[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.04,0:00:04.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I was a teen, I had terrible periods.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.75,0:00:06.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had crippling cramps,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.50,0:00:10.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I leaked blood onto my clothes\Nand onto my bed sheets,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.33,0:00:12.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I had period diarrhea.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.79,0:00:15.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I had to miss school\None to two days a month,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.79,0:00:20.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I remember sitting on the couch\Nwith my heating pads, thinking,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.33,0:00:22.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"What's up with this?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.92,0:00:27.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I ate food, I didn't leak saliva\Nfrom my salivary glands.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.46,0:00:28.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I went for a walk,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.75,0:00:32.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't leak join fluid from my knees.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.12,0:00:36.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why was menstruation so different?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.38,0:00:38.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wanted answers to these questions
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.38,0:00:40.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but there was no one for me to ask.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.17,0:00:42.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My mother knew nothing about menstruation
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.38,0:00:46.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,except that it was dirty and shameful\Nand I shouldn't talk about it.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.08,0:00:47.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I asked girlfriends
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.96,0:00:50.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and everybody spoke in euphemisms.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.67,0:00:53.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And finally, when I got the courage\Nto go to the doctor
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.92,0:00:55.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and talk about my heavy periods,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.79,0:00:57.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was told to eat liver.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.92,0:01:00.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.25,0:01:05.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when I went to the drug store\Nto buy my menstrual products,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.25,0:01:08.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my 48-pack of super maxi pads,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.71,0:01:12.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,back in the day when they were the size\Nof a tissue box, each pad --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.08,0:01:13.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.12,0:01:14.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know what I'm talking about.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.75,0:01:17.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You have no idea how far\Nabsorbent technology has come.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.46,0:01:19.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.79,0:01:22.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I used to have to buy\Nmy menstrual products
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.50,0:01:25.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the feminine hygiene aisle.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.92,0:01:27.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I remember standing there, thinking,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.92,0:01:30.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Well, why don't I buy toilet paper\Nin the anal hygiene aisle?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.96,0:01:31.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.00,0:01:33.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like, what's up with that?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.29,0:01:36.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why can't we talk about periods?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.42,0:01:40.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's not about the blood,\Nas Freud would have you say,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.58,0:01:41.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because if it were,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.88,0:01:45.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there would be an ear, nose\Nand throat surgeon up here right now,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.04,0:01:47.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,talking about the taboos\Nof nose bleeds, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.00,0:01:50.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's not even about periods,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.50,0:01:53.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because otherwise, when we got rid\Nof our toxic, shameful periods
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.62,0:01:55.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we became menopausal,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.08,0:01:57.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we'd be elevated\Nto a higher social status.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.79,0:02:00.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.08,0:02:04.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.96,0:02:08.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's just the patriarchal societies\Ninvested in oppressing women,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:08.54,0:02:11.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and at different points in our lives\Ndifferent things are used.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.62,0:02:12.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And menstruation is used
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.92,0:02:15.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,during what we in medicine call\Nthe reproductive years.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.96,0:02:18.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's been around since\Npretty much the beginning of time,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.00,0:02:22.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,many cultures thought\Nthat women could spoil crops
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.08,0:02:24.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or milk or wilt flowers.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.79,0:02:26.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then when religion came along,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.54,0:02:29.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,purity myths only made that worse.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.17,0:02:31.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And medicine wasn't any help.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.50,0:02:33.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the 1920s and '30s
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.17,0:02:37.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there was the idea that women elaborated\Nsomething called a menotoxin.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.71,0:02:40.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We could wilt flowers just by walking by.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.29,0:02:41.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.42,0:02:44.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's what happens\Nwhen there's no diversity, right.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.17,0:02:46.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because there was no woman\Nto put her hand up and go,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.71,0:02:49.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Well, actually, that doesn't happen."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.00,0:02:52.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when you can't talk\Nabout what's happening to your body,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.00,0:02:55.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how do you break these myths?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.04,0:02:57.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because you don't even need to be a doctor
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.08,0:02:58.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to say that periods aren't toxic.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.00,0:03:03.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If they were, why would an embryo\Nimplant in a toxic swill?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.71,0:03:08.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if we all had this secret menotoxin,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.29,0:03:11.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we could be laying waste\Nto crops and spoiling milk.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.58,0:03:12.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.62,0:03:16.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why would we have not used\Nour x-women powers to get the vote sooner?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.62,0:03:18.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.83,0:03:23.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.42,0:03:24.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even now,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.71,0:03:26.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I tweet about period diarrhea,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.96,0:03:28.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as one does,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.25,0:03:30.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.21,0:03:33.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mention that it affects\N28 percent of women.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.00,0:03:37.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And every single time,\Nsomeone approaches me and says,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.71,0:03:40.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I thought I was the only one."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.88,0:03:43.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's how effective\Nthat culture of shame is,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.54,0:03:47.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that women can't even share\Ntheir experiences.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.33,0:03:48.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I began to think,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.79,0:03:52.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Well, what if everybody knew\Nabout periods like a gynecologist?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.17,0:03:53.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Wouldn't that be great?"
