← Beyond The Script
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- [00:07]
A
Ruby,
- [00:10]
B
are these women's vitamins really any different than the ones my husband takes? I missed taking my contraceptive pill yesterday and I'm not sure what to do. I've heard that I should be thinking about my bone health as I age. Why is that?
- [00:23]
A
Can you help me figure out what sort of questions I should be asking
- [00:26]
B
my doctor about menopause?
- [00:32]
A
We all have a lot of questions when it comes to our health. And when it comes to women's health, those questions could feel even more personal, complex, and sometimes overwhelming. That's why iHeartRadio has teamed up with CBS for Beyond the Script, a space to ask real questions and get clear, trustworthy answers from pharmacists who hear these concerns every single day in communities across the country. I'm Dr. Jake Goodman, a board certified psychiatrist and health educator. And in today's episode of beyond the Script, I'll be joined by a CVS pharmacist to talk all about women's health and how pharmacists support women through every stage of life. When people think about women's health, it's often tied to specific moments like starting birth control, pregnancy or menopause. But women's health is not just about those big milestones. It's about the everyday stuff too. How your body feels, what's normal, what's changed, and when something just doesn't feel right. From periods and hormones to medications, vaccines, bone health, and mental well being. There's a lot to navigate. And let's be honest, it's not always easy to know which questions to ask or even who to ask them to. And with so much information out there, it can be hard to separate what's helpful from what's just confusing. That's where pharmacists come in. They are some of the most accessible healthcare professionals out there and they're trained to help answer questions and clear up confusion about period care, birth control options and medications that you should avoid while pregnant or breastfeeding, which helps make navigating your health feel a little more manageable. And to help me talk about all of this is Dr. Amy Lynn Safety, a pharmacy district leader for CVS Pharmacy in Long Island, New York who began her career with CVS more than a decade ago. Amy Lynn is also a breast cancer previver and women's health advocate who carries the BRCA2 mutation and chose to undergo a prophylactic double mastectom as part of her preventative care journey. Today she uses her personal platform to promote genetic testing, early detection, and breast health awareness. Amy Lynn welcome to beyond the Script.
- [03:17]
B
Thank you so much for having me.
- [03:19]
A
I'm really excited to jump in today and talk about women's health. I feel like this is a topic that's not talked about enough. And I wanna start with having you walk us through what it means to be a previvor and how that term shaped the way that you approached your health decisions.
- [03:34]
B
Yeah, absolutely. So I know a lot of people are probably familiar. You've heard of a breast cancer survivor, which is somebody who has battled the disease and obviously survived, but a previvor is somebody who carries a genetic predisposition to cancer. So what that means is certain genetic mutations increase our risk of developing cancers throughout the lifetime. So, so my mutation increases most strongly the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, but there also is an increased risk in things like pancreatic cancer, skin cancer. So it's all things that have to impact our health screenings over our lifetime.
- [04:07]
A
Wow. Thank you for sharing and thank you for all the advocacy work you do in this lane.
- [04:11]
B
Yeah.
- [04:11]
A
You know, we're going to talk about all of this in much more depth. But what are some of the most common questions about women's health that you get asked?
- [04:20]
B
I would say people most commonly are coming in with questions when it comes to things like birth control, emergency contraception, over the counter treatments for things like yeast infection, and then also what supplements or medications that you can take when you actually are pregnant.
- [04:34]
A
Okay, we're going to dive into all of that. I know that you're based in Long island in New York, so tell me a little bit about what your community is like there.
- [04:42]
B
Yeah, so Long island has been home for me forever. A lot of people living close together. So we do have a large variety of patients that are coming into our stores all the time. So it definitely gives the pharmacist a big opportunity to make an impact on their community.
- [05:03]
A
Okay, ambulance. So let's jump in. Let's talk about women's health. So how do you see the pharmacist's role in supporting women's health today?
- [05:12]
B
So the community pharmacist is the most accessible healthcare provider. So patients don't need an appointment to come in and speak to their pharmacist. They don't have to pay a copay to get medical advice. So it really is. It changes the landscape of how people can access care. So I really think that especially when it comes to women's health, people who may have questions or not sure where to go to or might be feeling insecure or uncomfortable about talking about certain things. They can walk in and talk to their pharmacist and feel confident and comfortable knowing that they're going to get a true, valuable opinion.
- [05:41]
A
That's one of the best things about being a pharmacist, is that you are so embedded in the community. And I wish that more people knew. And that's a big part of this podcast here is letting people know that you gu are available and accessible.
- [05:55]
B
Yeah, exactly.
- [05:57]
A
So how has the role of the pharmacist in women's health evolved in recent years? And what might some people be surprised that you can offer?
