Raise your hand if you ever heard the word “clitoris” in school? No one? What about at home? Hmm. Not many, huh? Well, despite the cultural shame around sex and our bodies that many of us grew up with, we must soldier on and learn about our sex organs and how they works because *everyone* deserves…
So you’re easing into a sex session with your partner and even though you’re totally up for it, things are a little dry down below. (Hey, it happens.) You don’t have any lubricant on hand, so you work up a little spit and use it as your makeshift lube. Or you have your partner go down…
If you’re someone who gets a period, you might be tempted to just get through those few days and then totally forget about the experience. But paying attention is really key, because some period problems may be a health issue. According to experts, a number of things you can experience during menstruation — from a…
Intermittent fasting (IF) has some significant health benefits. This dietary approach, which refers to going without food for a certain period of time, promotes ketosis and thereby increases fat burn, boosts cognitive functioning and energy levels, reduces inflammation, and may even boost longevity. Some experts even think that, done consistently over the long term, intermittent fasting likely reduces the risk of…
While there’s no “right” level of sexual interest—it’s different for everyone—a noticeably low sex drive is almost always a symptom of something that requires attention in your life or your body. So you just haven’t been feeling it lately—sex with your partner, sex in general. Maybe you’re even feeling meh about your other bedside BFF. While there’s no…
Welcome to the Feel Good Podcast with Kimberly Snyder. Our goal is to help you be your most healthy, confident, beautiful and happy! Our topics focus on health (physical, emotional/mental and spiritual), wellness, holistic nutrition, beauty, meditation, spirituality and personal empowerment. Feeling Good means we tune in to our bodies and our intuition, including making…
Gretchen, a 30-year-old from Santa Monica, had suffered from excruciating cramps and pelvic pain for years. Then, about five years ago, she was diagnosed with endometriosis — a painful condition where tissue that makes up the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. She tried everything to soothe the pain ― ibuprofen, topical CBD oils, even smoking weed…
As we continue to await news of the royal baby, the speculation over Meghan Markle’s birth plan is rampant. And as rumors swirl that she and Prince Harry may be planning a home birth, that practice has come under increased scrutiny. The rumors have spurred a conversation about the risks of home births, and the…
Only then can you bring your baby into the world. Cervical dilation sounds pretty intense, but if you are in labor, it’s going to happen. The question is, how do you know if you’re dilated and ready to deliver your baby? The cervix is a magical structure, able to stay thick and strong, and then practically…
Waiting for your period to end can be the worst. I remember being in my teens aggressively sucking on lemons and trying every other bizarre “home remedy” in the book (aka questionable old wives’ tales found on the internet) that promised to abruptly end my period in time for a highly anticipated date. But impatiently…
It’s that time of the month again: you got your period. While some women might find a visit from Aunt Flo to be one of sacred femininity, others might think “not so much” as their menses brings on intense side effects, like cramping, abdominal and breast pain, and mood swings. And then, of course, there are…
Being pregnant can be equal parts exciting and terrifying. You can’t wait to pick out names and nursery décor, but you’ve likely also fallen into the black hole of Google, researching everything that touches your skin to make sure it won’t cause harm to your baby. And while most of the hair, skin, and makeup…
PCOS and Depression: Too Often, They Go Hand-in-Hand I’m sending a huge “Thank You!” to Lauren Ash for sharing her story about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and her battle with depression that could have taken her life. I had to pleasure of meeting Lauren last month. She and I spent much of two days together, working…
How Women Can Use Cannabis Edibles Safely In a study that is getting tons of press but really shouldn’t have surprised anyone, Andrew Monte, MD, PhD, of University of Colorado Anschutz, and his co-authors showed that although only about 0.3% of the THC sold in Colorado dispensaries is sold as edibles, these same edibles account…
Exploring with props, tools, and toys is a perfectly normal part of a healthy sex life, and it’s totally natural to enhance your sexual experience with products designed to do so. But some commonly used products during sex can be potentially unsafe — or downright dangerous — for your body, leading to skin irritation or other health problems. INSIDER…
Artificial Sweeteners Actually Promote Weight Gain With the overwhelming majority of Americans overweight and obese, it’s not surprising that a huge percentage of the population chooses sweeteners for their food and beverages which incorporate non-nutritive (non-caloric) substances. These are ingredients which are essentially sugar substitutes and contain no calories. For many years, the rallying cry…
Everyone has moments of really, really wanting certain foods, but there’s no craving like a pregnancy craving. Speak to a group of moms, and you’re guaranteed to hear at least one story about eating the same thing every day for an entire trimester — or creating a sandwich filling that most (non-pregnant) people would recoil in horror…
