Sex is supposed to be fun and feel good. So why are pain, low desire and changes in arousal so often treated as something women should simply live with? 

Dr. Poynor is joined by urologist and sexual medicine specialist Dr. Rachel Rubin for a candid, joyful conversation about women’s sexual health. They unpack what’s behind common sexual concerns, available treatments, and why these issues deserve the same curiosity and care as any other part of our health. Along the way, Dr. Rubin makes the case for talking about sex more openly – and for expecting more from the care we receive. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

For more information on the treatment options for vulvar pain: https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/fulltext/10.1097/aog.0000000000001645~committee-opinion-no-673-persistent-vulvar-pain

The American Urological Association’s clinical guideline on genitourinary syndrome of menopause: https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause

Dr. Rubin offers continuing medical education courses for clinicians, as well as free educational sexual health resources: https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/education

Learn more about Dr. Rubin’s Sexual Medicine Research Team: https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/research

Read the FDA’s update on estradiol transdermal patch availability: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fda-update-estradiol-transdermal-patch-availability

Research on erectile dysfunction and its relationship to cardiovascular health: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353735/

Research on hormonal contraception and sexual function: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1743609515312881

More information on the FDA approval of flibanserin for hypoactive sexual desire in postmenopausal women: https://www.urologytimes.com/view/fda-approves-flibanserin-for-hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder-in-postmenopausal-women

Information about testosterone treatment available for women in New Zealand: https://www.androfeme.nz/

Research on vibrator use among women: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19453881/

Prosayla, a resource from the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), can help you find clinicians who specialize in women’s sexual health: prosayla.com

Dr. Rachel Rubin website: https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/

Dr. Rachel Rubin on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrRachelRubin

Dr. Rachel Rubin LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rubin-7433b0134/

Dr. Rachel Rubin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrachelrubin

Dr. Rachel Rubin newsletter: https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/newsletter

Dr. Elizabeth Poynor substack: https://poynorhealth.substack.com/

Dr. Elizabeth Poynor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poynorhealth

Atria Health Library: content.atria.org

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Sex is supposed to be fun and feel good. So why are pain, low desire and changes in arousal so often treated as something women should simply live with?&nbsp;
Dr. Poynor is joined by urologist and sexual medicine specialist Dr. Rachel Rubin for a candid, joyful conversation about women&rsquo;s sexual health. They unpack what&rsquo;s behind common sexual concerns, available treatments, and why these issues deserve the same curiosity and care as any other part of our health. Along the way, Dr. Rubin makes the case for talking about sex more openly &ndash; and for expecting more from the care we receive.&nbsp;
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
For more information on the treatment options for vulvar pain:&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/fulltext/10.1097/aog.0000000000001645~committee-opinion-no-673-persistent-vulvar-pain" data-airgap-id="11">https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/fulltext/10.1097/aog.0000000000001645~committee-opinion-no-673-persistent-vulvar-pain</a>
The American Urological Association&rsquo;s clinical guideline on genitourinary syndrome of menopause:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause" data-airgap-id="12">https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause</a>
Dr. Rubin offers continuing medical education courses for clinicians, as well as free educational sexual health resources:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/education" data-airgap-id="13">https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/education</a>
Learn more about Dr. Rubin&rsquo;s Sexual Medicine Research Team:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/research" data-airgap-id="14">https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/research</a>
Read the FDA&rsquo;s update on estradiol transdermal patch availability:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fda-update-estradiol-transdermal-patch-availability" data-airgap-id="15">https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fda-update-estradiol-transdermal-patch-availability</a>
Research on erectile dysfunction and its relationship to cardiovascular health:&nbsp;<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353735/" data-airgap-id="16">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353735/</a>
Research on hormonal contraception and sexual function:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1743609515312881" data-airgap-id="17">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1743609515312881</a>
More information on the FDA approval of flibanserin for hypoactive sexual desire in postmenopausal women:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urologytimes.com/view/fda-approves-flibanserin-for-hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder-in-postmenopausal-women" data-airgap-id="18">https://www.urologytimes.com/view/fda-approves-flibanserin-for-hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder-in-postmenopausal-women</a>
Information about testosterone treatment available for women in New Zealand:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.androfeme.nz/" data-airgap-id="19">https://www.androfeme.nz/</a>
Research on vibrator use among women:&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19453881/" data-airgap-id="20">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19453881/</a>
Prosayla, a resource from the International Society for the Study of Women&rsquo;s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), can help you find clinicians who specialize in women&rsquo;s sexual health:&nbsp;<a href="http://prosayla.com/" data-airgap-id="21">prosayla.com</a>
Dr. Rachel Rubin website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/" data-airgap-id="22">https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/</a>
Dr. Rachel Rubin on YouTube:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DrRachelRubin" data-airgap-id="23">https://www.youtube.com/@DrRachelRubin</a>
Dr. Rachel Rubin LinkedIn page:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rubin-7433b0134/" data-airgap-id="24">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rubin-7433b0134/</a>
Dr. Rachel Rubin on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/drrachelrubin" data-airgap-id="25">https://www.instagram.com/drrachelrubin</a>
Dr. Rachel Rubin newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/newsletter" data-airgap-id="26">https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/newsletter</a>
Dr. Elizabeth Poynor substack: <a href="https://poynorhealth.substack.com/" data-airgap-id="27">https://poynorhealth.substack.com/</a>
Dr. Elizabeth Poynor on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/poynorhealth/" data-airgap-id="28">https://www.instagram.com/poynorhealth</a>
Atria Health Library: <a href="http://content.atria.org/" data-airgap-id="29">content.atria.org</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women’s health & gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women’s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.

Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women’s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife—from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.

Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health—now and for the future—with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive. 

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women&rsquo;s health &amp; gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women&rsquo;s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.
Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women&rsquo;s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife&mdash;from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.
Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health&mdash;now and for the future&mdash;with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive.&nbsp;

Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

Decoding Sexual Health with Dr. Rachel Rubin

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a788090e-de8b-4a08-bd8d-b4d701052ea8/transcript