Dr. Shawna Ruple

Dr. Shawna Ruple OBGYN. Mother. Advocate. Educator. Friend.

04/28/2026

Why do women so often have to prove their suffering to receive care?

So many women are asked to justify, quantify, and defend what they’re experiencing before being offered hormone replacement therapy.

We don’t require this level of proof in most other areas of medicine. So why here?

Women deserve to be heard the first time. They deserve evidence-based care without having to jump through hoops or minimize their own experience to be taken seriously.

It’s time to shift from skepticism to support. From gatekeeping to guidance. From “prove it” to “how can we help?”

04/27/2026

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been misunderstood for decades.

In July 2002, widespread misreporting of medical studies led to a dramatic drop in HRT use—creating fear that still lingers today.

What we now know is far more nuanced:
✔️ The route of administration plays a major role in risk
✔️ For many women, appropriately prescribed HRT can actually reduce certain health risks
✔️ Avoiding therapy altogether isn’t always the safer choice

It’s time to move beyond outdated headlines and focus on individualized, evidence-based care.

Women deserve accurate information—not fear-driven decisions.

04/24/2026

🚨 Estrogen Patch Shortage — What You Need to Know

If you’ve been told your estrogen patch is “on backorder”… you’re not alone.

There’s a nationwide surge in demand for estradiol patches, and supply hasn’t kept up. The result? Frustrated patients, pharmacy runarounds, and missed doses.

💡 Here’s what matters:
• This is a supply issue — not a safety issue
• You still have options
• You do NOT have to suffer through symptoms

👉 Talk to your clinician about alternatives:
• Estradiol gels or sprays
• Oral estrogen
• Different patch brands/doses (if available)

Your care shouldn’t depend on what’s in stock.

If your prescription can’t be filled — advocate for yourself, ask questions, and don’t settle for “just wait.”

04/23/2026

Women used to be told “use it or lose it” when dealing with vaginal dryness or pain.

That advice = Not good medicine.

Pain isn’t something to push through. Dryness isn’t a personal failure. And intimacy shouldn’t hurt.

These symptoms are common—especially in perimenopause and menopause—but they’re also treatable. Hormonal changes are real, and so are the solutions.

You deserve better than outdated advice.

If something feels off, it’s worth talking about. You don’t have to suffer in silence.

01/29/2026

I advocate for patients professionally — and I fight the system personally.
As both a physician and a patient with chronic illness, I live on both sides of this system.

Chronic illness is hard.
Insurance interference makes it harder.

Denials, delays, prior authorizations, and endless administrative barriers don’t just slow care — they worsen disease, increase suffering, and drain already limited physical and emotional reserves.

The people writing the policies don’t live with the consequences.
Patients do.
Providers do.

We deserve a healthcare system that prioritizes healing over profit, access over obstacles, and people over paperwork.

01/22/2026

Pelvic and breast exams matter. They’re essential parts of well-woman care.

If you’re not receiving them, advocate for yourself and find a gynecologist who will ❤️

01/21/2026

I was honored to be part of a panel tonight discussing women’s healthcare and how to advocate for yourself within the medical system.

A few key takeaways:
1️⃣ Make the appointment
2️⃣ Come prepared with your top concerns
3️⃣ Reflect on your symptoms—you never know when things may be connected
4️⃣ Keep an open mind to lifestyle changes, not just quick fixes

Your voice matters. Advocate for it. 💪✨

12/17/2025

Family practice providers do incredible work, but they don’t always have the time—or specialized training—to perform thorough pelvic and breast exams.

That’s why it’s worth considering an annual visit with a gynecologist, even if you’ve already had your yearly exam with your primary care provider. These visits offer focused expertise and an added layer of preventive care for your reproductive and breast health.

12/07/2025

Chronic illness is exhausting to navigate — and some days it feels like the medical system adds more hurdles than help.

I’m tired. I’m hurting. And I know I’m not the only one.

If you’re in this season too, I see you. Your strength isn’t in pretending everything is fine — it’s in showing up anyway, even when you’re worn down.

Here’s to better days ahead, and to giving ourselves grace while we get there. 💛

12/04/2025

🚫✨ Stop taking perimenopause and menopause advice from clinicians, pharmacists, or well-meaning friends who aren’t actually trained in this specialty.

Hormone care is nuanced. Evidence evolves. Your symptoms deserve expertise — not generic advice, fear-based myths, or outdated information.

If you’re struggling, confused, or overwhelmed, seek out someone who truly understands menopause medicine. You deserve care that’s individualized, informed, and confident. 💛

11/21/2025

🌸 PRP + Menopause: What’s the buzz? 🌸

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) isn’t a replacement for hormone therapy, but it can support some of the changes we feel in midlife. Here’s where it may help:

✨ Vaginal & vulvar health — improved lubrication, elasticity, and comfort (think less dryness + less pain with in*******se).
✨ Sexual function — many women notice better arousal or stronger OOOooOOos.

PRP doesn’t treat hot flashes or replace estrogen, but it can be a great addition to your therapy if you’re looking to support tissue health, sexual wellness, or hair changes in menopause.

Curious if it’s right for you? Always start with your individual symptoms and goals — personalized care matters most. 💛

11/13/2025

Had a couple patients ask me about the very buzz worthy FDA “black box” warning today…

To be clear, my counseling and prescribing will remain the same— I was ALREADY following evidence based recommendations!!!

This doesn’t mean everyone is getting a prescription 🤭 HRT is individualized. Decisions are made between patients and their doctor!

The hope is ➡️➡️➡️ this regulatory step forward for women’s healthcare IMPROVES ACCESS to an important treatment option

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