In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Chelsea Polis discuss the evolution of reproductive rights in the U.S., highlighting the 2022 Supreme Court decision revoking the right to abortion and the historical context of contraception access. Dr. Polis also explains fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) and their effectiveness, noting that some methods have moderate quality studies suggesting high effectiveness, while others are less reliable. She emphasizes the importance of evidence-based information, the need for stronger regulation of femtech products, and the potential privacy risks associated with reproductive health data. Dr. Polis also addresses the broader political strategy to limit reproductive rights and the importance of reproductive justice.

Key Takeaways:

• Fertility tracking technologies are becoming more common (often called femtech), but it is important to note that only two apps have currently been cleared by the FDA for contraceptive purposes - Natural Cycles and Clue (the second is not currently available on the market). While others can help with tracking your cycle, they are not cleared for contraceptive use.

• FABMs focus on observing real-time signs from the body - such as cervical mucus changes and basal body temperature. Over a dozen have been studied in clinical trials, but some methods have been marketed or promoted for contraceptive use without strong evidence from appropriately designed effectiveness studies.

• For people who are in a partnership that is limited in terms of communication, or not supportive, or certainly abusive, or anything along those lines, FABMs would not be a method that somebody could rely on for pregnancy prevention.

• Be very cautious about getting your information on contraception from social media influencers or companies selling specific products, because there is a lot of misinformation out there.

"As my colleagues at Guttmacher have documented, you can't seek to restrict one aspect of sexual and reproductive health without tightening other types of care and people over people, the overarching reproductive freedom. All of these things are deeply interconnected." — Dr. Chelsea Polis

Episode References:

• Guttmacher: https://www.guttmacher.org/united-states/contraception

• Emergence of FemTech in the Sexual and Reproductive Health Landscape: https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/content/femtech

Connect with Dr. Chelsea Polis:

Professional Bio: https://www.guttmacher.org/about/staff/chelsea-polis

Website: https://www.chelseapolis.com/index.html

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chelseapolis

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cbpolis.bsky.social

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social

Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast

Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Keith McCormick discuss what you need to know about osteoporosis and bone health. Dr. McCormick explains what causes osteoporosis, the importance of early bone density tests, and breaks down some of the lifestyle factors that affect bone health. They discuss the need for personalized treatment beyond only medication, and Dr. McCormick advocates for patient empowerment and comprehensive understanding to improve treatment outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

• 50% of women will get osteoporosis. 20% of men will get osteoporosis.

• People should be getting bone density tests in their forties, not waiting until their fifties or sixties. The sooner it is discovered you are having symptoms, the sooner you can begin to treat and prevent.

• Bone strength is a combination of bone density and bone quality. Get both the DEXA and Trabecular Bone Score or TBS. Usually, physicians don't request the TBS, but it is very important. Ask for it.

• Testing should include blood tests for bone turnover markers. Your blood is telling a larger story, and it can get complicated.

• Systemic inflammation can also be tested, as it can contribute to loss of bone density.

• The more times you stimulate your body, the more you will stimulate the osteoblasts.

"It's important to understand that you, the patient, are the boss, and you're paying that person, you're asking that person for help, and that they should be working with you." — Dr. Keith McCormick

Connect with Dr. Keith McCormick:

Website: https://www.osteonaturals.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-keith-mccormick-dc-433a2526/

Twitter: https://x.com/OsteoNaturals

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OsteoNaturals/

Books:

Great Bones: Taking Control of Your Osteoporosis: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Bones-Taking-Control-Osteoporosis/dp/B0BS8RJ2V3

The Whole-Body Approach to Osteoporosis: https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Body-Approach-Osteoporosis-Strength-Harbinger-ebook/dp/B0056JX49Y

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social

Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast

Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Daniel Buchman discuss chronic pain, affecting over 20% of the population in the US, Canada, and Europe. Chronic pain (persisting pain lasting over three months) includes conditions like arthritis, lower back pain, fibromyalgia, and phantom limb pain, among many others. Daniel highlights the challenges in pain assessment, the role of AI in pain management, and the ethical considerations, including bias in pain reporting. He notes that chronic pain increases suicide risk, and the conversation also touches on the stigma surrounding pain and opioid use.

Key Takeaways:

• Pain can come from an identifiable condition, but sometimes doesn't have a clear cause.

• Primary pain is the type of pain that is not explained by another disease. Secondary pain is pain that arises because of or is related to an underlying condition - perhaps injury, illness, disease, or other reason.

• When we talk about bias in health care providers, we also need to look at the broader societal bias that plays into those biases.

• As AI is used more in medicine, we do need to be aware of bias in the data sets that the AI is utilizing to learn and then use to make predictions.

• Pain is a warning sign. It is not, in and of itself, bad. It is telling you that something might need to be addressed in your body.

"There isn't a blood test or a brain scan or anything that can determine how much pain somebody's in, or what it's like to experience that pain. This is subjective because it depends on the person, and it depends on a whole host of factors, not just their biology. It depends on their psychology, social factors, cultural factors, and gender is a big part of this as well." — Dr. Daniel Buchman

Episode References:

• Buchman, Daniel Z.a,b,c,d. 2025 AI and the ethics of techno-solutionism in pain management. PAIN 166: 469-470. | DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003389

Connect with Dr. Daniel Buchman:

Professional Bio: https://www.camh.ca/en/science-and-research/science-and-research-staff-directory/danielbuchman

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/danielbuchman.bsky.social

X: https://x.com/DanielZBuchman

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=3Yja_7QAAAAJ&hl=en

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social

Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast

Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.