Let's Talk About Birth – Details, episodes & analysis

Join Dr. Jen this week as she dives into something many of us can relate to: the summer period predicament. Now that we’re in the thick of the warmer months, it’s the perfect time to learn about practical tips for managing vaginal health in the heat. From period-friendly swimming options to menstrual cups and insights on period care while camping, Dr. Jen is providing the practical advice you didn't know you needed this season. She's also shedding light on vacation sex during menstruation, how to delay or skip your period, and as always, debunking myths along the way. With Dr. Jen's guidance, embrace a summer of confident and carefree period management. Get ready to make a splash with ease and knowledge!    What’s going down:    Best practices to maintain healthy vaginal hygiene in the heat    Swimming with your period    The low-down on menstrual cups and discs    Tips for managing your period while camping    Why you should have all the vacation sex during menstruation  How to properly skip your period, unlike the girl in this TikTok here.    Revealing the truth about shark attacks and periods      Thank you for continuing the conversation and calling into the Viva la Vulva Voicemail at (503) 893-2016! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and remember that nothing is considered TMI around here.      Social & Website   TikTok: @drjenniferlincoln   Instagram: @drjenniferlincoln   YouTube: @drjenniferlincoln   Website: www.drjenniferlincoln.com      Resources    Grab a copy of my book HERE!   Obstetricians For Reproductive Justice   Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  Green Chef - Get 60% off plus free shipping when you go to GreenChef.com/drjen   Zocdoc - Download the Zocdoc app for FREE when you go to Zocdoc.com/DRJEN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Jen is exposing the unknowns and misunderstandings surrounding Plan B, or the morning after pill. From the confusion over its technical term ("emergency contraception") to the stigma and shame associated with purchasing it, Dr. Jen navigates the landscape with empathy and humor. She breaks down how Plan B works, its effectiveness within a specific time frame, and the impact of weight on its efficacy. Debunking myths about Plan B as an abortion pill, she tackles the spread of misinformation by politicians and anti-abortion groups. Dr. Jen also explores alternative options like Ella and the copper IUD, leaving listeners informed, empowered, and ready to spread the truth about emergency contraception.       What’s going down:    A breakdown of Plan B and emergency contraception in general    How to access the morning after pill    The science behind how Plan B works and when it is best to take it  Why Plan B is less effective if you have a higher BMI   Alternative options to Plan B: Ella, the copper IUD, and the Yuzpe method    The truth about whether or not emergency contraception is equivalent to abortion   Clitorally OVER politicians fueling false narratives about the morning after pill. See TikTok here!      Thank you for continuing the conversation and calling into the Viva la Vulva Voicemail at (503) 893-2016! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and remember that nothing is considered TMI around here.        Social & Website   TikTok: @drjenniferlincoln   Instagram: @drjenniferlincoln   YouTube: @drjenniferlincoln   Website: www.drjenniferlincoln.com      Resources    Grab a copy of my book HERE!   Obstetricians For Reproductive Justice      References   The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. FAQ: Emergency contraception. https://www.acog.org/patient-resource...   Edelman, Alison B. MD, MPH; Hennebold, Jon D. PhD; Bond, Kise PSM; Lim, Jeong Y. PhD; Cherala, Ganesh PhD; Archer, David F. MD; Jensen, Jeffrey T. MD, MPH. Double Dosing Levonorgestrel-Based Emergency Contraception for Individuals With Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology 140(1):p 48-54, July 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004717  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/30/well/family/plan-b-weight-limit.html  The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Practice Bulletin #152: Emergency contraception.” September 2015. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinica...   https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-fda-says-plan-b-doesnt-affect-existing-pregnancy-changes-label-2022-12-23/#:~:text=Dec%2023%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20The,course%20of%20an%20existing%20pregnancy.https://www.bedsider.org/features/363...   GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/blog/plan-b-a-...   Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  Green Chef - Get 60% off plus free shipping when you go to GreenChef.com/drjen   Zocdoc - Download the Zocdoc app for FREE when you go to Zocdoc.com/DRJEN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to cleanse your mind this week as Dr. Jen tackles the taboo topic of feminine hygiene. From cleansing cloths to the ridiculous history of feminine hygiene products, Dr. Jen breaks down the claims of these unnecessary products and exposes the truth behind the industry's shame-based marketing tactics. Along the way, she shares her recommendations for gentle, effective cleaning Down There and gives the lowdown on how to keep your vulva happy and healthy. So grab a seat, and let's bust some myths about keeping your bits clean. And just remember, newsflash: vaginas are supposed to smell like vaginas!     