Day Twenty Four: To Bleed or Not to Bleed
03/21/22 • 14 min
1 Listener
Millions of women across the world take hormonal contraception either as birth control or to help with problem periods - but do we know how much they might be affecting our brains?
In this episode India asks Dr Jackie Maybin from the University of Edinburgh, whether there is a physiological need for women to have their periods whilst on the contraceptive pill. Dr Katy Vincent explains how women today have far more periods than our recent ancestors ever did and Dr Sarah Hill, author of How the Pill Changes Everything: Your Brain on Birth Control, joins to discuss the effect of the pill on women’s brains.
Credits: Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer: Jorja McAndrew. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound Design by Charlie Brandon-King.
Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.
A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Millions of women across the world take hormonal contraception either as birth control or to help with problem periods - but do we know how much they might be affecting our brains?
In this episode India asks Dr Jackie Maybin from the University of Edinburgh, whether there is a physiological need for women to have their periods whilst on the contraceptive pill. Dr Katy Vincent explains how women today have far more periods than our recent ancestors ever did and Dr Sarah Hill, author of How the Pill Changes Everything: Your Brain on Birth Control, joins to discuss the effect of the pill on women’s brains.
Credits: Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer: Jorja McAndrew. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound Design by Charlie Brandon-King.
Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.
A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Previous Episode
Day Twenty Three: Exercycle
India meets performance physiologist Dr Stacy Sims who offers key advice on how best to tailor your eating and exercise routine to certain points of your cycle whether you’re a regular cycling women, experiencing the menopause or on hormonal contraception. They also discuss data bias in the diet and exercise world.
Credits: Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer: Jorja McAndrew. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound Design by Charlie Brandon-King.
Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.
A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Next Episode
Day Twenty Five: Why 28 Days?
How long is too long for a menstrual cycle? And what can be the causes of irregular periods? India talks to Dr Anita Mitra and Dr Dornu Lebari about what's 'normal' as well as the hormonal imbalance that arises from the condition polycystic ovary syndrome. India also finds out about some unusual animal cycles.
Credits: Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer: Jorja McAndrew. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound Design by Charlie Brandon-King.
Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.
A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
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