The OBGYN Truth Bomb: What Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Know About Her Changing Body
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Frustrated when healthcare providers dismiss your perimenopause symptoms as "normal aging"? Overwhelmed by conflicting advice about IUDs, hormone replacement therapy, or whether social media supplements actually work for brain fog? Struggling to find an OBGYN who takes your concerns seriously and provides real answers?
You're not alone.
At Go Long, we understand that women's healthcare often involves outdated information, medical dismissal, and providers who haven't updated their menopause knowledge in decades. That's why we connect with physicians who prioritize evidence-based care—and deliver honest answers you can actually trust.
This week, meet Dr. Joy'El Ballard, a board-certified OBGYN with over a decade of experience in women's health (yes, she really does examine vaginas daily—her exact words). As one of only seven Black women in her medical school class of 150, she's dedicated her practice to ensuring all women—particularly women of color—receive respectful, comprehensive healthcare.
What sets Dr. Joy'El apart? She doesn't just write prescriptions—she recognizes that optimal health often means releasing what no longer serves you and prioritizing genuine self-care. She's also authored Loving Me, Myself and Her: Through Perimenopause and Beyond (spoiler: "her" celebrates your vagina, because we embrace sex-positive healthcare here).
NOTE: This episode does not constitute a patient-provider relationship of any kind. The topics covered are purely for informational purposes.
About Dr. Joy’El
Dr. Joy'El Ballard is a board-certified Gynecologist who uplifts women daily in her office. She is passionate about educating and empowering women to follow a path of self-love as they undergo the different stages of womanhood. A path that emboldens women to value their mind, body and spirit as they embark on a wellness journey especially during the menopausal transition.
As someone who just turned 50 (check out her IG for how she commemorated that milestone!), Dr. Joy'El shares her experiences of perimenopausal symptoms with her patients to illustrate that their journey is not remote from her own.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Syracuse University then obtained her medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Joy'El returned home to Maryland and completed her residency training in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore.
She's been a practicing OB/GYN physician for 12 years in Annapolis, MD. In the office, Dr. Joy'El is a cheerleader for her patients as she encourages them to take the appropriate steps to ensure desirable health and wellness by being proactive, well-informed in addition to practicing self-care. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with family as well as speaking at local events and churches about women's health. Dr. Joy'El is happily married with 3 children.
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Major Topics Covered
Dr. Joy'El's journey to becoming an OBGYN was non-traditional
Black women face unique challenges in the medical field
Listening to patients is crucial for effective healthcare
Racial disparities significantly impact maternal health outcomes
Stressors for women of color include systemic racism and micro-aggressions
Hormonal health is a major concern for women, especially during menopause
IUDs can be a viable birth control option, but finding a skilled provider is essential
Vaginal estrogen is important for maintaining vaginal health as women age
Lifestyle changes can significantly impact menopausal symptoms.
Misinformation about women's health is prevalent on social media.
Quick Takeaways
Rachel: Dr. Joy'El explained that vaginal estrogen should be applied not just inside the vagina, but also around the urethra to address urinary symptoms like frequency and recurrent UTIs. This is because when the vagina dries up during menopause, the urethra (which sits right above the vagina) is also affected by the hormonal changes. The broader application of vaginal estrogen helps restore thickness, lubrication, and blood flow to both the vaginal area and the urethral area, addressing interconnected genital-urinary symptoms.
Jill: Understanding the misconception that worse health outcomes for Black women are due to genetic differences. Instead it’s because they’re chronically exposed to discrimination, racism, micro-aggressions, and the additional burdens many Black women carry as heads of households. This constant stress creates repeated stress responses in the body over time, which predisposes Black women to worse outcomes during pregnancy and throughout their lives. The disparities are not biological but rather the physiological result of systemic discrimination and the cumulative "wear and tear" that racism and social stressors place on Black women's bodies.
Resources Mentioned During the Show
The Menopause Society (formerly known as the North American Menopause Society) - https://menopause.org/
Ways to Connect with Dr. Joy’El
Dr. Joy’El’s website: https://www.drjoyel.com/
Buy her book here!
Ways to Connect with Go Long
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Go Long recommends listening to the entire podcast for context, but knows you are all busy people, so below you will see timestamps. This episode is also available on YouTube.
Timestamps
00:00: Introduction to Women's Health Challenges
00:52: Dr. Joy'El's Journey to OBGYN
04:35: Navigating Medical School as a Black Woman
09:36: The Importance of Representation in Healthcare
11:21: Gaslighting in Women's Health
13:19: The Impact of Stress on Health Outcomes
16:53: LGBTQ+ Health Concerns
18:37: Understanding IUDs and Birth Control Options
19:37: Finding the Right OBGYN for IUD Placement
24:16: Understanding IUDs: Hormonal vs Non-Hormonal
25:54: Navigating Menopause: Symptoms and Hormone Testing
30:09: Menopause Hormone Therapy: What to Ask Your Doctor
35:00: Synthetic vs Bioidentical Hormones: Making the Choice
39:51: The Importance of Vaginal Estrogen
44:04: The Importance of Vaginal Estrogen
46:11: Pap Smears and Gynecological Health in Your 40s
48:16: Pelvic Floor Therapy: When to Seek Help
50:14: Misinformation on Menopause and Supplements
53:39: Hormone Therapy: Debunking Myths and Misconceptions
56:34: Dr. Joy'El's Book: Loving Me, Myself and Her
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