The Proof with Simon Hill
Myths about your period | Jen Gunter, Md
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Understanding the key phases of the menstrual cycle is essential for reproductive health.
- Debunking myths surrounding menstrual blood color and its correlation with hormonal balance.
- Managing heavy menstrual bleeding is crucial to prevent iron deficiency and related health issues.
- Twin pregnancies and multiple conception mechanisms demonstrate the complexity of human reproduction.
- Hormonal changes play a crucial role in orchestrating the menstrual cycle and influencing fertility.
- COVID vaccines have no negative impact on fertility and can improve pregnancy outcomes.
Deep dives
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle and its Importance
The menstrual cycle is a crucial aspect of human biology, with different phases contributing to the process of reproduction. The two main phases are the follicular phase, marked by increasing estrogen levels and follicle development, and the luteal phase, characterized by ovulation and rising progesterone levels. Ovulation, the release of the egg, typically occurs midway through the cycle, signaling the fertile window. If fertilization does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, leading to menstruation.
Physiology Behind Menstruation
Menstruation is the shedding of the endometrium, triggered by the withdrawal of progesterone in the absence of pregnancy. This process involves inflammatory cascades, release of prostaglandins, and the separation of the decidua from the uterine lining. Menstrual fluid consists of decidua, inflammatory fluid, blood, and other mucosal secretions. The upper limit of normal blood loss during menstruation is around 80 milliliters, with heavier bleeding potentially leading to iron deficiency.
Addressing Myths Around Menstrual Blood Color
The idea that the color of menstrual blood reflects one's hormonal balance is unsubstantiated. The color of menstrual blood varies based on factors like dilution, oxidation, and quantity. A few drops may appear pinkish due to dilution, while larger quantities result in darker colors as blood oxidizes. There is no scientific basis to link hormonal status to the color of menstrual blood.
Implications of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding on Iron Levels
Heavy menstrual bleeding can impact iron levels, potentially leading to iron deficiency if not managed properly. While normal menstruation may not result in iron deficiency, substantial blood loss can affect iron stores and overall health. Iron deficiency can manifest in symptoms like fatigue, cognitive issues, hair loss, and unusual cravings such as ice consumption.
Understanding Twin Pregnancies and Conception
Twin pregnancies typically arise from the simultaneous ovulation of two dominant follicles, resulting in the fertilization of two eggs. Identical twins occur when a single embryo splits into two, while super fettendation involves conceiving two fetuses on different days within a short timeframe. These phenomena contribute to multiple pregnancies and variations in conception mechanisms.
Significance of Hormonal Changes in the Menstrual Cycle
Hormonal changes play a pivotal role in orchestrating the menstrual cycle. Increasing estrogen levels in the follicular phase prime the uterine lining for ovulation, while the surge of luteinizing hormone triggers the release of the egg. Subsequent rises in progesterone signal the luteal phase, preparing the uterus for potential implantation. This intricate hormonal interplay governs the reproductive cycle and influences fertility.
Menstrual Blood Colors and Duration: Insights from Podcast Episode
The color of menstrual blood is influenced by factors like the decidua shedding, but it carries no medical significance regarding hormonal status or health. Normal periods can last up to seven days, but even light spotting should be monitored, especially in relation to energy balance and caloric intake. Prolonged periods or very light bleeding might signal hormonal issues or energy deficiency, particularly in active individuals like young female athletes.
Menstrual Cycles and Health Impact: Key Points to Note
Menstrual cycles range from 24 to 38 days, with bleeding lasting up to seven days considered normal. Variability in cycle length, onset, and flow is common and doesn't necessarily indicate problems. Studies suggest a shorter menstrual cycle could relate to an earlier menopause with associated health risks, but specific cycle lengths are not inherently problematic.
COVID Vaccines and Menstrual Cycles: Insights Shared
COVID vaccines have no negative impact on fertility, and they are actually recommended to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce risks associated with contracting COVID during pregnancy. Some data suggest a slight lengthening of the menstrual cycle post-vaccination, primarily noted in individuals receiving two doses close together, but these changes are within normal ranges.
