CONTRACEPTION (Part I): The different types, how they work and the story of long-term OCP use from marathon runner Jess Piasecki Artwork

Female Athlete Podcast

The Female Athlete Podcast is here to shine a light and bring focus to topics around the female body and sport and exercise which have originally gone under the radar. We'll be tackling everything from the menstrual cycle and how it affects every day women to how it impacts on sporting performance- including issues such as contraception, bone health and female physiology. Presented by three curious young women; journalist Lucy Lomax, Dr Georgie Bruinvels and Dr Jess Piasecki, this podcast isn't just for female athletes, it's for women who want to learn more about their bodies. Join us as we attempt to open up the conversation.

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Female Athlete Podcast

CONTRACEPTION (Part I): The different types, how they work and the story of long-term OCP use from marathon runner Jess Piasecki

May 01, 2020 • Female Athlete Podcast • Season 1 • Episode 5

It's the one a lot of you have been waiting for! CONTRACEPTION. This is such a big topic in female health and performance that we decided to break it into two parts.

In this episode we talk about the different types available, how they work, which ones elite athletes might use and why we as women should own and respect our menstrual cycles.

We also hear the inspiring story of elite marathon runner and co-host of the podcast Dr Jess Piasecki around her experience with long-term oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use from the ages of 19-27, including her injuries, impact on bone health and how she recovered her health and performances- ending 2019 by winning the Florence Marathon in a time of 2.25.28.

Plus we discuss how OCP's can mask your natural cycle and the implications of this- with advice from Dr Georgie Bruinvels.

In question time we address whether the pill should be used to kick-start your cycle and keep periods regular and what it could mean if you are not having or have stopped having a menstrual cycle.

We recommend this episode to all our listeners but especially to young and aspiring female athletes- there is a lot of advice so this is one NOT TO MISS!!!

If you want more information/guidance on how to manage your menstrual cycle head to FitrWoman website: https://www.fitrwoman.com or download the app.
Or read Stacy Sim's book ROAR, with chapters dedicated to female physiology, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause: https://www.drstacysims.com/store

We have a dedicated question time at the end of each episode so if you have any questions please contact us on Twitter @female_pod or Instagram @femaleathletepodcast or email us your questions at femaleathletepodcast@gmail.com.

Your question can be anonymous if you wish. We would love to hear from you!

Research:
Period Prevalence and Perceived Side Effects of Hormonal Contraceptive Use and the Menstrual Cycle in Elite Athletes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29283683

Use of prescription contraceptive methods in the UK general population: a primary care study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24118863

*Disclaimer: Materials and content in the Female Athlete Podcast are intended as general information only and should not be substituted for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.