- [06:06]
B
One of the biggest changes that happened over the last year is now depending. It varies on state to state. But pharmacists can now prescribe birth control for patients. So that means besides coming in and being able to talk to the pharmacist or have questions, now the pharmacist can actually write a prescription for birth control for these patients and patients if they're curious. If you check our website, cvs.com, you can see it varies state to state based on, you know, local laws and regulations. But it is available in, in locations across the country. So patients can just visit and see if their state does participate. But it really is a great way to increase access to care.
- [06:39]
A
I did not know that. That is incredible. So how do you handle sensitive or personal questions in a busy pharmacy setting? I'm always wondering how, how you guys navigate that.
- [06:49]
B
So some of our locations do have consultation rooms, which is a great asset to have. Or it's a private area the patient can sit in. You can actually talk to them one on one without having the hustle and bustle of everybody else around us. But some stores do not have that. So it's always just okay to like pull the patient aside and talk to them. Even like in the aisle while you're not in front of the counter of people coming in and picking up prescriptions. So it really is a case to case basis.
- [07:12]
A
Okay, so let's talk about a concern that affects most women at some point in their lives, their menstrual cycles. What menstrual issues do women most frequently ask about?
- [07:23]
B
So I think that this is something that obviously is talked about more and more. And it's crazy to think that the word period wasn't even said on national TV until Courtney Cox did a Tampax commercial in the 80s. So it hasn't been that long ago. I think that when it comes to menstrual cycles and girls getting their periods, there's always a Ton of questions, especially about what product is right for them. There's been a big evolution in products besides just typical pads or tampons. Now there's things like menstrual cups and sphinx panties and things like that. So that way they can use whatever they're most comfortable with. So I think sometimes we get a lot of questions about that because all those products we do sell in the pharmacy. And then also trying to treat some of the symptoms, of course, you know, might be bloating, pain from cramps or back pain. So trying to find the best product that they could use in order to treat those symptoms over the counter.
- [08:07]
A
I'm glad you brought up symptoms because I wanted to ask what advice pharmacists can offer when it comes to these symptoms like pain or heavy bleeding or irregular cycles.
- [08:18]
B
There's certain things that are normal, like mild cramping, moderate bleeding for a couple days and then it should wean off. But if it gets to be severe pain, severe cramping for an extended period of time, or heavy bleeding for the entire cycle, that's something that they definitely wanna follow up with their ob gyn. Cause it could be signs of bigger problems, things like PCOS or endometriosis. So I would say, you know, red flags are patients that are experiencing severe heavy bleeding for an extended period of time or that severe cramping, like sometimes cramps get to a point where they're unable to do their daily functions of life. Right. So if it's, it's preventing you from getting up and, you know, taking care of yourself or going to work, which it happens in some cases, then that's a, that's a red flag and a sign that they really should be evaluated by their provider.
- [09:01]
A
Okay, I want to pivot a little bit and talk about contraception related advice. What advice can pharmacists provide in this area?
- [09:09]
B
Yeah, so we get a lot of questions all the time about someone who might be new to, new to birth control or what other contraceptive options are available for them. The daily contraceptive pill, which is a combination usually of two different hormones, an estrogen and a progestin, which helps to regulate the cycle and prevent ovulation, therefore preventing pregnancy. But we do get a lot of questions as to especially it's a first time counsel someone who's new. And those are, those are typically our younger patients. They think that they take one pill and they're not gonna get pregnant. But it actually, you know, need to be on the, on the medication. And also patients asking what happens if they Miss a pill. So so many times I would get those phone calls of I forgot to take it this morning, like what can I do? So that's definitely a big counseling point for us to go over.
- [09:54]
A
As a pharmacist, I'm so glad we're talking about this because there's just so much misinformation, especially online about ways to take or not take contraception and there's so many different options. I'd imagine that it would be overwhelming for women to choose which option is right for them. So how do you support women that are, are making this decision?
- [10:17]
B
So it really just depends on first and foremost, like what they're using contraception for. Like some patients are not sexually active, but they might have issues with hormonal acne. So they're getting really bad breakouts every month around their period. So then their specific pills had positive effects of decreasing acne. So that would be something for that patient. And then of course, if someone is looking to, you know, protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy, they are sexually active, then usually like a combination pill is, is best. But then there are other options for the new mom who is still breastfeeding. And there's certain birth controls that you cannot take if you are breastfeeding. So those pills do, those are known as the mini pill, which is a progestin only pill. But those do come with some risks because when we talk about missing a pill with that one, if you do miss it, you have to use a backup method for seven days because it is very, very dependent on taking at the same exact time every day in order to prevent pregnanc. Not really recommended for, you know, your typical patient who might be younger, going away to college for the first time, wants to get birth control. Like can't really keep on a schedule, probably would not be the best option for, for them. So definitely a lot of things to to consider. And then of course patients who don't want to take a pill or have an estrogen containing product, depending on their family history or risk for estrogen related side effects, can opt for a progestin only iud, which is an implantable device which is semi permanent and prevents pregnancy that way without having to remember to take a pill every day.
