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For many entrepreneurs, a personal experience provides to inspiration to start a business. This is certainly true for Jo Barry, the inventor of Rae, an award winning wireless portable heating pad and the founder and CEO of Scarlet, a period care company,  who I speak to on today’s episode of Period Story.  In this episode, Jo shares:  How difficult her periods were from the very beginning How at age 10, she had to deal with flooding and very heavy periods and how this affected her confidenceHer endometriosis diagnosis at age 19Why she invented Rae, a wearable rechargeable heating device The hurdles she faced when building Rae, including people wincing at the word bloodWhat it’s like running a bootstrapped business And of course, the story of her first period Jo says that women need to stop playing down their pain, especially if it’s something that is interrupting your day or life in any way. She says we don’t have to dismiss our pain.  Thank you, Jo! Get in touch with Jo: Scarlet Website Scarlet Instagram LinkedIn A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Period Story, I speak to Dr Sula Windgassen, the health psychologist and author of the book It’s All In Your Body.  In this episode, Dr Sula shares:  Why getting told the issues you’re experiencing are ‘all in your head’ inhibits healing and fosters a message of distrust, isolation and disconnectionWhy categorising psychology as woo woo can preclude so many people that could directly benefit from working with themselves in a slightly different way How our psychology and biology can impact each other though psychobiological loops and change multiple systems in our bodyWhy it’s important to accept our feelings and experience them in our window of toleranceThe impact suppressing emotions has on the physical bodyWhat symptom spirals are and how to interrupt them And of course, the story of her first period Dr Sula says that she wrote her book for people who feel unseen and dismissed in their suffering to know there are options and it’s not all in your head.  Thank you, Dr Sula! Get in touch with Dr Sula: Her book: It’s All In Your Body Her website Her Instagram Her community Her podcast: https://www.howwereallyfeel.com Her YouTube A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that 90% of venture capitalist investors are men? On this episode of Period Story, I talk to Marina Gerner, the journalist and author of The Vagina Business about innovation in femtech and the vagina-centric space.  In this episode, Marina shares:  How a viral article in Wired magazine led to her writing her book The Vagina Business The pushback she received about the title of the bookHow investor squeamishness and embarrassment is holding femtech and vagina-centric businesses back from being able to effectively raise moneyWhy a data-centric approach is helpful when raising money The questions you need to ask when choosing a period tracking app to ensure your data is being protected And of course, the story of her first period Marina says we need to have more conversations about women’s health and that we’re in a collective learning experience as a society.  Thank you, Marina! Get in touch with Marina: Her book: The Vagina Business Her Wired article: We need to talk about investors’ problem with vaginas Her website Her Instagram Her Substack A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would you do if your period was so painful that you would faint when you were on the toilet? This was the dilemma Lexi Elven, my guest on today’s episode of Period Story faced for 8 years. In this episode, Lexi shares:  Why she turned to Reddit to help her understand why she was in so much pain that she would faint during the first two days of her periodThe phrase two GPs on an endometriosis Reddit forum told her to say to her doctor, which helped put her on a diagnosis pathwayHow a second opinion led to her receiving a bowel endometriosis diagnosis after 8 yearsHow yoga has been a helpful tool to manage endometriosis symptoms And of course, the story of her first period Lexi says that if you’re in a similar situation, it’s important to try and persevere if you feel lost and not to let embarrassment stop you from seeking help.  Thank you, Lexi! Get in touch with Lexi: Instagram A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would it surprise you to hear that menstruation can be a great time for detail oriented work, and for making great decisions? On this week’s episode of Period Story, I speak to Maggie McDaris, the CEO and co-founder of Phase, a company that helps women align their work with their menstrual cycle. In this episode, Maggie shares: The story of her postpartum adenomyosis diagnosis and what she does to manage the condition The four phases of the menstrual cycle and how less than 40% of women know when they ovulateThe post-ovulation cliff and why she believes the luteal phase gets a bad rap The generational divide on what productivity means Why our periods can be a great time to reflect, make decisions and take action on those decisions Why the follicular phase is a great time for strategic planning and creativity The influence of testosterone on communication skills And of course, the story of her first period  Maggie says that it’s very empowering to know how changes in our physiology and hormones impact how we show up every day and understanding this can help us show up as a better version of ourselves.  