Myths About Your Period | Jen Gunter, MD | The Proof Podcast EP

Is your menstrual cycle normal? How is the pill affecting your body? How do you sort science from snake oil? These are questions that many women have but might not have the resources to answer. 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.
👇 Visit The Proof website for the full show notes and supporting studies. 👇 theproof.com/podcast/
We cover:
00:00 Intro
01:17 The Impact of Disinformation on Women's Health Choices
07:17 Exploring Gaps in Medical Research on Female Physiology
15:52 Navigating Misinformation and Vulnerability in Women's Health
17:44 The Importance of the Menstrual Cycle: A Comprehensive Overview
33:12 Inclusivity and Language in Medical and Social Contexts
41:02 The Phases of the Menstrual Cycle: A Detailed Explanation
50:25 Female Physiology: Mechanism and Function of Menstruation
01:01:55 COVID Vaccines: Effects on Menstrual Cycles and Fertility
01:06:00 Menstrual Myths Debunked: Separating Fact from Fiction
01:15:21 Managing Menstrual Symptoms and Pain: Expert Advice
01:40:30 Hormonal Health Myths: Dutch Test, Birth Control Pill, and Diet
01:47:28 Osteoporosis and Birth Control Pills: Is There a Connection?
01:52:24 Birth Control: Cancer and Acne Insight
02:03:03 Menstrual Cycle: Detoxification and Birth Control's Impact on Maturation
02:09:48 Emergency Contraception Options: Plan B and Ella
02:31:03 Abortion: Laws, Misconceptions, and Future Implications
02:46:56 Final Thoughts and Empowering Women in Health Choices
Dr Jen Gunter is an internationally celebrated obstetrician and gynaecologist. She is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Vagina Bible, The Menopause Manifesto, and more recently Blood. Fondly known as Twitter’s resident gynaecologist and the internet’s OB/GYN, she is a steadfast advocate for women's health, championing for accurate and reliable information to help women make informed decisions about their health. Dr Gunter's work extends beyond her books, with her writings published in the New York Times, Dame, The New Republic, The Guardian, and more. Her mission is to build a better medical internet, because to be empowered about health one must have accurate information.
Connect with Dr Jen Gunter:
- Instagram: / drjengunter
- Twitter/X: / drjengunter
- TikTok: / drjengunter
- Website: vajenda.substack.com/
- Books: vajenda.substack.com/p/books
If you have any additional questions you would like answered in the future, let me know in the comments.
Enjoy, friends.
Simon
This episode is brought to you by:
InsideTracker
If you want to improve your health, you need to measure where you’re currently at. InsideTracker analyses up to 48 blood biomarkers including ApoB, LDL, HDL, A1C, and more before giving you advice to optimise your health. Head to insidetracker.com/simon and get 10% off the InsideTracker subscription and any plan.
BON CHARGE
Enhance skin health, increase collagen production, and reverse sun damage with BON CHARGE, my choice of low-level light therapy. Holistic, evidence-based, premium products for healthier skin. Get started at boncharge.com/ and use code THEPROOF for a 15% discount.
Sun Home Saunas
Invest in your body and mind with Sun Home Saunas, pioneers in crafting premium saunas and cold plunges. Safe, effective, research-backed wellness tools to improve cardiovascular health, offer psychological benefits, and reduce muscle soreness. Head to sunhomesaunas.com/theproof for $300 off your purchase.
38TERA
Consider 38TERA's DMN-01 prebiotic supplement 38tera.com/ a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.
Want to support the show?
The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family.
Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)
Creator of theproof.com/ and host of theproof.com/podcast/
Author of The Proof is in the Plants theproof.com/book/
Connect with me on Instagram / theproof , Twitter / theproof , and Facebook / theproofwithsimonhill
Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide theproof.com/ferments/
Download my complimentary Two-Week Meal Plan plantproof.com/mealplan and high protein Plant Performance recipe book theproof.com/performance/

[@RitaAvelar-wz9zb]

I just love Dr. Gunter! Her balanced, evidence-based way of communicating is becoming increasingly rare to find on the internet these days. Her writing style is also great!

