Season 1 Finale | The Women Who Changed Reproductive Health Behind every major breakthrough in reproductive health, there’s a woman often uncredited, overlooked, or deliberately erased. In this powerful season finale, I spotlight the forgotten pioneers, modern-day innovators, and brilliant women of color who’ve shaped our understanding of the female body against all odds.You’ll hear about:-The physician who disproved sexist myths about menstruation in the 1800s-The Puerto Rican doctor who fought back against forced sterilizations-The engineer using organ-on-a-chip tech to uncover the science of endometriosis-And the Black women today challenging systemic bias in reproductive careThis episode is a tribute to the women who demanded better for themselves, and for all of us. Because when women are shut out of research, the whole world loses. But when we reclaim our stories, we change the future of medicine.

In this episode, I’m diving into the feminine hygiene aisle to break down what these products are really doing to our bodies. From Summer’s Eve washes, deodorant sprays, and wipes to Vagisil anti-itch creams, powders, and even bloating relief pills, I’m sharing the hard truth about what’s marketed to us as “feminine care.” These products often use phrases like “pH balanced,” “gynecologist tested,” or “odor-blocking,” but behind the pretty packaging and clinical buzzwords is a whole lot of misinformation, microbiome disruption, and unnecessary shame.We’ve been told that we need to wash, wipe, spray, and powder ourselves into being “fresh,” but in reality, a lot of these products are harming the very balance they claim to protect. I talk about why douches are dangerous, how fragrances and preservatives can trigger irritation and infections, what “Lactobacillus ferment” actually is in your feminine wash, and why bloating during PMS might have nothing to do with water weight at all.If you’ve ever stood in the feminine care aisle confused, curious, or convinced something was wrong with your body, this series is for you. I’m here to unpack the science, the marketing, and the root causes so you can make informed choices and actually support your reproductive health without falling for the same tired industry myths.Subscribe to follow along as I take you through the feminine hygiene aisles of different stores, episode by episode, and shine a light on what’s really worth using and what needs to go.

📚 Cited Studies & Data SourcesMaternal Mortality Rates-Black women are 3–4x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.Source: CDC Reproductive Health Report, 2020Hypertension and Heart Disease-Black women have the highest rates of high blood pressure among all groups in the U.S.Source: American Heart Association (Go Red for Women, 2018)Pain Bias in Medicine-Half of white medical trainees held false beliefs that Black patients feel less pain.Source: Hoffman KM et al. PNAS, 2016. PMID: 27044069Underdiagnosis in Endometriosis-Black women with endometriosis face delays in diagnosis and more advanced disease at diagnosis.Source: Bougie O et al., Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am, 2022. PMID: 35514542Fibroids Prevalence and Severity-Black women are 2–3 times more likely to develop fibroids and experience more severe symptoms.Source: Baird DD et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2013. PMID: 12548202BV and Recurrent Infections-Black women have significantly higher rates of BV and are less likely to receive targeted treatment.Source: Donald J. Alcendor. Evaluation of health disparity in bacterial vaginosis and the implications for HIV-1 acquisition in African American women. Am J Reprod Immunol 2016; 76: 99–107.Clinical Research Representation-Black women are significantly underrepresented in reproductive health studies.Source: Clark LT et al., J Natl Med Assoc, 2022. PMID: 30545650🖤 Organizations to Support & FollowBlack Mamas Matter AllianceWebsite: https://blackmamasmatter.org Leading voice in advocating for Black maternal health and birth justice.SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice CollectiveWebsite: https://www.sistersong.netNational organization focused on reproductive justice through a human rights lens.The Afiya Center (Texas-based)Website: https://www.theafiyacenter.orgAdvocacy and direct support for Black women and girls impacted by reproductive oppression.National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC)Website: https://birthequity.orgWorks to optimize Black maternal and infant health outcomes.Black Women’s Health ImperativeWebsite: https://bwhi.orgThe first nonprofit created by Black women to help protect and advance the health of Black women and girls.Action Steps for Listeners✅ If you’re a Black woman:-Track your symptoms and bring written notes to every appointment.-Ask about microbiome, hormonal, and inflammatory root causes—not just quick fixes.-Consider working with a culturally competent doula, midwife, or pelvic health therapist.-Advocate for second (or third) opinions, you are not being “extra.”Check out Black-led wellness and advocacy communities (like @thevaginachronicles, @blackmamasmatter, or @balancedblackgirl).If you’re not a Black woman:-Amplify Black voices in healthcare conversations.-Donate to or volunteer with Black-led orgs.-Challenge bias when you see it whether it’s in conversation, a waiting room, or at a policy table.-Educate yourself on historical and current injustices and take that awareness offline into action.For Everyone:-Demand better research representation in clinical trials.-Support Black-founded wellness and health brands.-Call out medical misogyny and racism when you see it.-Share this episode because real change starts with real conversations.

