The Dusty Muffins

Your heart is telling a story—but are you running the right tests to hear it? In this eye-opening and essential episode of The Dusty Muffins, our expert trio—Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—sit down with preventive cardiologist Dr. Sunny Intwala to decode what standard cholesterol panels are missing and why menopause is a critical inflection point for heart health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet so much of the risk remains invisible until it's too late. This conversation is your guide to getting ahead of the curve with cutting-edge prevention. In this episode, you'll discover:
🫀 The Hidden Risk Factor: Why Lipoprotein(a) —a genetic marker you've likely never heard of—is a game-changer for assessing your true cardiovascular risk, and why routine tests won't catch it.
📋 Beyond the Basic Panel: The advanced assessments (like APO-B and coronary artery calcium scores) that provide a much clearer picture of your heart health than standard cholesterol testing alone.
👩‍👧 The Family History Factor: Why your mother's or grandmother's heart story is critical medical data, and how to translate that into actionable prevention.
⚖️ Menopause as a Reveal: How the hormonal shifts of midlife can unmask underlying cardiovascular risks, making this the perfect moment for a heart health deep dive.
💊 Medications, Myths & Momentum: The truth about statins, the genetics passed to you by your parents, new breakthrough medications, and why fear should never stand between you and life-saving cardiovascular disease risk prevention.
Tune in for an episode that could literally save your life. It's time to stop guessing and start scanning, testing, and advocating for the heart you'll rely on for decades to come.
The Dusty Muffins:
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins
🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins
Hosts:
👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc
👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo
👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp
Guest – Dr. Sunny Intwala of Nuvance Health, now part of Northwell Health:
🌐 Nuvance Health → https://www.nuvancehealth.org
📱 Nuvance Health Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nuvancehealth
📄 MDPI Profile → https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/2/740
💼 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunny-intwala-md-mba-2b9a128/
Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they're not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Why does the number on the scale creep up during menopause, and why do old diets suddenly stop working? In this clarifying and empowering episode of The Dusty Muffins, our expert trio—Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—tackle one of the most common and frustrating midlife challenges head-on.
This conversation goes far beyond simple "calories in, calories out." The docs break down the hormonal overhaul happening in your body and provide a science-backed, actionable strategy for feeling strong and healthy. In this episode, you’ll discover:
⚖️ The Hormonal Reality: How shifting estrogen and testosterone levels directly impact your metabolism, fat storage, and hunger signals.
💪 Your #1 Metabolic Asset: Why preserving and building muscle mass is the most critical factor for managing weight and energy during menopause—and how to do it.
🍗 The Plate Revolution: The specific dietary shifts you need to make (hint: more protein, smart fats) to support your changing body, not fight it.
🧠 The Stress-Weight Connection: How chronic stress hijacks your hormones and practical strategies to manage it for better metabolic health.
🦠 Gut Health = Hormone Health: The surprising link between your microbiome and your hormonal balance, and why gut health is non-negotiable.
Tune in for an episode that replaces shame and confusion with a clear, compassionate, and effective roadmap. It's time to work with your body, not against it.
The Dusty Muffins:
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins
🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins
Hosts:
👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc
👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo
👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp
Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Is pain during sex "just something you deal with"? Absolutely not. In this essential and liberating episode of The Dusty Muffins, our expert trio—Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—are joined by sexual health specialist Dr. Andrea Martin to dismantle the myths and address the real issues surrounding women's intimate well-being.
This is a candid, no-holds-barred conversation that moves from the bedroom to the doctor's office, giving you the language and knowledge to advocate for your pleasure and health. In this episode, you’ll discover:
🛑 Why "Powering Through" is Dangerous: The real physical and emotional consequences of ignoring pain during sex, and why it should never be normalized.
🗺️ Your Body's Blueprint: A crucial refresher on female anatomy (yes, including the clitoris!) and why knowing your body is the first step to empowerment.
💬 The Truth About Faking It: How pretending to enjoy sex harms both you and your partner, and how to start an honest conversation about pleasure and desire.
🏥 How to Be Your Own Advocate: Practical scripts for talking to your doctor about intimate pain, getting the right referrals (like pelvic floor physical therapy), and challenging misdiagnoses.
🛠️ Real Solutions That Work: From non-invasive treatments for adhesions to managing conditions like painful bladder syndrome, learn about the effective options available to you.
Tune in for an episode that replaces shame with solutions and silence with advocacy. Your sexual health is non-negotiable.
Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.
The Dusty Muffins:
🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins
📸 Instagram → @thedustymuffins
Hosts:
👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → @portlandmenopausedoc
👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → @drrebbeccaherteldo
👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → @christinehartkress_dnp
Guest – Dr. Andrea Martin:
📸 Instagram → @andrea.sexplains.it.all
🌐 Website → https://glowhealthbyandrea.com

Pop the confetti—it’s a landmark moment for women’s health! In this celebratory and vital episode of The Dusty Muffins, our expert trio—Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—break down the FDA’s historic removal of the black box warning from estrogen products and what it really means for you.
For decades, flawed science cast a shadow of fear over hormone therapy, sidelining millions from safe, effective treatment. No more. The docs dive into the past, present, and future of menopause care with clarity and conviction. In this episode, you’ll discover:
📦 Why the "Black Box" Was All Wrong: How outdated, problematic studies created decades of unnecessary fear and confusion around estrogen.
🛡️ The Gold Standard for GSM: Why local (vaginal) estrogen is not only safe but should be the first line of defense for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), including urinary symptoms.
💊 Your Body, Your Blueprint: The critical importance of individualized hormone therapy—because one-size-fits-all never worked.
🗣️ Your Right to Better Care: How to advocate for yourself with a healthcare system still catching up on the latest evidence, and why you should never settle for dismissive care.
🔮 The Future is Nuanced: How women’s health is evolving beyond just hormones to include holistic, evidence-based practices that prioritize your quality of life.
Tune in for an empowering episode that turns a bureaucratic update into a rallying cry for smarter, fearless, and personalized healthcare.
The Dusty Muffins:
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins
🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins
Hosts:
👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc
👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo
👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp
Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Navigating the intersection of menopause and breast health can be confusing and fraught with misinformation. In this essential episode of The Dusty Muffins, our specialist trio—Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—sit down with breast health expert Dr. Sabrina Sahni, M.D., to bring clarity and confidence to this critical topic.
This is a deep dive into the facts you need to make empowered decisions for your body. They tackle outdated myths, highlight the latest evidence, and provide a clear path forward for personalized care. In this episode, you’ll discover:
🔬 PEt & Breast Health: The Real Story: Cutting through the fear and misconceptions surrounding hormone therapy and its risks, based on current evidence-based practices.
📄 The Critical Role of Breast Density: Why your mammogram report’s mention of "dense breasts" is a key piece of your health puzzle and how it impacts your screening needs.
🧬 Who Needs Genetic Testing? A clear guide on understanding your family history and when to consider genetic testing for breast cancer risk.
🎓 The Education Gap: Why many clinicians are still misinformed about menopause management and how you can advocate for better, more nuanced care.
💪 Your Health, Your Voice: Practical strategies for becoming your own best advocate, ensuring your quality of life is a top priority in every medical decision.
The Dusty Muffins:
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins
🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins
Hosts:
👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc
👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo
👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp
Guest – Dr. Sabrina Sahni:
🌐 Mayo Clinic Profile → https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/sahni-sabrina-m-d/bio-20509454
📸 Instagram → @sabrinaksahnimd
Tune in for an episode that replaces anxiety with actionable knowledge, empowering you to take control of your health during midlife and beyond.
Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.