Between 2 Ovaries

When something doesn’t feel right in your body, how long do you keep pushing before someone finally listens? In this episode, we sit down with women’s health advocate Anna Cooper, who shares the reality of living with endometriosis in a way that’s raw, honest, and deeply human. From the early signs to the moments that changed everything, Anna opens up about what it’s like to navigate a system that...

If you’ve ever been told you have an ovarian cyst, or had one picked up unexpectedly on a scan, you’ll know how quickly the mind can jump to worst-case scenarios. But how much of that fear is actually necessary, and how much is just misunderstanding? In this episode, we’re unpacking ovarian cysts, from what they actually are and why they’re so commonly found, to when they need any further investig...

What does it really look like to move your body through every stage of life, when things aren’t neat, linear, or easy? In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Jasmin Paris MBE, record-breaking ultra-runner, mum of three, and the first woman to complete one of the toughest endurance races in the world. But this isn’t just about performance, it’s about reality. We talk about the messy middle...

When your period starts to take over your life, it’s easy to wonder if you’re just expected to put up with it. For so many, heavy bleeding is brushed off as “one of those things” but the reality can feel exhausting, isolating and quietly overwhelming. In this episode, we open up an honest conversation about what it really feels like when your cycle stops being manageable, and why so many are left...

What happens when one of the most respected voices in women’s health joins Between 2 Ovaries? A conversation we honestly could’ve recorded for hours. This week, we’re joined by Professor Joyce Harper, internationally renowned reproductive scientist, educator, author, podcaster and women’s health advocate. From embryology to education, social media to science, Joyce has become a trusted voice for s...

HIV is still one of those topics that can sit in the background of people’s minds shaped by fear, half-information and a lot of assumptions that just don’t reflect where things are today. In this episode we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Sarah Cavilla, Consultant in Genitourinary and HIV Medicine at Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, working within the Axess clinic. She...

Sex is one of those things we’re all kind of told should just “work” and be simple, but for a lot of people it really, really isn’t, and that gap between expectation and reality can leave you feeling confused, frustrated, or like you’re the only one who didn’t get the memo. In this episode we are joined by the incredible Dr Leila Frodsham, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician and one of the l...

Everyone talks about “morning sickness” like it’s something you just get through, but what happens when it takes over your entire day, your body, and your headspace? In this episode, we get honest about severe pregnancy sickness and why it is so often minimised, misunderstood, or brushed off. We sit in that space between what people expect and what some actually experience, holding the physical an...

It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come since we started season 1! For the final episode of season 2, we wanted to take a moment to recap everything for our wonderful listeners, new followers, and subscribers. We look back on the myths and truths behind the Mirena coil, getting pregnant, endometriosis, HRT, vulval and vaginal care, PCOS, fibroids, adenomyosis, miscarriage, infertility, ectopic pre...

Menopause is often spoken about in hushed tones, framed as something to fear, fix, or simply endure. But for something that every woman will experience, the lack of clear, compassionate conversation has left many feeling confused, dismissed, or alone long before it even begins. In this episode, we're so excited to be joined by the wonderful Dr Paula Briggs, Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive He...

Sometimes a pregnancy happens at the wrong moment, and the decision that follows can feel heavy, lonely or quietly overwhelming. This episode holds space for those realities, without judgement or drama, and brings calm clarity to a conversation that’s often clouded by fear, misinformation and politics. Through lived experience and clinical insight, we explore why this topic matters right now, how...

There’s a lot we don’t say out loud about how families are formed, especially when the journey looks different from the norm. Questions, assumptions, and quiet fears can linger long after decisions are made. We’re so lucky to have the wonderful Becky Kearns (Defining Mum) back with us to continue this conversation. She reflects on honesty, connection, and the ongoing process of navigating other pe...

Motherhood doesn’t always arrive in the way you imagine. Sometimes it begins with loss, waiting, difficult decisions, and a quiet reckoning with what you thought the future would look like. We’re so lucky to have the wonderful Becky Kearns (Defining Mum) with us for this conversation. With honesty and calm reflection, she shares what it can feel like when fertility doesn’t follow the expected path...

