The Health Class She Deserves

Autumn Paone
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Weekly

What's up ladies, welcome to class! I'm your host, Autumn Paone, here to have real, honest conversations about everything you should have learned in school about the female body but didn’t. From hormones to living cyclically to the stuff no one talks about, I'm breaking it all down so you can understand your body and actually work with it, not against it. If you’ve ever been told your pain is “just part of being a woman,” that your period problems are “normal,” or that the only solution is yet another round of hormonal birth control when it's failed you time and time again, you’ve been lied to. Let's call out the gaslighting, expose the BS, and expand education on women's health. Educated women = empowered women! This podcast is for you if you find yourself asking questions such as: What are the menstrual cycle phases? What is ovulation? How do I cycle sync? What else did they fail to mention in sex-ed and health class? How do I track my cycle? Are there non-hormonal birth control options? What is endometriosis? PCOS? PMDD? How do I manage my endometriosis pain? What is hormone imbalance? Why is women's health so under-researched? What research does exist for women's health? So grab your notebooks (or don't, no one's grading you) and get ready for unfiltered convos with amazing guests, fiery rants, and the real education you deserve. *DISCLAIMERS: I am not a medical professional. Always seek a healthcare professional before implementing any serious lifestyle changes, taking new supplements, and/or engaging in new forms of exercise. Nothing (literally nothing) I say should be taken as medical advice. Do your own research, listen to & trust your body, and advocate for yourself always. I love you 3 Autumn's Natural Cycles Link for 20% OFF! Sign up for the weekly newsletter (it's free!) Want to be a guest on The Health Class She Deserves? Send Autumn Paone a message on PodMatch, here.

  1. 5h ago

    No, that's not normal: "Womanhood" is not a diagnosis

    This solo-cast is all about what's (not) normal in women's health. I receive so many comments from people who were told that pain is just a normal part of womanhood, that passing out is to be expected from a young girl, or that all women exist with an anxious baseline. The normalization of women's pain is out of control! These things are not normal, and could even be indicative of more serious issues that need medical attention. Womanhood is not a diagnosis. Notes from class: All In Her Head by Dr. Elizabeth Comen Watch the Unprofessional Opinions series on TikTok Sadly, I cannot seem to find the period underwear I was talking about :( but I will keep an eye out and share if it comes across my desk! Stay tuned for next week's episode on self-advocacy and finding the right doctor for you based on some key interviews from the pod.

  2. Oct 27

    "They Told Me to Wing It": Navigating Menopause, Depression, & Medical Gaslighting with Lisa Lacy

    Lisa Lacy, a mental health advocate, trauma educator, author, and podcast host, thought she was just recovering from surgery; turns out, she was actually beginning surgical menopause. With no warning, little medical support (her doctor told her to “wing it”), and a congenital blood disease preventing her from using hormones, she had to figure it out on her own. In this episode, Lisa shares that out of the multitude of symptoms associated with menopause, menopausal depression hit her the hardest. While the discourse around peri/menopause is growing, the intersection of that with mental health still needs more attention. This episode raises awareness for that much-needed conversation, and hopefully inspires you to have these conversations in your own life. We also discuss the reality of medical gaslighting and how difficult it can be to get care as a woman, let alone one with mental health diagnoses. Lisa shares what she’s learned about self-advocacy with her general physicians and in emergency situations. Notes from class: The mental health challenges, especially suicidality, experienced by women during perimenopause and menopause: A qualitative study Connect with Lisa Notes From the Edge Podcast LinkedIn Instagram Facebook TikTok Notes From a Certified Madwoman Presale

  3. Oct 20

    Holding Joy and Chronic Pain in the Same Hand: Racheli Aye's Story

    Buckle up, this episode is chaotic in the BEST way. This week we're welcoming Racheli Aye to class to talk about her journey with endometriosis and adenomyosis, traumatic surgery, advocacy, producing festivals, artwork, and so much more. TW: We touch on aspects of sexual assault, suicide, and medical trauma in this interview. Connect with Racheli The Zora Collective: https://thezoracollective.vercel.app/ LinkedIn Instagram Email: collectivethezora@gmail.com Notes from class Insight Timer app: https://insighttimer.com/ The Way Out book Context on the vaccine discussion: Racheli shared her personal experience of developing daily pain and IUD complications after receiving the COVID vaccine. Her experience is hers and she carries unique knowledge of her own body (as we all do). However, as a science-led podcast, I do need to cite the research here: Timing of COVID-19 vaccination drives menstrual cycle changes, NIH-funded study suggests: Natural Cycles data showed small, temporary changes in cycle length that resolved within a cycle or two, with the change dependent on when in the cycle the vaccine was received. This cross-sectional study found that endo patients were more likely to experience menstrual changes, as well as a worsening of some symptoms. Menstrual abnormalities after COVID-19 vaccines: Found that 52.05% of respondents reported some form of menstrual problem after vaccination. This review doesn't use a comparison group, so it can’t tell us how much of this is caused by the vaccine. Other studies have found no significant changes. This isn’t evidence that people shouldn’t get vaccinated. I got the vaccine and had mild changes for a few months. The point is that cycle data has historically been left out in research. When it’s not tracked, we can’t tell the difference between common, temporary changes and rarer problems, and the people experiencing them are left without answers.

