Of all the stages in life, most women tell me they’d least want to revisit—it's puberty. If you're reading this, you survived it too. And while you likely have some fond memories, you also remember the awkward body changes, the anxiety of getting your mom to buy pads or tampons to avoid the dreaded checkout counter, the stress around your emerging—or non-emerging—breasts, acne, and the confusing wave of new feelings that came with your growing sexual awareness.

Our teens today are facing a different kind of puberty—a reality that’s markedly different from what we experienced. While they have more access to information and resources than we did, puberty itself has changed in significant ways. There are new gaps between what we as parents—and even many doctors—know and what our kids are going through. From earlier onset of puberty, which now often starts as young as eight, to prolonged puberty stages and earlier exposure to explicit content online, it’s a whole new world for our children.

Understanding these shifts is crucial for guiding your child through this delicate time.

In the latest episode of On Health, I’m joined by two incredible experts who are deeply immersed in these changes. Vanessa Kroll Bennett, a puberty expert, writer, and entrepreneur, and Dr. Cara Natterson, a pediatrician and the mind behind the New York Times bestselling series The Care and Keeping of You, bring their expertise and warmth to our conversation. Both are moms of teens themselves and co-hosts of The Puberty Podcast. Their new book, This is So Awkward, is a phenomenal guide to understanding the landscape of modern puberty so you can better support your child through this vulnerable and often tumultuous time.

In our discussion, we explore key aspects of modern puberty and how you can support your tween or teen:

1. The New Puberty: Why puberty is lasting longer than ever - and how this might impact your daughters - and you, too!
2. The Role of Social Media: How to balance allowing your child to connect with the world while protecting them from the darker sides of online life.
3. Mental Health: Differentiating between normal teenage mood swings and more serious mental health concerns.
4. Building Resilience: Empowering your child to handle the social and sexual pressures they’re facing at increasingly younger ages.
5. Un-Shaming Conversations: Creating a safe space for open, honest talks about body changes, sexuality, and all the things that used to make us blush.
6. Your kid isn't the only one going through puberty: Your kid’s puberty - it's hard on you, too! We talk about how move through it with grace - while not internalizing it when they say they hate you!

These insights are more than just tips—they’re lifelines for helping your child navigate this critical stage of development with confidence and resilience.

I invite you to listen to this episode—click here to tune in. Let’s make sure we’re raising the next generation with the information and support they need. And if you find this conversation valuable, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and join the conversation online using #OnHealth. Your stories, your questions, and your experiences make our community stronger.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Despite advancements in medical technology and a growing awareness of maternal health, the emotional and psychological experiences of birthing mothers in the US often go unnoticed. In this eye-opening episode, Aviva Romm, an experienced midwife and MD, delves into a topic that is often overlooked and misunderstood—birth trauma. Aviva shares her personal birth story, other birth stories, and draws from decades of experience to explore the hidden epidemic of birth trauma that is affecting an alarming number of women.

In this episode Dr. Aviva discusses:

• Birth trauma: what it is, how it manifests, and why it’s more common than you might think
• The profound impact of birth trauma on maternal mental health
• Real stories from women who have experienced trauma during labor and birth, highlighting the emotional and mental impact that can linger long after the baby is born.
• The surprising central factor most women report as the cause of birth trauma: medical mistreatment and lack of informed consent and communication..
• The critical importance of centering the mother’s well-being in the birthing process for the mother, the baby, and the family
• The actionable steps that can be taken by both healthcare providers and loved ones to support mothers before, during, and after birth to prevent trauma and promote healing.

Why This Episode Matters:

Birth is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life, yet the emotional and psychological well-being of mothers often takes a back seat to physical outcomes. By bringing this issue to the forefront, Dr. Romm aims to empower women, educate healthcare professionals, and spark a much-needed conversation about the importance of “matrifocal: maternal health care.

Tune in to the full episode to understand the true impact of birth trauma and what we can do to support the emotional and psychological well-being of mothers.

Share Your Story: Have you or someone you know experienced birth trauma? Please join the conversation on Dr. Aviva’s Instagram @dr.avivaromm and use #HealingBirthTrauma.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

If you find yourself feeling chronically overwhelmed, with a to-do list you can’t ever get to the bottom of, and a nagging feeling that you’re never quite doing enough, this episode is for you. Joining me is Jenny Odell, the acclaimed author of zthe books How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy and Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond Productivity Culture. An artist and educator based in Oakland, California, Jenny’s work shines a light on how we can reclaim our attention in an increasingly digital world, while escaping from the clutches of productivity culture. I also share my personal story of how a recent vacation followed by COVID has caused me to rethink my own attention economy - and how this has been shifting my nervous system - and perspectives - on ‘what’s enough.”