What's going down:    A comprehensive guide on how to safely cleanse yourself down there   The cleansers and brands Dr. Jen recommends and trusts the most    Addressing the ridiculousness of the feminine hygiene industry and the lack of male products present on the market   Purity culture and the impact it continues to have on women today    A historical look at douching (with Lysol) and who actually needs to douche    How to safely address odors coming from down there    Shame-based marketing and this clitorally ridiculous ad from Lume deodorant. Watch here!      Thank you for continuing the conversation and calling into the Viva la Vulva Voicemail at (503) 893-2016! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and remember that nothing is considered TMI around here.      Social & Website   TikTok: @drjenniferlincoln   Instagram: @drjenniferlincoln   YouTube: @drjenniferlincoln   Website: www.drjenniferlincoln.com      Resources    Grab a copy of my book HERE!   Obstetricians For Reproductive Justice      References    https://www.statista.com/topics/4889/feminine-hygiene-market/  https://www.motherjones.com/media/2012/03/when-women-used-lysol-birth-control/     Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  Zocdoc - Download the Zocdoc app for FREE when you go to Zocdoc.com/DRJEN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Jen is hopping back on the mic to talk about the tongue-twisting topic of oral sex! Is it safe? What are the risks? From Cunnilingus to Fellatio to Anilingus, and everything in between, she’ll cover it all. It's time to break down the stigma around oral sex and start talking about how to make it more safe, consensual, and fun. So grab your condoms and dental dams, and let's get to it!      What's going down:    A proper definition of what constitutes oral sex and the proper names associated   Breaking down whether or not oral sex can cause cancer   Facts and stats about oral sex that might shock you   An overview of the various forms of STIs you can contract from giving and receiving oral   Discussing HPV: Testing, treatments, symptoms, risks, and prevention   Best practices and mechanisms to keep yourself protected   Learning all about Dental Dams and what the heck they are  Clitorally obsessed with these oral sex panties by Lorals – check out the TikTok here and get 15% off when you use DRJEN at checkout!     Thank you for continuing the conversation and calling into the Viva la Vulva Voicemail at (503) 893-2016! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and remember that nothing is considered TMI around here.       Social & Website   TikTok: @drjenniferlincoln   Instagram: @drjenniferlincoln   YouTube: @drjenniferlincoln   Website: www.drjenniferlincoln.com      Resources    Grab a copy of my book HERE!   Obstetricians For Reproductive Justice      References   Oral Sex Statistics 2023: How Common Is Oral Sex? https://sexualalpha.com/how-common-is-oral-sex/  CDC: HPV. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm  CDC: HPV & Men Fact Sheet. https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm  CDC: HPV and cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/index.htm  Planned Parenthood. STD Awareness: Can I Use Plastic Wrap as a Dental Dam During Oral Sex? https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-arizona/blog/std-awareness-can-i-use-plastic-wrap-as-a-dental-dam-during-oral-sex#:~:text=And%20it%20can%20be%20pulled,wrap%20for%20use%20during%20rimming  The Verge. Oral history: the sexual misadventures of the dental dam. https://www.theverge.com/2014/3/20/5522106/the-sexual-history-of-the-dental-dam  Lorals underwear! https://mylorals.com/  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   Green Chef - Get 60% off plus free shipping when you go to GreenChef.com/drjen   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After weeks of putting it off, Dr. Jen is finally tackling a topic that she’s sad and enraged that she even has to address: the need to consider hysterectomies as birth control due to the current abortion restrictions in the U.S. A heavy topic, yes, but at the end of the day, this podcast is a safe space where we can mention it all and have the hard and necessary conversations. So today, Dr. Jen is doing just that and giving the lowdown on hysterectomies, from what they are to the different forms, risks to be aware of, if they really are worth it as a contraceptive after all, and other options to consider before going down that road. So buckle up and brace yourselves for a wild and informative ride!       What's going down:     Breaking down hysterectomies and the different types of procedures available    Why tubal ligation, or "tying your tubes," is a solid form of birth control to consider  Examples of LARCs and their overarching benefits    A walkthrough of how hysterectomies are done and the risks associated with each kind   Hysterectomy aftercare: how you’ll feel and what really happens to your organs when your uterus is removed    Why Dr. Jen LOVES the way people are keeping it real about hysterectomy recovery on social media. Watch the TikTok here!      Thank you for continuing the conversation and calling into the Viva la Vulva Voicemail at (503) 893-2016! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and remember that nothing is considered TMI around here.      Social & Website   TikTok: @drjenniferlincoln   Instagram: @drjenniferlincoln   YouTube: @drjenniferlincoln   Website: www.drjenniferlincoln.com      Resources    Grab a copy of my book HERE!   