Dr.Sophia, ObGyn - Embrace your body. Embrace yourself.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.I had the pleasure of speaking with Dani Trops, a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 30. Yes, 30! Her willingness to share her story with such openness and vulnerability through social media and on this podcast is remarkable. In this episode, Dani starts by telling her story, how she decided to get a double mastectomy, how she chose her healthcare providers,, her experience going through chemical menopause, how she dealt with wanting to become a mom while being a breast cancer survivor, and even how she truly misses her nipples…and so much more. I am joined by my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

To connect with Dani Trops: on Instagram @dani_trops and at www.aboutdamntime.com

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We are celebrating 3 years of the Dr. Sophia ObGyn Podcast! To mark this occasion, I talk about my personal journey and why I wanted to become an ObGyn after having my own kids; how, even after 15 years of being an ObGyn, I still love delivering babies; my passion for caring for women the way they deserve, loving women’s health and so much more. I am joined by my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

It’s not just pads and tampons anymore when it comes to period products. There are also menstrual cups, discs, reusable and disposable period underwear, and more. In this episode, we look at these different options one by one, how to use them, the pros and cons of each, absorbency benefits and considerations, and any risks to watch out for, such as Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). I am joined by my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Being in postpartum after delivering a baby can be a difficult transition period for the body. Being in perimenopause can also come with its own health effects. But did you know that for some women, both can actually happen at the same time, potentially unleashing a hormonal nosedive! In this episode, we talk about what perimenopause and postpartum are, why they occur, when women can experience both simultaneously, the compounding effects of going through both at once, etc. I am joined by my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

This can be a sensitive, or even to some, politically incorrect topic to talk about considering today’s cultural conversation around body positivity. I am all about body positivity AND as an ObGyn who needs to make sure that your body and your baby’s body is biologically healthy, weight needs to be part of that conversation. In this episode, we talk about why obesity can affect a woman’s pregnancy, such as a higher risk of gestational diabetes during pregnancy, complications that can arise during delivery, higher risk to the baby during and after the delivery, etc. All that being said, with the right precautions and monitoring, a healthy and joyful pregnancy is possible for all women. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

When most people hear postpartum, they immediately think about postpartum depression. But postpartum is sooooo much more than that. And then there's the 5/5/5 way of approaching postpartum on social media that keeps popping up; what is that? So let’s clear the air. In today’s episode, we explain what postpartum is exactly, what changes happen to our bodies when postpartum happens (and let me tell you there are many!); and what are the best ways that a new mom can navigate the time after giving birth and recovery. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Summer is here and it’s such a fabulous time to be outside, soak up the sun, travel, and be more social. With all of this fun, there’s also unfortunately a few things that can come up, which can affect your vaginal area. In this episode, we go over common situations and activities that can happen more often during the summer: from staying in your swimsuit for too long, taking long road trips, dating more and being more sexually active. We explain how these situations can lead to unpleasant vaginal odor, urinary tract infections (UTIs), vaginal irritation, etc. We also talk about how you can prevent these health issues and have the best summer ever! I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

If you are a perimenopause or menopausal woman in the United States who is on estrogen patches as part of your hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), you may have been encountering difficulty, and maybe even finding it impossible, to get your estrogen patches from your pharmacy. What is happening? First, don’t stress out, we have other solutions. Second, listen to this episode where we talk about why this is happening in 2026, what effects can happen when your estrogen level drops, and options you can look into with your healthcare provider while supplies are scarce. I also share what my own patients are going through and how I am helping them through these challenging times. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

During childbirth, many things can evolve in different ways depending on many factors, including how the labor progresses, how the baby is doing, and how the mother’s body responds throughout the process of delivery. In this episode we talk about what is happening during a vaginal delivery, if and when to consider having a C-section, when to use various approaches for assisted deliveries, why one way of giving birth versus another occurs, and so much more. I also talk about why, as an ObGyn, my preferred way of delivering babies is vaginally, when it is the safest option for both mother and baby. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Yes, we regularly talk about vaginas on this podcast, now let’s talk about another V word that we need to talk more about: Vasectomy. You may be asking, “Why are we talking about vasectomy on a women’s health and obgyn podcast?” Because when vasectomy is not discussed or taken seriously, the responsibility for preventing pregnancy permanently falls the majority of the time on…you guessed it… women. So this episode is for ALL - men and women. We talk about what exactly a vasectomy is, the comparison of procedures for men and women, and the risks associated with permanent sterilization for men vs women. We also talk about how a vasectomy actually does not affect a man’s “manhood”, and I also share some patient stories including the dynamics between partners that arises on this topic, and so much more. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

