My guest on today’s episode of Period Story podcast is Clio Wood, a maternal health advocate and journalist. Her first book, Get Your Mojo Back: Sex, Pleasure & Intimacy After Birth tells her own story and experiences, the experiences of other relatable, real life women and includes lots of information about sex and intimacy after birth from experts and further resources. 

In this episode, Clio shares:

• The negative impact teen magazines and television had on her feelings about her body
• How she learned about the value of self-compassion
• The importance of female pleasure
• How better communication can lead to better sex and more intimacy
• And of course, the story of her first period!

Clio says that post-natal sex is important and that just because you’ve had a baby, you shouldn’t have to put up with whatever issue that’s stopping you from finding sexual pleasure. 

Thank you, Clio!

Get in touch with Clio:

And Breathe Wellbeing Website

And Breathe Wellbeing Instagram

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’re in for a real treat - on this week’s episode of Period Story, I’m so pleased to share my conversation with Katy Ewen, a reflexologist and fertility awareness educator. Katy so honestly shares her story of the effects her menstrual cycle has had on her mental health, navigating OCD and PMDD and what this means for her in the luteal phase. 

In this episode, Katy shares: 

• How she first became aware of anxiety and OCD symptoms at five years old 
• The effect hormonal changes have on her OCD and PMDD symptoms
• The impact eating more and making positive nutrition changes has had on her mental health and experience of the luteal phase 
• How exposure response prevention therapy has been a game changer for her 
• Her work as a reflexologist and the benefit of this therapy for menstrual health 
• And of course, the story of her first period!

Katy says that understanding her menstrual cycle has given her so much insight into how to look after herself! 

Thank you, Katy!

Get in touch with Katy:

Reflex East Website

Reflect East Instagram

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Period Story, I’m so happy to share my conversation with Nina Cassells, the founder and managing director of the charity Project Period. Nina started the charity when she was 17 (!!!), with the aim of empowering young women in Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya by providing reusable and sustainable menstrual products. 

In this episode, Nina shares: 

• The epiphany she had that led to her starting Project Period
• How not having the right period products can affect a girl’s ability to go to school when they have their period
• Why a menstrual cup can help support five years of education 
• The process of distributing 200 menstrual cups on her first trip to Kibera 
• The lessons her and the team learned that led to the installation of a water generator that turns condensation into water so that the girls have clean water to wash their cups 
• How Project Period is fundraising for their next trip to Kenya in July (every donation makes a difference!)
• And of course, the story of her first period!

Nina says that one menstrual cup can support five years of a girl’s education - how amazing is that!

Thank you, Nina!

Get in touch with Nina:

Project Period Website

Donate to Project Period

Project Period Instagram

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 We’re back! It’s Endometriosis Awareness Month and I’m so pleased to share my conversation with Carla Cressy, the founder and CEO of the Endometriosis Foundation. Carla is a true force in the endometriosis community, helping others gain access to care and support and providing insight into the development of national health guidelines.

In this episode, Carla shares: 

• How difficult it was to get doctors to take her symptoms seriously
• How the focus on her bowel issues finally led to an endometriosis diagnosis 
• Her experience of medical and surgical menopause 
• How she managed her mental health when the pain was at its worst
• What she wants doctors to know about endometriosis 

Carla that there’s so much misinformation around endometriosis and that doctors need a better understanding of the patient’s perspective of living with this condition. 

Thank you, Carla!

Get in touch with Carla:

The Endometriosis Foundation Website

The Endometriosis Foundation Instagram

The Endometriosis Foundation Facebook

Instagram

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the last episode of season 6 of Period Story podcast, I’m so thrilled to share my conversation with Claire Baker, the period coach, speaker and author of the book 50 Things You Need To Know About Periods. Claire is a force in the menstrual health community, spreading the message that having a menstrual cycle can be a beautiful thing that can help you know get to know yourself better. 