[@TheProofWithSimonHill]

Well said!

[@k.h.6991]

When all the bathrooms at work became gender inclusive, one woman complained that it was now a less comfortable place to change ( into her tight work skirt). A man complained that he would now have to watch the sounds he makes. Another one noted that guy bathrooms were generally just less clean. I think bathrooms have loads of cultural baggage. We ended up getting all three: gender neutral bathrooms, male and female ones. I do usually go to the gendered female bathroom.

[@mdoe5568]

Thanks so much for this awesome interview. I enjoyed the information and agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Gunter's views on women's health issues!

[@mime5936]

Simon!! Another Lovely convo with a great guest! Three comments: First, I studied evolution as part of a specialized biology degree during undergrad, and one of the courses I took was in evolution of sensory systems in primates. During that course, taught by a professor who had extensively studied and researched the topic of evolutionary senses in primates, it was taught to us that humans do not have functioning pheromone receptors. I’ve been telling people that for YEARS, so kudos to Dr. Gunter for mentioning it. Second, regarding the question about fertility in men and cancer treatment, I worked in clinical operations management with a group who surgically consulted with pediatric hematology and oncology. One of our surgeons did “harvesting” of testicular tissue in boys who were going to undergo cancer treatment to preserve his ability to have children later in life. I’m not sure of the data, but it does seem to have a decreasing effect on fertility since that was becoming a more common procedure. It may also have to do with the specific kind of treatment, but there you are. They also did it for young women, but it was less common at the time. Could be different now as that was about 4-5 years ago. And third, Dr. Gunter’s discussion with you about the state of abortion care in this country was painful and yet, so very on point. Very few people in the “pro-life” camp are actually pro life. They are pro-restriction and pro control of women. We need more strong advocates for women’s bodily autonomy and for education and contraception like Dr. Gunter.

[@mabelvenegas4574]

Another amazing episode, thank you Simon!

[@TheProofWithSimonHill]

My pleasure!

[@k.h.6991]

Excellent explanation of how people get into misinformation rabbit holes.

[@raithneach]

The conversation on inclusivity was great to hear. Especially considering that if someone feels invisible, excluded or overlooked, it's possible that could affect their willingness or ability to access needed healthcare.

[@herbivor4111]

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to both Simon and Jen for your discussion on inclusive language. As a trans man, it’s often an extremely difficult subject for us to discuss, given the severe mental anguish periods can induce for us and it helps a lot when we are acknowledged to exist. Information like this (and the rest of Simon’s episodes) would have helped me a lot when I was younger. I’m glad it’s here now. Something interesting that happened to me was when I went vegan (pre-transition) and immediately experienced a massive decrease in period-related symptoms. I went from being unable to sleep from the pain, taking multiple sets of painkillers, vomiting, upset stomach etc. to only taking painkillers twice more for the next 4 years until I transitioned. Would be very interested in understanding the mechanism behind this - I assume something along the lines of consuming drastically less oestrogen and inflammatory substances and more anti-inflammatory foods? Is there any data on plant-based diets and menstrual symptoms that you know of? Other issues I’m curious about my girlfriend experienced. She gained a lot of weight (20 kg) on the pill and struggled immensely to lose any of it and then had very painful and long (2-3 week) long periods with spotting in between using a copper IUD. Her doctors didn’t believe that the pill could cause weight gain and were no help in trying to address the issues caused by the IUD, only suggesting that she go back on the pill. Any ideas on the mechanisms behind the weight gain and severe symptoms? I should probably go dig through the literature myself, but wondered if anyone here might be able to provide more insight.

