Periods are taboo! Despite the fact that half of the world’s population experience them. This taboo has led to countless myths around the topic. “The internet’s gynecologist” Dr. Jen Gunter is here to usher in a new era where people understand – and can advocate for – what they need as their body changes each cycle.
Jonathan is joined by Dr Sarah Berry and Dr Jen Gunter to get a better understanding of our body's behavior during the menstrual cycle. Jen will provide you with her period toolkit and offer solutions to the most common problems of modern-day period health.
Dr. Jen Gunter is a gynecologist and pain medicine physician at the Permanente Medical Group in northern California. Her books ‘The Vagina Bible’ and ‘The Menopause Manifesto’ were both New York Times bestsellers. Her 2024 book ‘Blood’ tackles the science, medicine and mythology of menstruation.
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Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
01:26 Quickfire questions
02:31 Shame culture around menstruation
04:20 The evolution and purpose of the menstrual cycle
06:30 Menstrual cycle mechanics
11:08 Understanding heavy periods and iron deficiency
14:01 Addressing period pain and discomfort
21:39 Diet, appetite, and periods: what's the connection?
26:09 Understanding PMS and PMDD
27:55 PMS causes and symptoms
30:52 Treatment options for PMS and PMDD
31:51 Demystifying polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
35:42 The role of diet and obesity in PCOS
37:32 Advice for managing PMS
40:19 Menstrual cramps and pain management
47:08 Iron supplementation strategies
📚 Dr. Jen Gunter’s books:
The Menopause Manifesto
Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Recipes for a Better Menopause by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Studies related to today’s episode:
Prevalence of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in US Females Aged 12-21 Years, 2003-2020, from the Journal of the American Medical Association
The Role of Estrogen in Insulin Resistance: A Review of Clinical and Preclinical Data, from The American Journal of Pathology
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.
Menstruation: Science, medicine and mythology | ZOE Science & Nutrition podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
