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CRAMPED

CRAMPED

By: Kate Downey
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One nerd’s quest to find out why we know next to nothing about period pain. Tired of suffering from "death cramps" with no diagnosis for 20 years, Kate Downey has to look for her own answers. She interviews top doctors and researchers, and delves into topics from Greek history to sitcoms to TikTok wellness scams, all to figure out why menstrual pain is so often dismissed and untreated. What she finds will change how you think about your own body and the medical system. Because having a microphone gets you more answers than having a uterus. Season 1 launches weekly episodes starting February 2025.© Kate Downey Hygiene & Healthy Living Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Diet, Exercise, and Period Pain: What You Might Be Missing
    Jan 27 2026

    Have you ever sought help for your period pain and been told "just lose some weight", or "exercise more", or "just cut out [insert any food group here]"?

    We know that diet and exercise is important, and when we're dealing with period pain (or any of the conditions that cause it), we try to "eat healthy" and "move our bodies". But is there something missing from this equation that's sabotaging our efforts?

    Kate brings on Allison Yamamoto (certified fitness & nutrition coach specializing in menstrual disturbances) to answer her questions about about diet, exercise, and period pain.


    CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.

    Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPED


    Links Mentioned in Episode:

    IOC Consensus Statement: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/17/1073

    Allison's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonyamamoto/?hl=en

    Allison's Website: https://www.koaathletic.health/

    Direct link to subscribe to Allison's newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/f4BQFI


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    44 mins
  • Is Period Pain All In Our Heads? Subscriber-only Episode Teaser
    Jan 13 2026

    Dr. Laura Payne, the best-named clinical & research psychologist studying menstrual pain, joins us to talk about how our brains process the sensations of pain. Are there psychological interventions that can actually relieve chronic pain? Does having severe period pain mean we're doomed to chronic pain forever? What's the difference between a doctor telling you "you're just anxious" and a pain psychology specialist helping you reprocess your pain pathways? Will Dr. Payne ever start a band? LETS FIND OUT!


    Listen to the full episode and support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPED


    CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    15 mins
  • Are Crampers Better Off in 2025?
    Dec 11 2025

    In our last episode of 2025, Kate looks back on 2025 and attempts to answer the question "Are crampers better off in 2025?" We take a tour through SUPER FUN stuff that impacts people with period pain like federal funding decisions, new endometriosis research centers, new pain medications, and medical guidance releases. We get a zoomed-out sense of the state of dysmenorrhea in 2025, and what we have to look forward to next year.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    22 mins
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