Obstetricians For Reproductive Justice      References    https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/us/abortion-laws-roe-v-wade.html  https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/hysterectomy  https://www.theguardian.com/media/mind-your-language/2012/mar/08/mind-your-language-feminisation-madness  American College of OBGYN FAQ: Sterilization by laparoscopy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/sterilization-by-laparoscopy  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin 208: Benefits and risks of sterilization. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2019/03/benefits-and-risks-of-sterilization     Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   Green Chef - Get 60% off plus free shipping when you go to GreenChef.com/drjen   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Jen is answering one of the more controversial questions she’s received on the Viva La Vulva Voicemail and addressing the hot topic of home births. As a board-certified OBGYN, she wants you to hear what she has to say on the topic - and you might actually be surprised. Listen as Dr. Jen provides an informative overview of the risks, benefits, and data surrounding this topic so you can choose a birth plan that makes the most sense for you, your body, and the health of your baby. After all, you’re in the driver’s seat!     What's going down:     Dr. Jen’s true feelings about home birth and how they’ve changed since her residency days   Maternity care deserts and an overview of the flawed healthcare system in the U.S.  The statistics on home births in the United States and whether they are becoming more common.  Benefits and risks associated with home births   Discussing birthing centres and the use of Certified Nurse Midwives  Breaking down how to create a safe at-home birthing plan   Dr. Jen’s experience with her own birth and what she learned  Find out why this at-home birthing plan is clitorally the best. Watch TikTok here!   Thank you for continuing the conversation and calling into the Viva la Vulva Voicemail at (503) 893-2016! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and remember that nothing is considered TMI around here.      Social & Website   TikTok: @drjenniferlincoln   Instagram: @drjenniferlincoln   YouTube: @drjenniferlincoln   Website: www.drjenniferlincoln.com      Resources    Grab a copy of my book HERE!   Obstetricians For Reproductive Justice      References   CDC. National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20221117.htm#:~:text=There%20were%2051%2C642%20home%20births,to%20almost%202.1%25%20in%202021.  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee Opinion #697: Planned Home Birth. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2017/04/planned-home-birth  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  Green Chef - Get 60% off plus free shipping when you go to GreenChef.com/drjen   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 This week, Dr. Jen is hosting a bit of a birth control bonanza of sorts, if you will! After listening and finding the Viva La Vulva voicemail blown up with questions pertaining to contraception, she decided it was the right time to address each and wrap them into one informative episode. As an OBGYN that’s also active in the critically unwell world of social media, she knows there’s a ton of misinformation out there when it comes to the pill, IUDs, and other forms of birth control, and today, she’s setting the record straight and hitting us with the facts about how they really impact our lives, fertility, and so much more.        What's going down:     The truth about taking birth control simultaneously without a period and how it impacts fertility    A quick history lesson on birth control    The birth control blame game and understanding cause and effect    Dr. Jen’s advice for taking the natural approach to family planning    Minimizing PMDD and PMS and the role IUDs play in doing so  Why healthcare providers need to clitorally stop downplaying our symptoms      Thank you for continuing the conversation and calling into the Viva la Vulva Voicemail at (503) 893-2016! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and remember that nothing is considered TMI around here.       Social & Website   TikTok: @drjenniferlincoln   Instagram: @drjenniferlincoln   YouTube: @drjenniferlincoln   Website: www.drjenniferlincoln.com      Resources    Grab a copy of my book HERE!   Obstetricians For Reproductive Justice      References:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryWu4hqeMok  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   Green Chef - Get 60% off plus free shipping when you go to GreenChef.com/drjen   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, instead of answering questions, Dr. Jen has the pleasure of sitting down with a very special guest—none other than the other Dr. Lincoln, a.k.a. her husband, Doug! As a general pediatrician and OBGYN, this dynamic doctor duo met in med school over 20 years ago and have been married for 15, accumulating a combined wealth of knowledge and wisdom to share. The two swap stories, reminiscing about their residency days at the same hospital, and dive straight into the good, the bad, and the ugly of puberty and social media with kids. Plus, Dr. Jen doesn’t shy away from asking her hubby all the hard-hitting questions, like what it’s really like to be married to a content creator, if he’d ever become a TikToker, and how he feels about all of the vaginal memorabilia in their home...the romance is real!      