Day Twenty Five: Why 28 Days?

Professor Richard Legro, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania, tells his story of attempting to test the effectiveness of sildenafil (aka Viagra) to treat period pain. Ultimately unsuccessful - but not because it didn't work - but rather the people with the money didn't think it was important enough.India is also joined by Dr Elinor Cleghorn, author of Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine and Myth in a Manmade World. She tells her story of being diagnosed with the chronic illness Lupus. The pair discuss the origins of hysteria, with a particular focus on the myth that black females have a greater insensitivity to pain. Credits: Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer:Jorja McAndrew. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound design by Olga Reed. Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

21 Mars 202214min

India meets Emily Jacobs, an Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at University of California Santa Barbara, to discuss sex bias within medical science. Emily shares with India her extensive research into hormones and the brain. Credits: Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer:Jorja McAndrew. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound design by Olga Reed. Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

21 Mars 202214min

The world of tracking apps has grown in the last decade, but where does all that data go? India speaks to the Chief Medical Officer of Clue, Dr Lynae Brayboy about the importance of tracking periods, and the link between tracking apps and research. Later, India is joined by Eva Blum-Dumontet, a Senior Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence at Royal Society who formerly carried out key research into data and tracking apps. Eva offers a word of warning over the type of data these apps ask for. Credits: Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer:Jorja McAndrew. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound design by Olga Reed. Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

21 Mars 202214min

This episode is all about the experiences across life that can shape how we view our cycle - particularly our first bleed. India is joined by author and creatrix Lisa Lister who tells a story of empowerment. Along the way India chats to a tropical island resident called Nirai and a refugee named Marie who is struggling with period poverty. Credits: Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer:Jorja McAndrew. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound design by Olga Reed. Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

21 Mars 202214min

For years the female body in athletic performance has gone understudied, until recently. India meets Richard Burden from the English Institute of Sport who is researching the effect of hormones on female performance whilst also building key technology in the field to do onsite hormone testing. India is also joined by GB pentathlon athlete Jess Varley who is part of this research and who has tailored her training around her menstrual cycle to reap extraordinary results. Credits: Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Jorja McAndrew. Series Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound design by Charlie Brandon-King. Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

21 Mars 202214min

India introduces the series to oestrogen, the hormone of sass, sex and energy. Dr Jackie Maybin explains the role of oestrogen in preparing the body for ovulation and Dr. Sarah Hill explains her research on the effect of oestrogen on the brain. Maisie Hill also pops in with some tips for Spring. Credits: Presented by: India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer:Jorja McAndrew. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound design by Olga Reed. Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

21 Mars 202214min

Joined by Alec Mills, Chella Quint and Dr Camilla Rotsvik, India investigates the impact of images on the way women feel about their periods. From menstrual shame to scented tampons, India assesses the images that have appeared across 100 years of period product advertising shaping menstrual taboo. India also considers the adverts and artists pushing the boundaries and revolutionsing menstrual images.Credits: Presented by: India Rakusen. Producer: Jorja McAndrew. Series Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound design by Charlie Brandon-King. Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

21 Mars 202214min

Ever heard of bears eating people who were on their period? Maybe sharks eating menstruating swimmers? These sort of myths are everywhere. India is joined by Caroline Byrd who’s job was lost due to a myth of blood and bears. Dr. Elinor Cleghorn takes us all the way back to the mediaeval ages to root out the beginning of these myths and Dr Anita Mitra gives the low down on the textures and appearance of period blood. Credits: Presented by: India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer: Jorja McAndrew. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound design by Olga Reed. Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

21 Mars 202216min