Since the first birth control pill was approved in 1960, tens of millions of people have used oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy and regulate their periods. Many have been on the pill for decades. And yet, scientists know basically nothing about how birth control affects our brains. We know plenty about the ways oral contraceptives can affect…
The Philosophy of the Healthy Longevity Program at IMGI Who doesn’t want to live a long and active life – a life filled with enthusiasm, creative activity, much joy, and vibrant energy? Unfortunately, our goals for a long healthspan and those which the universe has in store for us are not usually in alignment. Once…
Gersh recommends this condom brand as it comes in 60 different sizes, so there’s that custom-fit aspect. Once that’s secured and there’s that comfort, you can relax in the moment and really enjoy that time with your partner. Read more at Pop Sugar
Hearts and Hormones – PCOS and Heart Health Hearts and hormones are an inseparable team. Unfortunately, for women with PCOS there are inherent and harmful events happening which can threaten their cardiovascular wellbeing. In particular, there are fundamental problems relating to estrogen; the master hormone of cardiovascular health! In women with PCOS, estrogen is not…
Why You Should Drop the Resolutions How many New Year’s resolutions have you truly seen to fruition? We’re only three weeks into 2019 but the chances are most good intentions have already fallen by the wayside; few keep their resolutions past the month of January. What you should be doing is looking at things a…
In today’s episode we have the pleasure of learning from another one of elders in our Learn From Our Elders series, where Robyn has invited people who are 65+ and still contributing massively to their own body of work, and to the planet. Dr. Felice Gersh is Board Certified OB/GYN. She is the Director of “The…
Throughout the years, there has been much talk surrounding the pros and cons of birth control. For some, using birth control has been a saving grace. For others, there have been many complaints about the side effects that the contraceptive can cause. One of the most common beliefs is that birth control can cause you…
For most people, fertility is a bit of mystery until they begin seriously trying to get pregnant. But despite the many medical conditions and surprises that could make reproducing naturally difficult, there are also lots of little hints you can look out for that may be signs of fertility. “It’s hard to say [if] someone can…
Holiday Cheers for a Safe, Healthy and Joyous Holiday Season With the holiday festivities in full swing, alcohol is often flowing unabated at every turn. I wanted to share some of my concerns about the imbibing of alcohol, particularly as it pertains to women’s health. This is a time of year when families come together…
Ovulation is important but if you’re not actively trying to get pregnant, you might not actually know that much about the process. Knowing about ovulation can help you understand more about your body and your reproductive health. In order to better understand ovulation in general, INSIDER turned to several experts to get the low-down. If…
Sleep, Gender, and Mental Health At a recent conference on sleep, we discussed the discovery that insomnia is far more prevalent in women than in men. I was surprised to learn that women have far more slow wave sleep than men, along with some other sleep quality differences. It’s commonly known that insomnia in women…
Probably the last thing you feel like doing when you’re nursing a cold or the flu is getting hot and bothered. But here’s a reason to reconsider: People who have sex one to two times a week actually produce more of the antibody that prevents illnesses, which boosts your immune system. Sex, one could argue, might actually…
Why I’m One OB/GYN NOT Prescribing the Birth Control Pill I watch a bit of television now and again, and repeatedly see commercials glamorizing the use of birth control pills. Admittedly, the commercials do acknowledge the side effects, but the real impact on women’s bodies is rarely discussed other than in general terms, glossing over…
Though an orgasm isn’t necessary for sex and masturbation to feel pleasurable, few will deny that reaching the big “O” is a great added bonus. But beyond just feeling great, an orgasm also brings with it a host of unexpected health benefits, many of which you likely had no idea about. Whether you’re climaxing with a partner or during a…
Fasting is definitely trending these days, but the subject is fraught with misunderstandings of the physiological processes involved, having been interpreted and developed by so many using incorrect terminology and flawed information – it’s like a game of telephone! If one wishes to engage in time-restricted eating, I’m here to say – I agree! But…
Women typically get their periods every 28 to 35 days. But your cycle may get thrown off sometimes ― and you might find yourself stressing out about it. So what’s the deal? “It isn’t normal, but quite common for menstrual cycles to be late,” said Felice Gersh, an OB/GYN and the founder and director of the…
Flu season is around the corner, and while I’m not going to tell anyone over 65 to avoid getting a flu shot, I am going to share the dark truth about the jab that your doctor won’t tell you. Here it is, in all its burnished glory: flu shots don’t do much good for…
