Understand Your Cycle Podcast

What happens when trying to conceive becomes years of loss, medical intervention, and shame? In this episode, we explore the emotional and physical reality of infertility — from heavy periods as a teenager to miscarriage, five rounds of IVF, donor conception, and ultimately, pregnancy after loss. In a culture that tells women to stay positive, be patient, and trust the process, fertility struggles...

What happens when training harder starts to cost you your menstrual cycle? In this episode, we explore the complex, and often overlooked, relationship between athletic performance, hormones, and menstrual health. In a culture that glorifies pushing through pain, ignoring fatigue, and constantly chasing the next goal, many athletes lose touch with one of their most important health signals: their c...

What happens when you spend years trying to build a family — and decide to stop? In this episode, we sit down with Aisha Balesaria, an advocate and coach who turned her experience of endometriosis, infertility, and loss into a life of purpose and joy without children. After 15 years of being dismissed by doctors, Aisha was finally diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis — only after strugglin...

What happens when you spend 15 years on hormonal contraceptionm and then have to relearn your body from scratch? In this episode, Coni, co-founder of period underwear brand NIXI Body, shares her journey from being prescribed the pill for teenage acne, to navigating infertility, cycle syncing, pregnancy, and now early motherhood. We talk about the messy reality behind women’s health: how hard it is...

What happens when your body enters menopause before you’ve even turned 30? In this episode, Becky from Fertility Matters at Work shares her deeply personal story of navigating early perimenopause, infertility, IVF, and ultimately, motherhood through egg donation. We talk about what it actually feels like to have your hormones drop unexpectedly in your twenties — from 12-day cycles and night sweats...

In this episode, Michelle opens up about her personal journey through infertility — a struggle faced by 1 in 6 couples globally. We dive into why fertility isn’t just a “future you” problem, but something worth understanding in your 20s. From decoding cervical mucus to understanding hormonal imbalances, we cover the basics of how to get curious about your reproductive health. We talk about the oft...

In this episode, Kirstie shares her deeply personal journey through breast cancer, surgical menopause, and what it really means to rebuild your life after both. At just 35, Kirstie was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. What followed was a whirlwind of treatments: chemo, a double mastectomy, and the removal of her ovaries—plunging her into surgical menopause overnight. She tells us what...

"It was quite difficult managing menstruation and education..." Aaliyah from Bloody Good Period has joined me to discuss how period poverty is more common than you think, how it is affecting our young women in schools and what they are doing at BGP to help one day dissolve this issue. Everyone who bleeds has a right to clean facilities and free menstrual products. We Cover: 🩸What is period povert...

"The first ever pad that was manufactured still hasn't broken down." In this episode, Emily joins us to talk all things period products —from the first tampons we tried as teens to the eco-friendly innovations we're loving today. She shares her personal journey, a few strong opinions (aka hot takes), and plenty of surprising facts along the way. Get 10% off Mooncup products with discount code: CYC...

"Endometriosis doesn’t just affect your body—it affects every part of your life." In Part 2 , Alice dives deeper into the realities of living with endometriosis, tackling the tough topics no one talks about enough. She shares her thoughts on fertility , breaks down how to reduce inflammation caused by endo, and explains why movement is one of the most powerful tools for managing symptoms. We also...

"It’s not just a bad period—it’s living with pain no one can see." In this episode, we sit down with Alice , who shares her raw and honest journey with endometriosis —from navigating the emotional toll of a delayed diagnosis to undergoing surgery and challenging the one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Alice opens up about how endometriosis runs in her family , how COVID affected her menstrual...

"I can't explain the feeling, but it's as if everything was going to fall out of you" In this episode, we sit down with Jasmine from Emerald and Tiger, a meditation teacher and energy healer, to explore her journey through endometriosis, perimenopause, and self-healing. From enduring a 20-year diagnostic delay to finding empowerment in her cycle, Jasmine shares raw, honest insights on body awarene...

Periods, pain, and reclaiming power. In this episode, we sit down with Jasmin from Emerald and Tiger, a meditation teacher and energy healer, to explore her journey through endometriosis, perimenopause, and self-healing. From enduring a 20-year diagnostic delay to finding empowerment in her cycle, Jasmine shares raw, honest insights on body awareness, pain management, and the emotional highs and l...