- [11:42]
A
That was an amazing summary. One thing that I, I heard you say there is that sometimes contraceptive options do more than prevent pregnancy.
- [11:53]
B
One of the biggest things of course is the effect that it has on acne. So sometimes birth control is actually prescribed from a dermatologist. So it can be kind of debilitating for Young women especially, you know, trying to make friends and do things socially and they might be afraid or self conscious if they have terrible acne. So this is really a positive effect that it can have on, on the skin without having to go through harsher prescription medications that are used to treat acne specifically. And then also if someone has irregular, irregular periods. Right. So typically we see that in our younger population of patients and they just want to regulate their cycle. So that way they kind of know that they're going to get their period on this week each month because they're on the pill that's regulating it.
- [12:31]
A
Okay, what about emergency contraception options?
- [12:33]
B
Yes, so this is also something that we get a lot of questions about. So we have a couple different options that are available over the counter. Plan B is probably the most common and there's after a, another brand called Julie. And basically what this is, and it is a emergency pill, if you have unprotected sex and it's within 72 hours, this prevents ovulation essentially. So it is not an abortion pill, which I feel like is another thing that people commonly mis, misunderstand, but this is basically a high dose of the same medication that's in birth control pills to prevent you from ovulating because of course you can't get pregnant if you're not ovulating. So I think the most important thing is to really educate them that it works if taken within the first 72 hours. And of course, the sooner you take it, the more effective it's going to be. And then also side effects. Right. So it is a high, higher dose of hormones. So patients can experience like cramping, maybe possibly some spotting and that is normal. But I think the biggest counseling point on something that I've seen, if you see the same patient coming in frequently to buy, you know, the emergency contraception on like a monthly basis or twice a month basis, that's where it really has an opportunity for us to step in and counsel and educate about the importance of the difference between daily contraception and emergency contraception. And that's also, you know, in areas where there might be low health literacy, patients don't understand, you know, that they have those options. And now us being able to prescribe birth control really has expanded that, that feature. And of course it's a cost effective way for patients as well to be on a, on a once a day pill and really understand how these things, how they actually work.
- [14:11]
A
When should a pharmacist refer someone back to a gp, a primary care doc or a sexual Health clinic, for example,
- [14:20]
B
there's a bunch of different infections that patients might come to the pharmacist, they might be afraid to talk about. But I know if you ever walk to the woman's health aisle, you probably see a million different products and it is very overwhelming. So if a patient is having symptoms such as vaginal discharge or itchiness, they might not know where to go. So the pharmacist is always like a first step to kind of triage and say like, okay, I think this could be self treatable or I think that you would require something like an antibiotic that obviously cannot be treated for over the counter and would refer them to, to either their primary or their OB GYN.
- [14:53]
A
Mm. Now it's 2026, but menopause and perimenopause, it's still an underserved area of health. We don't hear about it enough.
- [15:03]
B
Yeah.
- [15:04]
A
How often do women come to pharmacists with menopause related symptoms and what are they asking about?
- [15:10]
B
It's so common and it is. Patients are usually, they're really experiencing problems when it comes to hot flashes. There's not a lot of over the counter options to treat the symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and things like that. But there are some things out there that are marketed to help with that. But I always try to advise against it because these are a lot of natural supplements that aren't tested. They could interact with a lot of other prescription medications. So when it comes to patients that are really suffering with, with the symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, it's really important for them to be evaluated by their ob gyn because there are a lot of prescription medications that can help with that. If someone is really opposed to taking medications, there are a few lifestyle modifications that they can do, like avoiding caffeine and spicy foods, trying to stay hydrate, have a regular sleep cycle, get some exercise. Those are all things that could kind of help to limit the symptoms. But unfortunately in some cases it's not enough and they do need to. There's several different medications that they could be placed on, but that would be have to be prescribed by a physician.
- [16:12]
A
Okay, I want to unpack some of this because this is so important right now. We'll talk about menopause and perimenopause topics that I feel like we're in sort of a rebirth moment right now for menopause and perimenopause. Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause and we're hearing about it everywhere. I don't know about you, but I'm on social media and I'm seeing it everywhere from people that are experts in the topic and from people that really are not. And so there's. It's hard to understand what is evidence based, what isn't. So let's, let's start with the lifestyle changes. Could you go over those again? What are the things that have the most evidence behind that for lifestyle changes to reduce some of the symptoms around perimenopause and menopause?
- [16:55]
B
Yeah. So some lifestyle modifications that patients can take into consideration is making sure they're getting enough sleep. Right. So eight hours of sleep does a big. A lot. Does a lot of things for your health and also can help with a lot of these symptoms. Okay. Also, exercising regularly, moving your body can help with joint pain. Of course, doing things that are lower resistance, like yoga or taking walks can also help to make a difference. And then patients that do suffer from hot flashes, thinking about what are your triggers? Right. So trying to avoid things like caffeine, which can raise your heart rate, increase your. Your core body temperature, and also things like spicy foods.
