It's Not Just a Period

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of It’s Not Just A Period Podcast.
Welcome to It’s Not Just A Period!
Joining the girl chat this week is Zoë Smyth, whose life was turned upside down when she was told she needed a full hysterectomy and stoma.
For years Zoë was left housebound as she experienced heavy menstrual and anal bleeding, forcing her to make her bathroom a second bedroom.
Despite scans finding extensive endometriosis she had to start her diagnosis journey from scratch after a shocking hospital appointment.
We discuss how to find the right endometriosis specialist, the exponential costs of private healthcare and how organ saving surgery changes your life and future as you know it.
Links, Socials & Products
It's Not Just A Period...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsnotjustaperiod.uk
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsnotjustaperiod.uk
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsNotJustAPeriod
NEW: The Guide To Diagnosis
Are you struggling to get a diagnosis?
Are you being dismissed, gaslit, and ignored in the doctor's office?
This guide will empower you to advocate for yourself, know your rights as a patient and get the answers you need.
Use your exclusive listener discount ‘INJAP10’ at checkout!
Get the guide: https://stan.store/itsnotjustaperiod/p/hack-the-system-the-diagnostic-guide
Thank you to Natracare who are supporting today’s episode. 
We’re proud to be working with Natracare (https://www.natracare.com) whose founder, Susie Hewson, pioneered the world’s first brand of organic and natural period products. From ingredient transparency to improving accessibility, Natracare are committed to being kinder to people and the planet.
As an It’s Not Just A Period listener, you can get an exclusive discount using the code INJAP15 at checkout.
✨ Alexandra’s favourite product from the range; featured in this week’s ad, is the Ultra Thin Panty Liners (https://www.natracare.com/products/liners/ultra-thin-panty-liners/) designed for sensitive skin.
Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health, or before making changes to your healthcare routine.

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of It’s Not Just A Period Podcast.

Welcome to It’s Not Just A Period!

Alexandra is delighted to be joined by Karli Büchling; nicknamed the Period Dealer, who is spearheading critical menstrual research and revolutionising women’s healthcare.

Karli is bridging the gender health gap in medical research, where we have over 450 years less research into women’s health than men’s.

She is harnessing the power of menstrual blood as a diagnostic tool through her company, Blake Health. Their mission is to not only collect samples but to build a biobank that helps better understand reproductive conditions that affect 1.6 billion women worldwide.

We discuss the stigma around periods, what menstrual blood is actually made up of and how we can use it to change women’s healthcare as we know it.

Links, Socials & Products

Karli Buchling..

Website: https://www.perioddealer.com
Bleed (Period Tracker): https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/bleed-private-period-tracker/id6760205657

*Donate Period Blood: https://www.perioddealer.com/donate-period-blood

It's Not Just A Period...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsnotjustaperiod.uk
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsnotjustaperiod.uk
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsNotJustAPeriod

NEW: The Guide To Diagnosis

Are you struggling to get a diagnosis?

Are you being dismissed, gaslit, and ignored in the doctor's office?

This guide will empower you to advocate for yourself, know your rights as a patient and get the answers you need.

Use your exclusive listener discount ‘INJAP10’ at checkout!

Get the guide: https://stan.store/itsnotjustaperiod/p/hack-the-system-the-diagnostic-guide

Thank you to Natracare who are supporting today’s episode. 

We’re proud to be working with Natracare (https://www.natracare.com) whose founder, Susie Hewson, pioneered the world’s first brand of organic and natural period products. From ingredient transparency to improving accessibility, Natracare are committed to being kinder to people and the planet.

As an It’s Not Just A Period listener, you can get an exclusive discount using the code INJAP15 at checkout.

✨ Alexandra’s favourite product from the range; featured in this week’s ad, is the Ultra Thin Panty Liners (https://www.natracare.com/products/liners/ultra-thin-panty-liners/) designed for sensitive skin.

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health, or before making changes to your healthcare routine.

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of It’s Not Just A Period Podcast.

Welcome to It’s Not Just A Period!

Joining the girl chat this week is Drew Collins, who reached out to us with one of the most shocking endometriosis diagnosis we’ve heard to date.

After living with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome since a child, she is no stranger to pain so knew something was wrong when new symptoms appeared as a teenager.

In unbelievable twist of fate Drew was diagnosed with endometriosis during an ultrasound after a shocking discovery blew her world apart.

Drew describes mental and physical impacts of her endometriosis, her life changing surgery and the harsh reality of recovery.

Links, Socials & Products

Drew Collins..

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stripes_of_nature/

It's Not Just A Period...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsnotjustaperiod.uk
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsnotjustaperiod.uk
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsNotJustAPeriod

NEW: The Diagnosis Guide

Are you struggling to get a diagnosis?

Are you being dismissed, gaslit, and ignored in the doctor's office?

This guide will empower you to advocate for yourself, know your rights as a patient and get the answers you need.

Use your exclusive listener discount ‘INJAP10’ at checkout!

Click here to find out more: https://stan.store/itsnotjustaperiod/p/hack-the-system-the-diagnostic-guide

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health, or before making changes to your healthcare routine.

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of It’s Not Just A Period Podcast.

**TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide & Mental Illness**

Welcome to It’s Not Just A Period!

We are honoured and delighted to be joined by Hayley Thomson as she shares her story of Postpartum Psychosis.

After the birth of her second child, Hayley’s world started to change when symptoms of postpartum depression creeped in.

For months she continued to push through, living in denial as she was convinced that what she was experiencing was nothing more anxiety.

But then came the mother of all breaking points when an abusive, dark voice took over her life leaving her questioning reality and if her children were even her own.

Hayley’s vulnerability and raw, unfiltered honesty will blow you away, it is a conversation that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

Links, Socials & Products

Hayley Thomson..

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phasebyhayley/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@phasebyhayley

It's Not Just A Period...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsnotjustaperiod.uk
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsnotjustaperiod.uk
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsNotJustAPeriod

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health, or before making changes to your healthcare routine.

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of It’s Not Just A Period Podcast.
Welcome to It’s Not Just A Period!
Joining Alexandra in the studio is women’s health journalist Ashleigh Spiliopoulou.
After sharing her journey of RED-S and Secondary Hypothalamic Amenorrhea with Stylist magazine, she’s bringing these conditions to our girl chat.
As a teenager Ashleigh trained as a semi professional heptathlete and after only a year of having periods, they completely disappeared.
She walks us through the hidden dangers of elite sport including eating disorders, body image and a lack of knowledge surrounding women’s bodies.
We discuss her misdiagnosis of PMOS , infertility fears and her ‘eat, pray, love’ journey to rediscover her period.
Links, Socials & Products
Ashleigh Spiliopoulou...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashspili/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleighspili
It's Not Just A Period...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsnotjustaperiod.uk
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsnotjustaperiod.uk
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsNotJustAPeriod
Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health, or before making changes to your healthcare routine.