Not So Private Parts
Not So Private Parts is a mother-daughter podcast breaking the silence around women’s reproductive health — from first periods to menopause, painful sex to birth control myths, and everything in between. Join Valerie Elser, the curious daughter, and Dr. Denise Poulos, a practicing gynecologist, for candid, compassionate conversations about the questions women aren’t always taught to ask — and the answers everyone deserves to hear.
Episodes
26 episodes
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): Vaginas, Bacteria & Balance
Recurrent BV? Yeah, same. In this episode, host Valerie Elser gets real about her year-long battle with bacterial vaginosis and she’s not alone. Joined by her mum (and Gynecologist) Dr. Denise Poulos, this mother-daughter duo dives into the oft...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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40:54
A Chat About Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
In this eye-opening episode, cohost Eleny Bunn shares her personal journey with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), offering candid insights into her diagnosis and what’s been helping her manage it. Her and Val are joined by reproductive ps...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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59:18
Boys Ask, Gyno Answers
What happens when you give guys the mic and let them ask anything they've ever wondered about vaginas, periods, sex, and more? In this candid, no-holds-barred episode, 19-year-old cohost Spencer McFarlane takes on anonymo...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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59:10
Motherhood & Mental Health: A Chat about Postpartum Depression
In this episode, Val and cohost Kristina Rosengren are joined by reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Sindhu Vangala for an open and compassionate conversation about postpartum depression. Together, they explore the emotional and psycholog...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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47:43
Hemorrhoids are a Pain in the Butt
In this episode, the girl and her gyno-mom are discussing something that might be a bit more uncomfortable than most topics but is incredibly important: Hemorrhoids.They’ll break down what hemorrhoids really are, why they develop,...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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50:09
Leaks to Relief: Medical Solutions to Urinary Incontinence with Dr. Denise Poulos
In the second part of our series on urinary incontinence, we explore the medical options available to improve its impact on daily life. From behavioral changes and medications to Botox treatments for overactive bladder, pessary usage, nerve sti...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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50:37
A Crash Course on Female Reproductive Hormones
A Crash Course on Female Reproductive HormonesEstrogen, Androgens, Testosterone, Oh My!Do you feel a bit jipped when you look back at your middle school introduction into women's health? ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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1:05:07
Understanding Urinary Incontinence with Dr. Denise Poulos (Part 1)
Val sits down with Dr. Poulos to tackle the often-overlooked topic of incontinence.Together, they explore what incontinence is, breaking down the difference between urge and stress incontinence, and offering a clear understanding of how...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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33:23
Beyond the Surgery: A Candid Talk About Hysterectomies with Melanie Verwoerd
Val is honored to have the opportunity to sit down with Melanie Verwoerd, an author, podcaster, and advocate for supporting women and the medical community to better understand hysterectomies, among many other impressive accomplishments.
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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49:06
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy with Kendra Erven
The Pelvic Floor plays an important role in our bodies. It's an incredible collection of muscles & ligaments that support our bladder, uterus, & rectum.It plays a role in sexual function, in childbirth, in supporting our daily a...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:13:43
Science Behind the Menstrual Cycle with Kavi Rajendran
Maybe you had a brief lesson on the menstrual cycle in middle school or high school. But how much do you actually remember?In this episode, Val is joined by the incredible women's health physician's assistant, Kavi Rajendran, to discuss...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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57:25
Trauma Informed Care with Dr. Traci Kurtzer
In this episode, the girl and her gyno-mom meet up with Dr. Traci Kurtzer. Dr. Kurtzer is an amazing physician and community advocate. She works at Northwestern in the Center of Sexual Medicine and Menopause and is the Medical Director ...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:10:39
Understanding Endometriosis with Amy Corfeli
It's estimated that 180 million people worldwide are affected by Endometriosis, yet on average, there is an 8 year gap between people presenting with symptoms and being diagnosed.Join the girl and her gyno-mom, and their special guest, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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1:05:33
Tickly, Phantom, Burning Pee a UTI chat with Dr. Abby Drucker
Have you ever rushed to the bathroom with the urge to pee only to find that there's only a few measly trickles? or have you sat down on the toilet to find that your pee is burning and irritating as it comes out?You may have...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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52:32
Season 2 Teaser: The Girl and her Gyno-mom are back!
The girl and her gyno-mom are back for a second Season. Join Dr. Denise Poulos, a gynecologist based in the Chicagoland area, and her daughter Val, as they continue the conversation surrounding women's reproductive health.T...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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5:19
Season 1 Wrap Up
The girl and her gyno-mom have finished up Season 1 of Not So Private Parts. WoooHooo!Dr. Poulos and her daughter, Val, are thrilled at the opportunity to get their women’s health project off the ground.Join them in t...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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39:04
Infertility Basics with Dr. Victoria Snegovskikh
Val and her gyno-mom (Dr. Denise Poulos) are joined again by the brilliant reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Victoria Snegovskikh.The ladies discuss:What makes couples infertile? Is infertility on the rise and w...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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1:03:22
Menopause Management
In our previous Menopause episode, we dove down into the depths of menopausal symptoms, touching on hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, etc. Luckily, in today’s episode we march straight back up, discussing various forms of menopausal ma...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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57:16
Fertility Conversation with Dr. Victoria Snegovskikh
Val is joined by Dr. Victoria Snegovskikh, a reproductive endocrinologist & infertility specialist based in Chicago, who has been working in the space for over 20 years supporting couples to achieve their family building dreams.<...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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46:48
Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, No Libido…Oh My!
Pause…..and let’s have a chat about Menopause.Did you know that ⅓ of a woman's life is postmenopausal. Yet sometimes it feels like any learnings or conversations about this stage of a woman's life is kept quiet.<...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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45:13
Painful Periods: Cramps from the Get-Go & Cramps that Hit Later
Listen in with Val and her mom, gynecologist Dr. Denise Elser-Poulos, as they discuss a phenomena all too familiar to many women (80% of women to be exact): Painful PeriodsHear as listeners describe what painful periods feel l...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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53:29
Mini-Episode: Get to know the Girl and her Gyno-Mom
Join Gyno-Mom, Dr. Denise Elser Poulos and her daughter, Val, for a mini-episode all about getting to know the mother-daughter duo behind Not So Private Parts. You’ll be able to hear about Dr. D’s path toward becoming a women’s health physic...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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16:47
Heavy Menstrual Flow: Hey Ladies, we love a good bleed but how much is too much already?
Gyno-Mom, Dr. Denise Elser Poulos, and her daughter, Val, discuss a topic that Dr. D is very excited about: Heavy Menstrual Flow. It turns out heavy menstrual flow is quite common, affecting about 1 in 5 females. The mother-daughter duo delv...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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47:14
Taking Charge of your Discharge: What’s Normal and What’s Not?
Gyno-mom, Dr. Poulos, her daughter, Val, and their special guest women’s health physician’s assistant, Kavitha (Kavi) Rajendran, candidly chat about an ooey-, gooey, taboo topic: Discharge. They delve into what discharge is, what is normal d...
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37:55
Birth Control: Goat’s Bladders, Vaginal Rings, Injections, Oh My…..
Gyno-mom, Dr. Poulos, and her daughter, Val, discuss a huge host of birth control options available for women: from vaginal rings, injectable birth control, the birth control implant, natural cycle planning, condoms, sterilization, and Plan ...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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54:32
