140: Birth Control, Hormones, and Menopause: When Medicine Fails and Wellness Cashes In with Dr. Kemi Doll, MD Video
Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely HeldShow Notes
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kemi Doll, a double board-certified OB-GYN and gynecologic oncologist, about endometriosis, fibroids, uterine cancer, PMOS, and hormonal birth control. We examine how wellness influencers exploit real experiences of medical dismissal to promote fear, undermine trust in established treatments, and sell alternatives.
We discuss what hormonal contraception offers beyond preventing pregnancy, why suppressing ovulation or menstruation isn't automatically harmful, and how language like "hormone balancing" and "treating the root cause" can misrepresent effective medical care. Dr. Doll also explains the recent renaming of PCOS to PMOS and raises concerns about estrogen regimens that extend beyond what has been adequately studied.
Drawing on her book, A Terrible Strength, Dr. Doll explains how women's suffering, especially Black women's suffering, becomes normalized and undertreated, and how gaps in research and diagnostic practices contribute to delayed care. She makes the case for better medical communication, meaningful informed choice, and taking women's symptoms seriously without turning their health into a wellness trend.
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RESOURCES
Dr. Kemi's website [https://kemidoll.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kemidoll/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemidoll?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
Dr. Kemi's Book [https://amzn.to/3TPypXp] A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing by Dr. Kemi Doll.
The GRACE Center [https://www.thedolllabgroup.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
ACOG patient resources [https://www.acog.org/womens-health] for gynecologic health information.
ECANA [https://www.ecanawomen.org/] for uterine cancer and abnormal bleeding information.
UpToDate patient education [https://www.uptodate.com/contents/table-of-contents/patient-education?utm_source=chatgpt.com] for more detailed explanations of conditions, treatments, and evidence.
The Menopause Society [https://menopause.org/]
Dr. Kemi Doll's Instagram Reel [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXoz7dojBKJ/?mdxt=MWViYmNucHRtaWZycA==] challenging birth control misinformation
Dr. Jen Gunter's conversation [https://vajenda.substack.com/p/live-with-dr-jen-gunter-0f8] with Dr. Kemi Doll
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