
CRAMPED
Kate Downey
Show overview
CRAMPED has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 48 episodes, alongside 2 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 25 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence, with the show now in its 2nd season.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 20 min and 42 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. The publisher flags most episodes as explicit, so expect adult themes or strong language throughout. It is catalogued as a EN-language Health & Fitness show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 21 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 26 episodes published. Published by Kate Downey.
From the publisher
One nerd’s quest to find out why we know next to nothing about period pain. Tired of suffering from "death cramps" with no diagnosis for 20 years, Kate Downey has to look for her own answers. She interviews top doctors and researchers, and delves into topics from Greek history to sitcoms to TikTok wellness scams, all to figure out why menstrual pain is so often dismissed and untreated. What she finds will change how you think about your own body and the medical system. Because having a microphone gets you more answers than having a uterus. Season 1 launches weekly episodes starting February 2025.
Latest Episodes
View all 48 episodesThe Pain Scale Is Useless and Everybody Knows It
The Comorbidity Queen: EDS, POTS, Endo, Fibroids, Cysts, SIBO, Arthritis, and more!
The Endo Attractiveness Study: Are You F**king Kidding Me??
Can Capitalism Fix What the Healthcare System Broke? One Endo App Founder Is Trying
What Does Tinnitus Have To Do With Your Hormones? An Audiologist Explains
Using AI To Help Get To A Diagnosis
Your Period Blood Has a Weird Origin Story: Spiral Arteries, Uterine Milk, and Monkey Eyeballs
How I Got My Diagnosis: Riven's PMDD
Sex Ed with DB: Testosterone, Pleasure, and the Libido Myth
Viagra for Cramps?

S2 Ep 25How I Got My Diagnosis: Daphne
EYou've heard MY diagnosis and treatment story - now I'm handing the mic over to other people who have been through the period pain fire and come out the other side. Daphne had been on birth control since she was 10 for severe period pain, and every time she tried to come off it, the excruciating pain would come back, putting her right back in the puke-til-you-go-to-the-ER club. After finally getting a diagnosis from a specialist, she opted to find a different specialist to continue treatment with, because of the unacceptable way that doctor spoke to her about her body. You can find Daphne on Instagram @GodLovesDivorce, and check out her podcast, Love Is a Trip.CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Join the CRAMPED Patreon (even at the free tier!) for ad-free & bonus episodes, plus the discord community and online ClamBakes! https://patreon.com/crampedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2 Ep 24A BAD STUDY with Professor Andrea Jones-Rooy
EPATREON-ONLY EPISODE TEASERJoin the CRAMPED Patreon (even at the free tier!) to listen to the full episode: https://patreon.com/crampedWe don't get very many studies on menstrual pain - so when we finally get one, and IT SUCKS, we don't just ignore it. We get data science professor Andrea Jones-Rooy to tell us exactly why it sucks and how we can spot a bad study.Get more Andrea Jones-Rooy: https://www.jonesrooy.com/CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2 Ep 23Endometriosis Historian Dr. Maria Rovito
EEndometriosis Historian & Professor of Medical Humanities Dr Maria Rovito comes on CRAMPED to talk 2000 years of endometriosis, wandering wombs, and hysteria. Her new book, Crippling Endometriosis: Feminist Disability Histories and Reflections on Power and Pain is out now! Dr. Rovito's website (where you see the classes she teaches & find book links): https://www.mariarovito.com/Support CRAMPED on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDCRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2 Ep 22Can Talking About Cramps Improve Your Sex Life?
EObviously we're big on communicating about your pain here at CRAMPED - we've covered the research that shows talking about your pain actually reduces your pain levels - but what about PLEASURE? Could improving our communication skills around our pain lead to better sex lives? Kate brings on sex communication experts Kels and Tess from Squirm, a company dedicated to helping you gain skills around talking about sex and pleasure. They get into the stigmas that keep both sexual pleasure and period pain from being out-in-the-open topics, the systems that keep it that way, and how to break free and shout both your pain AND your pleasure from whatever rooftop you want! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2 Ep 21Cramps on Film (and Books!)
