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Iron Ladies Unite: Dive into Iron Deficiency

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

Release Date: 06/12/2025

Iron Ladies Unite: Dive into Iron Deficiency

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

This month’s FLOW delves into the 'Iron Ladies' research - they investigate iron deficiency's prevalence among women with bleeding disorders, the importance of routine screening, the challenges in setting standardized care practices, and the historical exclusion of women from clinical trials. Featuring Dr. Megnahn McCormick, a doctor passionate about treating iron deficiency. Program Notes: Episode Links: Bloodstream Media: The Iron Ladies Study: A study presenting the data available through the ATHN dataset on women and girls with bleeding disorders* *includes a...

Periods: Early Education and Experiences

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

In this episode, FLOWsters from Bloodstream Media share their first encounters with menstruation, coping with period pain, and managing menstrual health. They explore societal taboos, stories of learning about menstruation, and highlight experiences with bleeding disorders. The conversation underscores the importance of education and open dialogue. The team continues Flow’s mission to normalize conversations around menstruation and educating everyone, not just those who menstruate; as Patrick notes: 'Women's health is human health.' Program Notes: Episode Links: Bloodstream Media:...

MiTV: Menstruation in TV (Periods + Pop Culture, part 2)

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

In this episode of Flow, hosts Jessica Richmond and sex therapist Sarah Watson are joined by guests Jade and Leslie (Bloodstream Media / Believe Limited teammates) to play a game called 'MiTV, Menstruation in Television'! They review and rate the accuracy of menstruation portrayals in various TV shows and films, including 'Euphoria', 'Orange is the New Black', 'Game of Thrones', 'Grease', 'Big Mouth', and 'The Handmaid's Tale'. The discussion highlights the importance of normalizing menstruation - complete with humorous and heartfelt commentary. Key takeaways? Pop culture is getting...

Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month: Factor 7 Deficiency - Advocacy in Action

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

In honor of Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, Flow is talking about advocacy in action for Factor 7 Deficiency. Our guest Stacy shares challenges with extreme menstrual pain and dismissed symptoms, emphasizing the importance of persistence while navigating a broken healthcare system where rare conditions are poorly understood. Despite facing systemic hurdles, keeping up with current research and working with several bleeding disorder foundations helps Stacy move the proverbial needle in accessing treatment. Program Notes: Episode Links: How’s Your Flow? We...

Period Care Innovation: from Extreme to Empowered

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

Miller values health data security - that’s why she created the secure cycle tracking app “SARA”. And SARA is just one milestone amongst her efforts to support innovation in period care: in this episode of FLOW, Jessica Richmond and Sarah Watson welcome Miller Morris. Their convo highlights the healthcare system’s need for renewal, the significance of healthcare standards like HIPAA in cycle tracking apps, and the benefit of integrating digital solutions to enhance period care. Program Notes: Episode Links: Instagram: Comma Site: Miller Morris article...

Know Your Flow (Tracking Offline) with the creators of The Cycle Book

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

Midwife Morgan and a sex therapist Laura join Jessica and Sarah to discuss The Cycle Book (available now!). The authors share frustrations with lack of data privacy of many digital tracking apps - as well as concerns about the inaccuracy of information provided! Laura also shares her experience returning to birth control and coping with PMDD and Morgan discusses her endometriosis and anemia management. Each was motivated to create The Cycle Book when conversations with clients revealed recurring missing information…. “When people are trying to conceive…they are often...

Extreme Relief: Cannabis for Menstrual and Menopausal Wellness

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

This episode of FLOW features Lisa Williams, from Hello Again! Lisa shares her personal journey with fibroids, a hysterectomy, menopause, and how discovering cannabis-based vaginal suppositories dramatically improved her quality of life. The conversation touches on the value of cannabis in treating various health issues and how a supportive community to openly discuss challenges is essential! Program Notes: Episode Links: Hello Again: Lisa Williams: How’s Your Flow? We wanna know (Calendly link): HOST: Jessica RIchmond Website: IG, @ ...

Animated Advocacy: Stop the Bleeding! on Periods and Bleeding Disorders

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

On this month’s FLOW, peak behind the curtain of the award-winning comedic web-series Stop the Bleeding! The guests share personal stories about learning about and dealing with hemophilia, periods, and the significance of portraying these issues through their characters on STBhemo.com - and the joys of benign part of an ( animated ) series that tackles choosing pride, dismantling shame, and raising awareness - specifically that women have hemophilia too! Program Notes: Episode Links: Stop the Bleeding! Queen Noveen Hillary Hawkins How’s Your...

Connect Your Community to Menstrual Realities

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

In this live episode from the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan’s Conference for Women and Teens, hosts Jessica and Sarah create an open dialogue about menstruation, aiming to normalize the conversation and encourage self-advocacy. They invite participants (virtual and in person) to discuss their menstrual journeys, touching on subjects such as heavy bleeding, inadequate medical support, and the stigma surrounding periods. Special guests Christine, Francis, and Erica share stories of managing bleeding disorders, receiving late diagnoses, and utilizing various tools and products...

Detox Your Environment For Healthy Hormones

FLOW - straight talk about extreme periods

Dr. Erin Ellis specializes in the complexities of hormone balance. On this month’s FLOW, she unpacks the essential role environmental factors play in overall well-being. Her practical approach focuses on how combined lifestyle choices can / do have a positive impacting hormonal balance and menstrual health! Re: Extreme Menstruation “You don't need to suffer - you don't! And that goes with anything in life.” - Dr. Erin Ellis Program Notes: Episode Links: Dr. Erin Ellis: Instagram: / Facebook: Podcast: https://hopenaturalhealth.com/health-podcast/ ...

More Episodes

Program Notes:

Episode Links:

Bloodstream Media: https://www.bloodstreammedia.com/
The Iron Ladies Study: The Iron Ladies: Prevalence and Risk Factors of Iron Deficiency in Females With Bleeding Disorders - McCormick - Haemophilia - Wiley Online Library
A study presenting the data available through the ATHN dataset on women and girls with bleeding disorders*

A Cross-Sectional Study of Women and Girls with Congenital Bleeding Disorders: The American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network Cohort | Journal of Women's Health

*includes a discussion on how participation in the dataset is not complete and how work is being done to remedy this!

An article about the impact of Thalidomide on FDA regulation: How medical research changed after thalidomide
More in depth on Thalidomide: Clinical Trials in Pregnancy and the “Shadows of Thalidomide”:Revisiting the Legacy of Frances Kelsey - PMC
Information about what is identified as a “normal” hemoglobin; and how women who are iron-replete hemoglobin values are similar to men: “These findings highlight sex-based inequities that lead to normalization of disease states and the critical need to update hematologic ranges truly reflective of iron repletion.”

Sex, lies, and iron deficiency: a call to change ferritin reference ranges | Hematology, ASH Education Program | American Society of Hematology

2021 article, Iron Ladies: Variation in the Identification and Management of Iron Deficiency in Women with Bleeding Disorders: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006497121030202

How’s Your Flow?