Episode Overview

Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Laura Federico, an AASECT certified sex and couples therapist who co-authored The Cycle Book after discovering that virtually every client walking through her door had the same problem: nobody knew what the hell was happening in their own bodies. From secondary infertility struggles to breaking down the myths around "normal" period pain, Laura shares why understanding your hormonal cycle isn't just helpful—it's revolutionary.

What You'll Learn

• Why pain during your period is absolutely NOT normal (and what you should do about it)
• How to track your cycle without relying on apps that are wrong 80% of the time
• The connection between trauma and losing trust in your body
• Why PMDD isn't just "being a moody bitch"—it's a real condition with real solutions
• How to recognize your body's signals and become your own health advocate
• The power of tracking something positive (not just the crappy stuff)

Episode Highlights The Problem Every Therapist Sees

Laura describes her "this can't be how this is supposed to go" moment when she realized that both she and every client in her practice were dealing with the same issue: complete ignorance about their hormonal cycles. Nobody had been taught to understand their body's signals until it was way too late—like when struggling with secondary infertility in your mid-30s.

Pain Is NOT Normal

One of the most powerful takeaways from this conversation: we've been conditioned to accept period pain as "normal" when it absolutely isn't. Laura breaks down the difference between a little discomfort and the kind of pain that makes you miss work or school. If you're bleeding through products or experiencing frank pain, that needs investigation—not dismissal.

The Tracking Revolution (That Doesn't Involve Your Phone)

Forget the apps. Laura explains why period tracking apps are only 20% accurate at predicting ovulation and how relying on them can lead to months or years of mistimed efforts for those trying to conceive. Instead, she advocates for learning to read your own body's signals—the stretchy cervical fluid, basal body temperature changes, and all the other cues your body gives you.

Trauma and the Body Disconnect

Laura compassionately discusses how trauma can lead to dissociation from our bodies, making it difficult to tune into physical sensations. She offers gentle ways to reconnect, starting with tracking just one positive thing for a few cycles—because we're trained to notice crisis, not pleasure.

PMDD: More Than Just PMS

Learn about premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual exacerbation (PME)—conditions that go way beyond typical PMS symptoms. Laura explains how proper cycle tracking is actually key to getting a diagnosis and finding support for these real, treatable conditions.

The Power of Positive Tracking

Instead of only focusing on pain and problems, Laura encourages starting with something that feels good. Track your energy levels, arousal, clarity, or anything positive—because learning to notice pleasure and positive sensations in your body is just as important as identifying problems.

Episode Chapters

00:00-02:54: Introduction and Laura's Journey from Crisis to Clarity 02:54-06:02: Understanding What a "Normal" Menstrual Cycle Really Looks Like 06:02-09:02: The Power of Cycle Tracking (And Why Apps Aren't Cutting It) 09:02-12:12: PMDD, PCOS, and Other Hormonal Realities 12:12-15:07: Trauma, Dissociation, and Reconnecting with Your Body 15:07-18:07: Trusting Your Body's Wisdom (Even When Others Don't) 18:07-21:02: The Problem with Period Tracking Apps 21:02-23:53: Practical Tips for Getting Started with Body Awareness

Connect with Laura Federico

Website: thecyclebook.com Instagram: @thecyclebook Book: The Cycle Book: An Interactive Step-by-Step Guide to Tackling Hormones and Knowing Your Body Workshops: Follow @thecyclebook for cycle tracking workshops and PMDD-specific sessions

Resources Mentioned

• IAPMD (International Association for Premenstrual Disorders)
• The Cycle Book - Available at all major booksellers
• The Pleasure Principle Conference - May 8, 2026

Connect with The Hole Shebang

Website: blueberrytherapy.ca Instagram: @blueberrytherapypelvichealth Upcoming Event: The Pleasure Principle Conference - May 8, 2026

Laura's Theme Song

"Work Bitch" by Britney Spears - because she's out there trying, really trying.

Want more conversations that break taboos and change lives? Subscribe to The Hole Shebang Podcast and join us for bold discussions about the stuff that actually matters—from poop to periods to pleasure.