In this episode of GynoCurious, host Dr. Amy Novatt speaks with Nicole Notar, a patient-turned-entrepreneur who spent over 15 years undiagnosed before finally receiving excision surgery that revealed 73 endometriosis lesions throughout her body. Nicole shares her deeply personal journey — from symptoms beginning at age 9, to repeated dismissals by doctors, to a seven-hour surgery that changed her life — and explains how that experience drove her to found both a patient surgery fund (EndoExcisionForAll) and a clinical decision support startup (Vindicara) aimed at helping electronic health record systems flag endometriosis earlier.

Dr. Amy and Nicole dive deep into the complexities of endometriosis diagnosis, including the wide range of symptoms that extend far beyond painful periods — from gastrointestinal issues and chronic UTIs to thoracic involvement and infertility. They discuss why diagnosis can take up to 12 years, how endometriosis is routinely mistaken for IBS, vulvodynia, or interstitial cystitis, and why the mismatch between symptom severity and physical findings makes it so difficult to catch. Nicole also breaks down the critical difference between ablation (surface burning) and excision (root removal), explaining why excision is the gold standard — and why insurance reimbursement structures make it nearly inaccessible for most women.

Nicole's message is one of persistence: the care exists, it's getting easier to find, and you cannot afford to stop advocating for yourself.

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Call 845-307-7446 or email comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org

Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

In this episode of GynoCurious, host Dr. Amy Novatt welcomes Dr. Miriam Cremer, board-certified OBGYN, master of public health, and founder of Basic Health International, for a deep dive into cervical cancer. Together they unpack the science of human papillomavirus (HPV), explaining how 13 high-risk HPV types cause 99% of all cervical cancers and why HPV is so ubiquitous that it's often compared to the common cold. They walk through the evolution of cervical cancer screening, from the classic Pap smear to co-testing with HPV, and discuss how primary HPV testing — already standard across Europe — is likely the future of care in the United States.

Dr. Cremer shares the origin story of Basic Health International, which grew from a formative medical school rotation in rural El Salvador where she witnessed a young mother die from cervical cancer — a death that was entirely preventable. The conversation covers cutting-edge developments in screening and treatment, including HPV self-sampling kits, AI-assisted cervical imaging apps, and portable thermal ablation devices that can be carried in a backpack and used in remote communities. These innovations are enabling same-day "screen and treat" programs that are reaching women in underserved regions across Latin America and beyond, including a now-national HPV screening program in El Salvador.

They also cover patient fears and misconceptions head-on — from the stigma of an HPV diagnosis to questions about condom protection, the HPV vaccine (including catch-up vaccination up to age 45), and when screening can safely stop. Dr. Cremer and Dr. Novatt emphasize that cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable, and that the women most at risk today are those who have fallen through the cracks of healthcare access — not those who are regularly screened.

Questions of comments?
Call 845-307-7446 or email comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org

Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

In this episode of GynoCurious, host Amy welcomes Inga Guðjónsdóttir, an Icelandic tour guide with decades of experience leading groups through her homeland. Born and raised in a fishing village in the Westfjords, Inga shares her path from working in a fish factory as a child to studying fashion design to stumbling into a career as a guide. Now based between Reykjavik and her countryside home in northwest Iceland, she has partnered with Tara Short of Green Edventures to create mindfulness-centered wellness retreats for women.

Amy and Inga talk through a women's trip to Iceland planned for 2027, which Amy will co-lead with a focus on perimenopause and menopause education. They explore how the trip pairs Iceland's hot springs, cold sea plunges, and mountain landscapes with grounding practices, sound bathing, sauna sessions, and one-on-one wellness conversations. Inga also describes the sense of community that forms when women travel together, even as strangers, and how past participants have built lasting friendships. Both encourage listeners at any stage to consider gifting themselves the experience, with no need to bring a companion to feel welcomed.

Listeners interested in the 2027 Iceland journey can find more at https://greenedventures.com and dramynovatt.com.

Questions of comments?
Call 845-307-7446 or email comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org

Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff