The Science of Women’s Health: Ob/Gyn Reveals 10 Truths You Need to Know

Dr. Jen Gunter, motivational speaker Mel Robbins, and other advocates aim to provide factual, evidence-based information to empower women about their bodies and combat pervasive misinformation related to women's health and hygiene.

Dr. Gunter aims to provide factual, evidence-based information to empower women about their bodies and combat the pervasive misinformation surrounding women's health and hygiene.

Jen Gunter's journey to becoming an OB-GYN was sparked by her discomfort that her instructors on women's bodies were primarily men. Her personal health issues and the disinformation she encountered drove her to want to clear up misconceptions about women's health on the medical internet. She feels that during life phases like puberty or menopause, accurate information is crucial to empower individuals.

As an OB-GYN, Dr. Gunter is motivated to debunk myths and misinformation about women's bodies, which are often perpetuated by marketing and a lack of women-centric medical education.

Dr. Gunter debunks various myths surrounding women's genital health, including the mistaken belief that vaginas can become stretched from regular sexual activity. She explains that the body is designed with muscle elasticity that allows it to return to normal. Addressing another myth, she clarifies that there is no health necessity to wear underwear, as humans have managed fine without it for ages. Dr. Gunter also counters the misconception that vaginas need special care. She notes that the vulva and vagina do not need extra care, aside from normal hygiene practices.

Dr. Gunter emphasizes that women deserve access to science-backed, trustworthy information about their bodies and health, rather than relying on unsubstantiated claims or harmful societal messaging.

Gunter challenges the narrative perpetrated by the industry of feminine freshness that increases confidence via such products. She criticizes the feminine hygiene industry as a source of myths, particularly pointing out that the least informed about a normal vulva and vagina are typically men. She warns against using products specifically marketed to clean the vulva, calling them unnecessary and potentially harmful.

Dr. Gunter makes it clear that the vagina is self-cleaning and should not be interfered with, as it creates its own discharge which is part of its self-maintenance. She had a viral moment on TikTok demonstrating normal discharge, emphasizing the importance of discussing such topics openly to counteract misinformation.

Gunter addresses sexual myths as well, stating that a penis is not the most reliable way to achieve orgasm and cha ...

Dr. Jen Gunter and Mel Robbins delve into the topic of menstruation, focusing on the aspects that are commonly experienced but rarely discussed publicly, such as period-related diarrhea.

Dr. Gunter highlights the importance of discussing taboo or stigmatized menstrual symptoms

Dr. Gunter points out that approximately 12% of people who menstruate experience period diarrhea. It's a symptom that often goes undiscussed due to embarrassment and cultural stigmas surrounding menstruation. Bringing these experiences into the open, Dr. Gunter aims to normalize the natural variation in menstrual symptoms.

By talking openly, Dr. Gunter aims to empower women

By discussing these rarely talked about but common experiences, Dr. Gunter hopes to empower individuals to advocate for their health. She stresses the importance of recognizing the spectrum of sensitivity to prostaglandins during menstruation, as this can affect the severity of menstrual cramps as well as contribute to symptoms like period diarrhea.

Addressing the shame and misinformation

Dr. Gunter argues that the lack of open discussion around menstrual experiences contributes to sha ...

Dr. Gunter is highly critical of the "wellness industry" and its tendency to promote unproven, pseudoscientific health claims and products, often at the expense of women's wellbeing.

Dr. Jen Gunter, an outspoken advocate for evidence-based medicine, has rigorously criticized the wellness industry, particularly for peddling quick fixes like restrictive diets or supplements over complex, evidence-based health discussions. She believes women deserve accurate information regarding their health and condemns alternative medicine's tendency to exist outside this sphere of proven, fact-based therapies.

Dr. Gunter emphasizes that terms like "cleanse" and "reset" are often used as marketing tactics to sell unnecessary and potentially harmful products, rather than promoting genuine health solutions.

Gunter expresses concern over wellness trends and products like boric acid that are marketed for over-the-counter purchase and chronic use without proper medical recommendations. She argues that terms like "reset" or "cleanse" often play on emotions and lack medical evidence, misleading consumers looking for genuine health solutions.

Instead, Dr. Gunter advocates for simple and scientifically-proven lifestyle changes. She dismisses the idea that supplements or "purity tests" are necessary to kickstart healthy habits. Gunter talks about the pervasive wellness myth surrounding bowel movement frequency and stresses the real yet overlooked benefits of dietary fiber – a humble yet effective piece of health advice.

Dr. Gunter is vehemently against marketing tactics that prey on insecurities, such as the suggestion that feminine products can change the odor of one's vagina with different diets, or that it should smell like tropical fruit rather than a natural body part. She rebukes messages promoting vaginal hygiene products with fragrances, and warns against using soaps that can ...

Dr. Jen Gunter acknowledges the complicated influence of the internet and social media on women's health information, emphasizing that while these platforms can foster education, they also significantly perpetuate myths and misinformation.

Dr. Gunter acknowledges the significant impact of the internet and social media in perpetuating myths and misinformation about women's health, often through the use of fear-based tactics and misleading claims.

Using fear as a tactic, content creators on social media engage viewers with alarming health-related claims. Dr. Gunter points out that social media algorithms tend to promote content that induces fear, trapping users in a cycle of misinformation. Dr. Gunter criticizes this model for its potential to spread false ideas and create health-related anxieties among consumers.

Mel Robbins echoes Dr. Gunter's sentiments, particularly worried about young girls who seek health guidance from social media influencers. Dr. Gunter acknowledges that with influencers both good and bad, it's challenging to discern accurate information when it's shrouded by online fear-mongering and misinformation.

Dr. Gunter explains how social media algorithms and the incentive to generate clicks and engagement can lead to the widespread dissemination of false or misleading information about women's bodies and health.

Dr. Gunter laments the fact that women have often been misled by harmful statements from men about their bodies, leading to further insecurities and the propagation of untrue health claims. She denounces claims that stigmatize natural body odors and actively works to debunk myths that prey on these insecurities.

To combat this, Dr. Gunter encourages individuals to be critical consumers of online health information, and to seek out reputable, evidence-based sources, such as professional medical organizations, when researching health-related topics.

To counter misinformation, Dr. Gunter suggests consulting her book or blog for accurate information and critiques the common online claim that lace underwear leads to yeast infections, exemplifying the false narratives found on the internet. She warns against adopting health tips from influencers who promote products like boric acid without understanding their proper use.

Dr. Gu ...