As the world was grappling with the life-altering changes of the COVID pandemic, many people started noticing that something else was different -- their periods. Now, researchers are trying to understand the factors that could lie behind those changes -- stress, the virus, vaccines, or something else? And what can these changes teach us about the role the menstrual cycle plays in understanding your health?

COVID and the Menstrual Cycle

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

Medicine

Science & Medicine

Health & Fitness

What are the secrets behind the world's Blue Zones, areas renowned for their  high rates of longevity and low incidence of chronic disease. In this episode, we sit down with Susan Benigas, executive director at The American College of Lifestyle Medicine, to discuss the exciting new partnership between Blue Zones and the ACLM. Learn about the upcoming Blue Zone certification for clinicians, the impact it will have on patient care, and what to expect from a lifestyle medicine provider. We delve into how these principles can transform our healthcare system, empower communities, and integrate key aspects of the Blue Zone lifestyle for a healthier, longer life. Join us as we uncover the future of health and wellbeing through lifestyle medicine.

Blue Zones Certified Physicians: A New Prescription for Lifestyle Medicine?

As spring is ramping up, many of us may notice our allergies ramping up along with it. Additionally, many of us may also notice that every year, our seasonal allergies tend to get worse. So, what’s going on regarding pollen? We talked with Stanley Fineman, MD, allergist and editor-in-chief for the publication Allergy Watch, about the various types of pollen allergies, the role climate change plays in allergies, possible treatment plans, and how those dealing with seasonal allergies can find relief. Also see:  Allergy symptoms got you down? Blame pollen AND air pollution -- Yale Climate Connections

How Can We Find Seasonal Allergy Relief?

In this episode, discover effective solutions for constipation and tools to improve gut health. Each year, millions suffer from  constipation, leading to 2.5 million doctor visits. What are the signs that it’s time to consult a doctor? What are the most effective ways to manage constipation? Will Bulsiewicz, MD, better known as Dr. B, a board-certified gastroenterologist and NYTimes bestselling author, sheds light on the root causes of constipation,  effective remedies, and the critical role of  fiber in gastrointestinal health. Discover the most effective ideal tools for constipation relief, why fiber rich foods are best for your gut, and the surprising breathing exercises that enhance gut function. Tune in to unlock the secrets to better gut health.

Constipation: Your Guide to Optimizing Gut Health From Fiber To Breathing Exercises

We are experiencing a youth mental health crisis. Young people worldwide are increasingly struggling to manage the escalating stress and complications of everyday life. In 2021, 42% of high school students reported feeling so sad or hopeless for two consecutive weeks that they would stop engaging in their usual activities, up from 26% in 2009. Is there a way to eliminate the stigma around mental health and make kindness cool? We spoke to Claudia-Santi F. Fernandes, Ed.D., LPC, MCHES, and Rahul Rangan, MBBS of Born This Way Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, about the ways peer-to-peer support can benefit today’s youth, the vital mental health resources needed in schools, and the impact of Born This Way Foundation’s Be There Certificate and their Channel Kindness program on building a kinder and braver world.

Building Kinder Communities: Addressing Youth Mental Health with Born This Way Foundation

Every night, millions of Americans are affected by insomnia. Insomnia presents in various forms, including difficulty falling asleep at night and frequent waking up during the sleep cycle, resulting in feeling tired during the day. What are the causes of insomnia? And how do factors like screen time and caffeine consumption during the day impact our sleep? We spoke to Michael Breus, PhD, DABSM, clinical psychologist and diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine, about the common reasons for sleep disruption, the role our chronotypes play in insomnia, the ways we can track our sleep cycle, what we should be asking our doctors when it comes to sleep, and a five-step plan we all can use on the path to more restorative sleep.

COVID and the Menstrual Cycle

Download our free app to listen on your phone