Vicious Cycle

Whether you care about the planet, what you put in your body, or you're sick of throwing money away on disposable menstrual products, this week's episode is for you. We tried period underwear, reusable pads, and organic tampons, and we even rated them (by a blood drop rating, naturally). Pop out those tampons and pop in your earbuds. It's time for Vicious Cycle.

We had a Very Important Bleeder (VIB) in the studio with us! Liz Plank appears frequently on MSNBC, is Executive Producer and host of the Vox show Consider It, and created the Big Uterus Energy movement. We cover all things menstruation with Liz, like, for example, the unwritten law that if you are traveling, you WILL get your period. Oh, and stick around for a classic (read: V dumb) song at the end.

Vicious Cycle welcomes back Molly Sanchez - delightful and hilarious comedian and fellow podcast host. Molly’s back to kick off our book club, Bleeding Rainbow, and to dig into our first book: The Red Tent. There’s a lot to unpack - mainly, which mother from the book are you (Meg Hayes is SUCH a Zilpah). Pull up your pile of hay and free bleed with us! Oh, and give our friends at FMKLit a listen, too. We give you a taste of their pod in this episode.

We’re back, bleeders! And we’re jumping right into it with a menstrual cup disaster and a colposcopy! We also bring back the segment “Where Ya Bled” and FINALLY solve the mystery of Meg H’s “inverted pubic bone.” So grab some popcorn and your fave gyno and press play.

We're baaaaaaack! (almost back) We're so excited to announce that season two is dropping March 6th! And we wanted to give you a taste of the amazing bleeders we've been interviewing, including OUR MOMS. (scream emoji) Stock up on menstrual supplies because we're coming in hot! Music: Night Surfing by David Szetsay (c) copyright 2016. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/David_Szesztay/20170730112627067/

In the last episode of season one, we have multiple guests in the studio! First up, we have a chat with Natalie Kringoudis, doctor of Chinese Medicine and fellow podcast host, about hormones, misconceptions, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Then we have friend-of-the-pod Molly Sanchez with a little reading assignment to get us through the meno-PAUSE. Make sure to keep some tampons on ya, because WE'LL BE BACK.

Did you know that only 2-3% of US bleeders use reusable menstrual products? And that an average menstruator will dispose of 9,600 pads and tampons in their lifetime? Your hosts did all the research on menstrual cups, blisteners. You just pop in those earbuds, your preferred brand of cup, and press play.

The blisteners have commanded it, and Vicious Cycle delivered. The next two episodes are dedicated to menstrual cups. This week, we have callers who swear by them (a few even said it “changed their life”), and callers who were humbled by them (two of your hosts, actually…). Whether you’ve been thinking about trying menstrual cups, or you've been using one for years, you’ll want to listen to these episodes. So bear down, don’t clench, and tune in. (And call our hotline: 910-6-UTERUS!)

You’ve all (probably) had it, but you (probably) haven’t talked about it. WHAT IS IT? Period Sex. And your hosts break it down for you. We’ve got phone calls, pro-tips, and even our very own personal stories all around getting freaky when you’re bleeding. We also feature a new, fun game to play when society is bringing you down, and a SURPRISE SONG. So, lay out an old towel and get down with us.

Though your hosts have explained many “foolish and ill considered actions” as PMS, they wanted to know what premenstrual syndrome really is, and whether or not it’s real. And they found that men have pleeeeenty to say on the matter. Put on some sweats, eat some chocolate, and blow up at someone for no reason - you know what to blame it on.

If you’ve ever had your period and had to catch a flight, you know it’s a very special kind of hell. Now, imagine you’re muslim, in an era of threatened travel bans and celebrated racism… and you’re on the rag. Zainab Merchant’s story will have you yelling WTF to the skies… and your local lawmakers. Tuck those tampons in your carry-on and buckle up - it’s going to be an infuriating flight.

The period hotline has been ringing off the hook! This week, we listen to your messages, which touch on everything from weird boob pain to "period pants" to a very creative use of a sock. Plus, find out why your hosts have been non-stop sobbing all week. So, grab some tissues (or a maxi-pad because who ever has tissues?) and dab away your tears with us.

And now! The thrilling conclusion to last week’s interview with Nic Sommerfeld! It will shock. It will awe. It will make you say “whaaaaaaaaaaa?” Learn the term “uteri” along with your hosts and enjoy our newest segment: Throwback Why I Cried This Week. Slap on a liner and join us!

When the hosts of Vicious Cycle started the pod, they knew they wanted it to be a podcast for all bleeders - and not all bleeders are cis-women. In this week’s episode, we speak with two members of the Trans community - Nic Sommerfeld & Lucas Waldron - who open up to us about their periods... and for the first time ever, we've got a cliffhanger!

You know… THAT smell? The one we think everyone can smell but we also never talk about? Well, your hosts TALK ABOUT IT - and everything else that falls under “down-there-odor.” You can even hear them blushing through the microphones. So, spread your legs, take a whiff, and join Vicious Cycle’s boldest episode yet!

In the third and final installment in the Tampon Series, we talk about Tampon Taboos. The hosts discuss their thoughts on tampons growing up, and take phone calls from blistener’s with stories of where their tampon taboos came from. We touch on the Catholic church (as always), and other cultures’ feelings around tampons, and finally ask the tough questions, like: where IS the pee hole?

Do you know what’s in your tampon? Or how and why people get Toxic Shock? Have you been looking for reasons to quit tampons? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THIS WEEK’S EPISODE. Meg H lays out all the problematic issues with our favorite cotton wads - but don’t worry, there’s plenty of singing to lighten the mood.

In the first episode of The Tampon Series, the hosts of Vicious Cycle lay all their cards on the table and share their thoughts, experiences, and embarrassing truths about tampons. They also shed a little light on the history of tampons and the surprising ways they were marketed to women. Grab those strings and bear down, friends - it’s going to be a descriptive episode!

Remember the shame of sneaking away to the bathroom in high school on your period? The fear that everyone could see the pad sticking out of your back pocket, or the tampon discreetly up your sleeve? Meg H dives into a story about a network of charter schools in Chicago that make it even harder for young bleeders. Spoiler alert: this story really pisses off the hosts of Vicious Cycle… and they weren’t even blecording.

Your hosts have been tracking their periods to get a better understanding of their cycles - Kate and her period are BFFs, Meg H can’t stop talking about BM’s, and Meg T has more questions than ever. Also, Vicious Cycle asks the hard hitting questions, like: WHERE YA BLED? So, use that overnight pad as a neck pillow and tune in.