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.88,0:03:55.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then you would all know what I know,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.62,0:03:56.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you'd know that menstruation
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.00,0:03:59.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is a pretty unique\Nphenomenon among mammals.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.50,0:04:01.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Most mammals have estrus.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.50,0:04:04.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Humans, some primates,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.33,0:04:05.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,some bats,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.62,0:04:08.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the elephant shrew\Nand the spiny mouse menstruate.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.88,0:04:12.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And with menstruation what happens is\Nthe brain triggers the ovary
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.38,0:04:14.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to start producing an egg.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.50,0:04:15.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Estrogen is released
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.79,0:04:18.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it starts to build up\Nthe lining of the uterus,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.25,0:04:20.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,cell upon cell, like bricks.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.42,0:04:23.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what happens if you build\Na brick wall too high without mortar?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.62,0:04:24.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, it's unstable.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.92,0:04:26.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what happens when you ovulate?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.54,0:04:28.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You release a hormone called progesterone,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.71,0:04:32.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is progestational,\Nit gets the uterus ready.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.00,0:04:36.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It acts like a mortar\Nand it holds those bricks together.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.25,0:04:38.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It also causes some changes
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.67,0:04:42.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make the lining more hospitable\Nfor implantation.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.38,0:04:44.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If there's no pregnancy,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.54,0:04:45.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the lining comes out,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.88,0:04:48.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there's bleeding from the blood vessels\Nand that's the period.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.00,0:04:51.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I always find this point\Nreally interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.33,0:04:52.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because with estrus,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.88,0:04:56.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the final signaling to get\Nthe lining of the uterus ready
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.08,0:04:58.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,actually comes from the embryo.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.83,0:05:00.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But with menstruation,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.67,0:05:03.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that choice comes from the ovary.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.29,0:05:07.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's as if choice is coded in\Nto our reproductive tracts.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.04,0:05:13.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Cheering and applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.62,0:05:18.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,OK, so now we know why the blood is there.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.21,0:05:19.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's a pretty significant amount.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.00,0:05:22.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's 30 to 90 milliliters of blood,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.04,0:05:23.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is one to three ounces,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.62,0:05:24.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it can be more,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.92,0:05:28.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know it seems like it's more\Na lot of the times.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.04,0:05:29.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.33,0:05:31.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So why do we have so much blood?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.25,0:05:34.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And why doesn't it just stay there\Ntill the next cycle, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.46,0:05:37.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like, you didn't get pregnant,\Nso why can't it hang around?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.29,0:05:40.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well imagine if each month it got thicker\Nand thicker and thicker, right,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.96,0:05:43.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like, imagine what tsunami\Nperiod that would be.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.71,0:05:45.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.38,0:05:47.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can't reabsorb it\Nbecause it's too much.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.71,0:05:50.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's too much because we need\Na thick uterine lining
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.83,0:05:53.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a very specific reason.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.67,0:05:59.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Pregnancy exerts a significant\Nbiological toll on our bodies.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:59.17,0:06:00.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is maternal mortality,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.83,0:06:02.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there is the toll of breastfeeding
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.50,0:06:06.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and there is the toll of raising a child\Nuntil it is independent.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.58,0:06:07.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And evolution --
