Lost in Menstruation

This week The Guardian printed an article about how surgery can make Endo worse, I take a deeper dive on what they really means and give me thoughts and opinions on why there is still a great void in our health care that isn't meeting our needs. Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

In this podcast I discuss Perimenopause and how its looked at as something that needs to be managed, instead of it being explained to be a normal event of our period career. It's another point in time for us to be put on hormones - which isn't a necessity as you can deal with the peri in a natural way; I've helped lots of women do so! When we are shown scary information about menopause and dementia and how this is depicted with shocking memes on social media with captions like 'it's best to just take the hormones'! It isn't giving all the story, this isn't informed choice, this is taking research and bending it for your own beliefs. Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

What is it like to get a diagnosis? Well I've been on both side of the table with this one, but i wanted to share some thoughts on what it was like for me. Its a bit of a rug moment and sometimes can be a relief - usually a bit of both. I suspect this will resonate with you whatever is going on. I hope this helps wherever you are in that place, but these are some of the things I had wished I'd known. Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

A fab convo with comedian Sarah about having a congenital hiatus hernia at 25 and being repeatedly told she didn't and being told she has disordered eating rather than being listened to. Medical gaslighting at its finest and how it can take you to the end of your tether. Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

Chatting with comedian Racheal about living with such extreme period pain, to the point she tolerated a ruptured appendix for 6 weeks. The danger of normalising the pain you are experience - which is such a toxic place to be! Getting diagnosed with unexplained pain and infertility and not having anyone fighting for you in your corner. Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

Chatting with comedian Louise about going through a premature menopause and the devastation of what that means to your path of life, and then how life can give you nothing short of a miracle! Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

A wonderful chat with comedian Lindsay very candid about how debilitating her periods are. Cruising into Perimenopause and all the issues thats can happen in and around situation. Wait for the myths around being told there is nothing we can do for you and go and have a baby to sort your periods out....very detrimental to our health and mental wellbeing especially when we perhaps can't have children. It's a double whammy. Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

Chatting with the comedian Colleen about having PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome. We discuss how she got her diagnosis via her MP, and is very open about discussing about why she doesn't have children by design - although her condition has left her with fertility issues and how she takes one for the team for others. This is a wonderfully frank conversation about topics that we need to talk more about! Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

Comedian Becky chats to us about having a bicornuate uterus, a genetic condition that is something not many people have heard about. We have a giggle chatting about how that affects things and the usual period chit chat. Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

Sally Holloway/Duffell has written two fabulous books. 'The Serious Guide to Joke Making' as Sally Holloway, and the one we are going to be chatting about 'Grow your own HRT' as Sally J Duffell. Sally read over 400 articles to pull the information she has put in this book about sprouting - the power of plants at our finger tips that can help to balance out our hormones. A wonderful meandering warm and funny conversation with a woman passionate about her sprouts - wait til you hear about what you can do with your egg shells! Grow your own HRT: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=grow+your+own+hrt&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 Serious Guide to Joke Writing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Serious-Guide-Joke-Writing-Something/dp/1907498370/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&hvadid=80882855809669&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvqmt=p&keywords=sally+holloway&qid=1613209920&sr=8-1&tag=mh0a9-21 Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

I've known Lauren for years, we got back to our doula days! I think she was wrapping up as i got started, and have supported each other over the years with our businesses. I remember bringing the concept of reusable pads into Laurens line of sight and I can't be more proud of her and what she has created with Wear 'em Out pads -although I really think her son's proposed name was a good 'en! Lauren and I take a wonderful conversation about the shame of periods in the 21st century, the journey to convert over to reusables and how it's an uphill journey to undo the patriarchal standards that surround using better period products. https://wearemout.co.uk https://www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk/product/9781781327012/filter-free https://www.womensvoices.org Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

When you get a diagnosis of anything it can feel like the world has turned upside down for you. I get asked about this a lot so I thought I would share my thoughts around what it was like for me and hope to are some wisdom that we may well think the same things but also you aren't alone in what you are going through. We are never alone, as much as it can feel like it, so please feel free so reach out and head over to find my FB group RED. Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.facebook.com/groups/624269441575506 FB group RED www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

Carli is a photographer please go check out her smashing photos on Insta, she also is childfree by choice and stumbled upon my podcast about my story. She created a dear womb project collecting stories about peoples relationships with their wombs and how we can get stereotyped into a box maybe not made for us. Anyway we really get into it and it was a delightful chat that I know will benefit others that maybe in the same boat and not sure which way to go, ultimately that is up to you, but it can be comforting to know there are others out there feeling the same. Have a look at Carli's website to get involved with the Dear Womb Project. Instagram: @carliadbyphoto carliadby.co.uk Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

Join me in conversation with comedian Polly Penter as we discuss the highlight of our lives - smears! It isn't the only thing we chin wag about, strap in for some giggles. Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

I spoke with Phoebe during lockdown as she has a Prolactinoma which is a benign tumour on the pituitary glad. It is usually detected because of very high prolactin levels in the body. We discussed the importance of keeping calm, as stress can be a direct link to raised prolactin. Feeling the funk and the pressure on women to have it all. Phoebe talks about how having this condition has forced her to reassess and take stock of her life, which can be a bit of a bonus. Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

Had a wonderful chat with Louise about all things periods and some of the more interesting spots it can get us in! Louise works in theatre and performance she can be found dressing up as many characters, she works mainly with children who can be extraordinarily on the money for seeing right though you! www.thewellwomanproject.com Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