Thank you, Maggie! Get in touch with Maggie: Website Instagram TikTok LinkedIn A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Menopause is big news right now and rightfully so. But with all the noise, how do you know what’s right for you? On this week’s episode of Period Story, I’m joined by Dr Claire Phipps, the Menopause GP, who talks me through common perimenopause and menopause myths and misconceptions.  In this episode, Dr Claire shares:  Why she’s only just understanding her menstrual cycle at 48Why empathy is vital as a doctorWhy moving away from a paternalist model towards patient empowerment is an important part of her work as a GP and menopause trainer Why the 10 minutes you have with an NHS GP should be the start of the conversationThe difference between perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause How a holistic approach to menopause may or may not include HRTWhy it’s important to meet patients where they’re at Why perimenopause can be a time of unmasking for neurodivergent women and the rise of AuADHD diagnoses And of course, the story of her first period  Dr Claire says the we should try not to be fearful of menopause or pathologise it, but instead, embrace it and move towards a positive natural transition.  Thank you, Dr Claire! Get in touch with Dr Claire: Website Instagram Women’s Health Concern British Menopause Society  A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that 700,000 panty liners, 2.5 million tampons and 1.4 million pads are flushed down the toilet everyday in the UK? Martha Silcott is the inventor of two products that aim to reduce the impact of disposable personal care waste: FabLittleBag and HyGeeni. This was a perfect week to release this episode of Period Story with a fellow Arsenal fan (#coyg!) In this episode, Martha shares:  The lightbulb moment that led to her inventing a brand new productThe process of patenting and bringing FabLittleBag to lifeWhy we need to stop flushing tampons and pads and the impact this waste has on our sewage system  What terms the loo roll wrap, flushers, binners, and the handbag smuggle meanThe Period Supportive movement in sport she started, in order to help periods be less of a barrier to girls’ participation in sportHow a customer inspired the invention of HyGeeni, a larger disposable bag to help dispose of used stoma bags and diapers And of course, the story of her first period  Martha says that if you want to invent something or create something new, there is plenty of help out there to talk to and to give you guidance! Thank you, Martha! Listen in Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Kia855  Listen in Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/339AF1QyodImw44v141Emv  Get in touch with Martha: Website Instagram A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that your nervous system can have an impact on your experience of menstruation? I get into all of this and more on today’s episode of Period Story with Amy Gaston, the president of OhmBody, a drug-free wearable device designed to work with the body’s nervous system to naturally support lighter, shorter, more comfortable periods. In this episode, Amy shares:  The impact of growing up in a conservative Christian household and being a late bloomer on her understanding of her bodyWhy perimenopause has led her to ask better questions about her health Her thoughts on innovation in women’s health The issues that disproportionately affect women and why we have to talk about women’s health, not just healthWhy menstruation is a whole body experience What OhmBody is and why it’s a helpful drug-free way of managing period pain, premenstrual pain, and ovulation pain How stimulating the vagus and trigeminal nerves can increase the body’s clotting process, and help reduce heavy menstrual bleedingAnd of course, the story of her first period  Amy says that painful periods are not normal and that if your period disrupts your everyday life in any way, there is a better solution than normalising this narrative.  Thank you, Amy! A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve got a corker for you today! I’m so pleased to share my conversation with Dr Sarah Hill, the author of the books How The Pill Changes Everything: Your Brain on Birth Control and The Period Brain: The New Science of the Luteal Phase and How To Thrive Through It on today’s episode of Period Story.  