Dr. Shawna Ruple

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

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 Your symptoms deserve expertise — not generic advice, fear-based myths, or outdated information.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 & v***ar 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. 💛

11/12/2025

🎉 Big news for women’s health: the FDA is removing the black-box warning from many menopause hormone therapies (HRT)! 💪

📣FINALLY— letting patients and their physician make educatied and PERSONALIZED decisions as a team.

Since 2003 these treatments carried the strongest safety warning — citing risks of breast cancer, heart disease, blood clots and dementia. 
But now (FINALLY!!!) the agency says that evidence supports a lower‐risk profile for many women, especially when therapy begins within 10 years of menopause or before age 60. DUH!!!

11/07/2025

✨ Let’s talk about ovarian cysts! ✨

They sound intimidating, but the truth is — ovarian cysts are really common and often totally normal. 💛

Most cysts form naturally during your cycle and disappear on their own without you even knowing they were there. Your ovaries are just doing their thing!

Sometimes cysts can cause discomfort, bloating, or pain — and that’s when it’s worth checking in with your doctor. But having a cyst doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong or dangerous.

Your body goes through amazing hormonal changes every month, and small cysts are often part of that NORMAL process 👍🏻

11/03/2025

Estrogen gets all the spotlight in hormone therapy—but progesterone deserves some love too 💛

It’s the calming, balancing hormone that helps protect the uterus, improves sleep, supports mood, and even aids brain health.

If you’re on HRT and something still feels “off,” don’t overlook progesterone. Balance is everything. ✨

10/30/2025

Halloween is a great time to think about getting your “other” pumpkin out! 🎃 🎃🎃

🙈🙊🙉 I cannot begin to tell you how many women stop going in for pelvic exams when they no longer need a pap.

You should check your v***a once a month so you know your normal. Any changes ➡️ see your doctor.

Not all v***al itching is thrush!!!

If treatment for a yeast infection isn’t helping then it could be a chronic skin condition lichen sclerosus.

10/28/2025

High cortisol = high stress and sleepless nights 💤

Buuuuttttt, Here’s the thing👇🏻

Estrogen helps regulate cortisol levels 🟰
🩷better mood
🩷better sleep
🩷less overwhelm

10/23/2025

⚠️ Be cautious with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) offers you see online.

Lately, there’s been a rise in “wellness” companies and social media ads promoting miracle hormone fixes — often with little to no medical oversight. Many of these are scams or use unsafe, unregulated products.

HRT can be life-changing when done correctly — but it should always be prescribed and monitored by a qualified healthcare professional who reviews your full medical history, runs proper lab work, and adjusts dosing based on evidence-based guidelines.

If a clinic promises quick results, uses the same dose for everyone or charges you and fills you medication “in house,” that’s a red flag 🚩

Your hormones aren’t one-size-fits-all, and improper therapy can cause real harm.

👉 Do your homework.
👉 Ask questions.
👉 Trust only licensed medical professionals.

Your health — and your hormones — deserve expert care, not a shortcut‼️

10/22/2025

Losing the battle with insurance companies on BOTH SIDES today 🙁

— as both a physician and as a patient, I’ve spent soooo much time on the phone advocating.

Some days, it feels like the system is designed to break us before it helps us 😔

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