You’ve heard of STDs. Then we started saying STIs. But what about BV? UTIs? Yeast? Are they even sexually transmitted? In this episode, we break down exactly what makes an infection sexually transmitted vs. something your body develops on its own plus why the cervix is the real target for most STIs, not the vagina.

Most people have no idea what Ureaplasma or Mycoplasma even are, let alone how they’re connected to persistent BV, chronic UTIs, infertility, and pelvic pain.Here’s the truth:🦠 These bacteria don’t have a cell wall which means most antibiotics don’t work.⚠️ They’re commensal, opportunistic and sexually transmitted.🧬 They form biofilms that make them nearly impossible to kill without the right approach.💊 And no, boric acid alone won’t cut it.In this episode, I’m breaking down how these stealth infections operate, how they tie into BV, why they’re often ignored, and what a real root-cause approach to treatment looks like including biofilm disruption, antibiotics, and rebalancing the vaginal microbiome.If you’ve ever been told “everything looks normal” while your body’s clearly telling you otherwise... this one’s for you.👉 Hit play, share it with your OB, and save it for your next “your labs are fine” moment.

Everyone’s talking about bikini bodies... I’m talking about vaginal and urinary microbiomes.

Picture this: You’re on Love Island. You’re sweating 24/7, doing messy challenges, practically living in a thong bikini, sitting in chlorine, and sleeping in wet swimsuits. Sounds like paradise... until you think about your vaginal health.

This week’s episode is your real summer survival guide, not the gimmicky “just drink cranberry juice” stuff. I’m breaking down exactly how I’d protect my body if I were on a tropical beach for a month, surrounded by bacteria, chlorine, and pH disruptors.

From UTI prevention strategies to BV defense and yeast infection flare management, I’m sharing what actually works, backed by science, not wellness fluff.We talk probiotics (like With Clarity), D-Mannose, Uva Ursi, gut healing, topical lactic acid gels, stress regulation, and even why cotton shorts matter more than you think.

If you’ve ever had a vacation ruined by a UTI or yeast infection... this one's for you. Tune in for the unfiltered truth about summer vaginal health because hot girls have healthy vaginas!

From anti–Pap smear rhetoric to AI apps creating fake doctors, the misinformation online is getting weird and it’s time we talk about it. In this episode, we break down viral TikToks and trending topics that are spreading false or misleading health claims. Some of it may be unintentional, but that’s exactly why these conversations are so important. Don’t forget to like, comment, and follow our podcast! Your support helps us keep these critical conversations going.

Let’s play “ask me anything” — vaginal health edition 💅🏽I’m answering questions from you! We will chat about:✦ Can sugar cause yeast infections?✦ Why do I get BV after sex?✦ Should I take probiotics with antibiotics?✦ Can my partner be giving it to me?✦ Is boric acid safe to use long term?✦ Do probiotics actually reach the vagina?✦ And sooo much more.Because getting recurring infections doesn’t mean you’re dirty.It means your microbiome needs help, and no, your doctor probably didn’t explain this part.Drop your questions below and I’ll keep answering 💊🦠#VaginalHealthQandA #WomensHealth #YeastInfectionHelp #BVRelief #ProbioticTalk #WithMerakiCo

