Episode 80: Diving Deeper - Exploring Menstrual Health Part Two with guest and BFF Sarah Rich

Hello, hi! This episode delivers part two of my conversation about women’s health and empowerment with Sarah Rich.  Drawing from her background in Sexuality, Marriage, and Family studies, coupled with a minor in psychology, Sarah brings a distinctive perspective that shapes our conversation. Her versatile career journey—from construction to taxes and beauty—has honed her adaptability and nurtured an insatiable curiosity.

Venturing abroad during her dynamic 20s ignited her love for exploration, a passion she now fuels through running, rowing, boxing, and weight lifting. Sarah embraces the roles of a devoted spouse and a mother of three, excelling in both her professional pursuits and her familial bonds.

With over a decade dedicated to fostering student development at a university, Sarah empowers young minds to flourish, though her true calling lies in championing diversity and inclusivity. Her advocacy extends to women, visible minorities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals, enriching lives through her unrelenting commitment.

In this continuation of our candid conversation about menstrual health, join us as we dive even deeper into the topic of women's cycles and the broader spectrum of experiences that come along with it. Host Erin Vandeven and her best friend Sarah explore these matters with openness and a touch of humour – all while engaging in some makeup playtime!

1. Breaking the Silence: We address the importance of more open conversations surrounding menstrual health. By doing so, we aim to foster inclusivity, alleviate feelings of isolation, and diminish societal marginalization.
2. Banishing Guilt and Shame: We explore the necessity of dispelling guilt associated with hormonal cycle-related symptoms. This includes breaking free from self-judgment and embracing a healthier understanding of the body's natural fluctuations.
3. Beyond Menstrual Products: An intriguing question arises – why are there no products tailored to support women throughout their entire hormonal cycle, beyond just menstruation? 
4. Cycling and Sexuality: Expecting variations in sexual desire and experiences as hormones shift throughout the monthly cycle. We discuss the ebbs and flows of sexuality and how to navigate these changes.
5. Talking to Kids About Periods: Sharing age-appropriate and accessible information with children about periods is vital. We explore how this conversation differs from the way we learned about menstruation and the benefits it offers.
6. The Menstrual Myth Dilemma: We delve into the harms of menstrual myths, especially when women seek medical help for symptoms or pain. Often, they face gaslighting within the healthcare system, hindering accurate diagnoses.
7. Advice for Our Younger Selves: Reflecting on our own experiences, we share the advice we wish we could offer our younger selves about understanding and embracing our periods.
8. Sarah's Top Tip: Sarah provides an insightful tip for all listeners who experience a menstrual cycle, offering guidance to put this episode's inspiration into action.

Join Sarah and I as we continue to uncover the unspoken facets of women's health and strive to empower individuals on their unique journeys of self-discovery.

 

Key Topics:

• Menstrual health
• Women's cycles
• Open dialogue about periods
• Hormonal symptoms
• Dispelling guilt and shame
• Support beyond menstrual phase
• Impact of hormonal cycles on sexuality
• Conversations about periods with children
• Menstrual myths
• Medical diagnoses and menstrual symptoms
• Advice for younger selves about periods
• Women's health and well-being

Connect with Sarah:

• @aseversarah on Instagram

Connect with Host:

• @medium.lady on Instagram
• You can also listen to  my NEW podcast Medium Lady Reads, with my co-host Jillian O’Keefe, for all the book exclusive Medium Lady content