  4. Oct 13

    Vaginal & Gut Health: Should you take a probiotic?

    In this episode we're diving into what we know about probiotics for women's vaginal & gut health. I'll help you answer the question "should I take a probiotic?" in a data-driven way. Topic suggestions? Email me here: autumn@thehealthclassshedeserves.com OR Leave an anonymous suggestion with this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMZPA8b_JOV1bWCdW9Zne4smZJtrU0LIBXaVnqGFopMIu5Eg/viewform?usp=publish-editor The probiotic I use: Vaginal Balance from Microbiome Labs Further reading from class: Effects of a 10-Strain Oral Probiotic on Parameters of Vaginal Health and Microbial Community: A Pilot Clinical StudyChoosing an appropriate probiotic product for your patient: An evidence-based practical guideStrain-Specificity and Disease-Specificity of Probiotic Efficacy: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisThe role of probiotics in restoring and maintaining vaginal microbiome health: a review

  5. Oct 7

    Who Removes Your Endometriosis Matters: Excision, Fertility, & Collaborative Care | Dr. Behbehani

    Just because we’re smiling, showing up, and pushing through the day doesn't mean we're "fine." In today’s class, I’m joined by double fellowship-trained REI and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon Dr. Sadikah Behbehani to tear down the pervasive myths surrounding endometriosis and demand the care women actually deserve. We’re diving deep into why endometriosis is a complex, systemic disease that reaches far beyond the reproductive organs, why the average 10-year diagnostic delay is completely unacceptable, and why expert surgical excision with a highly skilled specialist is critical for root-cause healing and fertility preservation. In This Episode, We Discuss: Endometriosis as a Systemic Disease: Why endo isn't just a pelvic disease and how it impacts the entire body, driving systemic inflammation, GI distress, fatigue, and brain fog.The Critical Need for Skilled Excision: Why surgical expertise matters, how high-level excision addresses the root cause of lesions, and the truth about hysterectomies.Validating Unseen Pain: Unpacking the invisible burden of living with chronic illness and why "looking fine" often leads to gaslighting in clinical settings.Advanced Diagnostics & Imaging: The evolving role of specialized ultrasound in identifying endometriosis before entering the operating room.The Multidisciplinary Model: Why true healing doesn't end in the OR—it requires a collaborative team of pelvic physical therapists, skilled surgeons, and pain specialists to solve the whole puzzle.Connect with Dr. Behbehani: Website: https://endometriosis-fertility.com/ Instagram: @dr.sadikahbehbehani

    Who Removes Your Endometriosis Matters: Excision, Fertility, & Collaborative Care | Dr. Behbehani

  6. Sep 29

    Building Self-Trust & Resiliency for Long-Term Success with Dr. Carla Caturia

    If you’ve ever felt the pressure to hold it all together, lack confidence in your resilience, or struggle to celebrate your own wins, big or small, this episode is for you. In today’s class, I’m sitting down with mental performance coach Dr. Carla Caturia to unpack what it really takes to build deep self-trust, emotional intelligence, and an authentic identity. While this conversation is rooted in family dynamics, supporting teens, and helping moms navigate the modern pressures of parenting, there is something here for everyone. If you were once the high-achieving kid who never fully unlearned perfectionism, if you feel trapped in the cycle of "success without self," or if you're feeling burnt out by the noise of social media, this episode offers a roadmap to refocus your attention and achieve your goals. In This Class, We Discuss: Breaking the "Success Without Self Cycle": What happens when external achievements mask internal disconnect, and how high achievers can break the cycle and connect to their body.Building Authentic Self-Trust: Practical mental performance tools to cultivate real self-belief and reframe negative thought patterns.Navigating Social Media & Comparison: How constant digital influence impacts mental health, self-worth, and identity for both teens and adults.Modern Family Dynamics: Fostering genuine connection and recognizing childhood trauma triggers within family relationships.Somatic & Mindset Integration: The critical role physical movement plays in emotional processing, and why celebrating small wins is necessary for long-term resilience.Further reading from class... Atlas of the Heart List of Emotions from Brené Brown Connect with Dr. Carla Caturia https://thehouseofrise.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5qLVYY_F6bEPgFZnDjtEdw

