Episodes

  • 10: Pregnancy & Motherhood (with Brooke Vincent)

    10: Pregnancy & Motherhood (with Brooke Vincent)
    Jun 21 2021
    It felt only natural to end this series with a lovely squishy, listen-with-your-Mum episode on the WONDERS of pregnancy and childbirth! We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Sacha’s ex-fake-lover and two time baby mama Brooke Vincent join us just six weeks after delivering her second baby boy!

    As non-child-havers, growing and pushing a baby out seems near impossible, so we asked Brooke for ALL the gory and beautiful details on; conception, symptoms, how much nesting is too much nesting, juggling a toddler post-caesarean, body changes, setting boundaries, PERINEUM MASSAGES and so much more!

    We really hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did! For Monopod updates, or if you'd like to send us a message (and future topics you'd like us to cover?) you can find us over at @thevaginamonoblogs 

    Thank you so bloody much for listening! X
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    59 mins
  • 9: Period Poverty

    9: Period Poverty
    May 31 2021
    The STIGMA BUSTERS are back (that’s us), and in perfect keeping with Menstrual Hygiene and Health Awareness Day (last Friday), this week we are talking all about period poverty. 

    It is DIABOLICAL that any of us have to pay for our very necessary period products, but what about those of us who simply can’t?! Katie from Homeless Period Belfast was kind enough to join us to talk all about the wonderful organisation she’s a part of, their mission to end period poverty for all and to tell us what we (you) can do to help!!

    For more information please head over to @homelessperiodbelfast on Instagram or @hperiodbelfast on Twitter! And as always, we’ll be over at @thevaginamonoblogs on Instagram if you fancy giving us a follow or sending us a message!! 

    Thank you so much for listening! X
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    33 mins
  • 8: Period Plastics

    8: Period Plastics
    May 3 2021
    HERE'S THE BLOODY THING... We use tampons and sanitary pads for just a couple of hours, but they can then take 500+ YEARS to decompose!!! That means if Shakespeare used tampons (this is a conspiracy theorist friendly podcast) they’d still be around today, and Jane Austen’s would still have another 200+ years left in ‘em!!!!

    On this weeks PRODCAST (no? Carry on…) we’re talking all about period products and the shocking impact all that disposable plastic is having on the planet. Here to tell us what we can do to help is our period product planet preserving PIONEER post-woman, Ella Daish!

    To see Ella’s 6 foot tampon applicator or to keep up to date on her period plastic eradicating journey, you can find her @elladaish.

    You can also sign Ellas petition by following this link;

    www.change.org/endperiodplastic

    For monopod updates or just to say hi, you can find us over at @thevaginamonoblogs @sachalparkinson and @moflowright

    Thank you so much for listening!
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    48 mins
  • 7: PMS & PMDD

    7: PMS & PMDD
    Apr 19 2021
    Please be aware that this episode contains some difficult discussions, including a discussion about suicidal thoughts. There are some links at the bottom of this description which may help if some of these themes resonate with you - and of course, we completely understand if some people feel as if they need to skip this episode.

    “Chill out, are you on your period?!”

    “Oh she must be due on...”

    This episode is a big “GET IN THE BIN!” to all those who’ve ever dismissed our feelings as “just hormonal”. We’re here to validate those feelings and hopefully give you a better understanding of what our incredible bodies go through every month as we discuss PMS (pre menstrual syndrome) and its “satanic sibling” PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)!

    This weeks guest is PMDD sufferer and advocate Annika Waheed who bravely tells us about her (hell of a) journey to diagnosis and harrowing experiences of just how deadly this condition can be. We also have a chat about the stigma surrounding antidepressants and females being (god forbid) affected by their hormones!

    As many as 1 in 20 women suffer from PMDD which is why, as always, we are so grateful to you for listening and hopefully learning a thing or two along the way, we know we have! Awareness saves lives!

    If you want to drop Annika a message, or for more PMDD content, you can find her at @veni.vidi.vincens.vitae (I came, I saw, I’m conquering life) over on Instagram.

    Or for more PMDD / mental health support here are some links we think could help:

    https://www.pms.org.uk (National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes)

    https://iapmd.org (The International Association For Premenstrual Disorders)

    https://www.viciouscyclepmdd.com (Patient-led PMDD support)

    https://www.mind.org.uk (General mental health and PMDD support)

    https://www.samaritans.org (or call The Samaritans on 116 123)

    You can also come and say hello to us and get all your monopod updates at @thevaginamonoblogs @sachalparkinson and @moflowright.

    Thank you so much for listening!!
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    52 mins
  • 6: Early Menopause

    6: Early Menopause
    Apr 12 2021
    Menopause. A word we don’t have to think about until we’re at least 45 right? WRONG. This weeks episode is all about early menopause! We are joined by two incredible women, Sheree, who was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) at 15, and Ellie, who began the menopause following her extensive treatment for stage 4 cancer at just 15.