Use discount code UNDERSTANDYOURCYCLE on www.wearevalerie.com . This week, we’re back with part two of our conversation with the brilliant Bec and Wizz. Why are they so brilliant? Because they’re on a mission to transform women’s lives with Valerie , the female health brand redefining perimenopause support through nutrition . In this episode, we dive even deeper—exploring the real challenges women...

Use discount code UNDERSTANDYOURCYCLE on www.wearevalerie.com . We are so lucky this week to be chatting to two fabulous women, Bec and Wizz. Why are they so fab? They are changing women's lives by creating and co-founding, Valerie. Valerie is a female health brand for perimenopause that focuses on nutritional supplements. They help women rediscover themselves through what can be a really hard tim...

Menstrual cycle syncing doesn’t have to be complicated! In this episode, Caitlin shares her journey and tips to help you align your life with your cycle and take better care of yourself. We cover: 🩸 How to start menstrual cycle syncing 🩸 Simple ways to support your body throughout your cycle 🩸 What we’re taught about being a woman vs. how we’re biologically designed 🩸 Caitlin’s personal contra...

People always told me I was so cold, and then I came off it. In this snippet, Caitlin describes her experience of the contraceptive pill & implant, and why she chose to come off it. We cover: 🩸experience on the contraceptive pill 🩸experience on the contraceptive implant 🩸what it was like coming off contraception You can find Caitlin on: IG: @caitlinfhormones LinkedIn:  Caitlin Far...

Could you get your period back through Hormone Replacement Therapy? And many more questions This week, a 20-year-old boy asks his menopause-related questions. No taboos, no shame: all the burning questions you’ve always wanted to ask. This is part 2 of a two-part episode where he asks us everything he wants to know about women's health! Don't forget to listen to the first episode about periods and...

I used a menstrual cup as a suction cup because I didn’t know what it was! This week, a 20-year-old boy asks his period and contraception-related questions. No taboos, no shame: all the burning questions you’ve always wanted to ask. We cover: 🩸What even is a bloody period? What hormones are involved? 🩸Can menstrual cycle length vary? Why? 🩸How do we use period trackers? 🩸Why do some women have...

Make your plate as bright as possible! This week, Le'Nise, nutritionist and author of You Can Have A Better Period , tells us about aligning exercise and nutrition with the menstrual cycle, what a healthy period looks like, and what natural ways we can relieve period cramps and not so comfortable cycles. We cover: 🩸What is a healthy period? What does a healthy period looks like? 🩸When is the bes...

We often talk about un healthy periods, but what about healthy periods? This week, Le'Nise tells us about what makes a healthy period: 🩸length of cycle 🩸colour of period 🩸spotting: how much is normal spotting? 🩸clotting: how much is normal clotting? 🩸mood 🩸energy Only 30% of people with a cycle have a 28-day menstrual cycle Don't forget to subscribe to not miss Le'Nise's full episode next we...

I had never even thought about perimenopause, until I connected my symptoms This week, Sarah, a peri to post menopause coach, shares about her experience of menopause and how businesses can support their employees in menopause. We cover: 🩸Sarah's experience of perimenopause 🩸Misconceptions around perimenopause and menopause 🩸The importance of a holistic approach to prevent overwhelm and burnout...

I had never even thought about perimenopause, until I connected my symptoms This week, Sarah, a peri to post menopause coach, shares about her experience of menopause Don't forget to subscribe to listen to the full episode next week, where we discuss: 🩸Sarah's experience of perimenopause 🩸Misconceptions around perimenopause and menopause 🩸The importance of a holistic approach to prevent overwhe...

We speak about mental health, we speak about bone health, but what about vaginal health? This week, Shelley, a trained midwife and founder of Fem Revive tells us about what vaginal health is. We discuss: 🩸Vaginal health  🩸How to keep your vagina healthy  🩸symptoms of unhealthy vaginas: urinary stress incontinence, vaginal dryness, bacterial vaginosis, and more 🩸HIFU (high intensity f...

Is my vagina healthy? Why do I have this tingling sensation? Why does it suddenly feel tight? This week, Shelley, a trained midwife and founder of Fem Revive tells us about what vaginal health is. Don't forget to subscribe to listen to the full episode next week, where we discuss: 🩸Vaginal health  🩸How to keep your vagina healthy  🩸symptoms of unhealthy vaginas: urinary stress inconti...