Happy Menstruation Monday!

In this episode of Kick Cramp's Ass, Brittany Walker dives into the hidden connection between stress and menstrual health, revealing how chronic stress impacts hormonal balance and causes painful cramps. Learn the science behind cortisol's effect on your cycle and practical strategies to reclaim your rhythm for better health.

Main Topics Covered:

• The role of the HPA-HPG axis crosstalk and how stress hijacks hormonal balance

• The concept of the pregnenolone heist and its impact on progesterone levels

• How cortisol sunburns the internal environment, intensifying cramps and inflammation

• The influence of menstrual cycle phases on cortisol levels and stress response

• Practical lifestyle changes, including dietary, psychological, and social tips, to reduce stress and support hormonal health

• The importance of early cycle stress management to prevent painful periods

• Scientific insights from meta-analyses by Hamidovic et al. (2020) and Haas et al. (2024)

• The power of intentional peace and self-care as a form of biological intervention

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Introduction to Stress and Menstrual Health
• (05:43) - Understanding the HPA and HPG Axes
• (09:50) - The Impact of Stress on Menstrual Symptoms
• (14:02) - The Science Behind Stress and the Menstrual Cycle
• (20:20) - Strategies for Managing Stress and Hormonal Health
• (25:17) - Empowerment and Reclaiming Your Health

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  We manifest a positive, productive, and peaceful day and menstrual cycle journey ahead!

  Resources:

  Period Psychology: How Your Mind, Body, and Society Shape Your Period

  Connect with Us:

  Receive our newsletters and tips by subscribing to our Substack

  For additional menstrual wellness content, subscribe to our YouTube, Instagram, Threads, or LinkedIn

  Yoga, Breathwork, and Mindfulness Resources: Pilates for Periods

  Ready to make your own content? Become a friend of ⁠⁠Riverside.fm⁠
  Visit our website for any additional resources and tools.

  
  

Happy Menstruation Monday!

In this week’s episode of Kick Cramp's Ass - The Podcast, host Brittany “B” Walker dives into Ohio's groundbreaking House Bill 29, the nation's first law explicitly addressing menstrual dignity in correctional facilities. Join us as we explore the journey from advocacy to legislation, and the broader fight for menstrual equity and human rights for incarcerated women. In this episode:

• Kayelin Tiggs shares her journey from pageantry to legislative activism fighting menstrual deprivation

• The significance of House Bill 29 as the first comprehensive law of its kind in the U.S.

• How discrimination, denial, and withholding of menstrual products impact incarcerated menstruator’s health and dignity

• The importance of hygiene provisions, including shower access and disposal bins, in correctional settings

• The role of education and advocacy in advancing menstrual equity beyond legislation

• Addressing stigma, reentry challenges, and the broader systemic issues in correctional healthcare

• Future steps: expanding advocacy efforts and addressing ingredient transparency in menstrual products

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Menstrual Dignity Advocacy

04:56 - Kayelin Tiggs: Journal to Menstrual Equity

11:11 - Understanding House Bill 29

20:23 - The Impact of House Bill 29

26:47 - Beyond Products: Hygiene and Education

32:29 - Stigma and Dehumanization in Prisons

35:11 - Combatting Stigma Around Incarceration and Menstruation

42:24 - Addressing the Financial Gap in Prisons

45:14 - Building Coalition for Menstrual Equity

46:30 - Product Ingredient Transparency in Correctional Facilities

49:28 - Impact of Basic Healthcare on Reentry

53:22 - Turning Advocacy into Legislative Action

Resources & Links:

• Ohio House Bill 29 (Law)

• Ohio Coalition for Menstrual Equity

• First Step Act - federal legislation on prison reform

Connect with Kayelin Tiggs:

• Kayelin Tiggs on Instagram

• Kayelin Tiggs' Email

Upcoming initiatives to watch:

• Amendments to federal policies on menstrual products in incarceration

• Advocacy for ingredient transparency in prison-provided menstrual products

• Expansion of legislation modeled after Ohio’s Law at national levels

Final note:

When we challenge stigma and policy gaps, we affirm our shared humanity. This law underscores that dignity should never be compromised, regardless of someone’s incarceration status. Let Kayelin’s inspiring journey motivate you to be an upstander in your community — because meaningful change begins with action.

We manifest a positive, productive, and peaceful day and menstrual cycle journey ahead!

Connect with Us:

Receive our newsletters and tips by subscribing to our Substack

For additional menstrual wellness content, subscribe to our YouTube, Instagram, Threads, or LinkedIn

Yoga, Breathwork, and Mindfulness Resources: Pilates for Periods

Ready to make your own content? Become a friend of ⁠⁠Riverside.fm⁠
Visit our website for any additional resources and tools.

Happy Menstruation Monday! Welcome to the kickoff of season four of the Kick Cramp's Ass Podcast!

Brittany Walker introduces her journey toward integrating holistic health with her expertise in psychology and nutrition to revolutionize our understanding of menstrual health. This episode explores how to treat the menstrual cycle as a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors.

In this episode:

-Brittany’s personal transition from a purely biological view of health to adopting the biopsychosocial model

-The significance of mental, social, and environmental factors in menstrual health

-How high stress and social environments influence hormonal balance and cycle regularity

-The three pillars of the biopsychosocial model: Biological, Psychological, and Social

-Specific strategies to support each pillar, including nutrition, mindfulness practices, and environmental awareness

-The impact of societal stigma and access to care on menstrual health outcomes

-Research findings highlighting psychological flexibility and social support as buffers against severe menstrual symptoms

-Practical tools like cycle tracking, yoga, breathwork, and boundary setting to enhance menstrual well-being

-The importance of viewing the period as a reflection of overall life health and interconnected systems

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and Celebrations

04:11 - The Biopsychosocial (BPS) Model Unveiled

07:07 - Understanding the Three Pillars: Biological, Psychological, Social

12:09 - Interactions of the Three Pillars During the Menstrual Cycle

15:48 - Research and Evidence Supporting the Biopsychosocial Approach

19:10 - Practical Applications for Supporting BPS

24:24 - Podcast Outro

Thank you for tuning in and prioritizing your menstrual health. Check the show notes for links and resources, and stay connected for more episodes that empower your holistic wellness.

Resources & Links:

Understanding PMD and PMDD: A Holistic Guide to Better Periods Episode

Yoga, Breathwork, and Mindfulness Resources: Pilates for Periods

Connect with Us:

Receive our newsletters and tips by subscribing to our Substack

For additional menstrual wellness content, subscribe to our YouTube, Instagram, Threads, or LinkedIn
Visit our website for any additional resources and tools.