CRAMPED

Pelvic floor physical therapist Caroline Gamwell experienced a strange constellation of symptoms from the time she was 4. After decades of misdiagnoses, unnecessary surgery, and overmedication, she brought her search to an AI chatbot. Is it possible to use AI well in this situation? How do you protect yourself from potential AI hallucinations? Can someone with no medical background use AI to help get to a diagnosis? The New York Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/02/well/live/ai-illness-claude-chatgpt.html?smid=url-shareCRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Join the CRAMPED Patreon: https://patreon.com/crampedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

PATREON-ONLY EPISODE TEASERJoin the CRAMPED Patreon (even at the free tier!) to listen to the full episode: https://patreon.com/crampedI started research for a totally normal episode about spiral arteries in the uterine lining, and SHIT GOT WEIRD.Get ready for a deep dive into where period blood comes from, all the new organs and tissue you grow every month, and how science got the info on how it all works.CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Riven first got her period at age 10, the debilitating cramps weren't even the worst part. Instead, she felt completely out of control for the first day or two of her period, sometimes sobbing for hours, sometimes losing time. But the scariest symptom was the intrusive thoughts of harming herself that came with her period pain. It took over 10 years, but after an incident involving her kid brother, she got a diagnosis of PMDD and a medication that she says saved her life. CRISIS SUPPORT: Call 988 anywhere in the US for free, 24/7 mental health crisis support Text HOME to 741741PMDD Support (not Crisis Support): International Association for Premenstrual Disorders - IAPMD.orgStudies mentioned in the episode: Prevalence of depression in women vs men: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5532074/ Female-specific pharmacotherapy in ADHD: premenstrual adjustment of psychostimulant dosage: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10751335/CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Join the CRAMPED Patreon (even at the free tier!) for ad-free & bonus episodes, plus the discord community and online ClamBakes! https://patreon.com/crampedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we have a guest episode from another excellent science-based podcast: Sex Ed with DB! What even is testosterone -- and why do so many menopausal women swear by it? DB and her mom Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt dive into a recent New York Times article "I’m on Fire’: Testosterone Is Giving Women Back Their Sex Drive — and Then Some" by Susan Dominus. What does testosterone actually do? Who could benefit from taking it? What are the risks? And why are the only people who can easily access it cis men? (You know why.)Guest details (please include if possible): Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt is an obstetrician and gynecologist who has been taking care of women of all ages for more than thirty years. Learn about her consulting services at premierwomenshealthconsulting.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We know Viagra (sildenafil citrate) as a treatment for...one specific male problem. But a 2013 study showed it could potentially be SHOCKINGLY effective for dysmenorrhea. So what happened in that study? Why would a boner pill work for period pain? and why didn't it go anywhere? CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Join the CRAMPED Patreon (even at the free tier!) for ad-free & bonus episodes, plus the discord community and online ClamBakes! https://patreon.com/crampedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You've heard MY diagnosis and treatment story - now I'm handing the mic over to other people who have been through the period pain fire and come out the other side. Daphne had been on birth control since she was 10 for severe period pain, and every time she tried to come off it, the excruciating pain would come back, putting her right back in the puke-til-you-go-to-the-ER club. After finally getting a diagnosis from a specialist, she opted to find a different specialist to continue treatment with, because of the unacceptable way that doctor spoke to her about her body. You can find Daphne on Instagram @GodLovesDivorce, and check out her podcast, Love Is a Trip.CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Join the CRAMPED Patreon (even at the free tier!) for ad-free & bonus episodes, plus the discord community and online ClamBakes! https://patreon.com/crampedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

PATREON-ONLY EPISODE TEASERJoin the CRAMPED Patreon (even at the free tier!) to listen to the full episode: https://patreon.com/crampedWe don't get very many studies on menstrual pain - so when we finally get one, and IT SUCKS, we don't just ignore it. We get data science professor Andrea Jones-Rooy to tell us exactly why it sucks and how we can spot a bad study.Get more Andrea Jones-Rooy: https://www.jonesrooy.com/CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Endometriosis Historian & Professor of Medical Humanities Dr Maria Rovito comes on CRAMPED to talk 2000 years of endometriosis, wandering wombs, and hysteria. Her new book, Crippling Endometriosis: Feminist Disability Histories and Reflections on Power and Pain is out now! Dr. Rovito's website (where you see the classes she teaches & find book links): https://www.mariarovito.com/Support CRAMPED on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDCRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Obviously we're big on communicating about your pain here at CRAMPED - we've covered the research that shows talking about your pain actually reduces your pain levels - but what about PLEASURE? Could improving our communication skills around our pain lead to better sex lives? Kate brings on sex communication experts Kels and Tess from Squirm, a company dedicated to helping you gain skills around talking about sex and pleasure. They get into the stigmas that keep both sexual pleasure and period pain from being out-in-the-open topics, the systems that keep it that way, and how to break free and shout both your pain AND your pleasure from whatever rooftop you want! