Between 2 Ovaries

How much do we actually know about our pelvic floors? Probably less than we should. And for something that can have such a huge impact on everyday life, exercise, pregnancy and recovery, it’s still surprisingly easy to be told to just “do your Kegels” and get on with it.

In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Gráinne Donnelly, advanced pelvic health physiotherapist and researcher, to have a proper conversation about what pelvic health really means and why it deserves so much more attention. We talk about the things women are often expected to put up wi...

Periods disappearing can leave you thinking, “Is this normal? Should I be worried?” And paraphrasing the words of Raye “Where the hell has it gone?” There’s a lot of confusion around not having periods, particularly when contraception, stress, exercise and life in general can all muddy the waters.

In this episode, we’re talking amenorrhoea: when periods stop, or never start in the first place. Because sometimes a missing period is just that, but sometimes it’s your body waving a little flag that something else needs attention. And it can have implications far beyond whether...

Our skin can feel like it has a mind of its own, especially when our hormones are changing. From teenage acne to pregnancy, contraception and the changes of perimenopause and menopause, our skin can tell us a lot about what’s happening beneath the surface.

In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Doireann O’Leary, GP, women’s health advocate, author and broadcaster, for an honest conversation about the relationship between hormones and skin. We talk about what’s normal, when skin changes might be telling us something more, and how to avoid gett...

If you thought periods were firmly in the past, seeing blood again can be confusing, unexpected and, for many, frightening. Postmenopausal bleeding is something thousands of women experience, yet it’s often surrounded by uncertainty, mixed messages and a lot of unanswered questions.

In this episode, we explore why postmenopausal bleeding should always be taken seriously, what happens if you seek medical advice, and why getting checked doesn't automatically mean something is wrong. Most importantly, we want to offer reassurance. While bleeding after menopause should never be ignored, the cause is often not what people fe...

We’re back for Season 4, and what better way to kick things off than with the wonderful Anna Cooper returning to Between 2 Ovaries for the next chapter of her story.

Anna is a passionate women’s health advocate whose honesty about living with endometriosis has helped countless people feel seen, heard and understood. Since we last spoke, her journey has continued to evolve, bringing new challenges, major surgery, and important conversations about life with chronic illness.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Anna shares more of her lived experience, the real...

When something doesn’t feel right in your body, how long do you keep pushing before someone finally listens?

In this episode, we sit down with women’s health advocate Anna Cooper, who shares the reality of living with endometriosis in a way that’s raw, honest, and deeply human. From the early signs to the moments that changed everything, Anna opens up about what it’s like to navigate a system that doesn’t always hear you, and the strength it takes to keep going anyway.

This conversation matters because so many wo...

If you’ve ever been told you have an ovarian cyst, or had one picked up unexpectedly on a scan, you’ll know how quickly the mind can jump to worst-case scenarios. But how much of that fear is actually necessary, and how much is just misunderstanding?

In this episode, we’re unpacking ovarian cysts, from what they actually are and why they’re so commonly found, to when they need any further investigation or treatment (and when they really don’t). We also tackle the myths and assumptions that tend to add to confusion, from fears...

What does it really look like to move your body through every stage of life, when things aren’t neat, linear, or easy? In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Jasmin Paris MBE, record-breaking ultra-runner, mum of three, and the first woman to complete one of the toughest endurance races in the world. But this isn’t just about performance, it’s about reality.

We talk about the messy middle of women’s health and exercise, from puberty to pregnancy and beyond, and the pressure to “get it right” when your body is constantly cha...

When your period starts to take over your life, it’s easy to wonder if you’re just expected to put up with it. For so many, heavy bleeding is brushed off as “one of those things” but the reality can feel exhausting, isolating and quietly overwhelming.

In this episode, we open up an honest conversation about what it really feels like when your cycle stops being manageable, and why so many are left questioning what’s normal. This isn’t about numbers or neat definitions, it’s about lived experience, frustration, and the quiet ways it can im...

What happens when one of the most respected voices in women’s health joins Between 2 Ovaries? A conversation we honestly could’ve recorded for hours.

This week, we’re joined by Professor Joyce Harper, internationally renowned reproductive scientist, educator, author, podcaster and women’s health advocate. From embryology to education, social media to science, Joyce has become a trusted voice for so many women trying to navigate a world full of mixed messages, misinformation and confusion around their health.

We talk about the growing role of social media in women’s health, why proper sex and menstr...

HIV is still one of those topics that can sit in the background of people’s minds shaped by fear, half-information and a lot of assumptions that just don’t reflect where things are today.

