OBGYN Reacts to Common Women's Health Products! | Pelvis Party

Welcome back to Pelvis Party! Today the OG trio is back together for the first time this season to react to some very common over-the-counter women's health products. Have you ever wondered if any of the supplements, cooling technologies or treatments actually work? OBGYN Dr. Melissa Richards is here to let you know. 

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Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

Um, and the regulation behind uh behind a lot of these medications that are over the counter for things like this, supplements, it's it's not as robust as I think we would all appreciate having, especially when we're looking for answers and we're essentially like desperate to find what makes the most sense.

SPEAKER_00 0:24

Hi, everybody, welcome back to Pelvis Party. My name is Becky Montpetit. I am the owner of Rochester Local. I am joined by Dr. Melissa Richards, OBGYN, and Britt Marshall, Marketing Extraordinaire. And you know what? This is our first time back together. I love it. This is our third season of Pelvis Party. We're so excited. Um, and it is the first time all three of us have been back together since the third season started. So today, what do you have for us? What are we doing? What are we talking about? Oh, I love it. So we're gonna talk about these products. And these are this is live reacting here, folks. So we're gonna talk about products, and it looks like most of these are related to cooling, which leads me to believe that we might be talking about menopause. Such a hot topic right now. Literally, hot flashes, love it so much.

SPEAKER_01 1:17

Okay, so we want to get an OBGYN three action.

SPEAKER_00 1:20

Yes, we're gonna have fun. Oh, I can't wait. Because I some of them, some of them I have probably tried to utilize myself. So I don't know. Let's let's what's this? Cooling patch, soothe, headache, toothache, pain muscle, ache, drowsiness, fatigue, sunstroke. And I like it, it had a little dolphin on it. Isn't that interesting packaging for a small? I first saw these in New Zealand a year ago. Interesting. And now all of a sudden I'm seeing them everywhere. Can we open these up here?

SPEAKER_01 1:50

There that's like a word for that when you like hear a word or you see something, and then it's like all of a sudden it's literally everywhere.

SPEAKER_00 1:57

So I'm gonna just rip this box open. I hope you don't mind.

SPEAKER_02 2:00

We now are not returning that. Okay, great. Nope, these are ours now forever and ever.

unknown 2:04

Oh, jeez.

SPEAKER_02 2:06

What I appreciate about them is they're trying to appeal to a very wide audience.

SPEAKER_00 2:11

Yes, so it's um soothe headache, toothache, pain, muscle, ache, drowsiness, fatigue, and sun stroke. Oh, so if you've just like been outside too much, right? I feel it's cool.

SPEAKER_02 2:22

Yeah, I mean, I don't even think you've got you could just like oh, I guess it did cool down a little bit.

SPEAKER_00 2:26

Um so yeah, my when we were in New Zealand, we used these. So we went and I was like, I need something for a fever reducer because he had a fever, like an infection. Um, and this is what they recommended.

SPEAKER_01 2:39

Smell it. What was it? Oh, it's a little mint. It's a little mintish, yeah. So active ingredients are hydrophilic. I don't even mark a malalakano material. Sticky. Oh, my kids it loves that. That's cold. It's the mint that you're gonna be.

SPEAKER_02 2:52

Holy moly, that's cold. Yeah. So from a menopause standpoint, we're talking about cooling us down. So I mean, I could see you being able, and it comes off really nicely. I could see you using these in different areas, like problem areas, like maybe behind your neck. Maybe I can't really put it, it's gonna get my hair. Um, so that's fun. I mean, if it works, it works.

SPEAKER_00 3:15

That's I mean, it's I don't what are the active ingredients here? Ingredients hydrophilic macromolecule material. Just trying to read that.

SPEAKER_02 3:26

Yeah, great job. You're doing a better job at it. Seriously.

