About
In this episode, Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes two distinguished guests who are reshaping the conversation around women's pelvic health. Dr. Christine Vaccaro, a double board-certified urogynecologist and reconstructive pelvic surgeon, brings her expertise in clitoral anatomy, interstitial cystitis, and the critical role of both estrogen and testosterone in bladder function. She is joined by Heather Florio, CEO of Desert Harvest, whose decades of research-driven work offer practical solutions for those suffering from chronic bladder pain.
Together, they discuss why conditions like interstitial cystitis are so frequently misdiagnosed as recurrent UTIs, how androgen-blocking medications can have lasting effects on the pelvic floor, and why a thorough, systematic pelvic exam remains the gold standard for accurate diagnosis. The conversation also explores the similarities between male and female anatomy in development (we all begin with a clitoris!), the importance of self-exploration for maintaining intimacy, and the growing need for better clinician education on menopause and sexual medicine.
No matter what you are experiencing, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and a path forward.
Connect with the guests:
Dr. Christine Vaccaro: @drchristinevaccaro on Instagram
Heather Florio: Instagram (@hmflorio) | X (@DesertHarvest) | TikTok (@desertharvest)
Thank you to our sponsors for this episode:
If you're noticing fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging skin — thanks menopause —ugh, me too. Menopause can deplete your skin's collagen, speeding up aging. But here's the game-changer: Vitali Skincare has built its entire line on the power of GHK-Cu copper peptides — a proven ingredient that signals your skin's stem cells to produce new, healthy collagen. Head to vitaliskincare.com and use the code LOVELY at checkout for 20% off.
Women in perimenopause and menopause talk about wanting the same things — less bloating, no afternoon crash after eating, steady energy. MassZymes is perfect for helping your body's ability to actually process what you eat. MassZymes uses a full-spectrum blend of 18 enzymes. That means you're getting more out of the food you eat. Plus, it works across different stomach acid levels, which can really matter as we age. Here's what you get when you go to bioptimizers.com/lovely and use code LOVELY: 15% off your entire order + A free bottle of Masszymes — BiOptimizers' best-selling digestive enzyme — added to your order automatically when you use our exclusive code.
If night sweats and restless sleep are disrupting your rest, Cozy Earth's bamboo sheets and pajama sets are temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking — designed to sleep several degrees cooler than cotton. Because supporting your body through menopause starts with how you sleep. Visit cozyearth.com and use code LOVELY for 20% off.
How to work with Dr. Lovely:
We get many requests for this info, so here it is! First off, thank you for listening to the NYMM podcast. It's because of your support, we can continue to dispense this information.❤️
Follow Dr. Lovely on IG and TikTok: @drfionalovely
Follow the podcast on Facebook: www.facebook.com/@notyourmothersmenopausepodcast
Please sign up for our newsletter - Fiona's Friday Favourites! This is where we make the first announcements, share course offerings, drop new episodes, blog posts and the coveted 'Fiona's Favourites' column, etc. drlovely.com You can also find some great resources there!
Finally, a humble request:
If you love the podcast, please leave us a review! It helps more people find useful info for a challenging time: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/not-your-mothers-menopause-with-dr-fiona-lovely/id1097326296 Please scroll to the bottom of the page to leave a review. Thank you! 💕🤗
Partnerships by Category3 Media Group