Debunking Menstrual Synchronization Myth: Exploring Reality vs. Legend
The belief in menstrual synchronization among individuals spending time together is debunked with scientific explanations. There is no biological basis for this phenomenon, and studies disproving its existence have not found any valid evidence to support the claim. Misconceptions about hormonal influence on menstrual synchronization are challenged, emphasizing individual hormonal agency.
Understanding Hormones and Their Impact on Bone Health
Hormones like oral ethanol estradiol play a crucial role in women's health, particularly during menopause. The absence of estrogen can lead to concerns regarding bone health. While ethanol estradiol may not be ideal for bone protection in some individuals, options like estradiol, transdermal, or conjugated equine estrogens can help maintain bone health during menopause.
Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions About Breast Cancer Risk
Oral ethanol estradiol has been associated with a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer, but the overall absolute risk remains low, especially in younger individuals. On the other hand, the pill provides protection against endometrial and ovarian cancers. Individual factors, such as genetic predispositions and medical conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, play a significant role in assessing cancer risks.
The Reality of Contraceptive Pill and Blood Clot Risks
The contraceptive pill carries a risk of blood clots, especially in individuals over 35 who smoke, highlighting the importance of individualized care and risk assessment. Despite the potential risks, the pill remains a safe and effective contraceptive method when used appropriately. Contrary to misconceptions, the pill also plays a positive role in treating conditions like iron deficiency anemia.
Importance and Effectiveness of Emergency Contraception Methods
Emergency contraception methods like Plan B and Ella are highly effective in preventing pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation. These options serve as vital tools in preventing unwanted pregnancies when used within a specified time frame. Copper or hormonal IUDs offer even greater efficacy as emergency contraception methods, providing a safe and reliable alternative.
Episode #313. Is your menstrual cycle normal? How is the pill affecting your body? Join me as I sit down with Dr Jen Gunter, a renowned expert in women's health, to answer these questions and many more as we take a deep dive into contraception, the menstrual cycle, and common female health myths.
You’ll learn about the key phases of the menstrual cycle and the associated symptoms, discover how different forms of hormonal contraception work and whether they’re safe, debunk a series of pervasive female health myths, and much more. Whether you personally menstruate or use contraceptives or know someone who does – effectively everyone – this episode is an essential listen on female health.
Specifically, we discuss:
- Intro (00:00)
- The Impact of Disinformation on Women's Health Choices (01:17)
- Exploring Gaps in Medical Research on Female Physiology (07:17)
- Navigating Misinformation and Vulnerability in Women's Health (15:52)
- The Importance of the Menstrual Cycle: A Comprehensive Overview (17:44)
- Inclusivity and Language in Medical and Social Contexts (33:12)
- The Phases of the Menstrual Cycle: A Detailed Explanation (41:02)
- Female Physiology: Mechanism and Function of Menstruation (50:25)
- COVID Vaccines: Effects on Menstrual Cycles and Fertility (01:01:55)
- Menstrual Myths Debunked: Separating Fact from Fiction (01:06:00)
- Managing Menstrual Symptoms and Pain: Expert Advice (01:13:45)
- Hormonal Health Myths: Dutch Test, Birth Control Pill, and Diet (01:39:33)
- Osteoporosis and Birth Control Pills: Is There a Connection? (01:46:26)
- Birth Control and Cancer Risk: Examining the Evidence (01:51:25)
- Birth Control Pills and Acne (01:57:30)
- Menstrual Cycle: Detoxification and Birth Control's Impact on Maturation (02:02:03)
- Emergency Contraception Options: Plan B and Ella (02:08:48)
- Abortion: Laws, Misconceptions, and Future Implications (02:30:03)
- Final Thoughts and Empowering Women in Health Choices (02:45:56)
Connect with Dr Jen Gunter on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Order her new book, Blood: the Science, Medicine and Mythology of Menstruation, here. For even more comprehensive information, you can read Dr Gunter’s other books, The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto. Head to her blog, https://vajenda.substack.com/, for frequent newsletters and articles.
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Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)
Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill
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