- [17:30]
A
I love this podcast. I'm always learning more and more. So. Spicy foods. I did not know that.
- [17:34]
B
Yeah, yeah. If you think of, if you're someone who's really into spicy foods, you think about how, you know, hot you might get just, you know, you or I having some, some wings for dinner, someone who was actually going through perimenopause or menopause and, you know, could trigger a hot flash right away, and then they're miserable for the next hour. So it does make a big difference.
- [17:50]
A
Okay. And, and you mentioned supplements earlier. I want to, I want to make the distinction here between supplements and medication that are prescribed by a provider. Supplements at this point in the United States are not regulated in the same way that medication are. So that could be confusing to someone who comes in and reads something about supplement that's supposed to reduce symptoms, but it may not be tested. It might not have research trials that back up its use. It may not actually even be the actual compound that it says it is. You know, some supplement companies test, some don't. So it's really overwhelming from a patient standpoint to see what's working, what actually has evidence and what doesn't. So can you break down a little bit as far as medication that has some evidence behind it or supplements that may or may not have evidence?
- [18:45]
B
Yeah, absolutely. So there are so many different TikTok and Instagram Professionals, quote, unquote. Right. So patient people who aren't actually trained medical professionals but are trying to sell you a product or a supplement. And exactly like you said, you don't know what you're actually getting. There are certain things when it comes to vitamins and minerals that actually been proven to help women, especially things like calcium supplementation, vitamin D. But a lot of these miracle pills that are out there, it's just you can't, you can't trust them. You end up wasting your money. And honestly, they could interact with your other medications that you're currently taking. So I never really recommend them. When it comes to, when it comes to supplements, I'm always very picky myself as a pharmacist as to what I take, what I don't take. And that's really a big counseling point because sometimes patients think that it's the natural route, so to speak. But as we said, they're not regulated, they're not controlled by the fda. So you really wanna be careful about what you're taking.
- [19:38]
A
Yeah, that's a good point. I imagine that many women feel that their symptoms aren't being taken seriously. So how do you support women who feel that their symptoms aren't being taken seriously?
- [19:51]
B
Yeah, I, my, one of my biggest things in health advocacy is if you feel something, say something, and that applies to anything health related. Have I been myself dismissed by healthcare providers? Absolutely. But I am in the field, so I, you know, I feel confident in my abilities to be able to stand up and advocate for myself. But your feelings are valid and that's, and that's something that's really important to reiterate to women who may be tuning in or listening. And if you, someone, you know, if you feel dismissed or you didn't get a real answer to your question, it's, it's okay to step up and say, I'm not happy with that, I want to get a second opinion, or I want to talk about this. Whenever I do talk, patients who might have questions, I, you know, try to encourage them to write everything down. Put a little note in your phone that you want to, that you do want to talk about. Because sometimes it can be overwhelming when you're in the room and it's, you know, it's stressful and you totally forget. You leave, you get to the car and go, oh my gosh, I forgot to ask about this. So even something I do myself as a healthcare provider, when I'm going to see a physician, is, I'll, I'll put down like little Notes of things like just to make sure that we, we go over this.
- [20:52]
A
Are there any other resources out there? Are there resources for people that are going through menopause and perimenopause so that they can navigate this, this, this journey a little bit easier?
- [21:05]
B
So a, a great place for patients to start if they're looking to get more information on perimenopause or menopause. Support is actually our CVS website. So cvs.com, we do have a wellness hub section where patients can see a variety of articles and resources to kind of help point them in the right direction or maybe answer some of those commonly misunderstood questions.
- [21:23]
A
I'd like to pivot a little bit and talk about conditions like yeast infections or bv, which stands for bacterial vaginosis. It's an infection caused by an imbalance of natural vaginal bacteria or urinary tract infections. How do you advise people that are experiencing these conditions?
- [21:42]
B
Yes. So when it comes to things like a yeast infection that usually can be treated over the counter with the right products and a lot of times these infections can be caused by a variety, a variety of different things. There are a lot of different treatment options, a lot of creams or vaginal suppositories and most of them could be cleared within seven days to depending on which option the patient is most comfortable with using. But if it doesn't resolve after the treatment, that's when a patient would have to be referred to their provider for possibly a prescription medication. But sometimes bacterial vaginosis can be, they might think that it is a yeast infection because they do have a lot of the same symptoms. So that's again a reason why when, if the yeast infection is not cleared after the seven days to go to the doctor because that does require an antibiotic. And UTIS is one of my most common things that I've talked about when I was working on the bench as a pharmacist because that is something that patients come in all the time. So there are over the counter items that help to relieve that pain. So sometimes patients, if they don't talk to you first and they, they go and take that, the pain is gone, but the infection is still there. So that's where we have. It becomes dangerous because the infection can actually travel to the kidneys. So if ever a patient is asking questions about UTI or urinary symptoms, I always want to direct them to either go to a walk in clinic or if they're near a CVS minute clinic near them to pop in there to Evaluated because possibly we'll need an antibiotic and that's something that there's no way to treat over the counter if the urine does test positive for, for bacteria. So definitely a few, a few counseling points there to make sure that patients are getting the, the right treatment that they need.
