🩸 Periods as a Vital Sign? Yes, Really.

In Ep. 5 of Speaking of Labias, Dr. Lauren Puretz and Dr. Emily Schwerdt dive into why your menstrual cycle is more than just a monthly annoyance—it's a critical marker of overall health.

They unpack RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), how it expands beyond the female athlete triad, and why both men and women can be affected. From unpredictable cycles to missing periods, your body might be telling you it’s under stress—even if your BMI is “normal.”

⚠️ Spoiler: Losing your period isn’t a badge of honor for training hard. It’s a red flag.

💡 Whether you're an athlete, clinician, or just someone with a uterus, this episode is full of eye-opening insight on performance, bone health, and the dangers of underfueling (intentional or not).

🎧 Tune in, track your cycle, and know your “normal.”