Join the Patreon (even at the free tier) to listen to the full episode! https://www.patreon.com/CRAMPED

Why do so few endometriosis excision surgeons take insurance? In this 2024 interview with leading endo excision surgeon Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch, we get a transparent look into the finances behind a surgical practice, and what's causing insurance companies to undervalue an extremely complicated and skilled surgery. Dr. Orbuch also opens up about why she went 16 years with endometriosis symptoms and pain before getting diagnosed and treated FOR THE DISEASE SHE WORKED ON EVERY DAY!

CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.

Want to participate in endometriosis research AND get paid to send your tampons in the mail?? Join the NextGen Jane study at https://www.nextgenjane.com/clinical-studies to get up to $500 over the course of the study, and tell them CRAMPED sent you!

Thank you to Beducated for sponsoring CRAMPED! Take the Beducated Quiz: https://beduc.at/pd2637-cramped

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I talk to co-founder and CEO Ridhi Tariyal about the information in menstrual effluent that's missing from a regular blood draw, and how NextGen Jane is using it to come at endometriosis from both ends: a non-invasive diagnostic using a tampon, and the hunt for new drug targets to help treat it. We also talk about rats chewing through menstrual cups, the "menstrual defense" for murder, and how our periods are the key to understanding immune system dysfunction. She blew my mind with menstrual science!

Oh, and NextGen Jane will pay you to send them your tampons, and they're looking for multiple categories of participants:

Sign up for the NextGen Jane studies: https://www.nextgenjane.com/clinical-studies

Or email the team at research@nextgenjane.com

CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice.

Join the CRAMPED Patreon: https://patreon.com/cramped

Thank you to Beducated for sponsoring CRAMPED! Take the Beducated Quiz: https://beduc.at/pd2637-cramped

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2013 a Penn State study found that Viagra was extremely effective for period pain. But the sample size was too small, and requests for funding to continue the study were denied. 13 years later, our friends at the GYRL lab in Evanston, IL are picking up where Penn State left off.

Dr. Kevin Hellman (from Season 1) returns to answer all my questions, like why do you think Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra) might work to reduce period pain? How is your study going to find answers? And why did it take 13 years for a promising initial study to get more interest?

CRAMPED episodes are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only, and are not medical advice (or financial advice).

Join the CRAMPED Patreon: https://patreon.com/cramped

The GYRL Lab: https://www.cureperiodpain.org/

The 2013 Sildenafil Citrate dysmenorrhea study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3795469/

Thank you to Beducated for sponsoring CRAMPED! Take the Beducated Quiz: https://beduc.at/pd2659-cramped

The Pelvic People make a device called Kiwi to help with tight pelvic floor muscles - visit https://thepelvicpeople.com/CRAMPED and use code CRAMPED for 10% off anything on the site.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.