In this episode we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Sarah Cavilla, Consultant in Genitourinary and HIV Medicine at Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, working within the Axess clinic. She brings such calm, no-nonsense clarity to a subject that can feel heavy, and helps us strip things right back to what actually matters in real life, not just w...

Sex is one of those things we’re all kind of told should just “work” and be simple, but for a lot of people it really, really isn’t, and that gap between expectation and reality can leave you feeling confused, frustrated, or like you’re the only one who didn’t get the memo.

In this episode we are joined by the incredible Dr Leila Frodsham, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician and one of the leading voices in psychosexual medicine, to open up a conversation that is so often avoided or whispered about rather than properly und...

Everyone talks about “morning sickness” like it’s something you just get through, but what happens when it takes over your entire day, your body, and your headspace?

In this episode, we get honest about severe pregnancy sickness and why it is so often minimised, misunderstood, or brushed off. We sit in that space between what people expect and what some actually experience, holding the physical and emotional weight of it and why being believed matters so much.

This is a conversation that makes room for the messy, the heavy, and the very real side of it...

It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come since we started season 1! For the final episode of season 2, we wanted to take a moment to recap everything for our wonderful listeners, new followers, and subscribers. We look back on the myths and truths behind the Mirena coil, getting pregnant, endometriosis, HRT, vulval and vaginal care, PCOS, fibroids, adenomyosis, miscarriage, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cancer, contraception, cervical screening, chronic pelvic pain, PMDD, paediatric gynaecology, and even chats with inspiring guests like Naga Munchetty and Paula Radcliffe.

All of season 1 is still available on this plat...

Menopause is often spoken about in hushed tones, framed as something to fear, fix, or simply endure. But for something that every woman will experience, the lack of clear, compassionate conversation has left many feeling confused, dismissed, or alone long before it even begins.

In this episode, we're so excited to be joined by the wonderful Dr Paula Briggs, Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and former Chair of the British Menopause Society. Her experience in clinical practice and research brings clarity and real-world perspective to a topic that’s too ofte...

Sometimes a pregnancy happens at the wrong moment, and the decision that follows can feel heavy, lonely or quietly overwhelming. This episode holds space for those realities, without judgement or drama, and brings calm clarity to a conversation that’s often clouded by fear, misinformation and politics.

Through lived experience and clinical insight, we explore why this topic matters right now, how care actually looks when it’s done properly, and why compassion and choice sit at the centre of good women’s healthcare. This isn’t about persuading or preaching. It’s about reassurance, facts deli...

There’s a lot we don’t say out loud about how families are formed, especially when the journey looks different from the norm. Questions, assumptions, and quiet fears can linger long after decisions are made.

We’re so lucky to have the wonderful Becky Kearns (Defining Mum) back with us to continue this conversation. She reflects on honesty, connection, and the ongoing process of navigating other people’s expectations while staying grounded in your own truth. This episode holds space for nuance. For love that isn’t biological, for confidence that grows over time, and for th...

Motherhood doesn’t always arrive in the way you imagine. Sometimes it begins with loss, waiting, difficult decisions, and a quiet reckoning with what you thought the future would look like.

We’re so lucky to have the wonderful Becky Kearns (Defining Mum) with us for this conversation. With honesty and calm reflection, she shares what it can feel like when fertility doesn’t follow the expected path, and how identity can shift in the process. This is a conversation rooted in lived experience. The grief, the resilience, and the moments of clarity that come when y...

Early pregnancy can feel confusing, intense and far longer than anyone warns you about. From that first positive test to the weeks of waiting, Googling and second-guessing everything your body does - it’s a lot.

In this episode, Between 2 Ovaries takes an honest, steady look at those early weeks. We talk about what’s happening behind the scenes before anything can be seen on a scan, why symptoms can feel so overwhelming so early on, and how to tell the difference between what’s common, what’s normal, and what deserves checking out.

We talk a lot about hormones, periods, pregnancy and menopause, but hardly ever about what they’re doing to our mouths. And yet women experience oral health very differently to men, across every stage of life.

In this episode, we’re joined by dentist and researcher Janine Tazdi-Doughty to unpack why women can brush better, floss more, and still end up with worse oral health outcomes. We explore how hormonal shifts affect gums, teeth and saliva, why pregnancy and menopause can be turning points for oral health, and how pain conditions of the jaw and mouth disproportionately affe...