In this episode, Dr Sarah shares:  Why her experience as a psychologist led her to write two books on the effects of women’s cycling hormones and the brainHer thoughts on biological essentialism and how our biology, including our hormones, influences what we do Why progesterone is underrated, including the amazing fact that our peak progesterone levels are up to 250 times higher than our peak oestrogen levelsWhy we need to eat more in the second half of our menstrual cycle Why PMS is not a pathological condition, but an inevitable consequence of experiencing hormonal changes in a world that wasn’t created with female bodies in mindWhat the vagus nerve is and how vagal nerve stimulation can be a helpful treatment in decreasing the symptomology of PMDD, perimenopause, and heavy menstrual bleedingAnd of course, the story of her first period  Dr Sarah says that it’s important to learn to listen to your body and trust what it’s telling you, so you believe your body.  Thank you, Dr Sarah! Get in touch with Dr Sarah: Website Instagram A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m so happy to kick off season 12 of the Period Story podcast with Neelam Heera-Shergill, the CEO of Cysters, an award winning charity working at the intersection of reproductive justice, racial justice and health equity.  In this episode, Neelam shares: The three biggest signs that her mum spotted that told her that Neelam might have PCOSThe flippant comment her university GP made left her feeling uncomfortable and upset Why she wishes she was told much earlier on about the connection between increased risk of fatty liver disease and heart disease, PCOS and being of South Asian heritageHow she navigated dating, PCOS, PMDD, endometriosis and conversations about potential fertility issues Why it was important for Cysters and Endometriosis UK to report on the longer endometriosis diagnosis times for people of colourThe racist messages she received because of this reportHer thoughts on white privilege in the women’s health spaceWhy food sits at the heart of the work Cysters doesAnd of course, the story of her first period  Neelam says not all work needs to be done in silos and we are much more powerful when we come together.  Thank you, Neelam! Get in touch with Neelam: Website Instagram A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our skin is our biggest organ and what we put on it can have ramifications for different aspects of our health. If you’re thinking more about the impact of the makeup, skincare and personal care products you use, my guest on today’s episode of Period Story shares a lot of great information. Sjaniël Turrell is a holistic makeup artist, nutritional therapist and conscious consultant who focuses on a natural and sustainable approach to beauty.  In this episode, Sjaniël shares: How the intensity of lockdown exacerbated the perimenopause symptoms she was experiencingHow perimenopause made her get clear on what she does and doesn’t have capacity for The direction her nutritional therapy qualification took her work as a makeup artist Why we need to think differently about the makeup, skincare and personal care products we useWhy fragranced products, including cleaning products and menstrual products are the number thing in your home you should consider switchingThe natural and organic brands she recommends, including RMS Beauty, Ilia Beauty, Madara, Kosas and Ere Perez Natural and organic makeup brands (and tips!) for dark-skinned and mixed race women And of course, the story of her first period  Sjaniël says that if you’re looking at switching to natural, organic and sustainable versions of the products you use, do the best you can afford in that moment and do the best you can with what you have.  Thank you, Sjaniël! Get in touch with Sjaniël: Website Instagram A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you navigate a career as a corporate lawyer while also coping with severe insomnia, severe brain fog, feeling disconnected from your body and dealing with medical gaslighting? I get into this and more on this week’s episode of Period Story, Sonja Rincón, the founder and CEO of Menotracker, an AI-powered menopause app that transforms symptoms into personalised insights and support.  In this episode, Sonja shares: What happened when she was dismissed by her gynaecologist after seeking treatment for brain fog and a frozen shoulderWhen she stumbled upon the term medical gaslighting and how it made her understand that she wasn’t alone in her experienceWhat to do if you feel like you’re not being taken seriously by your doctor How 1 in 10 women have left their jobs due to the impact of perimenopause and menopause symptoms, and a quarter of women have considered quitting due to the impact of these symptoms at workHow her experience led her to found MenotrackerCultural differences in conversations around menstruation and perimenopause across EuropeHow tracking symptoms in perimenopause and menopause can help you have a better understanding of your healthThe importance of understanding what any health app you use does with your data And of course, the story of her first period  Sonja says that when you use an app, it’s really important that you really check what they are going to do with your data, especially any health related data. If you’re not comfortable, don’t use the app.  