The Dr Vonda Show

#1 OB-GYN: The LIE Women Were Told About BODY ODOR (This Changes Everything) | Shannon Klingman | #147

Get Dr. Vonda's latest insights on strength, bone health, longevity, and aging with power delivered straight to your inbox. Join her free health & longevity newsletter here: https://www.drvondawright.com/resources/aging-longevity   Through decades of caring for women as an orthopedic sports surgeon, I've seen how many health challenges go unspoken. Body odor, vaginal health, and the shame and silence around them are not small issues. They affect confidence, relationships, and how women move through the world.   In this conversation, Shannon and I explore how a simple clinical observation became a breakthrough in understanding how odor works on the body. We discuss why women were taught to mask symptoms instead of understanding their source and how deeply stigma has shaped the way they experience their own bodies.   Shannon shares her journey from clinical practice to building products based on physiology rather than marketing myths. We also talk about the power of listening without judgment and giving women the language, knowledge, and permission to understand their bodies without embarrassment.   What we cover: - How Shannon's clinical practice revealed a hidden but widespread problem for women - Why odor is a bacterial issue, not a hygiene failure - The difference between masking symptoms and addressing root causes - How shame has shaped women's health messaging for decades - Why the vulva, skin folds, and external body deserve the same scientific attention - What it takes to challenge medical dogma as a woman physician - The leap from medicine to entrepreneurship and the resistance along the way - Building products that respect women's intelligence and lived experience - Why listening to patients changes everything - How confidence, dignity, and health are deeply connected About Shannon Klingman: Dr Shannon Klingman is an OB-GYN, innovator, and founder of Lume. She brings a rare blend of clinical insight, scientific rigor, and fearless honesty to women's health. Her work has helped millions of women better understand their bodies, free from shame, misinformation, or outdated advice.   Connect with Shannon Klingman: Website: https://lumedeodorant.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannon_klingman_md TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannon.klingman.md   Timestamps   00:00 Intro 02:27 The Birth of Lume: A Revolutionary Idea 05:42 Developing the Product 08:12 Facing Skepticism and Rejection 10:53 Breaking Through with Marketing 17:40 Scaling and Team Building 25:11 Balancing Family and Business 28:56 The Reality of Entrepreneurial Success 31:12 Personal Health and Lifestyle Changes 35:22 Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Recovery 45:06 Future Aspirations and Reflections   🦴 Unbreakable Bone Health Dr. Vonda's Unbreakable Bone Health formula supports bone density and strength using patented ingredients backed by 30 years of clinical research. 🛒 Shop now → https://shop.drvondawright.com/   📖 Unbreakable: A Woman's Guide to Aging with Power Dr. Vonda Wright's newest book, Unbreakable, is a bold guide for women ready to redefine what aging looks and feels like. Blending cutting‑edge science with real‑world strategies, it helps you build strength, resilience, and momentum through every decade of life. Discover how to turn aging into your greatest advantage and live with power, purpose, and vitality. 👉 Learn more or get your copy: https://theunbreakablebook.com   About Dr. Vonda Wright: I'm Vonda Wright, an orthopedic sports surgeon and women's healthy‑aging expert. For 20 years I've helped athletes and everyday women protect their joints, build muscle, and extend their health span. Here you'll get science-backed strategies to age with power, so you can keep doing what you love for decades to come.   Connect with Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvondawright/ Read Dr. Vonda Wright's Substack: https://drvondawright.substack.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374 Website: http://www.drvondawright.com/  

Female Longevity After 40: 10 Simple Ways to Stay Strong and Healthy | Dr Vonda Wright | #146