SPEAKER_00 3:30

Okay, thanks, Dr. Richard. She's doing better. Borneol, glycerin, and water. I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_02 3:35

We're just like, I think it's great, it's fine. I think if you have like sensitive skin, this might be problematic. Um especially the men's stuff. I don't know. Do you think it?

SPEAKER_00 3:44

I mean, maybe you know, I know we're talking about menopause, but like, is this helpful for like kids who have a fever?

SPEAKER_02 3:49

I think that's the idea.

SPEAKER_01 3:50

I think it's for everything. Like, I think they have a broad audience. When I put into Amazon menopause, this showed up as one of the number ones. So that's interesting. Yeah, I do think it is more kid related.

SPEAKER_00 4:02

I mean, you could put this where where they say like on the back of your neck, behind your knees, right? On your wrist.

SPEAKER_02 4:09

Yeah, that's great.

SPEAKER_00 4:10

I could see it working. Well, that's fine. Something funny and clever to have in here. You can try it. If you want it. Closet. What's next?

SPEAKER_01 4:19

Estro Ven. Oh boy. Sleep cool for hot flashes, night sweats, occasional sleepiness.

SPEAKER_02 4:26

Okay, so sleeplessness. This is where we get into interesting stuff. Um, all right, so what is so it has black kohash, soy, and melatonin. Melatonin. Melatonin, okay.

SPEAKER_00 4:39

Which you can just buy if if you want to do melatonin, you don't have to buy it packaged like this, I suppose.

SPEAKER_02 4:45

Yeah, I get kind of goofy. So this is with some of these supplements. I just I have lots of feels. Yeah. Um for my big rule is is it is the medication reasonable? You can pass or fail that test, and then is the medication not unreasonable? I don't know. Like these are tricky, any of these, because how you're at the mercy of the pharmacy, you don't know how much black kohosh is in this, um, like really in this because these medications aren't necessarily FDA approved. I love how it says safe, estrogen, and drug free. But I think some people would argue that melatonin is a drug. And you could say I don't uh I get really weird about supplements because I don't know, I don't know. I don't know the amount. I don't know their studies. I maybe cheated a little bit, and there's another medication out here, and I did some research, and their studies that they're touting themselves on is literally, it's literally two digits. Okay, that's just whatever. Uh-huh. Yep. So there is this other medication that we have up here. It's called melomenopause, relieves hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and occasional mood swings. Remove. Does it say remove? Relieves. Oh, relieves. Relieves hot flashes. And the two medications that they're touting Estro G100 and GABA. So in my research, GABA is supposed to help with like sleep and um uh like chilling you out a little bit. Um the estrogen, I'm sorry, estro G100. Um, the only research I could find, it was literally less than 100 patients where they had a placebo group and someone who did estro G. And the estrogen group did better with their symptoms, their menopause symptoms. Yeah. But I mean, that's the only study. That's the only study. And that allows a company. I mean, there maybe there are other studies I just can't get my lapause on. Yeah. But most studies, like with other like FDA-approved medications, have multiple studies, and I could only find this one. And I mean, the packaging is really pretty. I just it's iridescent. It's iridescent. I don't. This is where I get like frustrated with things because we are packaging, we are putting this out there, we're saying there's science behind it, and I found one study that has a less than 100 patients.

SPEAKER_00 7:08

So, you know, we've talked about this before, but like this is beautiful packaging. It's so pretty. Marketing and the and people love this marketing, and I think people are anxious for solutions. Absolutely. And I find it really interesting that people are anxious for solutions that they don't have to go to the doctor about, right? So they just want something that they can grab off the shelf. And this is beautiful, and this taps into that mentality. But astro G100 and GABA. Um, I have a follow-up question. So if someone is to take they go to wherever they get their things and they take and they come in and then they go through their thing, and the nurses say, and what medications are you on? Do you expect your the patients to also list these sorts of things as well?

