Between 2 Ovaries

Between 2 Ovaries Team

Welcome to our podcast where we discuss all things Women's Health. No filter, no judgement, just honest expert advice with a bit of extra chat thrown in!

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22 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 10 min
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Episodes 22

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S4 · E5
Yesterday · 1 hr 30 min
More Than Kegels: Let’s Talk Pelvic Health with Gráinne Donnelly
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 with, the gaps in what we’re taught, and why pelvic floor health is about so much more than leaking. No shame, no fearmongering, and definitely no one-size-fits-all advice. Just a really honest conversation that might make you think about your pelvic health a little differently. Give it a listen. Links: Gráinne’s book: ⁠https://shop.elsevier.com/books/sports-medicine-and-the-pelvic-floor/donnelly/978-0-443-32986-9⁠ Gráinne on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/grainnedonnelly_absolutephysio/⁠
S4 · E4
September 13 · 1 hr 13 min
Tell me, where the hell is my period?! Understanding Amenorrhoea
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 you’re bleeding each month. There are a lot of things we’ve been told about periods that simply aren’t true, so we’re getting into some of the questions you might have wondered about yourself. Do you actually need a period every month? Can you get pregnant without one? And when should you really be concerned? Have a listen and let’s talk about it. This episode has been sponsored by IBSA Pharma Ltd. They had no control or influence on the content.
S4 · E3
September 6 · 1 hr 35 min
Let’s Talk Skin: Periods, Pregnancy & Menopause with Dr Doireann O’Leary
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 getting lost in the endless noise of the skincare industry. We also get into the changes nobody warns you about, including vaginal and vulval symptoms, and why vaginal oestrogen may be worth knowing about. Because our hormones don’t just affect our periods. They can affect our skin too, and sometimes it’s nice to know you’re not imagining it. So, grab a cuppa and come and talk skin with us. *Update: As mentioned in the episode, it’s women aged 50 and over who haven’t had a period for 12 months who can now buy vaginal oestrogen over the counter in the UK.
S4 · E2
August 30 · 45 min
Post-Menopausal Bleeding: Wait… Why Am I Bleeding Again?
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 fear. This is an honest, practical conversation designed to help you feel more informed, less anxious and better equipped to know what to do if it happens to you. If you've ever wondered, "Why am I bleeding again?", this episode is for you.
S4 · E1
August 23 · 1 hr 21 min
Anna Cooper’s Battle with Endometriosis Part 2
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 realities of navigating complex health conditions, and why speaking openly about women’s health matters. Her resilience, warmth and determination shine through every part of this conversation. Whether you’re living with endometriosis, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for an honest and inspiring story, we’d love you to join us for the start of a brand-new season. Links: https://menstrualhealthproject.org.uk/
S3 · E8
June 14 · 59 min
Anna Cooper’s Battle with Endometriosis Part 1
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 women will recognise pieces of themselves in her story. It’s not about perfect answers, but about feeling seen, understood, and a little less alone. If you’ve ever questioned your symptoms or felt dismissed, this one is for you.
S3 · E7
June 7 · 1 hr 6 min
Ovarian Cysts: Are We Ovary-Acting?
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 around fertility to what symptoms actually mean in reality, all in our usual easy-to-understand, no-nonsense way. This is a conversation designed to bring clarity to anyone who suspects they may have an ovarian cyst, to those who’ve already been diagnosed, and to anyone who’s simply heard the term and wants to understand it properly. If you want the ins and outs without the panic (knowledge is power people), this one’s worth a listen.
S3 · E6
May 31 · 1 hr 8 min
Jasmin Paris - Women’s Health and Exercise: Movement for Every Chapter
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 changing. Jasmin brings a rare kind of honesty, cutting through myths and expectations with lived experience that feels both grounding and quietly powerful. If you’ve ever questioned what movement should look like for you, this one might shift something.
S3 · E5
May 24 · 1 hr 22 min
Not Just a Bad Period: Understanding Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
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 impact your day to day life. It matters because too many people are silently adjusting around something they’ve been told to tolerate. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, unsure, or just fed up, this one is for you. Links: https://www.wearwhiteagain.co.uk/
S3 · E4
May 17 · 1 hr 13 min
Likes, Shares & Lies: Fighting Womens Health Misinformation with Professor Joyce Harper
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 menstrual health education in schools matters so much, and the impact of young people learning about their bodies through fear, stigma and misinformation instead of clear, honest conversations. If you’ve ever wondered who you can actually trust online, why women’s health education still feels so behind, or found yourself learning about your body from TikTok comments at 1am, this episode is going to hit home.
S3 · E3
May 10 · 1 hr 27 min
HIV Real Talk
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 what people think they know. We talk about the stuff that often gets left unsaid or misunderstood when it comes to HIV, and what it really means in 2026 in terms of testing, treatment and living well. There’s honesty here, but also a lot of reassurance, and moments that gently challenge the stories we’ve all picked up along the way without even realising it. It’s one of those conversations that is so important to have, and just as important to hear. Links: ⁠https://www.nspcc.org.uk/advice-for-families/pants-underwear-rule/⁠ ⁠https://www.axess.clinic/⁠ ⁠https://sh24.org.uk/⁠ ⁠https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/checker⁠ ⁠https://i-base.info/guides/⁠ ⁠https://www.iwantprepnow.co.uk/⁠