Miscarriage remains a highly sensitive topic that many Americans avoid talking about—but more women than you may think experience early pregnancy loss, often leaving them with intense emotional and physical symptoms of grief. Among women who know they are pregnant, roughly 10 to 15 percent experience a miscarriage. However, it’s estimated that the actual miscarriage…
Like many people, Susan would use alcohol as a way to unwind and unleash her inhibitions. Sure, it had its drawbacks, but she figured it did the trick ― and for years, it did. That’s until she discovered cannabidiol, or CBD, the nonpsychoactive ingredient in the marijuana plant that’s skyrocketed in popularity recently. “I actually only…
I am smitten with estrogen, and it pains me terribly to see it constantly vilified. Big pharma has, for a long time, blamed the hormone for causing breast cancer and dementia. Birth control pills, which in fact contain NO estrogen at all, are marketed as containing the lowest dose, as if introducing even the smallest…
If you are overweight when you get pregnant, you are at greater risk for complications. According to the National Institutes of Health, your weight also makes it more likely that you will have a hard delivery and need a cesarean section (C-section). For those reasons, you may consider losing weight while pregnant if your body…
Is this normal? It’s a question most have asked the internet at some point, especially when presented with a change in menstrual cycle or a new gynecological symptom. Self-diagnosis can sometimes work but not always. And, anyway, the real question is does this problem warrant an ASAP doctor’s appointment or a trip to the ER?…
Thongs may or may not always be the most comfortable underwear choice, but sometimes they can certainly serve a purpose. If you’re trying to avoid underwear lines, for instance, thongs can be a good option. And for some people, they’re the preferred choice no matter the circumstances — they just really do think that thongs…
There are a lot of things that can affect your metabolism. Age, genetics, and diet play a role, of course, but for women looking to maximize their calorie burn, there’s another factor to consider: your menstrual cycle. And we’re not just talking about your period. “A woman’s metabolism is affected by her hormone fluctuations throughout the…
The female heart can suffer harm in a number of ways. Certain types of chemotherapeutic agents can create major cardiac injury, viruses can cause myocarditis, and radiation can do serious damage to the coronary arteries and to the muscle tissue itself. But heart health can be adversely affected by something that millions of women take…
Before the first time I took the morning-after pill, I was tremendously anxious. I was newly single after a long monogamous relationship, had experienced a questionably protected one-night stand the night before, and felt like I was treading completely uncharted waters. I had friends who’d taken Plan B, of course, but we’d never really discussed…
I lecture often on the topic of women, hormones, and hearts. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women – in fact, it kills more women every year than cancer. However, research shows “significant” disparities in the way women are treated – in terms of diagnosis, management and outcomes – compared to…
The average woman can expect to get her period approximately 450 times in her lifetime. But even though you’ve probably got the hang of your cycle by now, chances are that some menstrual mysteries remain unsolved. Maybe your cycle is super long or short, or it’s irregular, or it comes with side effects like PMS—and you wonder if…
When you’re shopping for new clothes, do you ever think about how each item can affect your health? As weird as it may seem, OB/GYNs say there are some things they wish you’d think about more when you’re shopping for some wardrobe updates. Some clothes are better for your vagina than others. “The vagina is…
I feel somewhat dubious when a particular food is declared a “superfood”. Whether it’s wheatgrass, blueberries, kale, chia seeds or goji berries, once a product has been labeled a superfood, it’s guaranteed that the time will come when someone vehemently denounces it. Now, apparently, it’s the turn of coconut oil to face the firing squad.…
The trend towards the legalization of marijuana and the increasing use of this herbal product and its oils (CBD) for both recreational and therapeutic uses begs a question: What impact does it have on sex hormones and reproductive functions, as well as on other critical health issues, such as cognition and immune health? Cannabis sativa…
What makes us tick? Our in-built clock – the circadian rhythm – plays a huge role in human longevity. Getting an appropriate amount of sleep while the sun is down has tremendous positive effects on our bodies, according to Dr. Felice Gersh, gynecologist and founder of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine in Southern California.…
As I look out the window at 39,000 feet, squinting at the ephemeral clouds enveloping my home for the next dozen hours, I lose myself in thought. I am flying home from my nearly one week stay in Kerala, India, and pondering the roles played in our lives by hope, purpose, love, and resilience. Reflecting…
Periodic fasting, a water fast for 4 days, or the fasting mimicking diet for 5, has been shown to have a large variety of benefits – lowered inflammation, improved blood pressure and lipids, increased brain growth factors, decreased visceral (belly) fat, among others. Among the additional benefits of a fasting mimicking diet, is preserving lean…
Dr Felice Gersh, founder and medical director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, explains the science behind Circadian Rhythms, and why they are so vital for our health.