For years I thought my hormones were “normal” because I had regular periods. But my labs told a different story: elevated testosterone, low estrogen, and low cortisol… and yet, no formal diagnosis, just frustration.I finally stopped waiting for someone to tell me what to do and started building a hormone-supportive routine based on what my body was actually asking for.🌿 A morning adrenal mocktail with myo-inositol, salt, and lemon🍳 A blood sugar-stabilizing breakfast with healthy fats, protein, and flax seeds💊 Targeted supplements to boost estrogen and calm androgens🌙 A bedtime probiotic that helps regulate my stress response and keep my microbiome balancedThis is what it looks like to work with your body, not against it.Hormone healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. But when you know what your labs mean, and what each food and supplement actually does, you can stop guessing and start aligning.Curious what I’m taking and why? I’ll break it down for you in this video!#HormoneHealth #CycleSyncing #WomensHealth #AdrenalSupport #PCOSAwareness #RootCauseHealing

Let’s talk about the viral vaginal health trends taking over TikTok from vabbing to koochie juice, perineum sunning, Yoni pearls, and even garlic down there (yes, really). I’m reacting in real-time, so you’ll hear exactly what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what’s flat-out dangerous. This episode is spicy, unfiltered, and backed by real evidence.⁠Let’s cut through the noise and get to the truth about your vaginal health.⁠#vaginalhealth #vabbing #yonipearls #womenshealth #TikToktrends #reproductivehealth #wellnesstrends #mythbusting

Think your gut just handles digestion? Think again.In this episode, we break down how your gut directly impacts your hormones, your immune response, and even your vaginal microbiome. From chronic infections to estrogen dominance, the gut is often the missing piece in women’s health and no one’s talking about it.⁣🎧 Tune in to learn how gut health could be the reason behind your BV, UTIs, PCOS, or a leaky gut, and what to do about it.#GutHealth #VaginalHealth #WomensHealth #HormoneBalance #PodcastForWomen

This week’s episode is proof that childbirth is not just beautiful, but can have the most unexpected and hilarious turn. We’re spilling the hilarious birth stories you didn’t know you needed!

🎧 Tune in and join me in ‘The G-Spot’ for an unfiltered, heartfelt conversations every Friday!✨ Follow My Socials! ✨Stay connected and join the conversation! 💖📷 YouTube: @GChatsPodcast🍏 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...🌸 Podcast Instagram: @gchatspodcast💞 Personal Instagram: @gianajarrah📱 TikTok: @gianamj💌 Website: https://www.shopwithmerakico.com/

You’ve heard “get your rest” and “drink water,” but what actually happens to your body after you give birth? In this episode, we unpack the real hormonal chaos that unfolds postpartum from the estrogen crash that tanks your serotonin, to why you feel overstimulated, disconnected, or just not like yourself. This isn’t just about baby blues or bouncing back.We dive into the unspoken science behind the “mommy body,” what your doctors probably didn’t tell you, and how to actually support your body during this massive hormonal rewiring. I’ll walk you through powerful (and not-so-obvious) ways to care for your nervous system, mood, vaginal health, and overall healing including supplements and adaptogens to nervous system tricks and ancient practices that deserve a comeback.If you’re in the thick of it or preparing for postpartum, this is your guide to rebuilding, rebalancing, and reclaiming your body on your terms.#PostpartumRecovery #PostpartumHormones #FourthTrimester #WomensHealth #HormoneHealth

🎧 Tune in and join me in ‘The G-Spot’ for an unfiltered, heartfelt conversations every Friday!✨ Follow My Socials! ✨Stay connected and join the conversation! 💖📷 YouTube: @GChatsPodcast🍏 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...🌸 Podcast Instagram: @gchatspodcast💞 Personal Instagram: @gianajarrah📱 TikTok: @gianamj💌 Website: https://www.shopwithmerakico.com/

For two years, I lived in fear of using the bathroom — burning, antibiotics, doctors dismissing me, and no real answers. This is my full story, what actually helped, and what I wish someone told me sooner. If you’ve ever felt alone in your UTI journey, this one’s for you!