Women’s health is full of myths. So many, in fact, that it can feel like the truth is hiding somewhere under a pile of misconceptions, old wives’ tales, and outright nonsense. In the first episode of Season 2, we dig into why so much of what people “know” about periods, fertility, sex, and hormones isn’t actually true - and why that matters.

We separate fact from fiction, shine a light on the stigma that keeps misinformation alive, and explore what science really says about our bodies. It’s myth-busting, yes, but also a reminder of how little is ac...

What really goes on in sex and menstrual education at school? This week, we’re joined by vice principal and PSHE champion Ms Nicky Jones to unpack what’s being taught - and what’s still missing - when it comes to sex, puberty, and periods in the classroom.

From what schools are actually required to cover, to how teachers feel about giving “the talk,” we dive into the awkward, the essential, and the eye-opening realities of PSHE. We also explore why boys need to learn about periods too, what should be taught about consent and pleasure, and how pa...

This week we’re stepping into a part of women’s health that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough - paediatric and adolescent gynaecology. From newborns to teenagers, there’s a whole world of normal variations, myths that need busting, and questions that parents, carers, and young people are often too embarrassed to ask.

We’re joined by a consultant in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology who helps us unpack it all. Think: why some babies can have “periods,” what to do if your child experiences irritation or unusual bleeding, how puberty unfolds, and why no child should ever un...

We are incredibly honoured to welcome running legend Paula Radcliffe to the pod. From world champion and marathon record-holder to mother, podcaster, and all-around inspiration, Paula shares her insights on exercise, performance, and women’s health across the lifespan.

In this episode, we explore everything from the impact of periods on training, to body image, RED-S, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and staying strong through menopause. Paula reflects on her own experiences and offers advice for young athletes, women returning to fitness, and anyone navigating the unique challenges of balancing training, career, and family life.

We also ta...

Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) affects millions yet it’s still shrouded in stigma, silence, and misunderstanding. In this episode, we unpack what CPP really is, how it impacts day-to-day life, and why it’s so much more than “just period pain.”

From discussing causes to the role of psychological health, we explore the many layers behind chronic pelvic pain, why it’s so complex to diagnose, and what treatments are available.

We also tackle the myths head-on, and answer your biggest questions.

If you’ve ever been dismissed, told “your scans are normal,” or felt unheard...

PMDD can feel overwhelming, isolating, and often misunderstood — but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, we follow Keisha’s unusual journey to diagnosis and hear her firsthand experiences with symptoms, treatments, and the day-to-day impact of living with PMDD.

We explore what really works — from medical approaches to self-help strategies — and bust some of the biggest myths that surround this condition. Plus, practical tips for getting the most out of GP appointments, navigating mental health, and finding support that actually helps.

Whether you’re living with PMDD, suspect you might have it, or...

We’ve all heard of PMS — but what about PMDD? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, a severe and often misunderstood condition that can have a huge impact on daily life.

From what PMDD actually is (and why it’s not just “bad PMS”), to how it’s diagnosed, who can treat it, and the treatment options available, we explore the realities behind the headlines and the stereotypes. We also tackle some of the most common questions people have — from whether heightened senses or insomnia are “normal” symptoms, to how friends, family, and even p...

This week on Between 2 Ovaries, we’re joined by the brilliant broadcaster and journalist Naga Munchetty for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about her personal experience with adenomyosis — and the broader landscape of women’s health.

We talk about what it’s like to be a public figure navigating private pain, the day-to-day reality of living with heavy, debilitating periods, and what actually helped when it came to treatment. Naga also reflects on her experience with doctors, how to challenge the status quo in research funding, and what still needs to change when it comes to sex ed, stig...

This week, we’re cracking open a condition that’s often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and massively under-discussed: adenomyosis.

It might not get the headlines that endometriosis does, but trust us — it deserves your attention. From heavy, painful periods to fertility struggles, the symptoms of adenomyosis can have a huge impact on quality of life. But what exactly is it? Why does it happen? And why is it so tricky to diagnose?

We explore how adenomyosis is picked up (spoiler: it’s not always straightforward), whether it’s linked to endometriosis (are they evil twin sisters?), and what your...

Smear tests don’t always get the airtime they deserve — so we’re setting the record straight. This episode is everything you didn’t know you needed to know about cervical screening: from what actually happens during a smear test to what HPV is (and isn’t), why it matters, and how early changes can be spotted before cancer develops.

We walk through the process step-by-step, bust some myths, tackle the most common fears (yes, even that one), and explain how screening really can save lives. Whether it’s your first smear or your fifth, this is your go-to g...