S3 · E2
May 3 · 1 hr 20 min
Psychosexual health: Beyond the Stigma with Dr. Leila Frodsham
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 understood. And honestly, she is exactly the kind of person you want in this space, warm, grounded, and brilliant at making the complicated feel a bit less intimidating. We talk about what it actually means when sex doesn’t feel straightforward, why so many people are left thinking it is just them, and how much of this is far more common than most of us realise. If you have ever thought “is this normal” or just wanted a bit more clarity without the awkwardness, this one is for you. Links: ⁠https://www.ipm.org.uk⁠⁠ https://www.cosrt.org.uk⁠
S3 · E1
April 26 · 46 min
Hyperemesis: When Morning Sickness Isn’t Just Morning Sickness
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 all. If you have ever questioned what is normal or felt like you were not being heard, you are not alone. Links: ⁠ https://www.rcog.org.uk/news/updated-rcog-green-top-guideline-on-the-management-of-nausea-and-vomiting-in-pregnancy-and-hyperemesis-gravidarum-published/⁠ ⁠https://pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/hg-guidelines/⁠
S2 · E8
February 15 · 1 hr
Season 1 Roundup!
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 platform, so you can explore any episodes you missed, but this episode gives you a quick overview of the highlights. Thank you so much for your support so far—make sure you’re subscribed so you won’t miss a thing when season 3 airs! Links: Https://www.between2ovaries.com
S2 · E7
February 8 · 1 hr 15 min
Menopause: One Size Does Not Fit Most
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 often shrouded in myth. We take a step back from the noise to talk honestly about what’s really happening, why it can feel so different from person to person, and how myths and misinformation have shaped the way menopause is understood. This is about reassurance over alarm, lived experience over labels, and understanding over shame. Not a checklist of symptoms or a one-size-fits-all answer, but space to breathe, reflect, and feel less isolated in the process. If you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re feeling makes sense, or wished menopause was explained with more humanity, this conversation is for you. Links: ⁠https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/⁠ ⁠https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/menopause-diagnosis-and-management/
S2 · E6
February 1 · 58 min
Right Place, Wrong Time: Termination of Pregnancy Explained
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 delivered with humanity, and recognising that there is no single story or “right” way to feel. If you’ve ever had questions you were afraid to ask, or simply want a steadier, more honest understanding of what termination care really involves, this conversation is here for you. Listen when you’re ready. Links: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/abortion/ https://www.bpas.org/
S2 · E5
January 25 · 1 hr 4 min
Redefining Mum: Love, Loss & Donor Conception Part 2
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 the power of sharing real stories in a world full of myths and misinformation. Whether donor conception is part of your life, your future, or simply something you want to better understand, this episode invites you to listen with curiosity and compassion. Links: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/definingmum/⁠ ⁠ https://definingmum.com/⁠ ⁠ https://fertilitymattersatwork.com/⁠
S2 · E4
January 18 · 50 min
Redefining Mum: Love, Loss & Donor Conception Part 1
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 you begin to redefine what becoming a parent means for you. If you’ve ever felt isolated by infertility, uncertain about alternative paths to parenthood, or simply curious to understand experiences rarely spoken about openly, this episode offers reassurance and perspective. Join us for a thoughtful, human listen. Links: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/definingmum/⁠ ⁠ https://definingmum.com/⁠ ⁠ https://fertilitymattersatwork.com/
S2 · E3
January 11 · 1 hr 4 min
Queasy Does It: Early Pregnancy Explained
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. This isn’t about perfect pregnancies or rigid rules. It’s about context, reassurance and cutting through the myths that make early pregnancy more stressful than it needs to be. Whether you’re newly pregnant, trying to conceive, or supporting someone who is, this is a calm, evidence-led conversation designed to help you feel a little less alone. Listen when you’re ready, take a breath, and remember - early pregnancy doesn’t come with one “right” experience. Links: ⁠⁠https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/pregnancy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/⁠
S2 · E2
January 4 · 1 hr 25 min
Tooth be told: Women’s Oral Health
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 affect women. We also zoom out to look at the bigger picture: stigma, inequality, access to care, and why certain groups of women face far greater risks, from single mothers and carers to survivors of abuse, sex workers, and LGBTQ+ communities. Along the way, we tackle myths, social media trends, dental tourism, and the things women are told to just “put up with”. If you’ve ever wondered why no one warned you about bleeding gums, dry mouth, jaw pain, or why oral health is so rarely included in conversations about women’s bodies - this episode is for you. Further reading & listening: NHS – Oral health: ⁠https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/⁠ NHS – Pregnancy and dental care: ⁠https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/teeth-and-gums/⁠ NIHR – Oral and dental health research: ⁠https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/specialties/oral-and-dental-health.htm⁠ Find Janine: Crown Bank Dental – ⁠www.crownbankdental.co.uk⁠ Instagram – ⁠https://www.instagram.com/doughty_janine/⁠

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