The Heavy Flow Podcast

This week on Question Period, we're talking about breast pain and tenderness, known as cyclic mastalgia.  This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by Diva Cup, a sustainable, easy-to-use, cost-effective and eco-friendly menstrual cup. What we discussed:  What causes breast pain and tenderness with PMS  Specific nutrients and supplements for breast pain  Dietary changes to manage estrogen dominance, inflammation and fluid retention  Resources mentioned in this episode:  Heavy Flow Guide to Seed Cycling Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird

This week I'm talking to Amanda Hearn, co-founder of PutACupInIt.com. We get into everything you've ever wanted to know about menstrual cups and more, answer some listener questions and bust some menstrual cup myths. This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by Diva Cup, a sustainable, easy-to-use, cost-effective and eco-friendly menstrual cup. What we discussed:  Amanda’s journey from being too embarrassed to buy tampons to spreading the good word about menstrual cups How Put A Cup In It was born The infamous PACII Quiz The best way to take care of your cup How can you find a cup that works without spending a fortune Tips and tricks for inserting and removing your cup Answering listener questions about cups The difference between a cup and a disc Using a cup with an IUD Busting cup myths Connect with Put A Cup In It: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter Resources mentioned in this episode: Put A Cup in It Shop "The" Cup Quiz Milton tablets Feminine Wear Using menstrual cups with heavy periods Subscribe & l

This week on Question Period, how to use a seed cycling protocol to balance your hormones, relieve PMS, reduce painful periods, regulate or shorten your cycle. Download the Heavy Flow Guide to Seed Cycling. This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by Diva Cup, a sustainable, easy-to-use, cost-effective and eco-friendly menstrual cup. Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird

Melissa Ramos, the founder of Sexy Food Therapy, joins me to talk about why digestion is key to hormonal health, nutritional guidelines for healthy hormones and answers the age-old question: what’s the deal with period poops?   What we discussed: How Melissa went from her career in advertising to running Sexy Food Therapy Reframing self-care as self-parenting The link between stress and hormonal health What your digestion has to do with your period and hormones The two phases of liver detoxification and why it’s the key to hormonal health Setting and enforcing boundaries The differences between blood, urine and saliva hormone testing A few nutritional guidelines for healthy hormones What causes period poops How to promote progesterone production Connect with Melissa: Website Facebook Instagram Resources mentioned in this episode: The Period Repair Manual Question Period: Should I eat soy? Question Period: What happened when I got hooked on soy lattes? Giddy Yo Yo  I receive an affiliate commission from som

Lindsay Forsey, the founder of Tenth Moon, joins me to discuss how long it really takes to recover from childbirth - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Connect with Lindsay + Tenth Moon: Website Instagram Facebook Resources discussed in this episode:  Postpartum support resources Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird

Today I'm talking to Abby Norman, author of Ask Me About My Uterus. We discuss Abby's experience with painful periods and endometriosis, how women's pain has been normalized in our culture, and the changing period narrative and why pain needs to be a part of that conversation. What we discussed:  Abby’s early experience with painful periods The debilitating pain that changed her life forever Our culture of discounting and disregarding women’s pain How we prime young women for a lifetime of pain The importance of discussing pain in the new period conversation Connect with Abby:  Website Instagram Twitter Facebook Resources mentioned in this episode: Ask Me About My Uterus Call Your Girlfriend  I receive an affiliate commission from some of the links above. This helps to support Heavy Flow at no extra cost to you! Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: J

Today I’m talking to Nicole Jardim, a Certified Women’s Health Coach, aka The Period Girl. Nicole and I discuss amenorrhea -- the absence of menstruation and some of the possible causes, hormone testing, nutrition and lifestyle changes to help promote ovulation and regulate your period. This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by The DIY Podcast Launch Coaching & Guide, my step-by-step guide to taking your podcast from idea to iTunes. What we discussed: How Nicole’s own period and birth control experience led her to become the Period Girl What is amenorrhea and some of the possible causes The effects of internal and external stress on your menstrual cycle Why getting enough calories and nutrition is key for menstrual health Which hormones you’re going to want to get tested if you have amenorrhea Diet and lifestyle changes that will support ovulation and help your period return Aligning with the moon cycle to promote regularity How exercise helps and hinders our hormonal health Your period and key suppleme

Find out how hormones affect the health and appearance of your skin, every day of your cycle and not just when you're PMS-ing. Resources mentioned in this episode: What are the best period tracking apps? The "healthy sugar" myth Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird

Today on the show I’m talking to Jane Hartman Adamé, co-founder and CEO of Keela Cup, about her experience menstruating with a disability and how it led her to design a more accessible menstrual cup. This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by The DIY Podcast Launch Guide, my step-by-step guide to taking your podcast from idea to iTunes. What we discussed: How Jane’s own experience with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome led her to dream of an accessible menstrual cup How the Keela Cup differs from conventional cups The process of designing and manufacturing the Keela Cup Why Jane and Andy decided to fund Keela via crowdfunding The importance of inclusive design Connect with Jane and Keela: Website - Use discount code HEAVYFLOW for $10 off pre-orders (US only) Instagram  Facebook  Twitter  Resources mentioned in this episode: Heavy Flow Listener Survey I Designed a Menstrual Cup That's Easier for Disabled People to Use Dog dancing Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and

This week on Question Period, I'm talking about why it's impossible to discuss menstrual health without also addressing feminism in response to a listener comment. Resources mentioned in this episode: Heavy Flow Listener Survey Episode 13: The Period Paradox with Elizabeth Yuko Episode 15: Feminism, Activism and Periods with Kiran Gandhi Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird

In this episode, I’m talking to Valentina McCachren, founder of Lovefestjourney about our PCOS stories and how it’s shaped our journey to and through motherhood. What we discussed: Being diagnosed with PCOS The holistic approach Val took to support her cycles Connecting with a pregnancy after the full throttle focus of fertility How fertility challenges shaped our respective experiences of motherhood Connect with Val: Website Instagram Facebook Resources mentioned in this episode: Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic The Herbal Clinic and Dispensary Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird

If you're interested in using Fertility Awareness for birth control, you might be wondering what your options are for birth control during your fertile window. Ashley Hartman Annis, a fertility awareness educator and full spectrum doula in training, joins me to talk all things barrier methods. What we discussed:  Benefits and risks associated with barrier methods of birth control including condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and sponges Everything you've ever wanted to know about spermicide: what it is, how does it affect your cervical fluid, natural and DIY options (use at your own risk!) Withdrawl Using barrier methods within the context of Fertility Awareness Who is responsible for birth control in a relationship? Tips for finding condoms that work for you and your partner Connect with Ashley:  Website Instagram Facebook Resources mentioned in this episode: Caya diaphragm Femcamp cervical cap Anneres Health - Canadian distributor of Caya and Femcamp Natural MD Radio: Why condoms are a women's issue Susta

Today I’m talking to Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, Fertility Awareness Educator, Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner and host of the Fertility Friday podcast. In this episode, we talk about the fertility awareness method, how hormonal birth control really affects our hormonal health, the long history of suppressing the feminine and how reclaiming the power of our menstrual cycles is key to dismantling the patriarchy. What we discussed: Lisa’s experience with hormonal birth control and how it led her to become a holistic reproductive health practitioner What is Fertility Awareness The three main fertile signs: cervical mucus, basal body temperature and cervical positioning How hormonal birth control really affects our hormonal health, both when we’re on it and transitioning back to natural cycles Using your menstrual cycle as a diagnostic tool for what’s out of balance in your health and life Do we really need to have periods? Our culture’s long history of suppressing the feminine The power of the menstrual c

Today on Question Period I'm switching things up. Instead of a listener question, I'm sharing what happened with my own period when I got hooked on decaf vanilla soy lattes. Resources mentioned in this episode:  Question Period: Should you eat soy?  Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird

Today I’m talking to Dr. Lara Briden, naturopathic doctor and author of the Period Repair Manual. We are going back to basics and learning all the things we didn’t back in health class: what a normal menstrual cycle and period is like, the importance of ovulation, using your period as a monthly health report card and why you should care about your ovulatory health even if you're not interested in having a baby. What we discussed: Why ovulation and menstrual health is important beyond baby making The various phases of the menstrual cycle and what’s normal for each How to recognize signs of ovulation What are anovulatory cycles and some of the causes behind them The difference between your period and the bleed you get on hormonal birth control How long a period should be and what your flow should look like in terms of colour, clotting and volume Some of the causes of period pain and when to know that your pain goes beyond normal Your period as a monthly health report card and how you can interpret it Why gett

Are you looking for natural relief from menstrual cramps? Today I'm discussing some of the natural ways to relieve cramps and painful periods. What we discussed:  What causes menstrual cramps and painful periods  Nutrition tips for reducing pain associated with your period  Why magnesium is the best supplement for hormonal imbalance The benefits of movement and exercise  How your period products might be contributing to cramps Using CBD for period pain relief  What to do when nutrition doesn't work  Resources mentioned in this episode:  PMS Busting Smoothie  Ginger Turmeric Latte  Superfood Scramble  Natural Calm Magnesium  Question Period: What are the best period products to use?  Episode 20: Pot + Periods with April Pride Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird

Today I’m talking to April Pride, founder of cannabis lifestyle brand Van der Pop. In this episode we discuss the benefits of cannabis, particularly for women’s health issues; the stigma attached to women using cannabis; how to navigate the brave new world of weed; and a few of the different ways to consume cannabis. What we discussed: How cannabis works in our bodies and why it’s so beneficial for women’s issues The stigma that affects women who use cannabis April’s favourite way to consume cannabis for period pain The differences between CBD and THC and how to navigate various cannabis strains Breastfeeding + cannabis consumption How estrogen affects cannabis tolerance Nutrition tips for PMS cravings and blood sugar balance The business side of cannabis Connect with April & Van der Pop: Van der Pop Website Van der Pop Instagram Facebook Twitter Resources mentioned in this episode: VdP Women & Weed Survey Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and wri

Is it normal to pee your pants after childbirth? Laura Wood, a pre- and postnatal movement specialist, aka & She Moves, joins me to talk about pelvic floor and why it's never normal to pee your pants, ever. What we discussed: What is your pelvic floor and what does it do? How pregnancy and childbirth can affect your pelvic floor The different types of incontinence and how you can correct them Other signs and symptoms that your pelvic floor might be too weak or too tight Why you should see a pelvic floor physiotherapist to assess your pelvic floor Yoga poses to help you tune into your pelvic floor Connect with Laura: Website Instagram & She Moves Community Facebook Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird

Today I’m talking to Sarah Barmak, author of Closer: Notes from the Orgasmic Frontier of Female Sexuality. In this episode, we talk about orgasms, how our culture informs female sexuality and consent. What we discussed: How female and male sexuality is hardwired in our brains What is an orgasm and why do we have them? How our culture affects female sexuality The broad spectrum of female orgasms including external, cervical and uterine orgasms Is the vagina an absence or a presence? Your amazing cervix! The benefits of exploratory pleasure Consent in the age of #MeToo Connect with Sarah: Website  Twitter  Sarah’s Tedx Talk - Women’s Sexuality Isn’t ‘Complicated’ Closer: Notes From the Orgasmic Frontier of Female Sexuality  Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 4 - Cycle Syncing with Gabrielle Lichterman Emily Nagoski The Dirty Normal  Natrishka Carly Boyce  What Consent Means in the Age of #MeToo Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a r

This week on Question Period we dive into some of the things to consider when choosing a menstrual product, from absorbancy to environmental impact. What we discussed: How to chose the right absorbancy Using a cup to determine how heavy your flow is Why we no longer have the luxury to not consider the environment when choosing menstrual products The importance of choosing menstrual products made without harsh chemicals Resources mentioned in this episode: Part I - Question Period: What are the best menstrual products to use  Tampon absorbency guidelines Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird