Women’s Pain, Reimagined: Dr. Margo Harrison on Wave Bye and Modern Relief | EP06

The reason so many women are dismissed when they report severe period pain has less to do with their bodies and more to do with how medicine was built. Callie Greenberg digs into that reality with OB-GYN and former NIH-funded researcher Dr. Margo Harrison in a conversation about menstrual pain, endometriosis, and why symptoms that disrupt daily life are still treated as normal in women’s health care.

From her experience in academic medicine and clinical practice, Dr. Harrison explains how period suffering became something people expect rather than question. There was one moment from her practice that stayed with her. A patient said that an abortion procedure hurt less than her period. That reaction isn’t shocking to many listeners. Callie connects it to what she hears again and again from the endometriosis community, where normal scans often lead to dismissal instead of answers.

They take a closer look at what’s behind that pattern. Gaps in menstrual education, cultural silence, and limited research leave many patients unsure whether to trust their own experiences. Endometriosis comes into focus as they talk through diagnostic limits, invasive and expensive treatment options, and insurance barriers that make care hard to access.

The episode also offers practical guidance on self-advocacy. Dr. Harrison encourages patients to bring clear information to appointments, including bleeding patterns, pain locations, and how symptoms affect work, school, and relationships. If your period interferes with your life, it isn’t normal. The conversation wraps up by talking about prevention-focused, cycle-based care, and why understanding your menstrual cycle can help you make better decisions about your health long-term.

Episode Breakdown:

00:30 Meet Dr. Margo Harrison: OB-GYN, Planned Parenthood Clinician, And Founder Of Wave By

03:30 The Wake-Up Call: “My Abortion Was Less Painful Than My Period”

05:00 Why Severe Menstrual Pain Gets Dismissed In Women’s Health

09:30 Endometriosis Reality Check: Limited Diagnostics, Treatments, And High Costs

15:30 How To Advocate At The Gynecologist With Clear Data And Symptoms

24:00 Prevention-First Menstrual Pain Relief And Premenstrual NSAIDs

28:30 Wave By Explained: Cycle Regulation, PCOS Support, And Period Pain Options

37:30 Why Menstrual Suffering Was Normalized And What Must Change Next

Connect with Callie Greenberg:

Visit the Own My Endo website

Follow Endo Warriors on Instagram

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm