misunderstood areas of medicine. Many people grow up without knowing what a normal menstrual cycle looks like, when period pain, heavy bleeding or irregular periods are a sign something isn’t right, or when to seek medical help. Too often, symptoms are dismissed as “just part of being a woman” when they could point to conditions like endometriosis, PCOS or PMDD.
In this episode of Vision of Health, Dr Frankie is joined by consultant gynaecologist Dr Anita Mitra - better known as ‘The Gynae Geek’ - for a practical, evidence‑based conversation about hormones, periods and the women’s health questions so many people are still afraid to ask.
Dr Mitra is an NHS consultant specialising in gynaecological surgery and women’s cancers. She is the bestselling author of ‘The Gynae Geek’ and ‘Dealing with Problem Periods’, and has helped well over 160,000 people better understand their health through her evidence‑based education online.
Together, they separate medical fact from social media misinformation, covering everything from what a healthy menstrual cycle actually looks like to when symptoms deserve further investigation.
In this episode, they explore:
- What a normal period and menstrual cycle should look like.
- When period pain, heavy bleeding or irregular cycles are not normal.
- Why endometriosis still takes years to diagnose, and what can help shorten that delay.
- The truth about PCOS and the myths circulating online.
- PMS vs PMDD – how to tell the difference and when symptoms cross into disorder.
- Common causes of heavy periods and when to seek help.
- Why hormone symptoms vary so much between individuals.
- How stress, weight and lifestyle affect your menstrual cycle.
- Which lifestyle changes genuinely improve hormone health – and which are overhyped.
- The vaginal microbiome: what actually matters and where the evidence is strongest.
- Understanding HPV results without unnecessary anxiety.
- Why cervical screening remains essential, even after the HPV vaccine.
- When bloating or other symptoms could signal something more serious, including ovarian cancer.
- The facts about hormonal contraception, including common myths and social media narratives.
- How doctors weigh up the risks and benefits of contraception in real‑world practice.
- Where to start if you’re worried about your periods or hormones, and what to ask your doctor.
Painful, heavy or irregular periods should never be dismissed as something you simply have to live with. Many women’s health conditions are highly treatable, but recognising them early is key.
This episode will help you understand what’s normal, recognise potential warning signs, and feel more confident having evidence‑based conversations about your health.
Watch the full episode on YouTube.
Follow Dr Frankie Jackson-Spence: @drfrankiejs
https://www.instagram.com/drfrankiejs/
Learn more about Dr Anita Mitra:
Website: https://thegynaegeek.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gynaegeek/
If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone navigating endometriosis, PCOS, painful periods or unexplained hormone symptoms.
And don’t forget to follow Vision of Health on Instagram too: https://www.instagram.com/visionofhealthpod
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