Get Dr. Vonda's latest insights on strength, bone health, longevity, and aging with power delivered straight to your inbox. Join her free health & longevity newsletter here: https://www.drvondawright.com/resources/aging-longevity Today I want to talk with you about how women age, and why so many of us feel surprised by what happens to our bodies in midlife.   This is not an episode about chasing youth or fearing wrinkles. It is about understanding why women are not taught how longevity really works in our bodies, and why the years leading up to menopause matter far more than we were ever told. I have learned, through decades of caring for women as an orthopedic sports surgeon, that we are not simply smaller versions of men. Our biology has often been overlooked in longevity research, even though estrogen quietly influences nearly every system that determines how strong, mobile, and independent we remain as we age. I want you to know this. Aging is not something that happens to you. It is something you can shape. With the right information, a few consistent habits, and a deeper understanding of your own body, you can build strength and resilience that carry you forward for decades.   If you have ever felt like your body changed without warning, like the advice that once worked no longer does, or like aging has been framed as something to fear, this episode is for you. My hope is that this conversation leaves you feeling informed, supported, and empowered to age with strength, clarity, and confidence.   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Female Longevity 02:06 The Unique Aging Process of Women 03:19 Critical Data Points on Female Longevity 07:08 10 Essential Principles of Female Longevity 07:56 The Critical Decade: 35-45 09:27 The Role of Estrogen in Longevity 11:27 Body Composition Changes in Midlife 12:45 Mitochondria and Female Energy 13:49 Muscle Strength and Longevity 14:55 Cardiovascular Fitness and Lifespan 15:36 Brain Health and Estrogen 16:37 Inflammation and Aging 17:56 Modifying Biological Age 19:42 Conclusion: Designing an Unbreakable Future   🦴 Unbreakable Bone Health Dr. Vonda's Unbreakable Bone Health formula supports bone density and strength using patented ingredients backed by 30 years of clinical research. 🛒 Shop now → https://shop.drvondawright.com/    📖 Unbreakable: A Woman's Guide to Aging with Power Dr. Vonda Wright's newest book, Unbreakable, is a bold guide for women ready to redefine what aging looks and feels like. Blending cutting‑edge science with real‑world strategies, it helps you build strength, resilience, and momentum through every decade of life. Discover how to turn aging into your greatest advantage and live with power, purpose, and vitality. 👉 Learn more or get your copy: https://theunbreakablebook.com   About Dr. Vonda Wright: I'm Vonda Wright, an orthopedic sports surgeon and women's healthy‑aging expert. For 20 years I've helped athletes and everyday women protect their joints, build muscle, and extend their health span. Here you'll get science-backed strategies to age with power, so you can keep doing what you love for decades to come.   Connect with Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvondawright/  Read Dr. Vonda Wright's Substack: https://drvondawright.substack.com/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374  Website: http://www.drvondawright.com/   

#1 Menopause Gut Expert: Why Your Microbiome CONTROLS Hormones, Mood & Bone Loss | Cynthia Thurlow | #145

Get Dr. Vonda's latest insights on strength, bone health, longevity, and aging with power delivered straight to your inbox. Join her free health & longevity newsletter here: https://www.drvondawright.com/resources/aging-longevity There's a moment many women reach in midlife where things don't feel wrong but they don't feel right either. Digestion changes. Bloating appears out of nowhere. Sleep feels lighter. Inflammation lingers. And no one ever told us these systems might all be connected. I sat down with Cynthia Thurlow, a nurse practitioner and intermittent fasting expert, to talk about a topic that is still vastly underexplored in women's health: the gut microbiome during perimenopause and menopause.   So many women are told their digestive symptoms, inflammation, mood changes, or recurrent infections are just "part of aging." What Cynthia makes clear is that these experiences are deeply rooted in physiology and that when we understand what's happening, we're no longer powerless. This conversation matters because it replaces dismissal with clarity and fear with context. We examine how this topic shows up in daily life: - Why declining estrogen affects gut barrier integrity, immune response, and inflammation - How "leaky gut" can contribute to bone loss, autoimmune risk, and metabolic changes - The connection between gut health, mood, anxiety, and neurotransmitter signaling - Why fiber and short-chain fatty acids become more important in perimenopause and menopause - How fermented foods can support microbiome diversity and recovery after stress, illness, or antibiotics - The gut–vaginal microbiome connection and why improving one can support the other - How chronic stress and unprocessed trauma can accelerate hormonal aging and menopause timing   About Cynthia Thurlow: Cynthia Thurlow, NP is a nurse practitioner, intermittent fasting expert, and educator specializing in women's health, hormones, and longevity. Her work bridges functional and conventional medicine, with a focus on helping women understand the physiological changes of perimenopause and menopause through a science-based, compassionate lens.   📘 Book - The Menopause Gut Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777129/the-menopause-gut-by-cynthia-thurlow-np/   Connect with Cynthia Thurlow: Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_/ Twitter: https://x.com/_cynthiathurlow YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CynthiaThurlow   Timestamps   00:00 Intro 01:30 What the Gut Microbiome Really Is (and Why It Matters for Whole-Body Health) 05:52 How Perimenopause Triggers Early Changes in the Gut Microbiome 15:23 Practical Gut Health Tips: Diet, Sugar, Sleep, and Inflammation 20:19 Alcohol, Emotional Awareness, and Its Impact on the Microbiome 26:03 Food as Comfort: Emotional Eating, Reflection, and Gut Health 27:52 Vaginal Microbiome Explained: Its Connection to Gut Health 30:26 Stress, Cortisol, Bone Health, and the Gut-Brain Connection 33:11 How Trauma Creates Long-Term Effects on the Body and Microbiome 40:28 Processing Trauma in Healthcare Workers and Physical Health Outcomes 45:02 Healing the Gut Through Awareness and Lifestyle Changes   🦴 Unbreakable Bone Health Dr. Vonda's Unbreakable Bone Health formula supports bone density and strength using patented ingredients backed by 30 years of clinical research. 🛒 Shop now → https://shop.drvondawright.com/    📖 Unbreakable: A Woman's Guide to Aging with Power Dr. Vonda Wright's newest book, Unbreakable, is a bold guide for women ready to redefine what aging looks and feels like. Blending cutting‑edge science with real‑world strategies, it helps you build strength, resilience, and momentum through every decade of life. Discover how to turn aging into your greatest advantage and live with power, purpose, and vitality. 👉 Learn more or get your copy: https://theunbreakablebook.com About Dr. Vonda Wright: I'm Vonda Wright, an orthopedic sports surgeon and women's healthy‑aging expert. For 20 years I've helped athletes and everyday women protect their joints, build muscle, and extend their health span. Here you'll get science-backed strategies to age with power, so you can keep doing what you love for decades to come. Connect with Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvondawright/ Read Dr. Vonda Wright's Substack: https://drvondawright.substack.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374 Website: http://www.drvondawright.com/  