Dr. Gersh explains the gut microbiome, why it’s important, and what we can do to keep it healthy!
Here’s Dr. Gersh of the Integrated Medical Group of Irvine explaining PCOS, and what can be done to treat it.
DRY JANUARY, a tradition invented by the Brits that’s now rapidly gaining popularity with their equally boozy cousins across the pond! Every year, hundreds of thousands of people commit to quitting alcohol for January. It’s easy to see why such a tradition has taken hold – the Christmas period is associated with overindulgence and frivolity,…
The film interviews 54 people including the world’s leading scientists and medical professionals on fasting, as well as individuals who used fasting to treat obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular problems, skin problems, high blood pressure, chronic headaches, joint pain, and many others. This one hour, forty minute feature motion picture is the most comprehensive and objective…
IT’S ALWAYS NICE to go into the New Year with some good news. Just before Christmas, the Senate passed by unanimous consent a resolution recognising the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and supporting the designation of September 2018 as ‘Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month’. PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder to affect women. It…
About 15 years ago, I timidly approached the director of the maternal-feral medicine department at my hospital. I wanted to discuss a revolutionary concept: Transferring maternal vaginal smears onto the bodies of newborn babies delivered by Caesarean section. His response? I was completely shot down. He thought I was insane!
This week, Dr Gersh recommends five simple things we can do in ensure we start the new year in a positive fame of mind. These can be as simple as being active and getting enough sleep, Dr Gersh explains the hugely beneficial impact these simple steps can have on our day-to-day lives. Dr. Felice Gersh…
Dr Felice Gersh, founder and medical director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, explains how and why menopause happens in women, and the various treatments available.
I joined bio-hacking expert Geoffrey Woo on The HVMN Podcast to discuss how integrative medicine incorporates cutting-edge diagnostic technology with evidence-based herbal and plant remedies. Dr. Felice Gersh is an established doctor that integrates both traditional and alternative medicine to assist and heal her patients holistically. We discuss the importance of human rhythm (circadian, hormonal,…
There are many medications— oral contraceptives, antacid medications, and cholesterol-lowering drugs— that have become so trusted and commonplace in the modern American life that we rarely stop to consider their side effects. When it comes to birth control, few methods are as lauded as intrauterine devises. With their 99 percent effectiveness and low rate of…
This week, Dr Gersh discusses the future of fertility. This comes in the wake of the news that the first US baby has been born in a transplanted uterus. Dr Gersh explores the ethical issues this could have on how people view their fertility.
This week, Dr Gersh talks about how our body composition changes as we age. As we get older we lose muscle mass, this is known as Sarcopenia. Dr Gersh highlights the importance of having a high protein intake as part of a healthy diet to maintain good health as we age.
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved the months of November and December, when joy seemed to fill every day and every night. As an adult, and when my four children were still small, we hosted wonderful holiday parties at my house (complete with friendly Santa, of course). or as long…
Intermittent fasting—or going certain windows of time without food—is all the rage, praised mostly for its anti-inflammatory and gut-healing benefits. In a recent article, Dr. William Cole discussed the potential downsides and benefits of fasting when it comes to hormonal health. And it’s true, depriving yourself of food for a certain amount of time does…
This week, Dr Gersh discusses how to watch your sugar and alcohol intake so you can have a happy and healthy holiday season. She also gives suggestions on how to indulge on the things you love without the guilt.
The United States has recently fallen victim to a series of natural disasters across the country. The fires in Northern California, and the hurricanes in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean changed many lives forever, but the pollution left in their wake will continue to change lives for many years to come.
This week, Dr Gersh discusses high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, the reasons behind the increasing number of cases in the US, and what you can do to combat it.