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.88,0:06:10.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.92,0:06:13.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That goes on longer\Nfor some of us than others.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.17,0:06:15.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.67,0:06:19.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But evolution knows\Nabout risk-benefit ratio.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.12,0:06:23.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so evolution wants to maximize\Nthe chance of a beneficial outcome.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.75,0:06:26.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And how do you maximize the chance\Nof a beneficial outcome?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.58,0:06:28.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You try to get the highest\Nquality embryos.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:28.79,0:06:31.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And how do you get\Nthe highest quality embryos?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.04,0:06:32.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You make them work for it.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.92,0:06:35.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You give them an obstacle course.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.38,0:06:38.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So over the millennia\Nthat we have evolved,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.75,0:06:41.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's been a little bit\Nlike an arms race in the uterus,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.42,0:06:43.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the lining getting thicker\Nand thicker and thicker,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.92,0:06:45.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the embryo getting more invasive
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.71,0:06:47.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,until we reached this [unclear]
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.21,0:06:49.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the lining\Nof the uterus that we have.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.00,0:06:51.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we have this thick uterine lining
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.75,0:06:53.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and now it's got to come out,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.96,0:06:56.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how do you stop bleeding?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.08,0:06:58.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, you stop a nose bleed\Nby pinching it,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.50,0:07:00.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you cut your leg,\Nyou put pressure on it.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.83,0:07:02.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We stop bleeding with pressure.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.71,0:07:04.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When we menstruate,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.33,0:07:06.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the lining of the uterus\Nreleases substances
Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.46,0:07:09.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are made into chemicals\Ncalled prostaglandins
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.50,0:07:11.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and other inflammatory mediators.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.75,0:07:13.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they make the uterus cramp down,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.79,0:07:15.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they make it squeeze\Non those blood vessels
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.88,0:07:17.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to stop the bleeding.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.58,0:07:19.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They might also change\Nblood flow to the uterus
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.80,0:07:22.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also cause inflammation\Nand that makes pain worse.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.88,0:07:26.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so you say, "OK,\Nhow much pressure is generated?"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.38,0:07:29.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And from studies\Nwhere some incredible women
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.46,0:07:31.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have volunteered\Nto have pressure catheters
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.50,0:07:32.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,put in their uterus,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.79,0:07:35.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they wear\Ntheir whole menstrual cycle --
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.12,0:07:38.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,God bless them, because\Nwe wouldn't have this knowledge without,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.29,0:07:40.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's very important knowledge,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.25,0:07:43.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because the pressure\Nthat's generated in the uterus
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.08,0:07:44.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,during menstruation
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.38,0:07:46.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is 120 millimeters of mercury.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.50,0:07:47.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"What's that," you say.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.92,0:07:50.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, it's the amount of pressure\Nthat's generated
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.75,0:07:53.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,during the second stage of labor\Nwhen you're pushing.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.29,0:07:54.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Audience gasps)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.46,0:07:55.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.75,0:07:58.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which, for those of you\Nwho haven't had an unmedicated delivery,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.92,0:08:01.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's what it's like\Nwhen the blood pressure cuff
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.33,0:08:03.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is not quite as tight as it was\Nat the beginning,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.64,0:08:05.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it's still pretty tight,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.04,0:08:06.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you wish it would stop.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.42,0:08:08.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that kind of makes it different, right,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.58,0:08:12.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you start thinking\Nabout the pain of menstruation --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.50,0:08:15.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We wouldn't say\Nif someone needed to miss school
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.12,0:08:17.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because they were in the second stage\Nof labor and pushing,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.96,0:08:19.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we wouldn't call them weak,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.33,0:08:22.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we'd be like, "Oh my God,\Nyou made it that far," right?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.12,0:08:23.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.17,0:08:25.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we wouldn't deny pain control
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.62,0:08:29.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to women who have\Ntypical pain of labor, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.12,0:08:32.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it's important for us to call this pain\N"typical" instead of "normal,"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.58,0:08:35.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because when we say it's normal,\Nit's easier to dismiss.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.54,0:08:39.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As opposed to saying it's typical\Nand we should address it.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.04,0:08:43.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we do have some ways\Nto address menstrual pain.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.54,0:08:45.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One way is with something\Ncalled a TENS unit