SPEAKER_02 7:56

Which is kind of funny because at the same time, like this other one says it's not a drug, but guess what? Patients feel like it's a drug. It's very confusing. It's so confusing. Sure. Um, and the regulation behind uh behind a lot of these medications that are over the counter for things like this, supplements, it's it's not as robust as I think we would all appreciate having, especially when we're looking for answers and we're essentially like desperate to find what makes the most sense. And so I would strongly recommend if you want to try these medications, bring them in. And I would make sure that you're talking to someone who knows about menopause and the symptoms you're trying to manage to talk through, like, you know, I tell patients, I don't think it's harming you. If you feel better, great. Um, but I also think maybe we can find something that might work a little better than these medications. Sure.

SPEAKER_00 8:46

I mean, and you you know you can keep buying this every 30 days or 30-day supply.

SPEAKER_02 8:51

I mean, even think about that 30-day supply. That's the word, those are the wordings that we use for the prescription medications.

SPEAKER_01 8:57

It's just I mean it's marketing is good. Yeah, even on the system, no two women experience menopause the same. Agreed. Relating, like sure, yeah, they're for sure relating. Yeah, and then Estro Ven is like estrogen. Yeah, this has no estrogen in it. No, no, interesting. All right, what's next? Uh let's do the arc chill. So yeah. Symptom like symptom management. Awesome.

SPEAKER_02 9:24

Great flats. Yeah. See? Yeah. Open her right up. Oh, look at it. Unboxing. I love it. Oh, it's fun. Pull that under there. Oh, oh, can you pick different colors? Did you pick this color? Oh, what is happening?

SPEAKER_00 9:39

Remember if you could pick other colors.

SPEAKER_02 9:40

So slippery. Oh, there's two pillows. Oh, you and your partner, or maybe you like two pillows. Maybe you have that situation. Like we have like six pillows in our. Yeah, this is kind of warm.

SPEAKER_00 9:50

This is not, this is not the type of stuff that I want to put my face on, actually.

SPEAKER_02 9:53

It focuses on Japanese cooling fibers research and development committed to providing revolutionary cooling products. A Japanese cooling fiber? And then certified by Japan Boken to ensure high performance.

SPEAKER_00 10:07

I mean, if I just put my hand on it, it doesn't feel like it's cooling. No, it might be just this one specific one. Because I know that there are cooling products out on the market that truly cool, right? They use their little temperature gauges or whatever. Yeah. Which also could be a you know a gimmick that I fall straight into. We're trying.

SPEAKER_01 10:27

Well, it might require an overnight test. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 10:30

You might have to I nominate Dr. Richards. I mean. Sure. This sounds fun. Absolutely. Yeah, you want to know about a pillowcase.

SPEAKER_02 10:40

This is great. I love it.

SPEAKER_01 10:42

Tell me about this one. Oh this one was recommended by a couple of other clinicians. Um, a weighted eye mask by kitsch. Oh, yeah. Kitch that kitsch brand always has like fun. They do goodies. Have this one has lab AJ's gonna love that I did that with the mic, but um it's okay. This one has lavender in it.

SPEAKER_02 11:04

I think it leans into like sleep issues. Um, when we talk about menopause symptoms, just in general, we have a lot of like sleep issues with the idea of behavioral changes. Oh yeah, maybe. So this is like setting the mood.

SPEAKER_00 11:16

Well, you know creating an environment. Yes, creating a routine, yes, right? I yes, for sure, because this isn't even heavy, like yeah, it's not super heavy. So there have there is something on the market called a nod pod. Have you heard about these? And they're literal, like heavy, it's like weighted blanket for your eyes. Oh, interesting. And people swear by them because it's I think it's that proprioceptive like weight, you know, on your eyes that makes you just feel relaxed and calm and cozy. Um, listen, I love a sleep routine. Yes, AJ calls it 27 steps to sleep freedom. And I have like a zillion things that I do at night to like get me, like lapse me into sleep mode. I'm gonna go ahead and say that this feels actually no different than any other I'm asking. So, I mean, maybe there are some, but I think it's just like so like stuff like this is like such a personal preference. Yeah, you know, it definitely smells like lavender. Can you smell it?