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you've been looking up some Oscar-nominated short films to watch before the awards show, you may have noticed one called "Jane Austen's Period Drama". Seeing this in theaters inspired Kate to finally release two interviews with indie artists - one feature filmmaker, and one novelist - who have released work about their period pain! Novelist Grace Daly, Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of The Scald Crow, has experienced debilitating symptoms from her endometriosis, adenomyosis, M-CAS, EDS, and POTs since she was 11, and has struggled to get doctors to take her seriously or treat her. She's woven those experiences into a classic haunted-house story with many twists that is SO FUN to read! Find the Scald Crow by Grace Daly anywhere that books are sold, or order on bookshop.org here: https://bit.ly/4uehIlDFilmmaker Brooke H. Cellars had period pain so excruciating it made it impossible for her to finish college or hold down a full time job. It took her 20 years to finally get diagnosed and treated surgically for endometriosis. Post-surgery, with hormone treatments to manage the endo, she was able to finish college and begin a career in writing and directing. Her feature film The Cramps: A Period Piece blends her real-life experience with a "darkly colorful", campy 80s aesthetic. Watch the trailer on youtube here: https://bit.ly/4cziaER__________CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can you imagine waking up with death cramps, and instead of dragging yourself to work with your heating pad and a bucket of ibuprofen or using up one of your sick days, you could just...use a PAID menstrual leave day??Menstrual leave is a reality in more places than you might think!! Does it already exist where you live? Is there CURRENTLY a bill in your state senate requiring companies to provide it? What are the arguments AGAINST this policy? Kate gets wonk-level deep into the landscape and the history, just for you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian Max Gross is back on CRAMPED for an update on his adventures with endometriosis, hysterectomies, and rebellious ovaries! Max and Kate try to figure out how big their internal organs actually are, what the best "medical green flags" are, and why speaking in "dad talk" to doctors works so well. CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDFind Max Gross on Instagram @maxgotjokes See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's it like to get period pain in middle or high school today? It's been 20 YEARS since my own pretty abysmal menstrual health education, and I wondered - has it gotten better? Has the internet helped? Are there more resources and support out there for a young cramper?To answer my questions, I turned to Kat Samedova, who recently graduated from Kingston High School and is the former vice president of the Period Power! Club there. I also talked with the Period Power Club's advisor, Tina the Tampon Lady, and the TMI Project's Organizational & Programs Manager.LINKS:Period Power! Club website: https://www.periodpowerclub.com/Period.org: https://period.org/Period Power Stories: https://tmiproject.org/period-power-stories/TMI Project website: https://tmiproject.org/CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sasheer Zamata (SNL, Agatha All Along, Ghosts) hangs out for a little 2 person "clam bake" to tell the story of her period pain and fibroids, how she changed her approach to healthcare, and what it's like to do standup about her period pain to 22 million people. CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDSasheer on Instagram: @thesheertruthSasheer's website: https://sasheer.com/Watch Sasheer's new special, The First Woman, on Hulu. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever sought help for your period pain and been told "just lose some weight", or "exercise more", or "just cut out [insert any food group here]"? We know that diet and exercise is important, and when we're dealing with period pain (or any of the conditions that cause it), we try to "eat healthy" and "move our bodies". But is there something missing from this equation that's sabotaging our efforts? Kate brings on Allison Yamamoto (certified fitness & nutrition coach specializing in menstrual disturbances) to answer her questions about about diet, exercise, and period pain. CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDLinks Mentioned in Episode: IOC Consensus Statement: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/17/1073Allison's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonyamamoto/?hl=enAllison's Website: https://www.koaathletic.health/Direct link to subscribe to Allison's newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/f4BQFI See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Laura Payne, the best-named clinical & research psychologist studying menstrual pain, joins us to talk about how our brains process the sensations of pain. Are there psychological interventions that can actually relieve chronic pain? Does having severe period pain mean we're doomed to chronic pain forever? What's the difference between