29 episodes

What do you really know about the menstrual cycle? In this award-winning podcast India Rakusen explores the whole bloody story, discovering facts that could change your life. Periods are just the beginning.

28ish Days Later BBC Radio 4

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 71 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires macOS 11.4 or higher

What do you really know about the menstrual cycle? In this award-winning podcast India Rakusen explores the whole bloody story, discovering facts that could change your life. Periods are just the beginning.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires macOS 11.4 or higher

    Welcome to 28ish Days Later

    Welcome to 28ish Days Later

    What do you really know about the menstrual cycle? India Rakusen explores the whole bloody story, discovering facts that could change your life. Periods are just the beginning.
    In this intimate, bold and taboo-busting series, we follow the menstrual cycle from bleeding to, well, bleeding again - with all the amazing science, drama, history, personal stories and politics in-between. We’ll learn how understanding your hormones and your cycle can change your life, one day at a time.
    28ish Days Later is a Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. It is presented by India Rakusen, the producer is Ellie Sans, and the executive producer is Suzy Grant.
    Assistant producer Jorja McAndrew
    Original music by Rebekah Reid. 
    Mixing and sound design by Olga Reed and Charlie Brandon-King.

    • 1 min
    Day One: Power

    Day One: Power

    India Rakusen journeys into the womb with Dr Dornu Lebari and Dr Jackie Maybin. We peel back the layers and meet the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and the endometrium.
    India is also joined by Dr Elinor Cleghorn to discuss the ancient theories of wandering wombs, evil uteruses and the myths that surround the womb in history.
    Credits:
    Presented by India Rakusen.
    Assistant Producer: Jorja McAndrew.
    Producer: Ellie Sans.
    Executive Producer: Suzy Grant.
    Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid.
    Sound Design by Olga Reed.
    Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.
    A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

    • 14 min
    Day Two: The Flood

    Day Two: The Flood

    On day two of the period, India Rakusen carries us through the bleeding part of the period from the hormones, to the reason we bleed and the stigma surrounding it with Dr Jackie Maybin. India also meets a retired police officer who's life and health was directly impacted from living with heavy bleeding.
    Dr Ruth Armula joins to discuss fibroids.
    Credits:
    Presented by India Rakusen.
    Producer: Ellie Sans.
    Assistant Producer: Jorja McAndrew.
    Executive Producer: Suzy Grant.
    Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid.
    Sound design by Olga Reed.
    Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.
    A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

    • 16 min
    Day Three: Pain And Prejudice

    Day Three: Pain And Prejudice

    This episode of 28ish Days Later is about period pain and endometriosis. India also discusses period poo’s and prostaglandins with Dr Katy Vincent.
    India also meets Phoebe who lives with endometriosis and Dr Andrew Horne who researches the condition. They discuss the impact and symptoms of endometriosis, and the medical data bias that causes long diagnosis times.
    Credits:
    Presented by India Rakusen.
    Producer: Ellie Sans.
    Assistant Producer: Jorja McAndrew.
    Executive Producer: Suzy Grant.
    Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid.
    Sound design by Olga Reed.
    Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.
    A Listen Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

    • 13 min
    Day Four: Winter

    Day Four: Winter

    India and the author of Period Power, Maisie Hill, discuss the best way to manage and interact with your cycle. Specifically looking at the bleed, or rather the season ‘winter’, Maisie offers advice, tips and tricks on how to unlock the superpowers of your cycle. As well as how best to avoid the dangers that lurk in the experience of winter.
    Credits:
    Presented by India Rakusen.
    Producer: Jorja McAndrew.
    Series Producer: Ellie Sans.
    Executive Producer: Suzy Grant.
    Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid.
    Sound design by Charlie Brandon-King.
    Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.
    A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

    • 13 min
    Day Five: Blood and Bears

    Day Five: Blood and Bears

    Ever heard of bears eating people who were on their period? Maybe sharks eating menstruating swimmers? These sort of myths are everywhere. India is joined by Caroline Byrd who’s job was lost due to a myth of blood and bears. Dr. Elinor Cleghorn takes us all the way back to the mediaeval ages to root out the beginning of these myths and Dr Anita Mitra gives the low down on the textures and appearance of period blood.
    Credits:
    Presented by: India Rakusen.
    Producer: Ellie Sans.
    Assistant Producer: Jorja McAndrew.
    Executive Producer: Suzy Grant.
    Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid.
    Sound design by Olga Reed.
    Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists.
    A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

    • 16 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
71 Ratings

71 Ratings

Livetärbra ,

Bless you 28-ish Days Later TEAM!!!!!!!

My goodness. I cannot express what this podcast meant to me. I hope the fact that this is the first ever review I’ve left on a podcast can speak to that. It is wild to me that I’m 26 and SO much (most?!) of what is discussed in this series was new to me. Thank you for talking about it!!!!!! The wide range of experts and individuals you had on the show was incredibly helpful, comforting, and impressive. LOVED learning from them all. India, you do such a beautiful job learning from all these individuals, I felt like I was just learning right alongside you. The entire podcast is also just beautifully produced. Standing ovation there. I found myself feeling so RELIEVED at many points just feeling a sense of COMMUNITY in all of this. In knowing I’m not alone. And I got emotional at many different points because of the BEAUTIFUL reframing that was happening about women’s bodies. About my body!!! After having listened I am feeling an increased sense of awe, wonder, gratitude, love, and connectedness with my MAGICAL body and the marvel she is. I’ve already told several friends about the podcast and will continue to do so. Thank you thank you thank you for bringing this into existence 🙏🏼

Just killed the god king ,

Totally mind blowing

I thought of myself as a relatively informed person about women’s health, but there were so many jaw dropping pieces of information about having a female body in this world, and it has completely transformed how I approach my healthcare and my period. I share this podcast with everyone I know, highly highly recommend as an essential listen.

ljkort ,

Very informative!

I’ve really been enjoying this podcast, and have learned so much. I appreciate how the episodes are brief but still give you great info. I’m much more empowered about my body!

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