SPEAKER_02 12:13

Yeah, it should what it so I take a lot of oh, that does uh pride in my like my sleep routine in way of I'm gonna be really honest. I like wash my face, brush my teeth, and then we have the pillow situation, so there's like the body pillow between it and my husband and I because we need that back support, but they're too hot. Um and then I will I have to do one last like little scroll, like just a baby scroll for like no more than like two minutes. Yeah, I would not recommend that. Don't do that. No blue light, no blue screens. But I do, but then I have to put that down and then I read a chapter of a book, and then I throw a pillow. I actually do the full pillow, the big pillow, like not the body pillow, and then it goes over my eyes and then I fall asleep. Have you heard about the sleep crown? Um, tell me more.

SPEAKER_00 13:00

The sleep crown is like this pillow that's meant to go over your face. Oh, interesting. And they're like selling out like hotcakes. Like she can the the um owner who designed this, who marketed it, cannot keep them in stock. It's called the sleep crown. And it looks literally looks like an eye mask, but it's a pillow. I'm funny. It's over your face. Isn't that interesting? Yeah, but I'm the same way with the sleep routine. I mean, it's like my entire skincare routine, my entire, you know, you know, do a little stretch, and then, you know, I've got this sleep spray. Does absolutely nothing yet? I love it. Dr. Teal's it's like 27 steps to the sleeping freedom. I love that, right? And I I have the pillow too, so we're the same. But I do have a cooling, and it truly is cooling. Oh, I love it, right? I know. So I think it's all about create finding those products. Like if this works for you, excellent. Awesome to find those products that truly help your mind switch from on to off.

SPEAKER_02 14:01

Sleep is a huge issue with menopause. And I mean, we're there's emerging data regarding it. Um, but I would also let's all be very honest, we are managing 20 million different things. The mental load is crazy and routine is so important. And like I said, if you can't just do like no more than one minute of scrolling, like literally when you fall into that phone should be like tucked away then. Because if you're gonna go into a you need to sleep, and I guarantee what you're scrolling isn't like puppies and unicorns. There's a good chance you're gonna have a big cortisone, you know, cortisol shock. And it's the pervert we need our sleep.

SPEAKER_00 14:42

We do we need our sleep. I know. And actually, and I feel like I need more as I get older. I used to just, you know, jam on four or five hours of sleep, even into my 20s and mid-20s and late 20s, and now I'm like, oh nine.

SPEAKER_01 14:59

Let's tuck ourselves in. Right.

SPEAKER_00 15:01

It feels so good. All right, what's next? What do we got? This one is the cooling blanket. Do you want to do this one? Maybe you open that and we'll do the hot flash patch.

SPEAKER_02 15:10

There's a couple of them. Very uncomfortable with this. Another cool one, but this is where this marketing is amazing. I know, it's pretty. I love pink pretty and pink. So this is to help with hot flashes, hemp uh extract, um, black collash, like a uh black pepper extract. I'm like, how like uh make you more hot? Like black pepper. No, black collash because there's some good there are some studies that show that that I can can improve hot flashes, but okay, I love this. The statements made in connection with these products have not been reviewed by the FDA administration. The product's efficacy has not been confirmed through the FDA. Hemp products may cause harm to your liver, and this is where I get really fired up about this stuff, especially at high doses. Hemp products may lead to drowsiness and and use in conjunction with alcohol or other drugs should be avoided. This is where I get a little spicy. I get a little spicy because how do we know?

SPEAKER_00 16:11

How do we know? Sure. I think you know, all these things, it's almost like a top is it supposed to be topical? Are they trying to like put this into your blood? Yeah, blessing. But I I So it's not just like one of these.

SPEAKER_02 16:25

It's no, you're absorbing hemash. And I don't like there. This is a four-pack, so you're gonna feel like how often are you changed these? There's no instructions on how often you're supposed to be changing the hat.

