logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2022
26m 4s

A History of Menstruation

Lindsay Holiday
About this episode
Periods. About 50% of the population gets them. But this natural process of shedding the uterine lining every month as part of fertility has long been shrouded in mystery, embarrassment and taboo. Let’s take a look back in time to see how women in the past and in various cultures have dealt with and been treated during that time of the month. Join me every T ... Show More
Up next
Oct 20
4 Curses on the Romanov Dynasty of Russia
The Romanov Imperial House ruled Russia with an iron fist for 300 years. In that time they made plenty of enemies. From a grief-stricken mother who foretold the demise of the dynasty, to a scorned Tsaritsa who cursed St. Petersburg to calamity. From a hermit monk who claimed to k ... Show More
33m 7s
Oct 13
4 Spooky Stories of Royal Demons & Exorcisms
For millennia, royals have claimed that their right to rule over the unwashed masses was granted to them by God. But a few have been associated with powers originating far south of heaven. Tonight I’ll share with you the spooky and salacious tales of the demon countess who spawne ... Show More
30m 19s
Oct 6
Royals, Nobles & Mistresses with Syphilis
From sex-crazed libertines, to noble courtesans, to innocent Empresses; syphilis was a devastating disease which ravaged many, and sometimes changed the course of history. Let’s meet 10 royal and noble victims of this sexually transmitted infection. Lorenzo de’Medici, Duke of Urb ... Show More
33m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2023
The History of Periods
‘It’s my time of the month’, ‘the painters are in’, ‘aunt flo is visiting’, or a simple ‘I’m on the rag’Periods are a fact of life for so many people. So how have they been understood? How have they been talked about and concealed? And why have periods stopped so many people from ... Show More
38m 23s
Mar 2022
35: Pre-Tampon vs Post Tampon World: The Dark History of Menstruation
PERIODS. MENSTRUATION. VAGINA. All no-no words according to society. But also all words we’re gonna be using today, A LOT. That’s because today we are talking about the Dark History of Menstruation. When did it get a bad rap? How did women back in the day deal with cramps? How is ... Show More
50m 37s
Jun 2021
What is the point of menstruation?
<p>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. </p><p>Responding to a flood of questions from our CrowdScience listeners, Marnie Chesterton seeks to unpack ... Show More
40m 13s
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
May 2021
153 What Your Period Can Tell You About Your Health
Throughout history, the menstrual cycle has been shrouded in magic and mystery. In some ancient cultures, menstrual blood was imbued with magical powers, and menstruating women considered to have the ability to even see the future. In the middle-ages, a major religious and with i ... Show More
32m 14s
Apr 2023
Special Episode: Dr. Kate Clancy & Period
<p>Menstruation. Is there any other biological process that is so widely experienced yet is still discussed in hushed tones or with an air of disgust? Period product commercials that never mention menstruation (and what’s with the blue liquid?), sex education classes covering wha ... Show More
55m 6s
Feb 2025
The Menstrual Cycle
What is cycle syncing, and should your boyfriend really be cooking you a steak when you’re on your period? We dig into the wonderful workings of our bodies and uncover just how much our hormones affect our lives, from how we feel each day to which romantic partner we select. Topi ... Show More
47m 54s
Jun 2019
Period Power
Why are my periods irregular, why are they heavy, why do I get cramps, should I be on the pill and how will that impact my health, why do I feel low around the time of my period, why do I break out or get bloated? These are just a few of the common question we have about our peri ... Show More
46m 44s