    It wouldn’t be a menopause episode without talking about aaaaall the symptoms most of us have to look forward to, as well as treatments (yes there are treatments, we don’t just have to put up with it!), what the menopause actually means for our bodies and STOP THE PRESS… It turns out our ovaries produce much more than just eggs!

    Our guests also tell us about the mental and physical effects of going through the menopause so young, their need to redefine what it means to be a woman and their plans for the future!

    Sheree and Ellie share a few of their top tips and favourite resources for anyone else in their position, but please do go and have a gander at Ellie's simple and wonderfully informative booklet ‘A Young Woman’s Guide to Menopause After Treatment for Cancer’ written along side queen of the menopause Dr Louise Newson.

    https://d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/574/A%20young%20women's%20guide%20INTERACTIVE.pdf

    For more from both of our guests head over to instagram @lifeofpoi_ and @teamellie_blog and as always, for Monopod updates or just to say hello, you can find us at @thevaginamonoblogs.

    Thank you so much for listening!
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    51 mins
  • 5: Endometriosis

    5: Endometriosis
    Mar 28 2021
    Emedichiosis? Endoleechriosis? Endometulotus? ENDOMETRIOSIS was discovered over 160 years ago and ONE. IN. TEN. (Potentially more) people suffer with it worldwide! So, why, why, why, why, WHY don’t we know everything there is to know about it?!

    Our lovely Sach was diagnosed with Endometriosis in 2016, she has since used her platform to raise awareness (a boss) and more recently became a proud ambassador for Endometriosis UK!

    This week comedian, writer, artist and Sacha’s hero Eleanor Thom will be joining us to tell us what brought her to write her fearless / funny / BRILLIANT memoir Private Parts, a book about Eleanor's experiences of living (... sleeping, walking, talking, eating, sitting, standing, working...) with Endometriosis. 

    While covering the wider systemic issues that lead to a lack of gynae health awareness, Eleanor and Sach tell and compare their Endo stories (in a nutshell... we’d need at least 8 years to tell you everything... coincidentally the same amount of time it generally takes to get a diagnosis!!!), which symptoms to look out for, and a few tips / what to do if you experience any of them.

    Thank you so so deeply for listening to this episode. We really hope you learn a thing or two about this chronic and often debilitating condition that is almost definitely effecting someone you know. ONE. IN. TEN.

    Please come and find us over @thevaginamonoblogs on Instagram. You are also fully encouraged to read/listen to Eleanor’s wonderful book Private Parts, I mean, it’s been endorsed by Phoebe Waller- Bridge... need you know more?
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • 4: Gynae Cancers

    4: Gynae Cancers
    Mar 22 2021
    As March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we thought it fitting to have a big ol’ chat about the big (gynaecological) C!

    In this episode, Comedian / Writer / Cat Mother and all round LEGEND Karen Hobbs was kind enough to talk us through her experience of cervical cancer at the age of just 24. As Information Officer to the UK's leading gynae cancer charity Eve Appeal, our non-Karen Karen also fills us in on all the things we, as female reproductive organ owners, should be keeping an eye on!

    We are absolutely 200% (100 each) definitely really not medical professionals and this podcast does not intend to daunt or dishearten anyone! Our aim, as always, is to ask the questions we hope you want the answers to, to normalise talking about our bits (including the more serious stuff), all while having a little laugh or twelve along the way. Oh, and GO FOR YOUR SMEAR!

    For more gynae cancer information and support head over to eveappeal.org.uk. For Monopod updates or just to say hello, you can find us on instagram @thevaginamonoblogs and for more glorious Karen content head over to @karen_hobbs!

    Thank you so much for listening!!!!
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    1 hr
  • 3: Contraception: Part Two

    3: Contraception: Part Two
    Mar 14 2021
    PART TWO OF THE BEST SCIENCE LESSON YOU’VE EVER HAD!

    Welcome to contraception part two! Dr West is back and In this episode we delve into the L.A.R.Cs (long acting reversible contraception), men being a contraEXception, as well as finding out what YOUR favourite methods are.

    Today’s lesson plan;
    • Femidoms
    • The coil
    • The implant
    • The coil
    • The injection
    • THE COIL
    • The diaphragm/vaginal cap
    • Cycle tracking
    • Coïtus interruptus (sorry, what?)
    • ChlamEYEdia
    • And every STIs worst enemy, the condom.

    Everyone has a horror story to tell when it comes to contraception, our aim is to debunk the myths and encourage you to explore your options! We know your Mum's friend told you that the pill made her uterus fall out… but every body is different and KNOWLEDGE IS (pussy) POWER.

    Head over to @gynaegossip on Instagram for more of Dr West’s menstrual, gynaecological and contraceptive genius and if you’d like to share your contraceptive stories, or for Monopod updates, you can find us @thevaginamonoblogs!
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    48 mins