EIf you've been looking up some Oscar-nominated short films to watch before the awards show, you may have noticed one called "Jane Austen's Period Drama". Seeing this in theaters inspired Kate to finally release two interviews with indie artists - one feature filmmaker, and one novelist - who have released work about their period pain! Novelist Grace Daly, Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of The Scald Crow, has experienced debilitating symptoms from her endometriosis, adenomyosis, M-CAS, EDS, and POTs since she was 11, and has struggled to get doctors to take her seriously or treat her. She's woven those experiences into a classic haunted-house story with many twists that is SO FUN to read! Find the Scald Crow by Grace Daly anywhere that books are sold, or order on bookshop.org here: https://bit.ly/4uehIlDFilmmaker Brooke H. Cellars had period pain so excruciating it made it impossible for her to finish college or hold down a full time job. It took her 20 years to finally get diagnosed and treated surgically for endometriosis. Post-surgery, with hormone treatments to manage the endo, she was able to finish college and begin a career in writing and directing. Her feature film The Cramps: A Period Piece blends her real-life experience with a "darkly colorful", campy 80s aesthetic. Watch the trailer on youtube here: https://bit.ly/4cziaER__________CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2 Ep 20What is Menstrual Leave and Who Has It?
ECan you imagine waking up with death cramps, and instead of dragging yourself to work with your heating pad and a bucket of ibuprofen or using up one of your sick days, you could just...use a PAID menstrual leave day??Menstrual leave is a reality in more places than you might think!! Does it already exist where you live? Is there CURRENTLY a bill in your state senate requiring companies to provide it? What are the arguments AGAINST this policy? Kate gets wonk-level deep into the landscape and the history, just for you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2 Ep 19The Surgical Adventures of Max and Kate
EComedian Max Gross is back on CRAMPED for an update on his adventures with endometriosis, hysterectomies, and rebellious ovaries! Max and Kate try to figure out how big their internal organs actually are, what the best "medical green flags" are, and why speaking in "dad talk" to doctors works so well. CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDFind Max Gross on Instagram @maxgotjokes See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2 Ep 18The Kids Are Alright: Menstrual Education & Advocacy in High School
EWhat's it like to get period pain in middle or high school today? It's been 20 YEARS since my own pretty abysmal menstrual health education, and I wondered - has it gotten better? Has the internet helped? Are there more resources and support out there for a young cramper?To answer my questions, I turned to Kat Samedova, who recently graduated from Kingston High School and is the former vice president of the Period Power! Club there. I also talked with the Period Power Club's advisor, Tina the Tampon Lady, and the TMI Project's Organizational & Programs Manager.LINKS:Period Power! Club website: https://www.periodpowerclub.com/Period.org: https://period.org/Period Power Stories: https://tmiproject.org/period-power-stories/TMI Project website: https://tmiproject.org/CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2 Ep 17Sasheer Zamata Doesn't Want To Ride a Horse on her Period
ESasheer Zamata (SNL, Agatha All Along, Ghosts) hangs out for a little 2 person "clam bake" to tell the story of her period pain and fibroids, how she changed her approach to healthcare, and what it's like to do standup about her period pain to 22 million people. CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDSasheer on Instagram: @thesheertruthSasheer's website: https://sasheer.com/Watch Sasheer's new special, The First Woman, on Hulu. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2 Ep 16Diet, Exercise, and Period Pain: What You Might Be Missing
EHave you ever sought help for your period pain and been told "just lose some weight", or "exercise more", or "just cut out [insert any food group here]"? We know that diet and exercise is important, and when we're dealing with period pain (or any of the conditions that cause it), we try to "eat healthy" and "move our bodies". But is there something missing from this equation that's sabotaging our efforts? Kate brings on Allison Yamamoto (certified fitness & nutrition coach specializing in menstrual disturbances) to answer her questions about about diet, exercise, and period pain. CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.Support CRAMPED by joining the Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/CRAMPEDLinks Mentioned in Episode: IOC Consensus Statement: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/17/1073Allison's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonyamamoto/?hl=enAllison's Website: https://www.koaathletic.health/Direct link to subscribe to Allison's newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/f4BQFI See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.