What’s going down:    What it’s like working with kids from Dr. Doug’s perspective and why Dr. Jen would never want to do his job   Dr. Doug’s true thoughts on Dr. Jen’s mission and social media content   The intersection of their jobs and the influence it has on children’s healthcare   Advice for parents opening the discussion of puberty with their children   Teen boys and the surprising battles they struggle with behind closed doors   Social media use amongst children and find out why Dr. Doug compares it to opening Pandora’s box  Thank you for continuing the conversation and calling into the Viva la Vulva Voicemail at (503) 893-2016! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and remember that nothing is considered TMI around here.      Social & Website   TikTok: @drjenniferlincoln   Instagram: @drjenniferlincoln   YouTube: @drjenniferlincoln   Website: www.drjenniferlincoln.com   Resources    Grab a copy of my book HERE!   Obstetricians For Reproductive Justice   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Jen is shifting gears to discuss a topic that’s a bit more serious this week: vulvar cancer. Although rare, vulvar cancer is very real and can have incredibly unfortunate outcomes if not treated or monitored correctly. As always, Dr. Jen goes (down) there and doesn’t hold back on the facts when addressing matters of the vulva, walking us through the diagnosis, treatment options and prevention practices. If you are someone or love someone with a vagina, this episode is a staple to have in your back pocket, providing the knowledge necessary to help stay safe.     What’s going down:    The various types of vulvar cancer and their level of commonality   What causes cancer of the vulvar and essential risk factors to be aware of   An in-depth breakdown of colposcopies and the diagnosis process   Treatment options available: surgical and non-surgical   Why self-examinations and vulva surveillance could save your life   What staging is and what it means Tips and preventative measures to consider to keep yourself safe   Discussing the clitorally ridiculous and dangerous misinformation about “lightening” your vulva. Watch TikTok here!   Find out why extreme dieting and lifestyle shifts won’t make your HPV go away here.   Thank you for continuing the conversation and calling into the Viva la Vulva Voicemail at (503) 893-2016! Please rate, follow, review, and remember that nothing is considered TMI around here.   Social & Website   TikTok: @drjenniferlincoln   Instagram: @drjenniferlincoln   YouTube: @drjenniferlincoln   Website: www.drjenniferlincoln.com      Resources    Grab a copy of my book HERE!   Obstetricians For Reproductive Justice  References   The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin #224: Diagnosis and Management of Vulvar Skin Disorders.   The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee Opinion #675: Management of Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia.  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/vulvar-cancer.html  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/vulvar-cancer/about/key-statistics.html#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20women,will%20die%20of%20this%20cancer  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Content warning: historical examples of racism Dr. Jen is switching things up in today’s informative and enlightening episode; instead of answering a question or two, she’s delving into the behind-the-scenes of her recent visit to DC for the State of the Union, during which she had the chance to speak to some incredible people about the importance of reproductive health and justice. But, what exactly is reproductive justice, and why is it something you should care about? Dr. Jen is answering these questions and more!    What's going down:     Why reproductive health should matter to all, not just those of us with uteruses  How reproductive justice is defined by two incredible women: Congresswoman Nikema Williams and her guest, Monica Simpson, the Executive Director of SisterSong  How racism, classism, and various issues affect reproductive health and justice  What intersectionality means and why it matters  Henrietta Lacks: who she is and why you should know her name and legacy  The Mississippi Appendectomy: what happened and why we should learn more  Why all of the above matters more than ever in a post-Roe world  Thank you for continuing the conversation and calling into the Viva la Vulva Voicemail at (503) 893-2016! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and remember that nothing is considered TMI around here.    Social & Website   Tiktok: @drjenniferlincoln   Instagram: @drjenniferlincoln   YouTube: @drjenniferlincoln   Website: www.drjenniferlincoln.com   Resources    Grab a copy of my book HERE!   Obstetricians For Reproductive Justice    References   1. Sistersong: https://www.sistersong.net/  2. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: https://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Life-Henrietta-Lacks/dp/1400052181  3. Ms. Magazine, “Sterilization of Women of Color: Does “Unforced” Mean “Freely Chosen” https://msmagazine.com/2011/07/21/sterilization-of-women-of-color-does-unforced-mean-freely-chosen/  4. Equal Justice Initiative. Rethinking the Legacy of Marion Sims https://eji.org/news/rethinking-the-legacy-of-marion-sims/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices