especially older 30 years - goes up to 4-5 times. With all the science and technology….why has that not changed!

Education level didn’t change a thing either! College degree was 5 times as high. So that leads us to know and believe that your race may determine your standard of care.

• It's associated with institutional racism. As well as, yes there is an increase in obesity, high blood pressure, and access to quality prenatal care.

Implicit bias: describe when we have attitudes towards people or associate stereotypes with them without our conscious knowledge. Not limited to healthcare but also criminal justice system, work, schools…

• Studies have shown that black patients are often prescribed less pain medication than white patients who present the same complaints. And black patients with signs of heart problems get referrals for advanced cardiovascular procedures less often than white patients with the same symptoms.

Often hear the phrases:

• “That’s how they all act” or even worse microaggressions that aren’t seen by others
• “They are mostly uneducated out here having babies with multiple fathers”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Real talk, real women. No shame.

Come follow us at

IG Dr. Latisha- @drlatishapt  

IG Dr. Jennifer - @regenerate.physio 

Heart disease and diabetes kill nearly 50,000 African-American women annually.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 killer in women, and stroke disproportionately affects African Americans. Diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity, and a family history of heart disease are all greatly prevalent among African Americans and are major risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

African American women have almost two times the risk of stroke than Caucasians, and are more likely to die at an earlier age when compared to women of other ethnicities.

How do I know if I’m having a heart attack?

Symptoms in Women

1. Chest pain, but not always
2. Pain or pressure in the lower chest or upper abdomen
3. Jaw, neck or upper back pain
4. Nausea or vomiting
5. Shortness of breath
6. Fainting
7. Indigestion
8. Extreme fatigue

Symptoms in Men

1. Squeezing chest pressure or pain
2. Jaw, neck or back pain
3. Nausea or vomiting
4. Shortness of breath

What needs to change:

• More providers of color to educate
• Better access to full and quality care
• A multi-faceted program that takes into consideration cultural differences (going to a dietician that teaches counting calories and kale aint it)

Diabetes: Classified by the American Diabetes Association as having a high risk for diabetes

• What puts you at risk: excess weight, especially in the abdominal area

Dispel myths:

1. Sugar doesn’t cause diabetes
2. It runs in my family so…. (biological factors like BMI, waist, fasting glucose, cholesterol/lipids, BP, and lung function play a higher role than family)
3. You can’t get diabetes until you get older…NOPE can occur at any time (but higher incidence after age 45)

• Family history may be true and I believe is more strongly connected to lifestyle, what you ate when growing up, did you see your parents valuing exercise or physical fitness? Eating habits: fruits and veggies?

• Find a provider that is not going to just prescribe metformin then insulin for you to be on for the rest of your life (with no plan to get off of it)
• Better access to practical and actual realistic nutrition and lifestyle modification programs

Citations:

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heart-disease-in-african-american-women-the-health-disparities-and-how-to-overcome-them/ 

Real talk, real women. No

🔥Intimacy: close familiarity or friendship, closeness

🔥Followed by physical intimacy= key for relationships

🔥Changes as we age

🔥Vulva health 

🔥Hormones

🔥Lubes and things

The role of testosterone and how it regulates the production of muscle and the breakdown of fat. In general, testosterone can affect muscle and bone growth, hair growth, sex drive/libido, and metabolism. In women, the symptoms of low testosterone can be subtle, and include decreased sex drive or decreased sexual satisfaction, fatigue, and low energy.

During sex, the brain releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin which are all neurotransmitters that boost feelings of happiness and relaxation, while also cutting stress hormone levels. This natural influx of chemicals can temporarily improve feelings of depression.

Similarly, the exercise and sleep benefits that often accompany sexual experiences can improve your daily health. Together, they can reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety such as fatigue and stress.

❤️Brands we Love ❤️

• Sliquid Organics Silk (Green Label)
• Sliquid Satin
• Liquid Assets
• FeMani Silken Touch
• Liquid Silk
• Pink Indulgence
• Hyalogyn
• HyaloFemme

💥Ingredients to Avoid💥

• Glycerin
• Mineral Oil
• Olive Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Beeswax or Paraffin
• Petrolatum/Petroleum ointment (unless instructed by health provider)
• Low-quality silicones such as Cyclopentasiloxane, or Cyclomethicone.

Real talk, real women. No shame.

Come follow us at

IG Dr. Latisha- @drlatishapt  

IG Dr. Jennifer - @regenerate.physio