From painful periods and chronic fatigue to pelvic pressure and bladder issues, many women are told these symptoms are “normal” or “in your head.” Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Rosen are here to set the record straight: Suffering in silence is never okay.
Demetra Ganias, the host of MomCast, sat down with Dr. Karli Provost Goldstein and Dr. Leigh Rosen from ESSE Care to tackle a topic that too often gets brushed aside: moms’ health concerns after childbirth. The MomCast mantra is “when we know better, we do better”—and that’s exactly what this episode is all about.
What We Learned: Key Takeaways from the Conversation
“A lot of women and patients are just dismissed a lot, and they’re told, ‘Oh, just go on another pill… It’s normal.’ I have patients sometimes that say whatever pain they’re dealing with is worse than their labor pains—that’s a huge red flag.” – Dr. Goldstein
- Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore: Heavy bleeding, severe pelvic pain, and changes after childbirth aren’t just part of being a mom. These can signal underlying conditions like fibroids, adenomyosis, or endometriosis.
- Why Listening Matters: At ESSE Care, patient stories guide the diagnosis. The team prioritizes time and empathy, ensuring no one feels dismissed or embarrassed.
- Minimally Invasive Solutions: Worried about downtime? Procedures like hysteroscopy or laparoscopic surgery often mean same-day discharge and quick recovery—nothing like the ordeal of a C-section.
- Pelvic Floor Therapy: Before considering surgery, pelvic floor specialists can help restore bladder function and relieve discomfort. Trained physical therapists can tailor treatment to your body’s needs (which, spoiler alert, might not be Kegel exercises!).
- Endometriosis Awareness: Endometriosis is one of the most misunderstood conditions that women face, and the delay in diagnosis can be staggering—often as many as 10 years. Why is it so hard to detect? Imaging often misses early-stage disease. That’s why listening to a patient’s story is critical.
“Your symptoms are a map of where [the disease] is in the pelvis… Oftentimes the patient’s story and their symptoms and specifically when they’re happening is really important to kind of get to the root of the problem.” – Dr. Goldstein
The Postpartum Reality: Why Moms Delay Care
Motherhood often comes with an unspoken rule: Put yourself last. Between caring for kids, managing a household, and juggling work, many moms ignore symptoms that signal something is wrong. Dr. Rosen sees this all the time, and she explains that prioritizing your health isn’t selfish—it’s essential for you and your family.
“I meet a lot of people who… have been suffering like this for not one month, not like one month or two months, but—some people—years. When you are experiencing debilitating pain and bleeding, you are not your healthiest self. Taking a pause to take care of the issue means you’ll ultimately be healthier and more present.” – Dr. Rosen
Why This Matters
Motherhood changes everything—including your body. Yet too often, women normalize pain or postpone care because they feel they don’t have time or fear what treatment might involve. This conversation is a reminder that help exists, and solutions don’t have to mean long recoveries or overwhelming procedures.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about how you can reclaim your energy, your confidence, and the ability to be fully present for the people who matter most.
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