- [23:21]
A
What are some mistakes that people commonly make with self treatment?
- [23:25]
B
I would say either not following the package directions or not treating themselves in the appropriate way. So for a, for example yeast infection, if we're using a seven day kit and after two days the patient feel better, they stop taking the medication. Then you're not actually completing the full course of treatment so the infection can come back. So I would say the biggest thing is making sure that we are compliant with our, with our medication dosing and finishing the treatment as it is prescribed.
- [23:53]
A
How do you help women know when not to self treat?
- [23:57]
B
If there's ever blood in the urine, that's automatically a red flag of definitely have to go see, see the provider to get evaluated. Also, if a patient has been having yeast infection symptoms and it's been over a week and you know, if they tried something previously and hasn't gotten better, that's also a red flag where they have to go be evaluated. So it's important to ask the right questions and not just point patients like oh yeah, yeast infection, IL7, but really kind of probe a little bit and that those are the types of questions where it is important for the pharmacist to kind of just step out into the aisle where it's a little bit more quieter and the patient doesn't feel uncomfortable asking those things.
- [24:32]
A
And when in doubt, I feel like it's just so important to just ask if you have any concerns questions just to go to the pharmacy counter and ask the question. Because especially if there's any concerns for red flags, it's so important to get an expert opinion.
- [24:45]
B
Yeah, absolutely. I'd rather someone ask me a question all the time because I'd rather guide you and help you do something the right way.
- [24:52]
A
I want to transition to the journey to parenthood. And when it comes to women's journey, what preconception advice can pharmacists offer as they are entering parenthood?
- [25:04]
B
I would say one of the questions that we commonly get is which vitamin should I take? A lot of patients may not realize that it's important for you to start taking a prenatal vitamin one month before you start to conceive because prenatal vitamins will have folic acid in them and this is a vital nutrient for the development of the baby. It helps prevent against neural tube defects and it helps with overall fetal development.
- [25:26]
A
What about advice on medication that women may be taking and if they are safe to continue while trying to conceive or if they're pregnant or breastfeeding?
- [25:36]
B
So this is a very, very common question that we get in the pharmacy. So when it comes to medications and pregnancy, a lot of it is a risk versus benefit situation. Right. So some medications absolutely cannot be taken if someone is trying to get pregnant. In some, it depends on the case. So that especially relates to things like medications for mental health, anxiety and depression. So some patients risk versus benefit, you have to take care of of mom and take care of the baby. So especially patients who have like a high risk of depression or anxiety sometimes in those cases, patients will continue to take these medications at lower doses in order to maintain adequately treat their depression or anxiety while they are pregnant. Because it is still important to focus on mom and make sure that mom is staying healthy as well. But of course, when it comes to over the counter things, one of the most common questions we get is, when patients are pregnant or breastfeeding, what can I take for a cold? And it's hard to treat these things. Cause when patients are pregnant, there are a lot of things that they can't take over the counter, especially during that cold and flu season. But there are a few options that are safe. So that's where we can step in and be able to help educate and give those patients some relief.
- [26:43]
A
I'm glad you brought up the importance of benefit risk calculation when you're looking at making sure that mom's okay and making sure that baby's okay. I think a lot of times we focus so much on baby that sometimes we neglect, neglect mom. And it is absolutely critical to maintain mental health when you're going through something so stressful on the mind and the body as pregnancy. I've watched my wife go through it. Wow. Tremendous respect. And making sure that you're having this conversation with the pharmacist and with the physician about benefits and risks of medication, especially when it comes to mental health, because you have to take care of both moms and baby. Yeah, I'm sure that you get asked so many questions about pregnancy at the pharmacy counter. Let's talk about postpartum. We've talked a lot about pregnancy and there's a lot that happens after you deliver. So what postpartum challenges can pharmacists help address? Like pain management, for example, or breastfeeding,
- [27:43]
B
depending on the type of delivery that the patient have, whether it be vaginal or cesarean, there's going to be, be post op care, especially if it is a cesarean delivery. So these are things like general wound care, first aid, being able to help the patient or patient might still be getting discharged from the hospital and we're there to help dad or their caregiver figure out what exactly they're going to need to help take care of themselves. And then also from a mental health perspective as well, which I know that we, we touched on, making sure that's one of the biggest things that people experience when it, when they are postpartum or post delivery. When it comes to breastfeeding, there are some things over the counter that we can use to help support, support a new mom they might be having, experiencing pain, have a couple different products that are available to, to help with that. But sometimes patients who are new moms, they're breastfeeding for the first time, they are prone to getting infections in the breast. So that is something to kind of for us to educate if they have any signs of symptoms of, you know, severe pain, redness, swelling, heat to the touch, that it could be a sign of a clogged duct or an infected duct which would need an antibiotic and treatment from a, from a provider.