[@AnaRodriguez-wn8qq]

Dr Gemma Newman on the Rich Roll podcast talked about the impact of a plant based diet on lessening period symptoms! If I remember correctly it’s related to the high fiber content helping to move the feces through the body more quickly. When it stays in the body, the hormones from your food basically stay in your body for longer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4SWhq2Jar6bmaMsi=fpe8jeUsJY2IR1Dm

[@herbivor4111]

@@AnaRodriguez-wn8qq That's fascinating! Thanks so much Ana :D

[@olyav5819]

Great discussion!

[@vwlisa]

I really like this convo. Thanks Simon for being so interested in womens stuff too. It was good to hear this side of menstruation and menopause. I’ve had seriously painful periods my whole life but just accepted it and tried everything in the way of natural medicine … but didn’t help. The only thing which took the edge off pain and stopped me passing out from it was Nurofen Plus but they changed that to over counter only with prescription. I then had Mirena to help and it was extremely painful to be removed. Now at 49 going through pre menopause and went through 1 1/2 months of excessive bleeding with checks for cancer through hysteroscopy of the uterine lining as it was thickened. They have recommended another mirena but I am terrified because of the pain when having it removed and have been brainwashed into thinking it’s bad. I think it’s good to look at both options natural and modern also having an open mind to make an informed decision.

[@sarahralph8475]

Thank you. Something to share with my daughters so they truly know how amazing their bodies really are ❤

[@allisonfalin8854]

Part of being able to make health care choice is knowing what is and isn’t true. Otherwise you are just following someone’s advice blindly. Dr. Gunter practices evidence based medicine and I appreciate her adherence to fact and what we know, not what we think we might know because we read a few meta-analysis.

[@Rose_Ou]

I'm always discouraged from watching an interview with anyone saying "you know" or "like" 10 or more times per 3 minutes.

[@k.h.6991]

If the pill affected fertility, after stopping it, people would be up in arms.

[@k.h.6991]

Halfway through the video went black.

[@XeniaAidonopoulou]

In more ways than one...

[@TheProofWithSimonHill]

Going to sort this! Was it just once? Thanks

[@TheProofWithSimonHill]

?

[@k.h.6991]

Nope, I went back to another KZbin screen and then back to the video. But if you can't reproduce, then it's still only a technical glitch.

[@marilyn48ful]

Didn’t like the way you got Mindy in your conversation, believe me you don’t need MD behind your name to know what you are talking about. Mindy helped me when my doctor had NO idea how to, so who cares what initials you have she still does her research and has helped millions lose weight and reverse disease, I am proof of that, will unfollow you and won’t ever follow her.

[@TheProofWithSimonHill]

Hi Marilyn, thanks for your feedback. Would be happy to have Mindy on to discuss some of her claims.

[@earx23]

Interesting, but political. Female solipsism is real. Evolutionarily, it's a fascinating concept. Mannerites with pronoun issues are in my eyes a sign that people don't have real struggles anymore. Back in high school I got most of the inside info on the menstrual cycle. This was 30 years ago. We live an age where there is positive discrimination for women almost everywhere. Yet for men, just read up on family law and tell me what you think. That's why talking about patriarchy today is only relevant from a historical point of view.

[@XeniaAidonopoulou]

Endangering women and children everywhere...

[@TheProofWithSimonHill]

Why?

[@XeniaAidonopoulou]

Where to begin? Promoting premarin ( based on pregnant mare' s urine... In discussions about TRT I don't see "teenage bull urine" or something like that being discussed as a good source of testosterone for men... ) and progestin ( synthetic and non physiologically identical progesterone ) and all of the other big pharma meds she mentions while discounting or making light of all of the serious side effects they all of course have... I think she's great when speaking more generally on women's rights... If you are really interested in women's hormone health I would talk to knowledgeable and experienced doctors such as Dr Felice Gersh and Dr Robert Mathis. They both are in California as it happens, which is where I believe you are now? They would both make amazing guests... You are open enough to have recognised the benefits of plant based eating vs what the establishment are pushing, it would be amazing if you could do the same with this subject... ♥