Thank you, Sonja! Get in touch with Sonja: Website LinkedIn Instagram A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Period Story, I had the pleasure of speaking to Ruby Raut, a Nepali-born environmentalist and the co-founder and CEO of WUKA, the UK’s first reusable period underwear brand.  In this episode, Ruby shares: How she ended up using reusable period products from her very first period The impact of the Nepalese practice of chhaupadi and how she felt treated almost like an untouchable How menstrual taboos impacted her education and how she was able to go on to gain a degree in environmental sciencesWhy having access to clean toilets and water can impact your experience of menstruation The impact of single use menstrual products in the UK - over 200,000 tons of disposable tampons and pads are sent to UK landfills each year How using one pair of period underwear replaces 196 pads or tampons going to the landfill Why Wuka supports grassroots sports and how they got 6,000 girls into sports in 2025And of course, the story of her first period  Ruby says that when we talk to young people about periods in a way that is accessible to them, we take the embarrassment out of these conversations. Thank you, Ruby! Get in touch with Ruby: Website Instagram TikTok A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you’ve been gaslit by the medical system for 10 years? This is what I explore in my conversation with Eshani Kaushal, ex corporate and tech lawyer turned entrepreneur, and the founder of Moodee — the GCC’s first period care and hormone health platform.  In this episode, Eshani shares: Why it took her over 10 years after being diagnosed with fibroids to have them properly dealt with What happened after she had emergency surgery to remove a 12 centimetre fibroid How a PCOS diagnosis increased her health anxietyHow the idea for Moodee emerged and the leap of faith it took her to leave her corporate careerWhat it’s like to run a femtech business in the UAEWhy she thinks women’s health isn’t a luxury, but rather infrastructure that helps economies thriveHow Moodee will bring access to clean, non-toxic science backed health and menstrual products for women across all ages and stages in the Middle EastAnd of course, the story of her first period  Eshani says that women’s health isn’t a niche when we’re 50% of the world’s population. She says that when you fund women’s health, you enable women to do business Thank you, Eshani!  Get in touch with Eshani: Website Instagram TikTok LinkedIn A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I really admire the tenacity of my guest on today’s episode of Period Story. I speak with Nora Cavani, a molecular biologist with a background in pharmaceutical engineering, an award winning gut health expert and founder and CEO of Alba Health, a company on a mission to prevent chronic diseases through gut health science. In this episode, Nora shares:  What happened to destroy the credibility of the PCOS diagnosis she received when she was a teenagerHow coming off the pill led to the biggest transformation of her lifeHow getting told that she would need to use cortisone for the rest off her life to manage severe eczema led her to the extensive research that resulted in her becoming an expert in the gut microbiomeHow an anti-inflammatory diet and a focus on removing any gut microbiome disrupters transformed her gut health, virtually eliminated her eczema and led to regular periods The terrifying moment that led to an endometriosis diagnosis and what she thought when a doctor told her that nutrition had no impact on endometriosis What inflammation actually is and the three typesWhy our gut microbiome is so important, even as babiesWhat led her to start Alba Health, a gut microbiome testing company for children from 0 - 18 years oldAnd of course, the story of her first period  Nora says our gut microbiome is very important at any age, but even more important when you’re a child because this is when microbes seed the gut and form the gut microbiome. She says that what happens in these first years is critical because these microbes help train the immune system, form and educate our metabolism and they affect our brain and brain development.  Thank you, Nora!  Get in touch with Nora: Website Instagram A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com Get in touch: IG @periodstorypod Email  [email protected] Book a 30 minute hormone health review with me: http://eatlovemove.as.me/hormonehealth  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.