It's a topic that's taboo in many cultures, yet it's also something nearly every woman experiences – on average upwards of 400 times throughout her life: menstruation.
Responding to a flood of questions from our CrowdScience listeners, Marnie Chesterton seeks to unpack how periods affect women physically, mentally and societally.
Why did humans evolve to ... Show More
Aug 15
How long does light last?
When listener Rob from Devon, UK, heard of a newly detected planet light years away, he was struck by the sheer scale the light must travel to reach us here on Earth. It got him wondering: How long does light last? What’s the oldest light we’ve ever observed? And does light ever ... Show More
26m 29s
Aug 8
Can we stop the rain?
CrowdScience listener Rit, from Pune in India, is staring out of his window at the falling rain. It’s been pouring for four days now, and shows no sign of stopping. The laundry is piling up, all his shoes are wet, and he’s worried about the effect it’s having on the environment, ... Show More
32m 21s
Jan 2023
The Period Talk (For Adults)
Every month, 1.8 billion people menstruate globally. For those people, managing periods is essential for strong reproductive and emotional health, social wellbeing and bodily autonomy. But a lot of people haven't been educated about periods or the menstrual cycle since they were ... Show More
13m 11s
Sep 2022
2.1 Murderous menstrual blood
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that periods are terrifying. Well, men have certainly seemed to think so. All the way back to Roman times, the male chroniclers of the human condition have agreed on one thing: menstruation is unseemly, ungodly and just plain horribl ... Show More
40m 35s
Mar 2024
Empowerment during menopause with Dr. Cari Schaefer
Today’s episode is with Dr. Cari Schaefer, who is a (Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine), who stands at the forefront of menopausal wellness as the founder of Your Menopause Midwife. With over 23 years of experience as a women's healthcare provider, lecturer, teacher in h ... Show More
58m 36s
Sep 2023
How hormones and the menstrual cycle affect mental health, with Tory Eisenlohr-Moul, PhD
Despite the sexist jokes, the menstrual cycle doesn’t cause significant changes in mood or behavior for most people. But a small percentage do suffer severe premenstrual symptoms, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Tory Eisenlohr-Moul, PhD, of the University of Illinois C ... Show More
30m 23s