- [28:46]
A
Amy Lynn, let's pivot and talk about preventative care. I know this is a very personal issue for you. In your experience, how did genetic testing change your understanding of preventative care? And what do you wish more people knew about it?
- [29:00]
B
So genetic testing saved my life is the easiest way to put it. I decided to undergo genetic testing after my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. And then although she tested negative for any sort of mutations that would put her at higher risk for developing cancer, my sisters and I also decided to get tested. And we all found out that we carried this mutation that we inherited from our father. So you can inherit a BRCA mutation from your dad or your mom. And that is something that really was eye opening for me. And it's really scary to know that you have all these risks of developing certain cancers. But in actuality, I look at it as knowledge is power. So I had the knowledge and the ability to make decisions that were going to impact my future self.
- [29:41]
A
What would you say to someone that that is afraid of getting the test? Because they say I just, I don't want to know and I'll go through life not knowing and if I know and I find out I'm positive, I'm going to be hopeless.
- [29:52]
B
I'VE had this conversation before actually with, with strangers on the Internet who hear my story, reach out to me and send me a message and want to know more about, about my journey. And I tell them all the same that having that knowledge is power. It really is giving the power in your hands. I found out about my mutation. I was young, just graduated pharmacy school. I was living on my own and trying to navigate these decisions. And I actually found out during that time that one of my friends that I was a year younger than me in pharmacy school, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and she also had a BRCA mutation. And for me that was definitely eye opening. And I share her story all the time because that was what pushed me in order to be able to feel brave enough to go through and have surgery. So I look at people where I know sometimes people think ignorance is bliss. But this is you and your life and your future. And my, my goal personally is I never wanted my future kids to have to watch me go through what I watch my mom go through.
- [30:48]
A
And what I'm hearing from you is just so much hope, so much hope that early knowledge and information can lead to a longer, more healthy life. By doing things now to protect your future self.
- [31:00]
B
Yeah, exactly.
- [31:02]
A
I'm wondering if you could touch a bit on recommended screenings like mammograms, cervical cancer screening and bone density tests.
- [31:10]
B
Yes, absolutely. So right now it's recommended to start mammograms at age 40 and that is if you don't, if you're not considered high risk or if you don't have dense breast tissue. So what I mean by that is if someone has dense breast tissue, they usually would be told by that, by their, their gynecologist. That means that it's very hard to detect a lump if they are doing a self ex. Um, so typically in that we want to start screening earlier and that's coupling mammogram with an ultrasound. But the best way to promote early detection is to do a self breast exam. And that is something that anyone can do at any age. Um, that's something I'm a big advocate for because you don't have to go to a doctor in order to do that. You can watch a quick tutorial online and be able to, you know, do an exam yourself. And that's also if you feel something, say something and get it, get it checked out. When it comes to gynecological cancer screening, so this is typically done at your OB GYN's office by doing a pap smear to look for Things like cervical cancer. So this is super, super important, especially when we have younger patients that might be sexually active. We want to make sure we're checking for that, and that's an annual screening as well. And when it comes to bone density tests, so women, we are at high risk for osteoporosis. So it is important to make sure that you are evaluating your risk with your provider. And getting that bone density test is a good marker to see, do we need to start medication or should I start taking calcium supplements to. Again, another way to help your future self by preventing a fracture later in life when it becomes much harder to. To recover from one.
- [32:39]
A
Can you elaborate a little bit more on osteoporosis as far as what that is and some of the ramifications or some of the issues that can happen from osteoporosis, especially in women?
- [32:50]
B
It can happen in women and men, but if women have low bone density, they can be diagnosed with osteoporosis. And this is a condition that really can be serious. It increases your risk, risk of fracture. And you might think like, oh, I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna break my leg or my arm because I have low bone density. But as we. As we age, there's certain things that also affect our bones, and that's gonna be things like menopause and perimenopause when our hormones get disrupted. So as you get older, a simple fall off the, you know, off a chair, off a couch can lead to a broken hip, which leads to months in a rehab facility. And it's something that we don't think about now at our, you know, in our. In our 30s maybe, but something that could definitely impact us later in life. So that's why it's really important to consider calcium supplementation, especially in women. Calcium with vitamin D. The vitamin D helps the calcium to be absorbed. And usually if you. If you are taking a multivitamin, it's important to always check those ingredients, because most of the time, there's gonna be calcium in there. But if there's not, it might be time to look for a different multivitamin or consider calcium supplementation separately.
