In this episode of our endometriosis mini-series, we’re looking at the latest research being done into endometriosis diagnoses and treatment. We spoke to over a dozen researchers at the Endometriosis CaRe Centre at the University of Oxford about their ongoing work and how it could change the care endometriosis patients receive.

190 million people in the world have endometriosis. But despite how widespread the condition is, many people find themselves waiting years for a diagnosis and struggling to find support. In this episode, we’re chatting with the folks at Endometriosis UK about the diagnostic journey, support services, and how to advocate for yourself if you think you may have endometriosis. This series is funded by the Wellcome Center for Human Genetics.

190 million people in the world have endometriosis. So why do we know so little about it?

In this endometriosis mini-series, we’ll explore the condition—from ancient treatments to cutting-edge research. In this episode, we look at 2,000 years of history to explore how people with endometriosis symptoms were treated (and often dismissed). Then we talk to Dr. Camran Nezhat, a pioneer and leading practitioner in the field of minimally invasive surgery, who shares his 40-year journey advocating for endometriosis patients and advancing endometriosis research and awareness.

The pain is real. Pelvic pain and period pain, that is. If you’ve ever wondered why people with uteruses get pain, what’s “normal,” and when to see a doctor, this is the episode for you. And if you’ve ever had your pain diminished, dismissed, or been told it’s all in your head, this episode is definitely for you. We go in-depth with Dr. Sonia Bahlani a.k.a the Pelvic Pain Doc to get nuanced, compassionate advice on dealing with all types of pelvic pain.

Welcome to a whole podcast season on periods and the menstrual cycle. shame. In this episode, we talk to Tara Costello, period educator and author of “Red Moon Gang: An inclusive guide to periods.” Tara helps us understand the basic science behind cycles, busts some myths (28 days means nothing), and gets us thinking about what period positivity does and doesn’t mean.

“Queer people and trans people have always existed and we will always exist.” In this episode, we’re exploring trans and gender-nonconforming saints, gods, and everyday people from the ancient and medieval past (and why their stories are so relevant to the present). Our guides on this journey are Dr Jonah Coman, a historian of medieval queer history and trans theology, and Amy Jefford Franks, a historian of Viking age religion and queerness.

As you may know, some people advocate for eating one’s placenta after the birth of a child. The placenta can–according to proponents of the practice–be steamed, stir-fried, blended in a smoothie, or dried and encapsulated in pills. A whole host of benefits have been claimed, as has an ancient and global precedent. In this episode, we look for historical evidence of human “placentophagy” and ask scientific and medical experts Dr Bryony McNeill, Dr Laurence Totelin and Dr Jen Gunter to weigh in on the trend.

People with clitorises have been solo paddling the pink canoe since perhaps even before actual canoes were invented. Early on they invented tools to ease their burden. The greatest of these, the vibrator, has a wild origin story concerning Victorian doctors...which unfortunately isn’t true. In this episode, we explore the true history of the vibrator with historian Dr Fern Riddell...and its future with the owners of the Glasgow sex shop Luke + Jack.

Coming to you from lockdown in London, this is Part III of a special mini-series on vagina myths! Myths busted in this episode: Periods are dirty; if you use a tampon you’re no longer a virgin; pubic hair is dirty and unhygienic; discharge means there is something wrong; vaginas are dirty and smelly–they need to be washed. (ALL FALSE.)

Coming to you from lockdown in London, this is Part II of a special mini-series on vagina myths!

False pregnancy and contraception myths busted in this episode:

You can't get pregnant if...the woman doesn’t orgasm; if you shower, urinate or douche right after sex; your partner pulls out before they ejaculate; it’s your first time having sexual intercourse; you have PIV sex in a hot tub; you are breastfeeding; you have sex standing up; douche with Coca-Cola after sex. (ALL FALSE)

Coming to you from lockdown in London, this is Part I of a special mini-series on vagina myths!

Myths busted in this episode:

1. It's called a "vagina."

2. If you have a vagina then you are a woman.

3. The clitoris is impossible to find.

4. If you have lots of penetrative sex your vagina will get loose and your labia will get longer.

(ALL FALSE)

People have really strong feelings about “hair down there.” You could say it’s a “prickly” subject. But the way we talk about our pubic hair speaks volumes. In this episode, we part the bush of history to explore pubic hair preferences past and present. Dr. Kate Lister (Whores of Yore) gives us a history lesson on 18th century pubic hair wigs, the founders of FUR talk body- hair-agnostic beauty, and illustrator Hilde Atalanta shares insights from The Vulva Gallery.

Gwyneth Paltrow is in the news again promoting scientifically dubious treatments for your vag. One practice that Goop has popularized is vaginal steaming. In this episode, we find out the history of V-steam and whether or not it’s actually good for you (Spoiler alert: It’s not! Don’t steam your vag!). OB/GYN Dr. Jen Gunter joins us to explain why your vulva doesn’t need a steam cleaning, and Lizzie Marx educates us on steaming’s weird Medieval ancestor, womb fumigation.

Fanny, minge, vajayjay, pussy, down there, yoni...There are hundreds, if not thousands, of terms in the English language for vaginas. Many of them are sexist and most are rather unhelpful. But none is as taboo, as frowned upon in high and low society, as much of an assault on the average upstanding citizen’s ears as “c*nt.” What’s up with that? What did c*nt ever do to you? In this episode, we answer those burning questions with the help of Fiona Sterling, bona fide Scottish person, and Professor Emma L.E. Rees, AKA Prof Vag.