a doctor telling you "you're just anxious" and a pain psychology specialist helping you reprocess your pain pathways? Will Dr. Payne ever start a band? LETS FIND OUT! Listen to the full episode and support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDCRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In our last episode of 2025, Kate looks back on 2025 and attempts to answer the question "Are crampers better off in 2025?" We take a tour through SUPER FUN stuff that impacts people with period pain like federal funding decisions, new endometriosis research centers, new pain medications, and medical guidance releases. We get a zoomed-out sense of the state of dysmenorrhea in 2025, and what we have to look forward to next year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You know how many diseases are diagnosed or monitored by drawing blood from a vein in your arm and running tests on it? Would those tests still work if you ran them on menstrual blood? It's not THAT crazy, right? So why did the first research into this only start TWELVE YEARS AGO?? In this subscriber-only episode, Kate covers the (brief) history of how western medicine has thought of menstrual blood, and introduces you to three organizations currently developing diagnostic tests to be done on period blood. What if you could dip a test strip in your menstrual cup and find out if you have endometriosis?? Or diabetes, or cervical cancer, or an STI? What if a natural bodily fluid that's been thought of as "stinky and useless" throughout the course of modern medicine could...actually be the key to solving the mysteries of these diseases? To listen to the full episode, join the CRAMPED Patreon at any level: https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDCheck out the ROSE Study here: https://www.northwell.edu/news/insights/outsmarting-endometriosisSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate brings on a friend for a Case Study episode all about recurring UTIs and the vaginal microbiome. They take a microbiome test and talk to a health provider to understand how whats living in their "villages" impacts yeast infections, UTIs, BV, fertility, and so much more.CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDYou can find Vienna here: https://thecuntsultant.comMore info on Daye: https://www.yourdaye.com/en-us/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Everybody's always telling us patient advocacy is the way to solve systemic issues in women's healthcare - ok so what exactly IS patient advocacy? What does it look like? HOW does it get us better care, research and treatments? Kate asks these questions to Noa Fleischacker, executive director of Tight Lipped, a grassroots movement by and for people with chronic vulvovaginal and pelvic pain that's actually been able to make change in OB-GYN education programs. CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why does it feel so hard to talk about our period pain? Who benefits when we stay quiet? How do we build a world where information about period pain travels as easily as a casual chat?In this how-to episode, Kate gives some tips on what helps her speak up - in one-on-one situations with friends & family & coworkers, and in organizing groups of people with uteruses to share information and support.CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate talks to Dr. Sara Reardon, aka The Vagina Whisperer - a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist and author of the new book Floored, a woman's guide to pelvic floor health at every age and stage. They discuss what the pelvic floor even is, how pelvic floor muscles are involved in period pain, and how we're all peeing and pooping wrong!CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate is back from surgery! In Part 2 of this 2 part episode, Kate walks through the day of the surgery, from arriving at the hospital to the 4 weeks of recovery thus far, and the surgical and pathology results that finally gave her answers to questions about her cramps she's had for 22 years. Hopefully this episode is helpful to anyone curious about endometriosis excision surgery, or anxious about recovery.CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDPatreon members will get access to subscriber-only episodes, ad-free episodes, and the CRAMPED Discord community.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate is back from surgery! In Part 1 of a 2 part series, she goes step by step through the imaging result that gave her the information that lead her to commit to surgery, and the physical, administrative, and financial preparations for her surgery. Get ready to hear real numbers and honesty about the factors contributing to the decision. Hopefully this episode is helpful to anyone on the fence about the decision or trying to figure out how to make surgery feasible. CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDPatreon members will get access to subscriber-only episodes, ad-free episodes, and the CRAMPED Discord community.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Case Study episode, Kate brings on Deanna Hart-Nokes, who just went off hormonal birth control for the second time in 20 years, and has been experiencing some mysterious symptoms. Kate deep-dives into the clinical research to understand how hormonal birth control works, and what might be causing Deanna's increased period pain, soreness, and increased sensation. CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice. Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDPatreon members will get access to subscriber-only episodes, ad-free episodes, and the CRAMPED Discord community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fibroids are a super common cause of severe period pain - up to 80% of people with a uterus will get fibroids at some point! So...why don't we know why they grow? Why don't they get caught and treated sooner? Kate talks with Jonelle Henry from The White Dress Project, an organization that spreads awareness, education, and resources about fibroids. Jonelle tells her own story of how fibroids impacted her life as a high-powered political journalist, having to leave the room where the president was addressing the press to manage a period that fibroids made unbearable. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate talks to Laura Federico and Morgan Miller, authors of The Cycle Book, all about cycle tracking. What is it? How do I do it? Am I already doing it if I'm tracking my period with an app? To access subscriber-only episodes, join the Patreon at www.patreon.com/CRAMPEDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate is getting endometriosis excision surgery today! She shares some details, and a story of her (hopefully last) experience with "death cramps". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate talks to her friend Taylor Hallam, who has struggled with ovulation pain and ovarian cyst ruptures since getting off 19 straight years of hormonal birth control. Taylor has questions, and Kate dives into the research to find answers. What causes ovarian cysts? What are they filled with? Why do doctors often say they're "normal" and offer no options other than birth control? Are there other ways to treat ovarian cysts? Support CRAMPED at patreon.com/CRAMPEDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate answers some questions that listeners asked her to research for them, including: What do I do when my doctor says my lab results are "normal"? Does the MTHFR gene mutation affect periods? Why are my cramps excruciating one month and fine the next month? Support CRAMPED on PatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CRAMPED is back with new episodes - but we need your help! Subscribe to our Patreon to make our work possible at www.patreon.com/crampedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In season 1's final episode, Kate calls up biological anthropologist Kate Clancy to find out why we're even in this pain to begin with. Then Kate throws a period party, and gives the details on how she's been treating her period pain and endometriosis.Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post MediaAssociate Producer: Katelyn Sabater Theme song: FaridehPodcast art: Nicholas ScheppardThis podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture InitiativeFiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast CollaborativePublished in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/adsThis publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If 51% of the population has a uterus, and 91% of menstruating people experience period pain, why do we literally never hear about it in the media we consume?? Whether its TV, film, podcasts (aside from this one), or social media, it's practically impossible to find stories of periods and period pain. Why?? And how does this lack of visibility affect all of us?Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post MediaAssociate Producer: Katelyn Sabater Theme song: FaridehPodcast art: Nicholas ScheppardThis podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture InitiativeFiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast CollaborativePublished in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/adsThis publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate talks to her mom about joining the Boston Women's Health Movement in the 1970s. Why was body literacy such a big part of feminism in the 70s, but when Kate became an active feminist in Boston in the 2000s, she didn't get information about body literacy? To learn more, Kate talks to Laura Prieto, program director of Our Bodies, Ourselves.Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post MediaAssociate Producer: Katelyn Sabater Theme song: FaridehPodcast art: Nicholas ScheppardThis podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture InitiativeFiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast CollaborativePublished in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/adsThis publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate checks in with comedian and recent hysterectomy patient Max Gross, as well as therapist Suzanne Garrison to figure out - what is medical trauma, and do we have it? How does undiagnosed and untreated pain affect mental health?Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post MediaAssociate Producer: Katelyn Sabater Theme song: FaridehPodcast art: Nicholas ScheppardThis podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture InitiativeFiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast CollaborativePublished in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/adsThis publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate sees a specialist and finally gets a diagnosis for the condition causing her severe period pain. But instead of relief and a clear treatment plan, she just has more questions. She interviews her doctor, Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch, and influencer Emma Maxwell.Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post MediaAssociate Producer: Katelyn Sabater Theme song: FaridehPodcast art: Nicholas ScheppardThis podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture InitiativeFiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast CollaborativePublished in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/adsThis publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate gets sucked down a rabbit hole of "hormone balancing" content on TikTok, and wonders...this whole time, have her cramps just been due to a hormone imbalance? She talks with Alex Sujong Laughlin (Normal Gossip, Defector) about her experience trying to balance her hormones with info from TikTok, and then gets real answers from Dr. Thara Vayali on hormone function, cortisol, and how our hormones ACTUALLY work.Transcript & sources: www.katehelendowney.com/episode-5-transcriptSound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post MediaAssociate Producer: Katelyn Sabater Theme song: FaridehPodcast art: Nicholas ScheppardThis podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture InitiativeFiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast CollaborativePublished in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/adsThis publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate takes a field trip to Evanston, Illinois to visit the Gynecology Research Laboratory, where a team of doctors and researchers are doing groundbreaking studies to understand period pain and find new treatments. What can they tell us about what causes severe dysmenorrhea, and is there hope for relief? Episode transcript and citations: https://www.katehelendowney.com/episode-4-transcriptEditorial Producer: Kelsey DiLanzo Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post MediaAssociate Producer: Katelyn Sabater Theme song: FaridehPodcast art: Nicholas ScheppardThis podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture InitiativeFiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast CollaborativePublished in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/adsThis publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It seems like a simple question, right? How many other people out there are experiencing "death cramps"? It turns out...not so much. Kate brings on her sister Maeve, who also gets death cramps, to figure out why they never talked about the horrible pain they were both in. They look at a meta-study of the prevalence of severe period pain, and bring in data scientist Andrea Jones-Rooy to explain why the data on this is so bad. Episode transcript and citations: https://www.katehelendowney.com/episode-3-transcriptEditorial Producer: Kelsey DiLanzo Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post MediaAssociate Producer: Katelyn Sabater Theme song: FaridehPodcast art: Nicholas ScheppardThis podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & CultureDivisionFiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast CollaborativePublished in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/adsThis publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When you're in severe pain and can't figure out how to make it go away, you might seek help at an ER or Urgent Care. But if you're experiencing severe PERIOD pain, you may not get what you need.Kate and guest Sydney Battle trade stories of ER visits gone wrong, then Kate brings their questions to ER doctor and Good Morning America medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton for some answers and advice.Episode 2 Transcript & Citations available here: https://www.katehelendowney.com/episode-2-transcriptEditorial Producer: Kelsey DiLanzo Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post MediaAssociate Producer: Katelyn Sabater Theme song: FaridehPodcast art: Nicholas ScheppardThis podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & CultureDivisionFiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast CollaborativePublished in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/adsThis publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just how bad are Kate's "really bad cramps"? And what could be causing them?  In the first of ten episodes, host Kate Helen Downey describes what happens when "death cramps" strike at work. Gynecologist and author Dr. Karen Tang explains what she looks for when a patient has severe period pain, and why someone might spend years in diagnosis limbo. Transcript & citations available here:  https://www.katehelendowney.com/episode-1 Editorial Producer: Kelsey DiLanzo  Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post Media Associate Producer: Katelyn Sabater  Theme song: Farideh Podcast art: Nicholas Scheppard   This podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture Division Fiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast Collaborative   This publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A sneak peek at what's to come in the 10 episodes of CRAMPED - first episode dropping Tuesday February 4th, with new episodes weekly for 10 weeks.  See more info at https://www.katehelendowney.com/cramped  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One nerd’s quest to find out why we know next to nothing about period pain. Tired of suffering from "death cramps" with no diagnosis for 20 years, Kate Downey has to look for her own answers. She interviews top doctors and researchers, and delves into topics from Greek history to sitcoms to TikTok wellness scams, all to figure out why menstrual pain is so often dismissed and untreated. What she finds will change how you think about your own body and the medical system. Because having a microphone gets you more answers than having a uterus.   Season 1 launches weekly episodes starting February 2025.   CREDITS: Host & Show Creator: Kate Downey Editorial Producer: Kelsey DiLanzo Associate Producer: Katelyn Sabater  Theme song: Farideh Podcast Art: Nicholas Scheppard Sound Design & Engineering: Kelly Kramarik Published in partnership with Multitude Productions    This podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture Division Fiscal partnership provided by Arkansas Podcast CollaborativeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.