- [33:49]
A
It is so, so important to do everything we can to reduce our risk of osteoporosis. I'm glad you mentioned and falls and fractures, hip fractures. I have memories from medical school and residency seeing patients older, but also younger. Some younger patients that fall and break a hip and the recovery involved and the inability to move for weeks to months, it just causes so much damage. And so everything we can do to make our bones stronger. So important I want to pivot and talk about vaccines because we know vaccines are a really big part of preventative care. What are some of the most common vaccines that women should consider?
- [34:31]
B
Absolutely. So vaccines are one of my. One of my favorite topics as a pharmacist because that's one of these services that we could provide to the community. And then again, patients can come in and we can help to close their gaps and make sure they're protected against severe illnesses that might impact them later in life. So when it comes to women, specifically though, something to really consider besides your annual, your annual vaccines and your typical vaccine schedule is the HPV vaccine. So this is something that is for men and women and helps to prevent cervical cancer. And then of course, there's certain vaccines that we need when we are pregnant or we're going to be around a new baby, such as the TDAP vaccine. So it's important for every woman to get a TDAP vaccine with each pregnancy. So that's something that we do see common in the pharmacy. But definitely those two is what stick out. It's most important for women to get it.
- [35:19]
A
So what advice would you give women about using pharmacists as a resource? Because pharmacists are so accessible in the community. And how can women prepare to get the most out of a pharmacy consultation?
- [35:31]
B
I would say I really encourage women to take advantage of their community pharmacist because we are there for you to answer your questions. Most accessible healthcare provider don't need an appointment to come in and talk to us. And again, if there are specific questions or things that they want to specifically know, like we talked about, write them down on a quick note in your phone. That's always my trick, just to make sure that you get all your questions answered. A lot of times people might see things online or they're saving articles or saw videos or questions they want to ask the pharmacist about it to get their opinion. So it's always a good idea to have that stuff kind of prepared before you, before you pop in. It's really just all about women being able to advocate for themselves and getting the right information to make informed decisions on their healthcare.
- [36:09]
A
I love that, that. Okay, so we're going to take a quick break, but don't go anywhere because up next we are going to unpack some of the most common questions, concerns and beliefs that we hear about women's health and find out are they myth or medicine? We'll be right back.
- [36:42]
C
At CVS it matters that we're not just in your community, but that we're part of it. It matters that we're here for you when you need us, day or night. And we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded. It matters that CVS is here to fill your prescriptions and here to fill your craving for a tasty and, yeah, healthy snack. At cvs, we're proud to serve your community because we believe where you get your medicine matters. So Visit us@cvs.com or just come by our store. We can't wait to meet you. Store hours vary by location.
- [37:23]
A
Welcome back to beyond the script. I'm Dr. Jake Goodman, and I'm here with CVS pharmacist Amy Lynn Safety from Long Island, New York. Okay, Amy Lynn, it's time for a feature we do on every episode where we look at some of the health claims we may see online that perhaps we're not sure whether to believe. And ask, are they myth or medicine? Today, of course, we're talking women's health. Are you ready?
- [37:58]
B
Let's go.
- [38:00]
A
Severe period cramps are just part of being a woman. Myth or medicine?
- [38:06]
B
That is a myth. So severe cramps are not always a sign of something normal. So that's where it's really important for women to speak up. See their provider, get a consultation if they are having severe cramps, especially if those cramps are interfering with their daily activities of life, because having debilitating cramps is definitely not normal and something that needs to be treated.
- [38:27]
A
Skipping periods on birth control can mess up your fertility long term. Is that myth or medicine?
- [38:34]
B
That is a myth. So there is no medical reason to have a period every month. There are certain types of birth control that give you an extended cycle where you actually don't get a period for three months at a time. And then other types of birth control, like IUDs, some patients don't get a period at all. They won't have a period for seven or eight years. And then as soon as you remove the iuda, you are able to get pregnant right away if you want to. So that's definitely a big myth.
- [39:01]
A
So you said there is no medical reason that you need to have your period every month, right?
- [39:06]
B
Exactly. It's definitely like a big. A common misconception. The whole point of a period is the body is building up the uterine lining to prepare for implantation of an embryo. And if you are not getting pregnant, then there's.
- [39:18]
A
There's.
- [39:18]
B
There's no reason for that. So when you kind of think of it biologically and physiologically, it makes a little bit more, a little bit more sense.
- [39:25]
A
Over the counter menopause products can sometimes interact with prescribed medication. Is that myth or medicine?
- [39:32]
B
That is medicine. So that is a big thing to look out for, especially with these menopause supplements. Over the counter, they can interact with the prescription medications that you might be already taking.
- [39:44]
A
And remember what we said earlier, supplements are not always regulated in the same way and oftentimes do not contain the exact compound that they say they do. So be cautious and educate yourself. Some over the counter medications are not recommended during pregnancy or while trying to conceive. Myth or medicine?
- [40:03]
B
That is medicine. Absolutely. So there are certain things that cannot be taken during pregnancy, whether it be over the counter or prescription. So it's always important to talk to your pharmacist if you are trying to conceive or you are pregnant to make sure you're picking the right option for you.