Join us as we explore insights on the importance of rest, reflection, and mindful living as part of taking back our lives, power, and mental well-being including:

• What the attention economy is and how it’s impacting our mental well-being
• The compare and despair impact of social media on women’s health
• The misconception of "doing nothing" and its true meaning.
• The anxiety and irritability that comes from constantly racing the clock
• Chronodiversity and the power of nature for expanding time
• Strategies for reclaiming our attention by focusing on what truly matters.
• The importance of rest and reflection in maintaining overall well-being.
• Practical tips for incorporating mindful practices into daily life.
• How to start making small changes toward a more intentional and fulfilling life.

Resources Mentioned:

More from Jenny Odell:

• How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy
• Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond Productivity Culture
• Jenny's website

The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution : Dr. Aviva’s book on taking back your health - while nourishing your adrenals and supporting your thyroid

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here:...

Welcome to the second half of our alcohol miniseries!

In part one, I focused on how alcohol metabolizes differently in women than men and how this increases women's alcohol-related health risks. I also talked about how alcohol can effect puberty, our hormones, and menstrual cycles.

If you haven’t already listened, it's a perfect prequel to today's episode, where I talk about how alcohol may impact fertility, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, and breast cancer, giving you food for thought on whether and if so how much drinking is okay for YOU, and also tools for smarter alcohol intake.

You’ll walk away from series feeling empowered and equipped with the tools and information necessary to approach alcohol in a way that best matches your lifestyle.

In this episode, I dish on:

• How alcohol may impact fertility and how to approach drinking while trying to conceive
• How inflammation caused by alcohol consumption can enhance symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis
• The role of alcohol in menopause, hot flashes, and sleep struggles
• Alcohol and breast cancer: risks, susceptibility, genetics, and more
• How alcohol may impact methylation and DNA
• The top tips for drinking in a way that mitigates the risks of alcohol, while still being able to enjoy light intake should you want to

Whether you're trying to conceive, are currently pregnant, going through menopause, struggling with PCOS or endometriosis, or simply want to learn more about the potential long-term effects of alcohol on your health, - even just light drinking - this series as a must-refer-back-to one for various cycles of your life. So listen, save and share it!

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Alcohol. It's the kind of frenemy that many women have a love-hate relationship with. It may make us feel good in the moment—relaxed, more social, less anxious—but many women find that after a drink or several, they’re moody, irritable, don’t sleep as well, and feel overall kind of not-so-great. Are there reasons for this that are unique to women? And can alcohol have hidden effects on our estrogen? Progesterone? Menstrual cycles? What about your gut? Circadian rhythm? Thyroid?

That’s exactly what we’ll explore together in this two part series on women, alcohol, and our hormones. Whether you’re having a dry July 4th or just hitting the brakes a little now, what better time of year is there to do a little self-check-in on this anyway? It can be a perfect time to revaluate your relationship with alcohol altogether.

We’ll be diving straight into the research and discussing the direct impact alcohol has on women’s hormonal and long-term health, so you can make the most informed decisions when it comes to alcohol consumption that best fit your lifestyle.

In the first of this two part series on women, alcohol, and our hormones, we'll deep dive into...

• Why we need to know how much a "drink" really is in terms of alcohol content
• The differences between how men and women metabolize alcohol and why this is so important
• The differences between light, moderate, heavy, and binge drinking and why it matters
• How your personal background can play a role in the way you react to alcohol
• The truth about red wine consumption and the French Paradox
• The dynamic between alcohol, inflammation, leaky gut, blood sugar, and thyroid health
• How alcohol impacts estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and our menstrual cycles

This episode will give you food for thought and some important information to consider as you intentionally reflect on whether and how much to include alcohol in your lifestyle with zero judgment.

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

I’m so excited to share an encore interview with the brilliant, hilarious, and incredibly insightful Emily Nagoski, author of Come As You Are, Come Together, and Burnout (co-written with her sister). Emily is a renowned sex educator who brings a blend of scientific rigor and relatable storytelling to the conversation about women's sexual health and pleasure. Get ready for a foxy (you’ll have to listen to hear why this is literally true!)conversation full of laughter, wisdom, and relatable experiences. Today we talk about her latest book: Come Together (she does come up the most perfect titles!). Note we talk about SEX and get real. So perhaps not an episode with littles in the car unless you want to do a lot of explaining while you listen.