Early pregnancy can feel confusing, intense and far longer than anyone warns you about. From that first positive test to the weeks of waiting, Googling and second-guessing everything your body does - it’s a lot. In this episode, Between 2 Ovaries takes an honest, steady look at those early weeks. We talk about what’s happening behind the scenes before anything can be seen on a scan, why symptoms c...

We talk a lot about hormones, periods, pregnancy and menopause, but hardly ever about what they’re doing to our mouths. And yet women experience oral health very differently to men, across every stage of life. In this episode, we’re joined by dentist and researcher Janine Tazdi-Doughty to unpack why women can brush better, floss more, and still end up with worse oral health outcomes. We explore ho...

Women’s health is full of myths. So many, in fact, that it can feel like the truth is hiding somewhere under a pile of misconceptions, old wives’ tales, and outright nonsense. In the first episode of Season 2, we dig into why so much of what people “know” about periods, fertility, sex, and hormones isn’t actually true - and why that matters. We separate fact from fiction, shine a light on the stig...

What really goes on in sex and menstrual education at school? This week, we’re joined by vice principal and PSHE champion Ms Nicky Jones to unpack what’s being taught - and what’s still missing - when it comes to sex, puberty, and periods in the classroom. From what schools are actually required to cover, to how teachers feel about giving “the talk,” we dive into the awkward, the essential, and th...

This week we’re stepping into a part of women’s health that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough - paediatric and adolescent gynaecology. From newborns to teenagers, there’s a whole world of normal variations, myths that need busting, and questions that parents, carers, and young people are often too embarrassed to ask. We’re joined by a consultant in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology who he...

We are incredibly honoured to welcome running legend Paula Radcliffe to the pod. From world champion and marathon record-holder to mother, podcaster, and all-around inspiration, Paula shares her insights on exercise, performance, and women’s health across the lifespan. In this episode, we explore everything from the impact of periods on training, to body image, RED-S, pregnancy, postpartum recover...

Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) affects millions yet it’s still shrouded in stigma, silence, and misunderstanding. In this episode, we unpack what CPP really is, how it impacts day-to-day life, and why it’s so much more than “just period pain.” From discussing causes to the role of psychological health, we explore the many layers behind chronic pelvic pain, why it’s so complex to diagnose, and what trea...

PMDD can feel overwhelming, isolating, and often misunderstood — but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, we follow Keisha’s unusual journey to diagnosis and hear her firsthand experiences with symptoms, treatments, and the day-to-day impact of living with PMDD. We explore what really works — from medical approaches to self-help strategies — and bust some of the biggest myths that surr...

We’ve all heard of PMS — but what about PMDD? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, a severe and often misunderstood condition that can have a huge impact on daily life. From what PMDD actually is (and why it’s not just “bad PMS”), to how it’s diagnosed, who can treat it, and the treatment options available, we explore the realities behind the headlines and...

This week on Between 2 Ovaries , we’re joined by the brilliant broadcaster and journalist Naga Munchetty for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about her personal experience with adenomyosis — and the broader landscape of women’s health. We talk about what it’s like to be a public figure navigating private pain, the day-to-day reality of living with heavy, debilitating periods, and what actual...

This week, we’re cracking open a condition that’s often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and massively under-discussed: adenomyosis . It might not get the headlines that endometriosis does, but trust us — it deserves your attention. From heavy, painful periods to fertility struggles, the symptoms of adenomyosis can have a huge impact on quality of life. But what exactly is it? Why does it happen? And...

Smear tests don’t always get the airtime they deserve — so we’re setting the record straight. This episode is everything you didn’t know you needed to know about cervical screening: from what actually happens during a smear test to what HPV is (and isn’t), why it matters, and how early changes can be spotted before cancer develops. We walk through the process step-by-step, bust some myths, tackle...