  7. Sep 22

    My Experience at The Endometriosis Care Continuum

    In today’s class, I’m sharing my experience at the first annual Endometriosis Care Continuum and all of the things I took away from the event! As you may know, it was hosted by Elysara Medical & Wellness, a NY-based clinic I have been working with closely to bring you powerful education and solutions to managing endometriosis pain. This event covered everything: why early recognition is so critical, how specialized multidisciplinary teams change patient outcomes, and what the latest research says about neuroimmune pathways, bioidentical hormone therapy, and even cardiovascular health. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Care Continuum: Highlights from top experts on why a multidisciplinary team is essential for comprehensive endo care.Beyond the Pelvis: Exploring the systemic and neuroimmune nature of endometriosis, including nerve involvement and long-term cardiovascular impacts.Next-Wave Therapies: Promising treatment avenues on the horizon, including bioidentical hormones and targeted peptides.Validation & Advocacy: Real patient stories shedding light on diagnostic delays and why better provider education is desperately needed.The Endometriosis Series with Elysara Beyond Surgery: A Whole-Body Approach to Endometriosis | Nicoletta RasizziWhat Does Cardiology Have to Do With Endometriosis? | Dr. George YiachosThe Missing Gap in Endometriosis Care: Why Surgery Isn’t the End of the Story with Jessica DotoInnovative Endometriosis Care: The Healing Hands of Chiropractic with Dr. Katie PacinelliHow Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Actually Helps Endometriosis Patients with Rachelle BojerAcupuncture 101: Retraining the Nervous System for Better Endometriosis Care with Min Sung Kim

  8. Sep 8

    How to Track Your Cycle Like a Scientist: BBT, Ovulation, & Data-Driven Self-Advocacy

    If you’ve ever felt like your cycle is a complete mystery, this episode is for you. In today’s class, I’m breaking down the power of cycle tracking, basal body temperature, and how tuning into your body’s monthly patterns can provide the exact data you need to take control of your care. We’re diving into the biology behind ovulation, walking step-by-step through the main phases of your cycle, and looking at how tracking metrics like body temperature can reveal insights into your symptoms (especially if you're navigating complex a condition like endometriosis). In This Episode, We Discuss: The Power of Cycle Data: Why tracking your cycle goes far beyond fertility and serves as a way to know your body better and advocate for yourself.The Science of Ovulation & BBT: How progesterone acts on the hypothalamus to shift your body temperature, and how to track basal body temperature accurately to pinpoint ovulation.Data-Driven Self-Advocacy: How arming yourself with clear, personalized cycle records changes the dynamic when communicating with healthcare providers.Every Body is Different: Cycle length and phase timing vary widely from person to person; tracking reveals your unique baseline. Further Reading From Class: Action of progesterone on preoptic thermosensitive neurones Notes From Class: Sign up for Natural Cycles (20% off with this link!) Check out my Patreon

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About

What's up ladies, welcome to class! I'm your host, Autumn Paone, here to have real, honest conversations about everything you should have learned in school about the female body but didn’t. From hormones to living cyclically to the stuff no one talks about, I'm breaking it all down so you can understand your body and actually work with it, not against it. If you’ve ever been told your pain is “just part of being a woman,” that your period problems are “normal,” or that the only solution is yet another round of hormonal birth control when it's failed you time and time again, you’ve been lied to. Let's call out the gaslighting, expose the BS, and expand education on women's health. Educated women = empowered women! This podcast is for you if you find yourself asking questions such as: What are the menstrual cycle phases? What is ovulation? How do I cycle sync? What else did they fail to mention in sex-ed and health class? How do I track my cycle? Are there non-hormonal birth control options? What is endometriosis? PCOS? PMDD? How do I manage my endometriosis pain? What is hormone imbalance? Why is women's health so under-researched? What research does exist for women's health? So grab your notebooks (or don't, no one's grading you) and get ready for unfiltered convos with amazing guests, fiery rants, and the real education you deserve. *DISCLAIMERS: I am not a medical professional. Always seek a healthcare professional before implementing any serious lifestyle changes, taking new supplements, and/or engaging in new forms of exercise. Nothing (literally nothing) I say should be taken as medical advice. Do your own research, listen to & trust your body, and advocate for yourself always. I love you 3 Autumn's Natural Cycles Link for 20% OFF! Sign up for the weekly newsletter (it's free!) Want to be a guest on The Health Class She Deserves? Send Autumn Paone a message on PodMatch, here.

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