Kelly Casperson: Why Women Are Not Broken — Menopause, Sex, and the Truth About Women's Health

About This Episode

Dr. Kelly Casperson is a urologist, author, and podcast host whose work centers on a single, powerful message: women are not broken. Her book and podcast of the same name have reached millions of women who have been told — by doctors, by culture, by silence — that the changes they are experiencing in their bodies are just something to accept.

The Menopause Knowledge Gap

Topics covered in this episode include the staggering lack of education that most women receive about menopause. Dr. Casperson and Dr. Ross discuss the ways the medical system has historically undertreated menopausal symptoms, the legacy of the Women's Health Initiative study and how its findings were misinterpreted, and what the current evidence actually says about hormone therapy.

Sexual Health After Menopause

One of the most important topics covered in this episode is the effect of menopause on sexual health. Topics covered include genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), the physical changes that affect desire, arousal, and comfort during sex, and the treatments — including local estrogen, lubricants, and other interventions — that can make a significant difference.

Why Women Are Told They Are Broken

Dr. Tammy Nelson brings a psychological lens to the question of why so many women internalize the message that their bodies are failing them. Topics covered include the cultural narratives around women's aging, the ways shame and silence compound medical neglect, and what it looks like to reclaim a positive relationship with your body at midlife and beyond.

Advocating for Yourself in the Medical System

A significant portion of this episode is devoted to practical guidance. Topics covered include how to talk to your doctor about sexual health and menopause, what questions to ask, how to find a provider who is knowledgeable about hormone therapy, and what to do if your concerns are dismissed.

The Bigger Picture

The episode closes with a broader conversation about what it would mean to truly center women's health. Topics covered include the research gaps that still exist, the advocacy work being done to change how menopause is treated, and the message that Dr. Casperson most wants women to take away: you are not broken, and you do not have to suffer.