CRAMPED

Latest Episodes:

I Got Endo Surgery: The Imaging Results & Costs Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Kate is back from surgery! In Part 1 of a 2 part series, she goes step by step through the imaging result that gave her the information that lead her to commit to surgery, and the physical, administrative, and financial preparations for her surgery. Get ready to hear real numbers and honesty about the factors contributing to the decision. Hopefully this episode is helpful to anyone on the fence about the decision or trying to figure out how to make surgery feasible.

CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.

Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPED

Patreon members will get access to subscriber-only episodes, ad-free episodes, and the CRAMPED Discord community.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Actually Happens to Your Body When You Go Off Hormonal Birth Control Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

In this Case Study episode, Kate brings on Deanna Hart-Nokes, who just went off hormonal birth control for the second time in 20 years, and has been experiencing some mysterious symptoms. Kate deep-dives into the clinical research to understand how hormonal birth control works, and what might be causing Deanna's increased period pain, soreness, and increased sensation.

CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.

Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPED

Patreon members will get access to subscriber-only episodes, ad-free episodes, and the CRAMPED Discord community.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

80% of People With a Uterus Will Get Fibroids - Why Don't We Know Why? Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Fibroids are a super common cause of severe period pain - up to 80% of people with a uterus will get fibroids at some point! So...why don't we know why they grow? Why don't they get caught and treated sooner? Kate talks with Jonelle Henry from The White Dress Project, an organization that spreads awareness, education, and resources about fibroids. Jonelle tells her own story of how fibroids impacted her life as a high-powered political journalist, having to leave the room where the president was addressing the press to manage a period that fibroids made unbearable.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Tracking Your Period with an App Actually Cycle Tracking? (Probably Not) Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Kate talks to Laura Federico and Morgan Miller, authors of The Cycle Book, all about cycle tracking. What is it? How do I do it? Am I already doing it if I'm tracking my period with an app?

To access subscriber-only episodes, join the Patreon at www.patreon.com/CRAMPED

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Endo's Last Stand - Surgery & Spitefulness Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

Kate is getting endometriosis excision surgery today! She shares some details, and a story of her (hopefully last) experience with "death cramps".

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ovarian Cysts: Why Doctors Keep Calling Them "Normal" and What That Misses Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Kate talks to her friend Taylor Hallam, who has struggled with ovulation pain and ovarian cyst ruptures since getting off 19 straight years of hormonal birth control. Taylor has questions, and Kate dives into the research to find answers. What causes ovarian cysts? What are they filled with? Why do doctors often say they're "normal" and offer no options other than birth control? Are there other ways to treat ovarian cysts?

Support CRAMPED at patreon.com/CRAMPED

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your Questions Answered: Why Do My Cramps Change Every Month? What Does 'Normal' Labs Actually Mean? The MTHFR Gene? Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Kate answers some questions that listeners asked her to research for them, including:

What do I do when my doctor says my lab results are "normal"?

Does the MTHFR gene mutation affect periods?

Why are my cramps excruciating one month and fine the next month?

Support CRAMPED on Patreon

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CRAMPED is back: Season 1.5 Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

CRAMPED is back with new episodes - but we need your help! Subscribe to our Patreon to make our work possible at www.patreon.com/cramped

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Evolutionary Reason We Get Periods, And What It Explains About the Pain Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

In season 1's final episode, Kate calls up biological anthropologist Kate Clancy to find out why we're even in this pain to begin with. Then Kate throws a period party, and gives the details on how she's been treating her period pain and endometriosis.

Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post Media

Associate Producer: Katelyn Sabater

Theme song: Farideh

Podcast art: Nicholas Scheppard

This podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture Initiative

Fiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast Collaborative

Published in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/ads

This publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Is There No Period Pain On The Internet (or TV, or Movies)? Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

If 51% of the population has a uterus, and 91% of menstruating people experience period pain, why do we literally never hear about it in the media we consume?? Whether its TV, film, podcasts (aside from this one), or social media, it's practically impossible to find stories of periods and period pain. Why?? And how does this lack of visibility affect all of us?

Sound Design & Mixing: Kelly Kramarik at Maven Post Media

Associate Producer: Katelyn Sabater

Theme song: Farideh

Podcast art: Nicholas Scheppard

This podcast is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture Initiative

Fiscal partnership is provided by the Arkansas Podcast Collaborative

Published in partnership with Multitude. Contact them for advertising inquiries at https://multitude.productions/ads

This publication is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not represent itself as medical advice.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.