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.67,0:08:47.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which you can wear under your clothes
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.50,0:08:50.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it sends an electrical impulse\Nto the nerves and muscles
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.62,0:08:52.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and no one really knows how it works,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.46,0:08:54.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but we think it might be\Nthe gate theory of pain,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.00,0:08:56.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is counterirritation.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.58,0:09:00.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's the same reason why,\Nif you hurt yourself, you rub it.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.38,0:09:04.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Vibration travels faster\Nto your brain than pain does.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.21,0:09:05.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We also have medications
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.58,0:09:08.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,called nonsteroidal\Nanti-inflammatory medications.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.38,0:09:12.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what they do is they block\Nthe release of prostaglandins.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.17,0:09:16.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They can reduce menstrual pain\Nfor 80 percent of women.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.08,0:09:19.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They also reduce the volume of blood\Nby 30 to 40 percent
Dialogue: 0,0:09:19.88,0:09:22.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they can help with period diarrhea.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.29,0:09:24.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we also have hormonal contraception,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.88,0:09:27.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which gives us a thinner\Nlining of the uterus
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.17,0:09:29.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so there's less prostaglandins produced
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.50,0:09:32.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and with less blood,\Nthere's less need for cramping.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.88,0:09:35.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, if those treatments fail you
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.67,0:09:37.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's important to use\Nthat word choice,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.92,0:09:40.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we never fail the treatment,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:40.33,0:09:42.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the treatment fails us.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.96,0:09:45.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If that treatment fails you,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.12,0:09:46.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you could be amongst the people
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.63,0:09:50.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who have a resistance\Nto nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.71,0:09:52.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't quite understand,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.29,0:09:54.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but there are some complex mechanisms
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.42,0:09:57.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,why those medications\Njust don't work for some women.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.00,0:10:01.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's also possible that you could have
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.33,0:10:03.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,another reason for painful periods.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.75,0:10:06.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could have a condition\Ncalled endometriosis,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.46,0:10:09.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where the lining of the uterus\Nis growing in the pelvic cavity,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:09.54,0:10:13.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,causing inflammation\Nand scar tissue, and adhesions.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.12,0:10:16.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there may be other mechanisms\Nwe don't quite understand yet,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.54,0:10:19.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it's a possibility\Nthat pain thresholds could be different
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.75,0:10:22.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,due to very complex biological mechanisms.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.46,0:10:25.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we're only going to find that out\Nby taking about it.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.67,0:10:28.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's shouldn't be an act of feminism
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.79,0:10:30.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to know how your body works.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.96,0:10:32.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It shouldn't --
Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.25,0:10:37.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.79,0:10:41.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It shouldn't be an act of feminism
Dialogue: 0,0:10:41.29,0:10:43.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to ask for help when you're suffering.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.25,0:10:49.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The era of menstrual taboos is over.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.58,0:10:55.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Cheers and applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.33,0:10:57.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The only curse here
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.50,0:11:01.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is the ability to convince\Nhalf the population
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.12,0:11:05.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the very biological machinery\Nthat perpetuates the species,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.54,0:11:08.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that gives everything that we have,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:08.04,0:11:10.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is somehow dirty or toxic.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:10.62,0:11:13.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'm not going to stand for it.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.21,0:11:18.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.92,0:11:21.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the way we break that curse?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.38,0:11:22.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's knowledge.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.96,0:11:24.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.25,0:11:29.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Cheers and applause)