For years the female body in athletic performance has gone understudied, until recently.

India meets Richard Burden from the English Institute of Sport who is researching the effect of hormones on female performance whilst also building key technology in the field to do onsite hormone testing. India is also joined by GB pentathlon athlete Jess Varley who is part of this research and who has tailored her training around her menstrual cycle to reap extraordinary results.

Credits:

Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.

A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

India introduces the series to oestrogen, the hormone of sass, sex and energy. Dr Jackie Maybin explains the role of oestrogen in preparing the body for ovulation and Dr. Sarah Hill explains her research on the effect of oestrogen on the brain. Maisie Hill also pops in with some tips for Spring.

Credits:

Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.

A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Joined by Alec Mills, Chella Quint and Dr Camilla Rotsvik, India investigates the impact of images on the way women feel about their periods. From menstrual shame to scented tampons, India assesses the images that have appeared across 100 years of period product advertising shaping menstrual taboo. India also considers the adverts and artists pushing the boundaries and revolutionsing menstrual images.

Credits:

Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.

A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Ever heard of bears eating people who were on their period? Maybe sharks eating menstruating swimmers? These sort of myths are everywhere. India is joined by Caroline Byrd who’s job was lost due to a myth of blood and bears. Dr. Elinor Cleghorn takes us all the way back to the mediaeval ages to root out the beginning of these myths and Dr Anita Mitra gives the low down on the textures and appearance of period blood.

Credits:

Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.

A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

India and the author of Period Power, Maisie Hill, discuss the best way to manage and interact with your cycle. Specifically looking at the bleed, or rather the season ‘winter’, Maisie offers advice, tips and tricks on how to unlock the superpowers of your cycle. As well as how best to avoid the dangers that lurk in the experience of winter.

Credits:

Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.

A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

This episode of 28ish Days Later is about period pain and endometriosis. India also discusses period poo’s and prostaglandins with Dr Katy Vincent.

India also meets Phoebe who lives with endometriosis and Dr Andrew Horne who researches the condition. They discuss the impact and symptoms of endometriosis, and the medical data bias that causes long diagnosis times.

Credits:

Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.

A Listen Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

On day two of the period, India Rakusen carries us through the bleeding part of the period from the hormones, to the reason we bleed and the stigma surrounding it with Dr Jackie Maybin. India also meets a retired police officer who's life and health was directly impacted from living with heavy bleeding.

Dr Ruth Armula joins to discuss fibroids.

Credits:

Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.

A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

India Rakusen journeys into the womb with Dr Dornu Lebari and Dr Jackie Maybin. We peel back the layers and meet the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and the endometrium.

India is also joined by Dr Elinor Cleghorn to discuss the ancient theories of wandering wombs, evil uteruses and the myths that surround the womb in history.

Credits:

Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.

A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

What do you really know about the menstrual cycle? India Rakusen explores the whole bloody story, discovering facts that could change your life. Periods are just the beginning.

In this intimate, bold and taboo-busting series, we follow the menstrual cycle from bleeding to, well, bleeding again - with all the amazing science, drama, history, personal stories and politics in-between. We’ll learn how understanding your hormones and your cycle can change your life, one day at a time.

28ish Days Later is a Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. It is presented by India Rakusen, the producer is Ellie Sans, and the executive producer is Suzy Grant.

Assistant producer Jorja McAndrew

Original music by Rebekah Reid. 

Mixing and sound design by Olga Reed and Charlie Brandon-King.