Ladies, We Need To Talk

Weight gain, bristly hairs, no period. Welcome to  Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome.  PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility worldwide and it can cause debilitating physical and psychological symptoms. 1 in 8 women have PCOS, so that’s at least a couple of friends in your group chat. So why do we still know so little about it?  Yumi Stynes catches up with ladies who’ve been battling PCOS for years and finds out how they get on top of it. Featured in this episode: Professor Helena Teede, female endocrine specialist from Monash University 

Do you have to pry your partner off the couch with a fork-lift? Are they living in skanky trackies 24/7? Yumi spills the tea on what to do if your other half has gone full slob. Got a life problem you just can’t solve? Help is at hand! We’re handing the mic over to you, our lush listeners and taking the burden of problem solving off your shoulders... because Ladies, We Need To Talk... Back! Send us your questions as a voice note to ladies@abc.net.au - we can’t wait to hear from you!

We live in a sex obsessed world, where hook-up culture is king and getting laid out like a spatchcocked chicken is a status symbol. But what if you’re a fully-fledged adult, paying your own bills and you’re still a “virgin”? Some women might hold off having sex for the first time because they want to meet the “right” person, others because they haven’t had the opportunity or are waiting until marriage. Whatever the reason, it can feel lonely and isolating when there so much noise around sex.  Yumi Stynes talks to women who haven’t yet had sex, either by choice or circumstance and to another who waited to have sex for over 40 years, until she met her perfect person. We love hearing from you! Send us an email or a voice note to ladies@abc.net.auFeatured in this episode:Amanda McCracken, writer on love and limerence

Uh oh, what’s that you smell... a funky odour down below? The thought of having a stinky crotch is nightmare fuel for some women, but do we even need to worry about our musky bouquet?  The delicate aroma of our lady-garden can be affected by things like our menstrual cycle and our lifestyle but how do we tell when the stank goes from normal to full on malodorous pudenda territory and what can be done about it?  It’s time to take off those undies and confront the smelly minge in the room with your bestie Yumi by your side for support.  Featured in this episode:  Deborah Bateson, Professor of Practice and an expert in sexual health at the University of Sydney Sarah O'Neill, comedian  

What happens when you want a divorce but the cost of leaving your marriage would cripple you financially?  Would you ever stay in an unhappy marriage for the security money offers?  It’s no secret, life is bloody expensive right now. From soaring rents to the cost of a bunch of broccoli, times are tough! So, sticking it out in a relationship you’re no longer happy in can seem appealing.  Yumi Stynes talks to women who’ve had to make that extremely difficult choice.  Featured in this episode:  Victoria Devine, host of She’s on the Money Emily Maguire, CEO of Respect Victoria Rachel Voysey, Founding Director of the Relationship Room Some names have been changed to protect identities Life Line: 13 11 141800 Respect: 1800 737 732

Author and feminist Clementine Ford challenges societal expectations of marriage, discussing its limitations on women's choices and achievements. She explores the exploitative nature of marriage, its historical treatment of women, and the challenges faced when trying to leave. Ford emphasizes the importance of understanding the history of marriage and making informed decisions about relationships.

Do you wizz when you sneeze? Or avoid star jumps at the gym? One in four of us (!) have pelvic floor problems which can lead to incontinence and prolapse (eek). But don’t stress! Yumi Stynes has kegel’d her way back to the Ladies archives and dug up some reassurance that you can definitely turn things around. Just be prepared to clench. 

You think you’ve met “the one” and they seem totally perfect for you, but is it all too good to be true? Could you be dating a narcissist?  What starts out as a dreamy relationship filled with fancy presents and compliments galore, suddenly turns sour and you’re left wondering if you’re slowly losing your mind.  Narcissists make up only 1% of the population but the impact they have on the women who date them can be truly devastating.  Yumi Stynes meets women who have fallen in love with a narcissist and uncovers the psychology behind their charm.  Featured in this episode:  Tamara Cavenett, clinical psychologist  Some names have been changed to protect identities Life Line: 13 11 141800 Respect: 1800 737 732

In this podcast, Yumi Stynes explores the relationship between alcohol and sex. The episodes feature discussions on sober sex, navigating challenges, the impact of trauma and alcohol on sexuality, personal experiences of sober sex, changes in sex life after getting sober, and a personal true crime story.

Yumi has been on an adventure down to the depths of the ABC archives to uncover an absolute banger of an episode.  On every form you ever fill out, there’s always a tick box about your romantic status — de facto, married, single. Why are we only judged on romantic relationships rather than some of the most important bonds in our life — our friendships? In this love letter to our friends, Yumi Stynes invites herself into the joyful friendship between Jamila Rizvi and Clare Bowditch and celebrates the deep platonic love we can only get from our besties.