In this episode, Claire shares: 

• Why she didn’t tell anyone when her period started 
• Her second menarche
• What #adoreyourcycle really means 
• How she became a menstrual cycle coach 
• How menstrual cycle awareness can help you show up to your life as the full spectrum version of yourself in every phase
• Her recommendations for understanding and charting your menstrual cycle 

Claire says that having a menstrual cycle is a gift and that your menstrual cycle can be your ally. 

Thank you, Claire!

Get in touch with Claire:

Website

Instagram

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch with us:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the US and the UK and I’m so pleased to share my conversation with Molly Broache, a women’s health nurse practitioner and associate director at BD, the medical technology and diagnostic solutions company. 

In the episode, Molly shares: 

• The number one cause of cervical cancer 
• The symptoms and risk factors for cervical cancer 
• The importance of cervical screening as a cervical cancer prevention tool 
• What happens if abnormal cells are found in the cervix 
• How to empower yourself if you’re nervous about having a cervical screening 
• And of course, the story of her first period! 

Molly says that cervical cancer is preventable and that if you’ve put off your cervical screening, get it booked ASAP! 

Thank you, Molly! 

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Tinuke Awe, the co-founder of Five X More - an organisation campaigning for better Black maternal health outcomes in the UK. Tinuke is an absolute powerhouse and was named a ‘Force for Change’ by British Vogue, a ‘Woman changing the World’ by the Evening Standard, and a ‘Future Shaper’ by Marie Claire. 

In this episode, Tinuke shares: 

• What prompted her to start Five X More
• Her campaigning work with the government to help improve Black maternal health outcomes 
• Her advice for Black women who are nervous about becoming pregnant in light of the statistics around Black maternal deaths 
• The work she does with health professionals to re-educate on myths and stereotypes around Black women, pain and gynaecology  
• And of course, the story of her first period! 

Tinuke says that when in a healthcare setting, it’s so important to trust your gut and speak up - do what you need to do to get the help you need. 

Thank you, Tinuke! 

Get in touch with Tinuke:

Website

Instagram

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m so pleased to share my conversation with Katie Taylor, the founder of the Latte Lounge, an online platform to help women over 40 thrive, at home and in the workplace. This is the perfect bookend to last week’s episode, with Katie sharing a very raw and honest account of her experience of perimenopause and menopause. 

In this episode, Katie shares: 

• How she was misdiagnosed with depression
• The shocking moment that coincided with the start of her perimenopause journey
• How she was finally told that she was experiencing perimenopausal symptoms after being dismissed and made to feel like a hypochondriac
• How she used her experiences to help other perimenopausal and menopausal women feel less alone 
• And of course, the story of her first period!  

Katie says that it’s important not to be scared or afraid of perimenopause and menopause! 

Thank you, Katie! 

Get in touch with Katie:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Perimenopause Symptom Checker

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve got a brilliant episode in store for you today with Fay Reid, the founder of 9to5 menopause. Fay delivers some home truths about the reality of menopause and how companies and organisations can proactively help anyone in their team experiencing menopausal symptoms at work. 

In this episode, Fay shares: 

• The key symptom that signalled the start of perimenopause for her
• What she did to help herself 
• The trial and error process of finding the right HRT for her 
• How she began helping individuals navigate menopause at work
• Simple things that can really make a difference for anyone experiencing menopausal symptoms at work 

Fay says that you can’t treat women differently because they’re going though the menopause! 

Thank you, Fay!

Get in touch with Fay:

Instagram 

Website 

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m so pleased to share today’s episode with Lucy Lettice, the co-founder of &SISTERS, the femcare brand. In this episode, Lucy shares more about her mission to provide a menstrual health ecosystem offering products and services for all stages of the menstrual lifecycle, including better plastic-free period care. 

In this episode, Lucy shares: 

• What happened when she started her period at 17
• How tracking her menstrual cycle has helped her understand herself more and make better decisions 
• The inspiration behind starting her company &SISTERS
• How switching to a period cup can save up to 2,000 disposable period products per person over 5-6 years
• And the story of her first period 

Lucy says that empowering yourself with knowledge of your menstrual health is so empowering and important and can help you make better decisions about your overall health. 

Thank you, Lucy!

Get in touch with Lucy:

Instagram

Website

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.