Why Menopause Is Aging Your Teeth, Gums & Sleep (Dentist Explains) | Dr Carlos Melendez | #144

Get Dr. Vonda's latest insights on strength, bone health, longevity, and aging with power delivered straight to your inbox. Join her free health & longevity newsletter here: https://www.drvondawright.com/resources/aging-longevity   There's a quiet shift many women notice in midlife that rarely gets talked about in the doctor's office, changes in their mouth. Gums that feel more sensitive. Teeth that suddenly seem fragile. Dryness, inflammation, or dental issues that appear despite "doing everything right." I sat down with Dr. Carlos Melendez, a general dentist and practice owner, to talk about what really happens to oral health during perimenopause and menopause, and why women are so often left without explanation when changes begin. Women are frequently told that dental issues are about hygiene alone, or that worsening gum or tooth problems are just "bad luck." This conversation matters because it reframes oral health as part of whole-body health. When women understand the hormonal and physiological drivers behind these changes, they're empowered to protect not just their smiles, but their overall health as they age.   We examine how this topic shows up in daily life: - How hormonal shifts in menopause affect gum tissue, bone, and oral inflammation - Why dry mouth becomes more common and why it matters for tooth and gum health - The connection between estrogen loss, bone density, and jawbone health - How chronic inflammation in the mouth can impact whole-body health - Why routine dental changes in midlife deserve deeper evaluation, not dismissal - How preventive dental care needs to evolve during perimenopause and menopause - Why collaboration between medical and dental care is essential for aging well About Dr. Carlos Melendez: Dr. Carlos Melendez is a general dentist and practice owner with extensive experience caring for adult patients across all life stages. His work focuses on preventive care, patient education, and understanding how systemic health directly impacts oral health, especially in midlife and beyond. Connect with Dr. Carlos Melendez: Website: https://www.nonasmiles.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-melendez-473523178/ Timestamps (will update once final draft is available) 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:30 Why Dental Health Changes in Midlife 00:05:10 Hormones, Gums, and Oral Inflammation 00:09:40 Estrogen Loss and Jawbone Health 00:14:20 Dry Mouth, Saliva, and Tooth Protection 00:18:30 Gum Disease and Systemic Inflammation 00:24:10 Preventive Dental Care During Menopause 00:29:40 What Dentists Wish Women Knew About Menopause 00:35:20 Advocating for Your Oral Health 00:41:10 Practical Tips for Maintaining Oral Health 00:47:21 Sleep Apnea: Diagnosis and Treatment   🦴 Unbreakable Bone Health Dr. Vonda's Unbreakable Bone Health formula supports bone density and strength using patented ingredients backed by 30 years of clinical research. 🛒 Shop now → https://shop.drvondawright.com/    📖 Unbreakable: A Woman's Guide to Aging with Power Dr. Vonda Wright's newest book, Unbreakable, is a bold guide for women ready to redefine what aging looks and feels like. Blending cutting‑edge science with real‑world strategies, it helps you build strength, resilience, and momentum through every decade of life. Discover how to turn aging into your greatest advantage and live with power, purpose, and vitality. 👉 Learn more or get your copy: https://theunbreakablebook.com   About Dr. Vonda Wright: I'm Vonda Wright, an orthopedic sports surgeon and women's healthy‑aging expert. For 20 years I've helped athletes and everyday women protect their joints, build muscle, and extend their health span. Here you'll get science-backed strategies to age with power, so you can keep doing what you love for decades to come.   Connect with Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvondawright/  Read Dr. Vonda Wright's Substack: https://drvondawright.substack.com/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374  Website: http://www.drvondawright.com/   

