menstrual health

There are 1.8 billion monthly menstruators worldwide. Better understanding the science behind period blood, as well as cultural stigma and period policy, can help menstruators everywhere break down period myths.

In the 34 years that guest host Omisade Burney-Scott was a menstruating person, she always felt that blood held more significance than just the biological. She meets an OB/GYN who shares little-known facts about period blood, and talks with two menstrual health advocates about how art and community have connected them to their cycles. Plus, an attorney discusses what she's paying attention to this year in terms of period policy.

Anita sometimes fantasizes about no longer having to deal with having a period. But folks along the perimenopausal parkway remind her that menopause is no quick and easy road. Anita's mom and others navigating the change share how it's shaped their relationships with their bodies, sex and where they turn for support.

One of the best ways to learn about the experience of menopause is to talk with people who’ve gone through it. Host Anita Rao turns to an expert she’s close to: her mom. And guest host Omisade Burney-Scott interviews a friend about premature menopause.

Periods happen to a lot of us - but what goes on in the body during menstruation can still be so mysterious. Gaining access to period products and resources regardless of housing status, income or incarceration is an important element of menstrual equity and empowerment.