In this episode we dive deep into:

• High Expectations and Reality Checks: Emily shares the unexpected challenges of writing Come As You Are and the personal journey that inspired Come Together. Discover how stress and exhaustion can impact desire, even for a sex educator.
• The Emotional Floor Plan: Learn about the emotional floor plan concept that Emily developed to understand her journey from stress to pleasure. This framework is a game-changer for navigating intimacy in long-term relationships.
• Say the Words: Emily and Aviva discuss the importance of desensitizing yourself to sexual language. Get ready to laugh and learn as they share exercises for getting comfortable talking about sex - starting with getting comfortable talking about body parts.
• The Patriarchy and Pleasure: Emily dives into the complex impact of the patriarchy on sexual relationships. Discover how societal norms and expectations shape our desires and how to break free from them.
• Unleashing Your Inner Wild: Aviva and Emily explore how women can reconnect with their deep feminine energy and inner wise woman. Learn about the power of rewilding and embracing your authentic self.
• Navigating Change: Practical tips for couples on how to navigate change and maintain a strong sexual connection. From creating safe conversations to understanding each other’s needs, this segment is packed with actionable advice.
• The Four Questions: Emily shares four essential questions to help couples understand and improve their sexual relationship. These questions are a roadmap to deeper connection and pleasure.
• The Power of Love: Emily’s profound realization about the impermanence of life and the importance of kindness, compassion, and play in relationships. Aviva reflects on her own 40-year marriage and the lessons she’s learned.

We hope this episode helps you feel seen, heard, and empowered. If you enjoy it - and On Health in general - please share this with a friend and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes on the regular.

Resources Mentioned:

• Emily Nagoski’s books: Come As You Are, Come Together, and Burnout (co-written with her sister).
• Aviva Romm’s courses and blog: AvivaRomm.com

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in...

In this fresh and delightful episode I sit down with Olivia Amitrano, herbalist, host of the popular What’s the Juice podcast and founder of Organic Olivia, a successful botanical medicines company. Olivia opens up about her transformative journey through herbalism, personal growth, and the essential practice of honest self-reflection on the relationships in our lives and our relationship to ourselves.

We dive deep into Olivia’s:

• First encounters with plants and how this sparked her enduring passion for herbal medicine.
• Insights on the art of noticing and the power of forming deep, meaningful relationships with the natural world.
• Exploration of how our health is intricately influenced by our relationships and environments.
• Personal experiences with codependency, the importance of establishing boundaries, and the journey of self-discovery and the courage it takes to face uncomfortable truths.
• Revelation that deeper personal changes were needed beyond herbs and foods to heal not just her insulin resistance, but her resistance to making changes in her habits.
• Realizations about the effects of substances like caffeine and cannabis on her health and well-being.
• Unique practice of hosting internal funerals to release habits and relationships that no longer serve her.
• Engagement with "parts" work and internal family systems therapy to understand and heal different facets of herself.

Olivia and I share insights about:

• The use of herbs in dreamwork and their subtle, yet profound, influence on the psyche.
• How slowing down and allowing plants to guide us can lead to profound personal growth.
• The intersection of mindfulness and self-compassion in achieving true well-being beyond herbs and foods.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Trigger Warning: This episode contains sensitive topics related to pregnancy loss and fertility challenges. Listener discretion is advised.

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of "On Health," I sit down with Chelsea Leyland, a globetrotting DJ, mother, epilepsy and endometriosis activist, documentary filmmaker, and menstrual health entrepreneur. Chelsea shares her journey through endometriosis, pregnancy loss, and becoming a mother and the importance of breaking the silence around these common issues so we can get the support we need - and so we can support each other with compassion and understanding.

We dive deep into Chelsea’s…

• Long struggle with endometriosis – and her path to finally receiving a correct diagnosis.
• Challenges finding effective treatments - and what finally helped relieve both seizure and endometriosis symptoms.
• Pregnancy losses and the importance of open dialogue rather than taboo and silence.
• Emotional journey following her miscarriages, the steps she took to honor her losses, and how she found the courage to try again.
• Decision to speak publicly about her experiences with endometriosis and pregnancy loss and why she believes it's crucial to reduce stigma.Heartfelt words of wisdom for women currently grieving a pregnancy loss or struggling with infertility.
• Daily wellness routines that are essential for managing her chronic conditions while also balancing motherhood - and how she deals with ‘s#it days.’
• The power of community and shared experiences in healing and empowerment.
• Chelsea's advice to her younger self and thoughts on resilience and hope.

Thank you for tuning into On Health for Women. Remember, you are not alone on your journey, and a supportive community is here for you. Please connect with me on social media. Your stories matter and can provide comfort and support to others, too.And don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "On Health" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Follow Dr. Aviva on Instagram.

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements