When Dr. Anne Hussain was growing up in Pakistan, periods were not something that was talked about openly. When her periods became irregular, not only was there nobody to ask about it, but it prevented her from being properly assessed and diagnosed.

Fast forward to moving to Canada, Anne was able to be formally assessed and diagnosed with PCOS, but only after advocating for herself and learning about her hormones on her own.

Anne realized there was a gap in menstrual education not just in Pakistan, but also in Canada. She’s spent the rest of her career in Naturopathic Medicine creating accessible information for women and people who menstruate about what a “normal” period looks like.

Even if you think you know what normal is, this episode is for you if you’ve ever wondered:

If your spotting is normal?
If your level of bleeding or cramps is normal?
How to advocate for yourself at our doctor’s office?
Whether the changes you’ve experienced as you age are normal?

Have a listen, and be sure to follow Anne on Instagram. Her book on period literacy hits shelves in the spring of 2022.

Is your period normal? How to become more period-literate.