- [40:19]
A
You can ignore irregular periods unless you're trying to get pregnant. Is that myth or medicine?
- [40:25]
B
That is a myth. So irregular periods could be a sign of something else. Sometimes more severe conditions like pcos, which is polycystic ovarian syndrome or endometriosis. So if you are having irregular periods, it's important to go see your OBGYN or your primary care doctor to talk about it because it's definitely not normal.
- [40:46]
A
And just to touch on real quick, when we say irregular periods, what does that mean?
- [40:50]
B
So it could be a variety of things. So it could be someone who gets a period one month and then doesn't get a period again for six months. Right. That's a sign of, you know, something going on there biologically or on the other side of it. If someone gets their period and they're bleeding for six weeks straight, that's another sign of something that else that might be going on. Women should never think that like, oh, this is normal, or oh, this is just what I have to deal with. You know, if you're feeling something is off, speak up, say something and talk to your provider.
- [41:16]
A
Certain medications and supplements can reduce how well birth control works. Is that myth or medicine?
- [41:23]
B
That is medicine. And this is something that is very important to make sure you talk to your pharmacist about. There are certain medications that do decrease birth control effectiveness. So it really is important to make sure that if you are prescribed for one of these medications that you are using a backup method of birth control, such as a continental them.
- [41:41]
A
And if you're under 40, menopause related symptoms are not something you need to think about yet myth or medicine.
- [41:48]
B
That is myth. So sometimes we have early onset menopause or medically induced menopause. So if someone is having these symptoms under 40, it's definitely the something to talk about with their provider and make sure that they can address those symptoms and start feeling better. Because it's not something that, you know, someone you have to deal with on a, on a daily basis for 10 years just because they're under 40.
- [42:11]
A
That is so important. And that's something that I think people don't talk about enough, that there is not some magic number waiting around where you hit it and boom, you're in menopause. It's different for everyone, and it's very specific. And sometimes these symptoms do come out a little bit earlier, even under 40.
- [42:27]
B
Yeah.
- [42:29]
A
Bone health is of no bigger concern for women than it is for men. We're all human. Myth or medicine.
- [42:36]
B
That is a myth. So bone health is important for everybody. I know we're talking about women's health here, but osteoporosis does affect men as well. So bone health is something that is important for everybody. It's important to make sure that you are taking care of yourself. Doing weight bearing exercises to, to build your bone strength and also getting a bone density test when you do reach a certain age.
- [42:56]
A
I'm glad you brought up weight training, resistance training, weight bearing activities. These are things that, that can increase bone density. So I talk to so many of my patients about getting in the gym and even starting super light. 5 pound dumbbells can make a huge difference. UTIs only happen because of poor hygiene. Myth or medicine?
- [43:17]
B
That is a myth. So there's so many things that can cause a uti, whether it be, you know, certain medications that you're taking that may cause infection. Like, there's so many different reasons why someone can develop a uti. So. So definitely not just related to poor hygiene.
- [43:32]
A
All right, well, that is it for this round of myth or medicine. Thank you so much for joining me today, Amy Lynn. I learned so much from you. I learned document everything you to talk about to your physician, to your pharmacist so that you're organized. I learned do not eat spicy food if you're having hot flashes from perimenopause or menopause. And I also just learned to advocate for yourself and especially if you feel like your symptoms are not being treated seriously, it's okay to ask for a second opinion. It's okay to advocate for yourself and talk to your pharmacist, talk to your physician about what you're going through.
- [44:19]
B
Yeah, absolutely. I really enjoyed this conversation. I feel like it's really valuable for our listeners.
- [44:25]
A
Absolutely. Thank you for coming. Next time on beyond the Script, we are focusing on proactive health, why it matters, how small steps can make a big difference, and how pharmacists help you stay ahead of health issues before they become bigger problems. For more information about everything we've talked about on today's episode, Please head to cvs.com pharmacy and for ongoing health and wellness advice, you can trust anytime, don't forget to follow CVS on social media at cvspharmacy. Beyond the Script is produced in partnership with CVS Pharmacy and iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio. Our show is hosted by me, Dr. Jake Goodman. Our producers are Sam Walker, Julie Belewski, Carter Wogan and Marina Paiz, with original music by Max Hirshenoff. Ruby's managing EP is Matt Romano and our EP of post production is James Foster. Of course, a big thank you to our friends at CVS and their incredible pharmacists. Until next time, don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening.
- [45:47]
C
At cvs, it matters that we're not just in your community, but that we're part of it. It matters that we're here for you when you need us, day or night, and we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded. It matters that CVS is here to fill your prescription options and here to fill your craving for a tasty and, yeah, healthy snack. At cvs, we're proud to serve your community because we believe where you get your medicine matters. So visit us at cvs. Com or just come by our store. We can't wait to meet you. Store hours vary by location.