From condoms to coils, pills to permanent solutions – contraception is never one-size-fits-all. In this episode, we break down the full range of contraceptive options in a way that actually makes sense.

We explore how different methods work, what's new in the world of contraception, and bust some lingering myths along the way. Whether you're weighing up your choices or just want to understand your options better, this one’s for you.

Links for further support and info: ⁠

https://www.contraceptionchoices.org/⁠

⁠https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/⁠ ⁠https://www.brook.org.uk/topics/contrac

Ovarian cancer is one of the most under-discussed, under-diagnosed gynaecological cancers—and it’s time we gave it proper airtime.

In this episode, we talk through the basics: what ovarian cancer is, the different types, and who it affects. We look at risks (including BRCA), common symptoms, and why it can be so hard to spot early. Plus, we touch on diagnosis, treatment options, and new approaches being explored.

A vital listen for anyone with ovaries—or anyone who loves someone with them.

Links for support and more i...

This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes—literally. If you've ever been told you might need a laparoscopy, or you're just wondering what actually happens during one, this is the episode for you. From why it’s done and what it can diagnose, to the full walk-through of the day—pre-op chats, general anaesthetic, blue dye staining your vulva (yes, really)—we’re breaking it all down.

We talk through what your surgeon is actually doing while you’re asleep, who’s in the room with you, and how a laparoscopy can also be used to treat conditi...

Ectopic pregnancies affect around 1 in 80 pregnancies in the UK — and they can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated. But what actually is an ectopic pregnancy? Why does it happen? And how do you know if something isn’t right?

In this episode, we break down what ectopic pregnancy really means — from how and where pregnancies are supposed to implant, to the different types of ectopics (yep, it’s not just the fallopian tubes). We talk about causes, symptoms, how it’s diagnosed, and what to expect if you’re being seen in hospital. We also explain the differen...

This week, we’re diving into one of the most common — and often most misunderstood — experiences in reproductive health: infertility. With 1 in 7 couples affected, this episode is packed with insights, facts, and clarity around what infertility actually means, when it becomes a diagnosis, and how it impacts both individuals and couples.

We cover everything from common causes in both males and females, to the rise in unexplained infertility and the emotional toll of trying to conceive. Whether you're on your own fertility journey, supporting a friend, or simply want to understand more — this one’s for you.

💛 You...

In this episode, we're diving into everything you need to know about hysteroscopy—what it is, why you might need one, and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.

We break down the different reasons hysteroscopies are offered, whether they’re done awake or under general anaesthetic, and the pain relief options available if you're having one while conscious 💊. We also cover the risks, recovery, and who might be better suited to being awake or asleep for the procedure .

Plus, we bust one of the biggest questions out there 🚫—can a hysteroscopy be used to diag...

Endometriosis and nutrition—what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what actually helps? In this special episode, we’re joined by Christie Lee, a nutrition expert breaking down how diet impacts endometriosis and how to make food work for your body, not against it.

🍽️ We cover:

🔹 The best (and worst) foods for managing symptoms

🔹 Supplements—what’s worth taking, what’s not

🔹 Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and how they affect your hormones

🔹 The low FODMAP diet—does it really help?

🔹 Biggest myths about dairy, soy, caffeine, and even "negative energy"

🎧 Whether you're newly...

Fibroids—so many women have them, but how much do we really know? This episode breaks down what they are, why they happen, and what can be done about them. From symptoms and diagnosis to treatment options, we’re covering it all.

Plus, we answer the big questions—can they affect fertility? Do they always need treatment? And can they ever be cancerous?

Hit play now and get the facts. Your body, your knowledge. 🎙️✨

Miscarriage is more common than many people realize, yet it remains a difficult and often misunderstood topic. In this episode, we’re breaking the silence and covering everything you need to know—from what actually happens during a miscarriage to the medical facts, emotional impact, and available support.

We answer key questions like:

🩺 What causes miscarriage, and can it be prevented?

💡 Does progesterone help? What about fibroids or a weak cervix?

📊 How common is miscarriage, and when should you seek medical advice?

🧠 What impact does miscarriage have on mental health...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common yet misunderstood conditions affecting women—but we’re here to break it all down. 🩺✨

In this episode, Dr. Nic and Dr. Alison explain what PCOS actually is, how it’s diagnosed, and what symptoms to look out for. We also discuss treatment options, lifestyle management, and bust some of the biggest myths surrounding PCOS.

Whether you have PCOS, think you might, or just want to understand it better, this episode is packed with facts, expert insights, and a no-nonsense approach to getting the care you deserve.