Befriending Your Menstrual Cycle (Part 1)
Series 2 Episode 5 Overview
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In this conversation, public health researcher Dr Felicity Roux from Curtin Medical School shares her expertise on menstrual health literacy. She offers a refreshing perspective on how our menstrual cycles serve as an inbuilt personal health monitor, helping us understand our bodies better and practice more intentional self-care. This episode challenges the unnecessary secrecy and shame surrounding menstruation, inviting listeners to develop a more compassionate and informed relationship with their cycles.
This Episode
Felicity shares her journey with menstrual health education and advocacy. We explore:
How our menstrual cycles act as personal health monitors and what they reveal about our overall wellbeing
The four phases of the menstrual cycle explained in accessible terms
Key signs to look for when tracking your cycle and what they indicate about your health
The connection between emotional wellbeing and our cycles
Quotable Moments
"Our cycles are our own inbuilt personal health monitor. We can just tap into it at any time. It's just a case of learning what to look for." - Felicity
"The periods and the cycle are fine, they're the good ones. The curse is the pain, the curse is the problems we get with the periods." - Felicity
"Let's start seeing it at the same level as we see our lungs, our heart... the cycle is seen as our fifth vital sign." - Felicity
"Every single cell in our body has a sex chromosome, and that sex chromosome is active for all of our lives regardless of whatever gender we perceive ourselves to be... sex matters." - Felicity
Resources Mentioned
Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom by Dr. Christiane Northrup
The Australasian Institute for Relative Reproductive Medicine
Evidence-based protocols for understanding your cycle: The Billings Ovulation Method, The Sympto-Thermal Method, and others
Dr. Alyson McGregor's work on male-centric medicine and women's health
Connect With Us
Listen to Part 2 of our conversation with Felicity in the next episode
Follow She Speaks on Instagram: @shespeakswellbeingstrategies
Visit our website: www.shespeakswellbeing.com
Connect with Felicity
Dr Felicity Roux is a Public Health researcher at Curtin Medical School. Her interests lie in menstrual health literacy which began during her clinical work as an accredited fertility awareness method educator. She developed and trialled a program called My Vital Cycles to equip schools to provide evidence-based menstrual health education and care. Felicity currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Australasian Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine.
A Note on Wellbeing
She Speaks is dedicated to amplifying women's voices on self-care and wellbeing. While we share personal experiences, please remember that this podcast is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified mental health practitioner.
She Speaks is proudly supported by the Western Australian Government and Department of Communities Women's Grants for a Stronger Future Grants Program.