The Vagina Museum Podcast

In the final installment of our endometriosis mini-series, we speak to two people with endometriosis about their journeys through and beyond a diagnosis of endometriosis and how they have harnessed these experiences to help others. Justyna Green is a UK-based illustrator and podcaster. She shares her personal journey as a cis woman using art to process her endo experiences and raise awareness for...

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. This series is funded by the Wellcome Center for Human Genetics. Show...

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...

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 pra...

The Vagina Museum is re-opening in London on Nov 4 with a brand new exhibition, "Endometriosis: Into the Unknown." And that means the podcast is coming back too with four new episodes about endometriosis: its history, current diagnoses and treatment options, support options for those living with the disease, and the cutting-edge research helping to demystify this under-studied condition. Stay tune...

First off, yes, space gynaecology is a real specialty. Second, yes, we interviewed a space gynaecologist on this episode. And third, there's a whole lot we earth-bound menstruators can gain from research done on periods in space. In this episode, Varsha Jain MD, PhD talks about her research into menstruating astronauts and how that led her to study heavy bleeding on earth. She explains the causes...

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, compa...

Welcome to a whole podcast season on periods and the menstrual cycle. Whether you love 'em, hate 'em, or are totally ambivilent, you'll learn something new and get empowered to bust stigma and 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...

" 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 Eirnin Jefford Franks,...

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 sc...

  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 futu...

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; i f you use a tampon you're no longer a virgin; p ubic hair is dirty and unhygienic; discharge means there is something wrong; vaginas are dirty and smelly–they need to be washed. (ALL FALSE.) COVID-19 has put the museum in danger of permanent closure,...

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 b...

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) COVID-19 has put the museum in danger of permanent c...

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, an...

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 Lizzi...

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 ans...

Vulvas of the world, rejoice! The Vagina Museum Podcast is on its way! Episode 1 drops on March 11. But first, a trailer, featuring some tantalizing snippets of our conversations with Dr. Kate Lister, Dr. Jen Gunter, Professor Emma L.E. Rees, Hilde Atalanta, Lizzie Marx, and Fiona Sterling.  [Please note: all episodes going forward will have transcripts, but there is no transcript for this trailer...

Good news, World. The Vagina Museum is making a podcast. Treat your ears to this teaser from Vagina Museum founder Florence Schechter, and subscribe to this channel so you don't miss out on amazing vagina content when our first episode drops later this winter.  Vagina Museum Website Twitter Facebook Instagram Donate EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Hey there. My name is Florence Schechter, and I'm the founder...