Periodically

Although the pill is widely regarded as a contraceptive, with an estimated 70% of menstruators in Britain having used the pill at some stage in their lives, a study suggests that 31% of users take the pill as a method of treating period pain and 28% to regulate their menstrual cycle. As such, when discussing the effects that periods have on. the undergraduate experience, it is important to consider the impact that the pill has.

Join Manami, Felicity and Charlie as they discuss the pill and how taking the pill has affected their experience of studying at Oxford.

(0:53) Introduction
(4:48) Positive Impacts of the Pill
(7:30) Complications
(13:02) The Pill and Unsolicited Advice

About the hosts:

Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Manami: Hi, I’m Manami and I’m a second-year undergraduate student at Oxford. I am really passionate about this project because my period has affected my degree and I would like others in this situation to not feel alone!

Felicity: Hi, I’m Felicity and I’m a second-year chemist studying at Lady Margaret Hall. I’ve always found the taboo surrounding periods really frustrating, so I have loved having open conversations about the impact of our periods and learning about all our different experiences!

When periods and exams overlap, students face pain whilst taking the exams, issues with mental health and even in some cases episodes of fainting, potentially compromising their exam results. With 50% of the cohort being affected, could more consideration by the exam board improve the exam experience? Join Manami, Josie, Elba and Charlie to find out more!

(0:53) Introduction
(2:25) Periods and exam disadvantage
(4:36) Mitigating circumstances
(7:17) The knock-on effect
(10:02) Impact on revision
(11:00) How departments can help

About the hosts:

Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Elba: Hi, I'm Elba and I'm currently a fourth-year student at Worcester! I have loved working on this podcast, it's an issue that is very important to me and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to not only hopefully get the conversation started, but also meet some amazing people on the way!

Josie: Hi, I’m Josie and I’m a second-year at Exeter. This podcast has been such a great experience! I have loved meeting people who are just as passionate about raising awareness of the issues that arise from having periods whilst studying. I think this podcast is a step in the right direction for reducing the stigma around periods.

Manami: Hi, I’m Manami and I’m a second-year undergraduate student at Oxford. I am really passionate about this project because my period has affected my degree and I would like others in this situation to not feel alone!

In this week's episode, we're talking about all things labs! Standing at a fume hood all day can be exhausting for anyone, but what about when you get your period? Join Lottie, Josie, Elba and Charlie to find out more!

(0:51) Introduction
(1:35) Time Pressures in Labs
(5:33) Periods and Productivity
(10:12) Communicating Challenges
(13:32) Availability of Period Products
(18:09) Demonstrator Responsibilities

About the hosts:
Lottie: Hiya, I am Lottie and I am in my 3rd year (about to begin sitting my final exams). I have really enjoyed working on this podcast, especially as I am interested in how we better support students with their studies in chemistry once they arrive at university here. 

Charlie: Hi, I’m Charlie and I am a postgraduate student in inorganic chemistry. I am really passionate about EDI work within chemistry and when the project was proposed looking into the impact of periods in chemistry, I was really excited to be involved!

Elba: Hi, I'm Elba and I'm currently a fourth-year student at Worcester! I have loved working on this podcast, it's an issue that is very important to me and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to not only hopefully get the conversation started, but also meet some amazing people on the way!

Josie: Hi, I’m Josie and I’m a second-year at Exeter. This podcast has been such a great experience! I have loved meeting people who are just as passionate about raising awareness of the issues that arise from having periods whilst studying. I think this podcast is a step in the right direction for reducing the stigma around periods.

Periodically, the podcast that covers all things periods and chemistry!

Each week, over this series of six episodes, we here at the University of Oxford will be taking a deep-dive into just how periods have affected us in tutorials, exams, labs and just generally studying at undergrad. We want to talk about how periods can sometimes just get in the bloody way!

Periodically is funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry Equality and Diversity fund.