Episode Summary

In this episode of The MumPoster Podcast, Dr Natasha Wallace is joined by Emma Goff, a certified fertility awareness educator and miscarriage doula, for an eye-opening conversation about menstrual cycles, fertility awareness, and hormonal health.

Together, they explore why so many women grow up without truly understanding their cycles, how hormonal birth control can mask underlying issues rather than regulate them, and why cycle awareness is about far more than fertility alone. Emma shares her deep knowledge of how stress, lifestyle, nutrition, and life stages can impact menstrual health, and why learning to listen to your cycle is a powerful form of self-care.

This conversation also looks at the importance of open, honest communication with children about puberty and menstruation. Natasha and Emma discuss how early education can reduce shame, foster body trust, and help both girls and boys grow up with a healthier, more informed relationship to women’s bodies.
This episode is a compassionate invitation to reconnect with your body, question what you’ve been taught about menstrual health, and feel empowered to make informed decisions - for yourself and the next generation.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

🔑 Understanding your menstrual cycle is a vital part of overall health.

🔑 Hormonal birth control may mask symptoms rather than regulate cycles.

🔑 Stress can significantly disrupt menstrual cycles and hormonal balance.

🔑 Education about cycles and puberty should start early with children.

🔑 Open conversations about menstruation help reduce shame and stigma.

🔑 Recognising cycle-related symptoms can support better health outcomes.

🔑 Nutrition plays a key role in menstrual and hormonal health.

🔑 Teaching boys about menstruation fosters empathy and understanding.

🔑 Menstrual cycles change across different life stages.

Podcast Chapters

🕒 00:46 — Understanding Fertility Awareness and Cycle Tracking
🕒 03:47 — Navigating Menstrual Changes Through Life
🕒 06:48 — The Impact of Hormonal Birth Control
🕒 09:50 — Talking to Children About Menstruation
🕒 12:49 — Recognising Signs of Hormonal Imbalance
🕒 15:47 — The Effects of Stress on Menstrual Cycles
🕒 27:01 — Understanding Stress and Hormones
🕒 29:07 — The Menstrual Cycle and Conception
🕒 34:31 — Empowerment Through Knowledge of Cycles
🕒 37:51 — Communication and Relationships
🕒 40:37 — Changing the Narrative for Future Generations
🕒 41:20 — Puberty and Early Signs in Girls

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