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Missing periods, PCOS, endometriosis and PMS… odds are, either you or someone you love struggles with one (or more) of these painful conditions every month. But your cycle does NOT have to be a cause of pain, frustration or moodiness, and today’s podcast guest — Dr. Lara Briden — is going to tell us why.
Dr. Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and ‘period revolutionary’ — leading the change to better periods for all women. Informed by a strong science background and more than 20 years experience with patients, Lara is a passionate communicator about women’s health and alternatives to hormonal birth control. Her book Period Repair Manual is a manifesto for woman who want to reimagine their cycle and provides practical solutions using nutrition, supplements, and natural hormones. Now in its second edition, the book has been an underground sensation and has worked to quietly change the lives of tens of thousands of women across the globe.
Everyone — and I mean both men and women — NEED to listen to this wide-ranging conversation, especially if you want to make a baby, re-establish regular periods, discover the most reliable methods of natural non hormonal contraception methods, and heal your PCOS, endometriosis, or PMS.
In this episode we chat about:
- What the pill is actually doing to our bodies (03:58)
- Why period pain is not normal (06:29)
- Dr Lara’s top 3 non-conventional ways to combat period pain (good GODDESS I wish I’d known about these back in the day!) (12:06)
- Why our periods go missing and how to get them back (14:23)
- The top 5 non-hormonal natural contraception methods (18:55)
- How long you need to wait after you come off the pill before you make a baby (26:30)
- Why making a baby is a team sport and why men are just as responsible as women (29:19)
- What men can do to make sure they have super sperm (31:45)
- Plus so much more!
Episode resources:
- Open Wide by Melissa Ambrosini (book)
- Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden (Amazon)
- LaraBriden.com (website)
- Endometriosis Australia Private Facebook Group (Facebook Group)
- Do You Have PCOS or Hypothalamic Amenorrhea—or Both? (article)
- myONE – 60 Custom Fit Condoms (website)
- GLYDE Condoms (Amazon)
Thank you so much for listening to this episode. I’m so honored that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could take 2 minutes to leave me a 5-star review in iTunes or on your podcast app, that way we can inspire even more people together.
P.S. Please seek advice from a qualified holistic practitioner before starting any new health practice.
P.P.S. If you’re looking for a high-impact marketing opportunity for your business and are interested in becoming a sponsor for The Melissa Ambrosini Show podcast, please email pr@melissaambrosini.com for more information.
This was a very insightful conversation – thank you for covering ALL of the topics. Love your podcast.
You’re welcome honey. Thank YOU for listening each week. xx
Great Podcast!
Just wondering if there is a forum or chat somewhere to assist with finding a good doctor for women in Sydney.
I am finding it extremely hard to find that right mix of traditional and natural and someone who look for whats right you YOU not the general population.
Thanks
Elle 🙂
Hey Ellen, reach out to Dr Lara as she practices in Sydney. xx
Hi Melissa, is this Dr Lara Briden? Thank you!
Sure is honey. Enjoy! xx
This was a fantastic podcast. Thanks so much! I am wanting to go off the pill in a few months and this was very insightful and relevant to me. Quick question, I am interested in your condom brand recommendations, however, is there a latex free option that is safest without all the additional chemicals etc. in them? My partner is allergic to latex. Thanks very much.
Hey Tahlia, I haven’t found any yet but please let me know if you come across some as I would love to know also. xx
Thank you Melissa and Dr Lara. So inspiring. So good. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and good advice with us. All the very best.
Wow! So many ah ha moments whilst listening to this! I think every woman should listen to this. I’m loving the podcast Melissa ❤️
Thanks honey, please share it with all your female friends. xx
Hey Melissa and Lara,
WOW! So, I was walking to the chemist to collect my Endo medication last night while I was listening to this podcast. Ironic right? I have recently started a blog to share my Endo journey and make periods/hormones/sex something that gets TALKED ABOUT. I have forwarded the podcast to all the important women in my life and have also linked to it on my blog. I have to say, as someone who has had Endo since puberty, and has started recently trying to really nourish my body and look at healthier alternatives, I was so happy to hear that I am on the right track. If I lived in Sydney, Id be at the door of Dr Lara Briden, but until then I need to find a new gyno in Melbourne. FYI, if it helps, another good source for anyone with Endo is EndometriosisAustralia.org.au or https://www.myendometriosisteam.com/
I’ve said thank you before for what you do, but helping to get the word out there is what we need. So, from the bottom of my (sometimes inflamed, always confusing) sacred centre, thank you.
xxxx
You’re so welcome honey. I am sending you so much love. Keep me posted with how you go and make sure you read Lara’s book. It’s epic!
Wow it’s funny how timing is everything! A few days off 31 and starting to think about babies not being far off, I’ve been on the pill for close to 15 years and even though I’m a holistic coach, it has been the simple and effective answer to avoid pregnancy and so have refused to acknowledge any other option! But I saw the post for this podcast and I was called to listen now that getting my body working naturally is a huge priority! This information was so helpful so thank you!!!
You’re so welcome Carla. Thanks for listening and tuning in. xx
Wow… what an incredible episode. As a woman who feels in tune with her body, I realised how out of tune I felt with it regarding cycles. Knowledge truly is power. So pleased I listened to this. Thank you both for sharing something every woman (and man) should know about.
Pleasure honey. Glad you loved it and thanks for listening. xx
Hey lovely, she mentions that ‘fem cap’ is available in Aus. Cant find that it is 🙁 do you have a link that you could share?
Hey Bonnie, this is what Lara wrote back. Actually Femcap has to be ordered from overseas. A better option in Australia is the new Caya diaphragm. xx
Thank you! Thank you! This was a very informative episode on such an important topic! I was on the pill for over 10 years and it took over a year after stopping it for my period to return. Looking back I now realise it caused anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, leaky gut, infertility etc., etc. Thank you Melissa for bringing this discussion forward and interviewing people such as Dr Lara Briden and Nat Kringoudis. Nat’s work is what helped me heal my body after coming off the pill five years ago. Another great advocate for woman’s health in this area is Dr Joelene Brighten – think about having her on your podcast! Love your work xxx
So glad you loved this podcast so much honey and so glad you got loads out of it. Thanks for the reccy also. xx
Hey Melissa,
Super interesting podcast! As a 20 year old girl, the majority of my friends are on the pill and I often try to explain to them why it is so bad for their bodies to be on it for consecutive years. What would you say is the best alternative that is effective contraception but not as damaging for your body as a young girl?
Hey Sarah, get your friends to listen to the podcast so they are informed for themselves. You could try one of the five alternatives that Dr Lana suggested in the podcast. xx
This podcast was so informative and insightful. It’s made me realise that there’s things about my body I didn’t know and that it’s so important to informed decisions on everything regarding your health and body. Thank you so much for sharing this Melissa. It’s been life changing!
Pleasure Silvia, I am just so glad you got a lot out of it. xx