The myth of the hormonal female

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Transforming Society podcast

Bristol University Press

143 episodes

2 weeks ago

Brought to you by Bristol University Press and Policy Press, the Transforming Society podcast brings you conversations with our authors around social justice and global social challenges.We get to grips with the story their research tells, with a focus on the specific ways in which it could transform society for the better.

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The myth of the hormonal female

Transforming Society podcast

52 minutes 37 seconds

8 months ago

The myth of the hormonal female

We’ve all blamed PMS on hormones but, despite popular belief, no direct causal link between female sex hormones and PMS has ever been proven. So why does the ‘hormonal woman’ stereotype persist? And how does it fuel outdated, sexist narratives about female health?

In this episode, Jess Miles speaks to Sally King, a visiting fellow in menstrual physiology at King’s College London, about the myths and sexist tropes that blame the healthy reproductive body for the female-prevalence of emotional distress and physical pain.

They discuss why so much of menstrual health focuses on hormones while overlooking the inflammatory nature of the cycle and what needs to change in healthcare, education and everyday conversations.

Sally King is a postdoctoral fellow in menstrual physiology at King’s College London who specialises in integrating biological and sociological research and data concerning menstrual health.

Find out more about Sally's book 'Menstrual Myth Busting: The Case of the Hormonal Female' at https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/exposing-menstrual-myths

For evidence-based information on this topic, Sally's website, Menstrual Matters, is an essential resource: https://www.menstrual-matters.com/

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2025/02/25/podcast-the-myth-of-the-hormonal-female/

Timestamps:

1:27 - What's your background?

5:29 - Who have you written the book for?

6:33 - What's the problem with focusing on hormones?

9:18 - What is spontaneous decidualisation?

15:30 - What are the myths around menstruation that you challenge?

26:21 - Can you tell the analogy with Dwayne the Rock Johnson?

29:06 - Can you talk about how these myths are perpetuated?

48:18 - What suggestions would you make for improving clinical practice and teaching?

50:35 - Can you tell us about Menstrual Matters?

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