In this episode I am talking to the comedian Cally Beaton – We discussed how Cally got into comedy – such an awesome story! How taking up space especially in a global pandemic is tricky, we are all in the arena with our sleeves rolled up getting muddy! Sharing dirty little secrets that aren’t dirty at all, they are most like everyday life for a lot of people and talking is a great way of blowing the lid off the shame. Along with chatting about menopause, we covered ground on how inspirational our grandparents are, lifting the lid on getting older, bodily functions, how young folk have probably got our backs more than we think, HRT and crisp packet femidoms! You will be in for a right treat there is a lot of wisdom shared in the next 40mins! Here are all the links we talked about and to finding more about what Cally is up to – comedy is opening up again so make sure you follow her socials to see where you can catch her gig. http://callybeaton.com/ https://soundcloud.com/user-575974822/ep-34-the-one-with-the-holiday-round-up-things-of-a-joys-celeriac-remoulade-and-cally-beaton https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/23/menopausal-50-hotter-20s-older-woman https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/20/older-comedian-over-50s-ageism Curb your Enthusiasm Clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bilaSB_tAE www.thewellwomanproject.com Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

In this episode I talk to Tracy very candidly about her breast cancer story and how she used comedy as a way to cope and make sense of it. This is a bittersweet episode but we had a lot of fun recording it together. www.thewellwomanproject.com Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music www.purple-planet.com/

Hear how Vix Layton was given some divine breadcrumbs into the comedy world that led to her taking part in Mark Watson's 24hr comedy extravaganza for charity! We talk about how inappropriate it is to be offered a foot massage on a train and how mental health and eating disorders are all too common. It was a total pleasure hanging out with the gorgeous human and you can find our more about the fabulous Vix here... Twitter https://twitter.com/PRVix Insta https://www.instagram.com/vixel247 www.thewellwomanproject.com Socials https://www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject https://www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro music https://www.purple-planet.com/

No uterus, no opinion, the immortal words from friends that don't ring true at all. Everyone has had an opinion about what I should do with mine, and its really boring and tedious. This podcast is about my story, why I chose not to have children and the reason i share is because i felt like a total billy no mates. Feeling I was less-than because i didn't fit to the social norms of what a woman should do with her own body. If maybe you are in this boat, know you don't want kids and would like to listen to someone who gets it, then here you go. You are normal, you are not less than and no you are not defined by what pops out of your vag. www.thewellwomanproject.com Socials www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Intro Music www.purple-planet.com/

Elizabeth Black joined me in this episode, a comedian, Goth, cougar, patissier, and viking. Everything you could ever want in a woman. She has played at the Leicester Comedy Festival and Tickled Pink. We chatted about of being an older mum - cue super geriatric for crying out loud! Discussing periods on stage, working in Papa New Guinea and helping with health matters out there and period sex. We had an absolute blast, maybe don't listen with smalls around there might well be a few swear words peppered throughout! You can find here YouTube Channel Goth Questions here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6ZVw-GS_-k&t=22s please show it some love! www.thewellwomanproject.com Socials https://www.facebook.com/thewellwomanproject https://www.instagram.com/well_woman_project/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4zFxAPAGlxfDVshT7PRNg Music https://www.purple-planet.com/

In this episode Gemma chats with a group of 20 somethings about their experience of periods, what they think about their periods, explaining the importance of their periods and sheding some lightbulb moments about the knowledge that they can give us. Lots of laughs and banter with a wonderful bunch of women. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project. To find your free charting course head over to the website and sign up for my newsletter to access it www.thewellwomanproject.com

In this episode Gemma chats with her friend, Jesse Adler. Jesse is a designer who is currently desiging environment friendly and toxin-free period products. Check out Jesse on Instagram @jadlerdesign and at jadlerdesign.com. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project.

In this episode Gemma talks to her friends and fellow comedian, Kate Lovelock. Kate talks about how disability is represented in women's health and how periods differ in a disabled world. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project.

Podcast 8 of Lost in Menstruation: Chat with Meg (Part II) In this episode Gemma continues her chat with one of her clients, Meg. Meg talks about her experiences working with Gem and we chat about how this has helped with her Endometriosis. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project.

Podcast 7 of Lost in Menstruation: Chat with Meg (Part I) In this episode Gemma chats with one of her clients, Meg and you can find out what it is like to work with me from a client's perspective. Meg talks about her experiences working with Gem and we chat about how this has helped with her Endometriosis. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project. www.thewellwomanproject.com

Podcast 6 of Lost in Menstruation: Adenomyosis & Toxins This episode continues the series of podcasts to recognise Adenomyosis awareness month. This podcast looks at how toxins in and around our environment affect our hormones and symptoms of Adeno. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project. www.thewellwomanproject.com

Podcast 5 of Lost in Menstruation: Adenomyosis & Herbs This episode continues the series of podcasts to recognise Adenomyosis awareness month. This podcast looks at how herbs can help with the symptoms of Adeno. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project. www.thewellwomanproject.com

Podcast 4 of Lost in Menstruation: Adenomyosis This episode is all about Adenomyosis in celebration of Adeno awareness month. What is it? What are the symptoms and what can you do to treat it. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project. www.thewellwomanproject.com

Podcast 3 of Lost in Menstruation: What is a Normal Period? Gem talks about why there is no such thing as a normal period. What are the symptons that we put up with which we think are 'normal' but really aren't. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project. www.thewellwomanproject.com

Podcast 2 of Lost in Menstruation: My Endo Story This podcast is the first in a series of podcasts talking about Endometriosis. Gemma shares her story about Endo and her journey in creating The Well Woman Project. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project. www.thewellwomanproject.com

Podcast 1 of Lost in Menstruation: Hormones and Sleep In this podcast Gemma talks about the effect of sleep on our hormones and health. This podcast is brought to you by The Well Woman Project. www.thewellwomanproject.com