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.
Not So Private Parts
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 often-ignored world of BV: what it is, why it happens, and why so many people are dealing with it (hint: up to 80% will experience it at some point).
Together, they break down the science behind the vaginal microbiome, how an imbalance of good vs. bad bacteria can throw everything off, and what factors might be triggering these flare-ups. They also explore treatments: what works, what doesn’t, and what’s changing in the way we think about BV. Spoiler: a recent study is now linking it to STI-like transmission patterns, shifting how we approach prevention and care.
It’s informative, unfiltered, and exactly the conversation we should all be having.