The Vagina Whisperer: Why 80% Of Women Experience Pelvic Floor Dysfunction | Dr. Sara Reardon | #143

Get Dr. Vonda's latest insights on strength, bone health, longevity, and aging with power delivered straight to your inbox. Join her free health & longevity newsletter here: https://www.drvondawright.com/resources/aging-longevity This is a conversation many women don't realize they need until something starts to feel off. I sat down with Dr. Sara Reardon, a pelvic floor physical therapist known as The Vagina Whisperer, to talk about a part of women's health that quietly affects how we move, train, recover, and age. It is rarely discussed until symptoms begin to interfere with daily life. We explore the life stages when pelvic health is most vulnerable, including pregnancy, postpartum recovery, athletic training, and menopause, times when women are often told to accept changes without explanation. Sara offers clarity on how the pelvic floor adapts through these transitions and how early, thoughtful support can make a real difference. This episode provides perspective, reassurance, and a path forward to better understand your body, helping you move more confidently through every stage of life. We examine how pelvic floor health shows up in daily life: - How leaking, pain, and pressure reflect coordination issues rather than personal failure - Why athletes and active women experience pelvic floor symptoms more often than expected - How breathing patterns and pressure management affect strength, stability, and comfort - What pregnancy and postpartum recovery actually demand from the pelvic floor - How menopause changes tissue health, sensation, and support - Why pelvic floor care influences longevity, mobility, and confidence as we age About Dr. Sara Reardon: Sara Reardon, PT, DPT, also known as The Vagina Whisperer, is a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist and leading voice in women's pelvic health. With over a decade of clinical experience, she helps women better understand their bodies and address pelvic floor issues across pregnancy, postpartum, athletics, and midlife. 📘 Book - Floored A Woman's Guide To Pelvic Floor Health At Every Stage https://bookshop.org/p/books/floored-a-woman-s-guide-to-pelvic-floor-health-at-every-age-and-stage-sara-reardon/09911e60d8d44350 Connect with Dr. Sara Reardon: Website: http://thevagwhisperer.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.vagina.whisperer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-reardon-pt/   Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:55 Why Pelvic Floor Health Is Ignored in Women's Healthcare 00:10:40 Pelvic Floor Myths Women Still Believe 00:16:25 Symptoms Women Are Told to Normalize 00:18:15 Pelvic Floor Therapy During Pregnancy: What to Know 00:24:48 Pelvic Floor Health in Menopause 00:29:08 Empowering the Next Generation 00:31:59 Bathroom Habits That Can Damage Your Pelvic Floor 00:37:28 Do Kegels Actually Work for Pelvic Floor Strength 00:40:26 Simple Pelvic Floor Exercises You Can Do Every Day 00:46:58 How to Advocate for Pelvic Floor Health With Your Doctor 🦴 Unbreakable Bone Health Dr. Vonda's Unbreakable Bone Health formula supports bone density and strength using patented ingredients backed by 30 years of clinical research. 🛒 Shop now → https://shop.drvondawright.com/  📖 Unbreakable: A Woman's Guide to Aging with Power Dr. Vonda Wright's newest book, Unbreakable, is a bold guide for women ready to redefine what aging looks and feels like. Blending cutting‑edge science with real‑world strategies, it helps you build strength, resilience, and momentum through every decade of life. Discover how to turn aging into your greatest advantage and live with power, purpose, and vitality. 👉 Learn more or get your copy: https://theunbreakablebook.com About Dr. Vonda Wright: I'm Vonda Wright, an orthopedic sports surgeon and women's healthy‑aging expert. For 20 years I've helped athletes and everyday women protect their joints, build muscle, and extend their health span. Here you'll get science-backed strategies to age with power, so you can keep doing what you love for decades to come. Connect with Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvondawright/ Read Dr. Vonda Wright's Substack: https://drvondawright.substack.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374 Website: http://www.drvondawright.com/