SPEAKER_00 16:39

Patch may be worn up to 12 hours.

SPEAKER_02 16:41

Okay, 12 hours. All done. Simply put another one on. When do you put another one on?

SPEAKER_00 16:44

Yeah, peel the patch off and discard. How long are you supposed to wait in between, right?

SPEAKER_02 16:49

This makes you very uncomfortable. I do not like this. So we're gonna say like a miniature. No.

SPEAKER_00 16:56

Bring this in before you like show your primary care provider, right? Like, yep.

SPEAKER_02 17:02

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_00 17:03

This is why I'm actually so 15 milligrams premium hemp extract. Are they trying to say that this is a THC product? No, they would have to say that.

SPEAKER_01 17:10

Yes, they would.

SPEAKER_00 17:11

And I don't think you can just buy it on Amazon, right? No, you can buy that on Amazon. No, I was gonna say, but yeah, like if it had THC, you can just like order it up on Amazon, right? I think so. Yeah, so cannabis is real hot right now. We know that, right? And so they're saying 15 milligram, and that's even how they um market and distribute like THC. But this is, you know, saying premium hemp. Um I I just find it's really interesting. The the marketing is good, the packaging is good, but we're a little, a little sketchy.

SPEAKER_02 17:44

I don't know about that. Now, there's some other this company's not the only one. There's Mary's patches, there's Purity. Mary's got another, I don't know, man.

SPEAKER_01 17:55

I don't think we've ever seen so many menopause related type products. I mean, it's just like blown up in the market and people wanting something to alleviate symptoms.

SPEAKER_00 18:05

Right. So it's good marketing because people are paying attention to what is uh being talked about right now. And so people who do products and people who listen to the chatter are like, time to cash in, right? And so I think it's just it it illustrates the importance of really being mindful that they want you to buy these things, they want to that you to think that this is solving your problems.

SPEAKER_01 18:34

Um like a million-dollar market, like oh, you know, billions.

SPEAKER_00 18:40

Oh, billions, yeah, probably. Yeah, the only one that I will actually put my personal disclaimer on are these cooling blankets. Very cool. They are like like they feel cool and they feel heavy, like feel that actually, yes.

SPEAKER_02 18:55

And I will say like symptom relief through like behavioral modification, super reasonable, right? Love that. Like that is something that we know there's evidence to give me promote that. Like delicacy. Great, this is awesome. I just get really nervous about ingesting and absorbing things that it just feels cool on my layup. Oh my god. Right.

SPEAKER_00 19:17

Becky's gonna air for the rest of the time. No, I know just wrap me up and you know, prop me up here in the corner. I'll see you later. No, I love this. But doesn't it? And you know what this is good for? Airplane travel.

SPEAKER_02 19:30

Oh, airplane, yeah, because it gets all nice and I guarantee someone's it was had a former life, maybe as an airplane travel blanket.

SPEAKER_00 19:38

I thought you were gonna say a water bottle. And I'm like, yeah, it probably could be, you know, because people are making blankets out of water bottles. So that's what I thought you were gonna say. But no, what is the oh, it's polyester and nylon. So, I mean, maybe a special blend or whatever. I think it's the heft of it too, you know. But it's pretty well. I mean, moral of the story here. Yeah. Do your research. Don't you know, don't we don't always have to buy into the things that look beautiful. And I think that is a natural inclination for me. So I would raise my hand guilty. Absolutely. I am a huge sucker for a beautiful package. But truly think about one, where is your money going for that? And two, is it gonna be helpful or is it gonna be hurtful for you? You know, absolutely. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 20:32

That's a wrap. Thank you for joining us on the pelvis party today, where there is no awkward question, no judgment, just honest conversation.

SPEAKER_00 20:39

If you're interested in further pelvis party episodes, you can find this on any of your podcasting apps as well as on social media at pelvis party.