Mary Ryan | The Things We Ignore About Women’s Health cover art

Mary Ryan | The Things We Ignore About Women’s Health

Mary Ryan | The Things We Ignore About Women’s Health

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 🎧 Episode DescriptionHow many women have been told that pain is just part of being a woman?For many women, painful or heavy periods become something they learn to live with. In this conversation, periods are reframed as something far more important - a vital sign that reflects what’s happening across the whole body, not just a monthly inconvenience.Through real clinical stories, we hear how women can spend years feeling exhausted, run down, or unwell without ever realising the root cause. These symptoms are normalised, when in reality they need to be recognised and supported much earlier.Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Mary shares how early intervention can prevent long-term conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. The discussion also expands into menopause, hormone therapy, and the importance of lifestyle - from nutrition and sleep to stress and daily habits - in supporting the body.Alongside the science, the episode reflects on modern life - the pressure to do too much, the importance of boundaries, and the need to delegate and share the load.At its core, this episode is about listening to your body, questioning what doesn’t feel right, and giving yourself permission to take your health seriously.🔑 Key PointsYour period is a vital signYour menstrual cycle reflects overall health, yet many women are never taught what is normal and what isn’t.Severe pain and heavy bleeding aren’t normalSymptoms like prolonged periods, extreme pain, or vomiting are often dismissed, but they signal underlying imbalance that should be investigated.Early intervention changes everythingAddressing irregular periods in teenage years can prevent long-term conditions like PCOS and endometriosis.Hormones affect the whole bodyImbalances don’t just impact periods - they influence energy, mood, weight, skin, and long-term health outcomes.Lifestyle is the foundation of hormone healthNutrition, sleep, exercise, and gut health all play a key role in regulating hormones and supporting the body.Conditions like PCOS are often missedWeight gain, acne, and irregular cycles are common early signs, yet many women go undiagnosed for years.Hormonal support can restore balanceTreatments like progesterone and metformin can help regulate cycles and improve symptoms when used appropriately.Women are doing too muchChronic stress, over-responsibility, and lack of boundaries can impact hormone health and overall wellbeing.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeIt’s Probably Your Period by Mary RyanMary’s book focused on understanding menstrual health and early interventionPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)A hormonal condition that can affect periods, weight, skin, and fertilityEndometriosisA condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the uterus, often causing severe painHormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)Treatment used to relieve symptoms of menopause by replacing hormonesProgesteroneA hormone involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting pregnancyMetforminA medication commonly used for type 2 diabetes, also used in managing PCOSInsulin ResistanceA condition where the body doesn’t respond properly to insulin, often linked to PCOSProstaglandinsHormone-like substances that can cause inflammation and menstrual cramps⏱️ Timestamps01:00 – Periods as a vital sign02:30 – What a normal period looks like04:00 – Severe pain and inflammation06:30 – Early intervention and prevention08:30 – PCOS, weight gain and acne11:30 – Treatment and metformin14:30 – Hormone balance and long-term health16:30 – Menopause and progesterone18:30 – Spotting, flooding and hormone changes20:30 – HRT and hormone therapy22:30 – Testosterone and brain fog24:00 – Fibroids and prevention25:30 – Women doing too much27:00 – Delegation and sharing the load28:30 – Relationships, stress and health impact30:00 – Raising resilient children31:30 – Loss, grief and perspective33:30 – Life lessons and self-worth35:00 – Final advice for young peopleThanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
No reviews yet