The Flow with BloodStream Media is a show for menstruating individuals who experience extreme bleeding, women with bleeding disorders, and those looking for more access to menstruation-health information.
It's Not Just a Heavy Period on The Flow with BloodStream
For years, women with bleeding disorders were told it was "just a heavy period."
On the kickoff episode of The Flow with BloodStream, "It's Not Just a Heavy Period," women and clinicians expose what happens when serious symptoms are minimized, normalized, or dismissed entirely.
Heavy prolonged periods. Anemia. Bruising. Joint bleeds. Rectal bleeding. Years without answers.
Three women share what it was like to document their symptoms just to be believed — and how finally receiving factor treatment and prophylaxis changed their lives.
Hematologist Dr. Jen Davila breaks down how the right questions can uncover what patients have learned to normalize, and how stigma, misinformation, and assumptions about women in bleeding disorders continue to delay care.
This episode is about being heard, properly diagnosed, and redefining what women with bleeding disorders should have to live with.
Presenting Sponsor:
For too long, women and girls with bleeding disorders have been told they're "just carriers." But
the truth is, women can experience real bleeding symptoms too. And their stories deserve to be
heard.
That's the idea behind "Because She Matters," a campaign from Novo Nordisk. It highlights the
experiences of women living with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, helping raise
awareness of symptoms that are often overlooked or misunderstood.
On the site, you'll see real stories from women who went years without answers, learn about
signs like heavy or prolonged periods, frequent bruising, or unexplained bleeding, and find
guidance on how to start conversations with your healthcare provider.
Because recognizing the signs is the first step toward getting the care you deserve.
Visit WomenWithHemophilia.com, that's WomenWithHemophilia.com or click the link in the
show notes.
Because when it comes to bleeding disorders, women's health matters.
Women's voices matter.
Because SHE matters.
Learn more and explore the resources at WomenWithHemophilia.com.
Show Notes:
WomenWithHemophilia.com
Subscribe:
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Connect with BloodStream Media:
BloodStreamMedia.com
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BloodStream on Instagram
BloodStream on LinkedIn
BloodStream on TikTok
12 Mar 2026
Believing Data: the Study of the Female Body - with Dr. Bethany Samuelson Bannow, M.D., M.C.R.
Research scientist Dr. Bethany Samuelson Bannow talks bodily autonomy, calls for the need for better menstrual tracking methods for individuals with bleeding disorders, and reveals how medical school training often provides minimal education on the period. She encourages listeners to speak openly about their periods to break the stigma, noting that even within religious texts, there are accounts of individuals seeking and receiving healing for heavy bleeding.
Program Notes:
Episode Links:
Dr. Bannow https://www.ohsu.edu/providers/bethany-samuelsonbannow-md-mcr#profile-section__about-me
Konika Ray Wong's Period Education Book https://girlpowerscience.com/shop/p/oneinamillionbook
Dr. Bannow's paper / ASH Publications, re: Anticoagulation in Women: https://ashpublications.org/hematology/article/2022/1/467/493547/Anticoagulant-therapy-for-women-implications-for?guestAccessKey=
NIH / Anticoagulation Article by Dr. Bannow https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39476970/
PDX Monthly Article about Dr. Bannow's outstanding work: https://www.pdxmonthly.com/health-and-wellness/2024/06/ohsu-menstrual-research-period-products-bethany-samuelson-bannow
NBDF Video featuring Dr. Bannow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyb44gh27Og
Dr. Period Hackers https://www.drperiodhackers.com/
Flow with Dr. Period Hackers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuA63YI8RDU
Dr. Bannow first to test menstrual blood on period products! https://www.opb.org/article/2023/08/30/ohsu-researchers-test-menstrual-products-with-blood-for-the-first-time/
FLOW Presenting Sponsor: #Takeda, visit bleedingdisorders.com to learn more.
Connect with BloodStream Media:
Find all of our bleeding disorders podcasts on
BloodStreamMedia.com
BloodStream on Facebook
BloodStream on Twitter
BloodStream on Instagram
BloodStream on TikTok
BloodStream on LinkedIn
Check out Believe Limited's Other Work:
Bombardier Blood: bombardierblood.com
My Beautiful Stutter: mybeautifulstutter.com/
Stop The Bleeding!: stbhemo.com
The Science Fair: thesciencefair.org
On the Shoulders of Giants: https://www.ontheshouldersfilm.com/
19 Feb 2026
Support your local Black birth workers!
The conversation highlights propaganda-driven myths about hospital birth, how birth centers / collaborative care models can save lives, and ways listeners can support local birth workers' advocacy efforts. Deliver Us (documentary) shares the journey Black midwives around the country - opening birth centers and demanding justice for Black mothers - visit delvierusdoc.com now to learn more!
Program Notes:
Episode Links:
Project Site: https://www.deliverusdoc.com/
Cinequest Screening: https://bit.ly/deliveruscinequest
IG www.instagram.com/deliverusdoc
Kindred Space LA: https://www.kindredspacela.com/
Birth Sanctuary Gainsville: https://thebirthsanctuary.com/
Chicago South Side Birth Center: https://www.chicagosouthsidebirthcenter.org/
Fourth Tri Sanctuary: https://www.fourthtrisanctuary.com/
Birth Center Equity: https://birthcenterequity.org/
FLOW Presenting Sponsor: #Takeda, visit bleedingdisorders.com to learn more.
Connect with BloodStream Media:
Find all of our bleeding disorders podcasts on
BloodStreamMedia.com
BloodStream on Facebook
BloodStream on Twitter
BloodStream on Instagram
BloodStream on TikTok
BloodStream on LinkedIn
Check out Believe Limited's Other Work:
Bombardier Blood: bombardierblood.com
My Beautiful Stutter: mybeautifulstutter.com/
Stop The Bleeding!: stbhemo.com
The Science Fair: thesciencefair.org
On the Shoulders of Giants: https://www.ontheshouldersfilm.com/
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
52
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
77
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