Women’s Health

From your first period to perimenopause and beyond, dealing with women’s health issues can be a bewildering experience. When something seems wrong, you may wonder: Is this normal? Why didn’t anybody tell me about this? What do I do now?
Think of the Women’s Health content as that close doctor-friend you can text with a question — and get a straight, understandable answer. Led by medical editor Denise M. Millstine, M.D., this blog taps the expertise of the women’s health experts at Mayo Clinic. These experts are recognized nationally and internationally for their innovative approaches to treatment and a commitment to integrating sex and gender concepts into clinical care, research and education.
In sum, you get world-class medical answers backed by evidence, but without the intimidation factor. So let’s sit down and start talking.

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Podcast | Women's Health
The weighty decisions around dementia and accompanied death
After Amy Bloom’s husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he decided he wanted to die on his own terms, which Amy depicted in her memoir “In Love.” She’s joined by moral and legal philosopher Dr. Joan McGregor to talk through the difficulties — emotional, legal and practical — of making… -
During the past few decades, there have been significant advances in breast cancer research, diagnosis and treatment. As a result, breast cancer deaths declined by 43% between 1989 and 2020. But breast cancer is still a formidable foe. While both men and women can get breast cancer, it mainly affects…
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Podcast | Women's Health
Getting real about breast cancer
When Liza Marshall was diagnosed with breast cancer, she had the seemingly perfect partner: Her husband, John Marshall, is a doctor and expert in gastrointestinal cancer. But even with his medical knowledge and connections, her cancer journey was a scary, stressful and sometimes frantic experience. In their co-memoir “Off Our… -
Podcast | Women's Health
The mystery, mayhem and joys of middle age and beyond
Aging can be tough physically, emotionally and mentally. Luckily, author Laurie Notaro is here to help us find the lighter side of middle age and beyond as she discusses her book “Excuse Me While I Disappear.” Laurie paints vivid (and hilarious) pictures of all sorts of middle-aged health and social… -
A proposed recommendation aimed at catching breast cancer early and saving lives could have more people getting mammograms at age 40. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is considering lowering the recommended age for a first mammogram from 50 to 40. The recommendation would apply to…
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Podcast | Women's Health
How to survive — or even thrive — as a medical professional
Medical school, residency and working in medicine can be tough — or even traumatic. The exhaustion and burnout can be worse for those from underrepresented groups in medicine (like women and people of color) or those working in certain specialties (like cancer care). Dr. Anthony Chin-Quee’s memoir “I Can’t Save… -
Podcast | Women's Health
The care and keeping of friends
We all crave connection, but forming new friendships and nurturing old ones isn’t always simple: Nerves, stress, busyness and shyness can get in the way. Laura Tremaine, author of “The Life Council,” and psychiatrist Dr. Judith Engelman share ways to recognize and value the friends in our life — and,… -
You might already consider your physical, mental and spiritual health to be important to your overall well-being. But how often do you think about the importance of your sexual health? Sexual quality of life is growing in importance for everyone since people are living longer. If you’re living with…
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Podcast | Women's Health
The alcohol-breast cancer connection
In her memoir “The Sober Diaries,” Clare Pooley details the first year of her sobriety. In that same year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Like many people, she had no idea about the connection between drinking and breast cancer. In this episode, Clare talks about the many, many benefits… -
Health activist and philanthropist Mary Lasker forever changed the course of medical research and human health, a never-before-told story featured in the new Mayo Clinic Press biography “Crusade to Heal America.” Learn more about this groundbreaking woman in a Q&A with author…
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Podcast | Women's Health
Imagining a more inclusive world for people with autism
Laurie Frankel’s novel “One Two Three” features Monday, a character with autism spectrum disorder. But in Monday’s world, she’s accepted and gets the accommodations she needs. Autism expert Dr. Andrea Huebner and Laurie reflect on the many ways autism can manifest — and how we might create a world that… -
Menopause means you’re no longer able to get pregnant because it’s been a year since you’ve had your last period — and you’re not using birth control or a medication that stops your period. Menopause applies to all women at or after a certain age. Yet many women have limited…
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