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In this episode of Health in Hyperdrive, Dominic James is joined by Lauren Redfern, medical anthropologist and founder of Hormonally, for a candid conversation about the taboos that still shape our health. From periods and menopause to mental health and obesity, Lauren explains how silence and stigma can stop people getting the care they deserve. Together, they explore how better language, education and technology can help dismantle taboos and give people the confidence to take charge of their wellbeing.

For decades, women’s hormonal health has been overlooked and underfunded. From menstruation to menopause, millions have faced misdiagnosis and silence. In the UK, one in ten women live with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can cause irregular periods, fertility challenges and symptoms like acne or excess hair. Lauren’s PhD research into perimenopause and menopause shows how misdiagnosis often happens when people lack the language to explain their experiences, and when the textbooks used to train clinicians contain errors. She also shares the story behind Hormonally, a nonprofit platform offering evidence based resources, and explains how tools like the Vulva Map are helping to normalise conversations about anatomy and care.

It is a timely and engaging look at how anthropology, technology and community can come together to challenge stigma, improve communication and make a real difference to health outcomes.

Key Topics Covered

• Health in Hyperdrive on tour in Barcelona: bringing taboo‑breaking conversations to a global stage
• What anthropology, technology and community can achieve when they converge to challenge stigma
• How medical textbooks are wrong, and the impact of outdated or inaccurate anatomy teaching
• Testosterone treatment for both men and women, and why it remains misunderstood
• The Vulva Map: the most “vulvas and vaginas in any podcast” and why bold tools spark real change
• Why women’s hormonal health has been overlooked, stigmatised and underfunded for decades
• Envisioning a future where talking openly about health is the norm, not the taboo

About Lauren

Executive Director, Hormonally

Lauren Redfern is a medical anthropologist and the founder of Hormonally.org, a platform dedicated to transforming how we understand and support hormonal health.

She earned her PhD in Medical Anthropology from the University of Exeter and combines academic insight with digital innovation to challenge stigma, improve education, and build inclusive systems of care. Through storytelling, research, and advocacy, Lauren’s work bridges culture, technology, and public health.

Links

• Lauren’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-redfern-04052213b
• Hormonally website - https://hormonally.org/
• UK parliament report on medical misogyny -https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-committee/news/204316/medical-misogyny-is-leaving-women-in-unnecessary-pain-and-undiagnosed-for-years/
• Dominic’s LinkedIn
• @DomJamesHiH socials - TikTok / X / Insta / YouTube
• Produced by Explosive Brands