This week, I discuss the recent report that the Flu vaccine may not work as well as we thought, and the natural ways you can combat symptoms as the weather gets colder!
We are designed and adapted to work, eat, and move during the day, and to sleep, rejuvenate, and repair at night. We function in perfect harmony with the movements of the planet; even our hormone production is coordinated with the rising and setting of the sun, in a complex system that has evolved over millions…
Everyone knows that testosterone is the “male” hormone. It plays a role in sex drive, sperm production, fat distribution, red cell production, and maintenance of muscle strength and mass, and it’s associated with overall health and well-being in men. What many people don’t realize is that it’s important for women, too! In fact, men and…
This week, I discuss the recent wild fires that have swept through Northern California, the pollution they have released into our atmosphere, and the dietary and lifestyle choices you can make to combat these harmful toxins.
For hundreds of years, scientists have understood that living organisms contain internal clocks. These clocks allow us to anticipate the sun’s rising and setting and control much of our physiology. All life on Earth has evolved to be in alignment with the 24-hour revolution of our planet on its axis, and this alignment has caused…
This week, I address America’s opioid epidemic, the terrible risks of prescription pain medication, and the natural alternatives for dealing with chronic pain.
I was invited on to The Bigger Picture with Timothy Spangler to discuss circadian rhythms after the field was awarded this year’s Nobel Prize for Medicine.
THE VERY PARADIGM of our health care system is wrong and needs to change. The conventional medical view, supported by the medical-industrial complex, is that the body comprises isolated parts and that doctors must treat symptoms. But the body is an integrated whole: every part of the body is related to every other part of…
For some of us, travel means a fun annual vacation. For others, it’s an integral part of our lives and careers. Whatever the reason for your travel, it can definitely wreak havoc with your hormones.
STABILITY AND CONSTANCY. Clearly nothing on our planet speaks to those words. In fact, in the wet shadow of the hurricanes which recently devastated Florida, Texas and so much of the Caribbean, and in the aftermath of the tremendously powerful Mexico City earthquake, stability seems quite far-fetched. But in reality, those destructive natural events drive…
THERE IS SO much health advice for women in the public domain, that it’s hard to blame those who simply choose to ignore it. It seems as if every week, there is a fresh piece of health guidance that contradicts the one that came before it. Sometimes the ‘advice’ is given in an alarmist way,…
We’re headed to mbgrevitalize this week, and that means flying across the country. Travel can be hectic, stressful, expose you to a host of germs, and leave you sleep-deprived. In other words, it’s the perfect storm of factors that could disrupt our health and leave us feeling less-than-optimal—especially when it comes to our hormones. That’s…
Do you really need those pills you’re taking? So much of Western medicine is based on the idea that if you have a health problem, a pharmaceutical drug is the solution. If we get a headache, we take a pill. If we feel nauseous, we take a pill! And it’s been for as long as…
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women, affecting up to one in five of us. And yet there are still many of us who don’t know we have it, don’t know anything about it, and find it difficult to get the information we need.
ACROSS THE UNITED States last month there was a sigh of relief when a new health care bill repealing Obamacare collapsed. The latest version of their health care bill––the Better Care Reconciliation Act––would have raised family health care costs, lowered funding to Medicaid, and cut funding for Planned Parenthood. Former Vice President Joe Biden said…
LAST MONTH, TWO firms in India introduced a policy to give female employees a “period day” off each month. Culture Machine and Gozoop, which are both based in Mumbai, launched this “menstrual leave” plan, they say, to fight taboos in the country surrounding menstruation. India isn’t the first country in which this has happened. In…
The incidence of infertility is rising and innumerable women are experiencing menstrual dysfunction of varying types while their OB/GYN doctors scratch their collective heads and send them off to get IVF treatments or just put them on birth control pills when pregnancy is not desired. Sadly, most of these women will never be properly diagnosed…
This is data from rats but shows that periodic, as opposed to continuous, treatment with estradiol, is protective for the brain from ischemic damage. This article urges research be done in human females to investigate a more physiological approach to estrogen therapy than what is currently being done. This is what I absolutely believe –…
A wonderful article was published last week in the Journal of Women’s Health, relating the most obvious, yet not recognized fact – breastfeeding is really good for the woman doing the nursing. This particular article states that women who breastfeed for at least a year, significantly lower their risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Considering that February…