This is the 4th installment where my co-host, Touseef Mirza, openly shares her personal menopause journey on HRT (hormone replacement therapy). In this episode, Touseef talks about unexpected side effects she encountered while on HRT, which then prompted some trials and tribulations. We cover bleeding episodes, blood tests, ultrasound, hormone dosing, etc. When it comes to HRT, we have a tendency to talk about the positives - of which there are many - but it is also important to recognize that there can be some unwanted effects too. By seeing the full picture of HRT, you will be better equipped to understand what is happening and make more informed decisions about your health. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Here are the previous installments of Touseef on HRT:

#43: My experience on HRT with Touseef Mirza

#28: Reading my labs for HRT with Touseef Mirza

#12: Should I go on HRT? with Touseef Mirza

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection/disease (STI or STD). It’s a tricky STI because although sometimes one may not show symptoms, the infection can still lead to health issues. So it’s important to catch it before it gets too grave. In this episode we talk about what chlamydia is, the different ways it can be transmitted, what are the symptoms, how can one test for it (even if there are no symptoms present), what is the treatment, what are its long-term effects, etc. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

When you find out that you are pregnant, it’s key to go see your ObGyn to start the process of ensuring that proper care for yourself and your baby is addressed from the very beginning. In this episode we talk about the many tests that help monitor the birthing journey as well as everyday lifestyle practices that women can adopt to make their pregnancy healthier, manageable, and enjoyable. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

During pregnancy, many women can be affected by gestational diabetes, even if they are not diabetic and in good health. Also, it’s important to recognize your baby’s movement patterns or when your baby is not moving, what we call in the medical world as decreased fetal movement. In this episode we talk about these areas, about some of my patients that have gone through these experiences, as well as how a doctor such as myself navigates the medical world when it comes to decision making and taking care of patients. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Many women don’t go see their ObGyn because they had bad experiences in the past where they weren't given the care and attention they needed. So let me start by saying that you deserve care and gentleness from your obgyn in every single encounter. In this episode, we talk about many aspects on why patients might not want to see their ObGyn, what “care” actually looks like from a genuinely caring ObGyn, how one can express their fear to the health care provider and create a human connection, etc. I dedicate this episode to my grandmother who taught me how to care for others with an open heart. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Many women who want children later in life can encounter difficulty conceiving due to fertility issues. Interestingly, the cause of infertility is NOT only because of the woman, but many times because of the man. In this episode, we covered a lot of ground with the wonderful fertility specialist Dr. Melvin Thorton, AKA “Dr.T”. He shares how a woman’s fertility evolves throughout their lives, what the main reasons for infertility are, tests to evaluate one’s fertility, and what IVF is and when to consider it as an option. We also go deeper by recognizing what women with fertility issues go through emotionally, why men also need to be involved in the fertility journey, and how one can support women who are having difficulty conceiving - and so much more. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Well we made it to a milestone! I am truly grateful and excited to arrive at our 50th episode! In the spirit of 50, both Touseef and I share our personal journey as it pertains to being 50 years of age. I talk about reaching 50 in merely 2 years…yes you read that right…and what that signifies to me. And Touseef shares how being in her 50s has become the best time of her life and how she got there. This is a different type of episode where we let our hair down and have a real girlfriend talk in terms of where we are right now through the lens of embracing ourselves and our lives. Come hang with us! I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza

Losing one pregnancy can be devastating. But women can also go through more than one pregnancy loss, or two, three, and more miscarriages leading to recurrent pregnancy loss…which is unfathomable. In this episode we not only talk about the different types of issues that can lead to miscarriage, but we also talk about the sheer emotional toll that it has on pregnant women who go through it. I also share my own emotional roller coaster as I try to help and support my patients along this incredibly difficult journey. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

We usually talk about perimenopause from a woman's lens. But we rarely talk about how their partner experiences this transition and how it can affect the relationship. In this episode, we have a special guest, Rich Wison, who opens up about his journey with his wife as she went through perimenopause. As he describes, the journey began with confusion, strain on the relationship, and not knowing what was wrong - to eventually recognizing the cause as being perimenopause. He also graciously shares how his partner’s perimenopause symptoms impacted him emotionally, affected the connection with his wife, as well as how both were able to find solutions together through a strong conviction of partnership. It is a must listen for men and women alike dealing with perimenopause. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

2026 is here! With the New Year comes all sorts of resolutions, especially around health. As we begin this year we start this episode with top health topics and actions you can take from an ObGyn perspective for every woman. Whether you’re in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and beyond. We talk about periods, planning for pregnancies, getting pap smears, hormonal changes, fertility, menopause, and so much more. Be sure to listen in and get your health on track for 2026! I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.