We’ve been told infertility is about hormones, egg quality, or age but there’s an emerging critical piece that’s been left out of the conversation: your vaginal microbiome.In this episode, I break down the science behind how the vagina prepares for pregnancy during ovulation, how sperm survive the journey to the egg, and what can go terribly wrong when the vaginal ecosystem is imbalanced. We’ll talk about sperm-toxic bacteria, cervical mucus disruption, and how chronic inflammation can silently sabotage implantation, even when all your labs look “normal.”You’ll also learn:1. How estrogen shapes your vaginal microbiome2. What happens to sperm in an imbalanced vaginal environment3. The connection between hormonal disorders (like PCOS) and vaginal dysbiosis4. Why recurrent BV, endometritis, and even Ureaplasma can make conception harder5. How to support your vaginal microbiome for improved fertility outcomesIf you’ve ever been told your infertility is “unexplained,” or that everything looks “fine”... this episode is for you. It’s time we stop treating the vagina as an afterthought in fertility science. #infertility #infertilityawareness #microbiome #probiotics

From a forgotten tampon for over a MONTH to being in an ICU with sepsis... These UTI horror stories from Reddit? I’m SHOOK. 😳💀 If you’ve ever had a UTI, this episode is a MUST. Let’s talk prevention, panic, and probiotics 🧠💊"🎙️ New G-Chats with Giana episode out now!👇 Comment your own horror story — or what saved you.#UTIawareness #vaginalhealth #redditstories #UTIprevention #sepsis #probiotichealth #chronicUTI #vaginalmicrobiome #recurrentUTIs #tiktokpodcast #healthtok #womenshealthmatters

From chronic BV to cytolytic vaginosis, vaginal probiotics, and lichen sclerosus, this episode is packed with real answers to real questions submitted by our community. I’m diving into everything you’ve been dying to ask but didn’t know who to trust:🌿 Are baby wipes messing with your pH?🦠 Is lichen sclerosus caused by bacteria?💊 Can probiotics be inserted vaginally?🛁 What’s up with getting BV after sex (and could it be his soap)?🩸 Tampons, yeast infections, suppositories, and so much more.I’m giving you honest, research-backed guidance on how to care for your vagina without fear or confusion. Plus, a little insight on what it takes to get probiotics peer-reviewed and into major retailers like Target.Whether you're a longtime listener or brand new here, this is a can't-miss episode full of clarity, empowerment, and no-BS education. 💛

What actually happens in your body during a menstrual cycle when you’re not on birth control?In this episode, we’re going deep into the biology that was never properly explained because understanding your cycle is the foundation for making informed choices about birth control, fertility, and your overall health. Whether you're trying to conceive, avoid pregnancy, or just want to stop feeling confused by your own body, this is your episode.We’re breaking it all down in plain language, no fluff, no shame, just facts and empowerment.

You’ve been told endometriosis is just “uterine lining growing where it doesn’t belong.” But what if I told you… that’s completely wrong? 👀

In honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month, we’re unpacking one of the most misunderstood chronic illnesses in women’s health. From the misleading name to the myths that keep people undiagnosed and untreated for years. Spoiler: the tissue isn’t even endometrium. And that’s exactly why so many treatments fail.

We’ll talk about:
✨ Why “endometriosis” is a name rooted in outdated science
🧠 The truth about the tissue and why it behaves nothing like uterine lining
🔥 The real reason your uterus isn’t the problem (and why removing it doesn’t cure anything)
💥 What this disease actually is: a full-body inflammatory condition that needs a whole new approach

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, misdiagnosed, or just confused by what endo really is—this one’s for you.

#EndometriosisAwareness #TheGChatsPod #EndoEducation #WomensHealthUnfiltered

You may not know her name, but her cells have touched every corner of modern medicine. From the polio vaccine to IVF to COVID-19 research, Henrietta Lacks’ cells, taken without her consent, changed the world.In this episode, I dive into the life of the woman behind the HeLa cell line. We explore who Henrietta was, how her cells became immortal, and the ethical, racial, and human cost of scientific progress.Her story isn’t just history, it’s a reflection of the medical injustices still happening today.🎧 Listen, learn, and say her name: Henrietta Lacks.💜 To honor her legacy and support her descendants, please visit and donate to the Henrietta Lacks Foundation, which provides education and healthcare support to individuals who have been unknowingly involved in research:👉 henriettalacksfoundation.org