The Flow Down

It’s been a minute—and we’ve got news. We share a look into our lives during these wild times and why we decided to end our show. To go out on a high note, we interview Dr. Melisa Holmes, the founder of Girlology, who’s teaching young people about periods. And period activists Ariana Rodriguez and Julie Sanchez tell us how they fought to get free period products on one Texas A&M campus. Even though times are tough, the future looks bright for periods. Thank you so much for being part of The Flow Down!

As we wrap up Season 2 and The Flow Down turns one, we sit down to reflect on what a year it’s been.

Having a physical disability can make menstruation a lot more difficult. On today’s show, three disabled menstruators share their stories and solutions. Writer, podcaster and disability advocate Kerry Kijewski tells us about having irregular periods while blind; journalist and podcaster Win Charles, who has cerebral palsy, shares how she finally got her “heavy ass” periods under control; and entrepreneur Jane Hartman Adamé describes how she designed a period product for all types of bodies.

We know that exercise has infinite benefits (and can feel damn good), but we admit we’re still figuring it all out. From frequency to intensity, it can be hard to know how to best exercise for our bodies. In this episode, strength coaches Chrissy King and Carolyn Banner discuss how and why they stay committed to fitness, provide insight into exercising in harmony with the menstrual cycle, highlight the fitness industry’s diversity problem and more.

Dismissed, misdiagnosed, ignored—in the current healthcare system, women and marginalized people often suffer most. Today we say: no more. We collaborated with badass woman, patient educator and CEO of CVH Consulting Christie VanHorne to bring you tips for owning your power in the doctor’s office. From how to find the right provider to how to activate your voice once in their office, we hope you come away with the practical tools you need to get the care you deserve. | Sign up for our newsletter at flowdownpod.com

We tend to think of menstruation as a “women’s issue.” But from movies to books to the media, men play a big role in inventing the meaning of menstruation, too. Communications scholar David Linton joins us to discuss his new book exploring the way men have helped shape the meaning of menstruation throughout history - from the Bible to the New York Times crossword puzzle. And he even delights us with some menstrual poems! | Follow us on Instagram @flowdownpod

We’re dedicating this episode to one of our favorite period products: menstrual cups! To be sure you have all the best cup info out there, we asked the experts to help us create a little audio guide. Kim and Amanda are self-proclaimed “Vagangelists” who run the popular resource and community Put A Cup In It. In this episode, they cover cup basics and benefits, plus best practices for how to use and care for a menstrual cup. Whether you’re thinking of trying a cup or have been using one for years, you’ll come away with new tools and insights.

Hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) is one of the most common causes of missing periods, which occurs when the major control center in your brain, the hypothalamus, stops releasing the hormones needed for ovulation and menstruation. In this episode, Dr. Nicola Rinaldi, author of “No Period. Now What?,” talks to us about the common triggers of HA — dieting, overexercise and stress — and how to heal.

Last time we established how much we appreciate our cyclical nature. But it’s not always easy to ebb and flow with it, given the demands of life. In this short episode, listeners Juliana, Ana Maria and Cinthia share their tips and insights on how to thrive during the second half of the cycle. And there’s just a week left to sign up for Stef’s Know Your Cycle Masterclass. Join us: stefaniekleinburd.com/knowyourcycle-flowdownpod.

The menstrual cycle is a lot more than just a period. Just like the moon, the cycle can be broken down into phases, or seasons, that affect how we feel. And each one has its own special rhythm. Learn how you can adjust your food, exercise, to-dos, dating, work, self-care and more to align with your cycle. And, we share a special invitation to dive deeper in Stef's Know Your Cycle Masterclass at stefaniekleinburd.com/knowyourcycle-flowdownpod.