About pip
Periods in Pain was created with the aim of bringing awareness, advocacy, and research to the chronic illnesses that affect so many menstruators worldwide, with laughter tied in throughout. We know, from first-hand experience, what the pain can feel like, as well as how little anyone who doesn’t have a chronic illness seems to understand. We also know how isolating chronic illness can be, which is why pip is dedicated to speaking about it all with lightness and laughter.
The myths and misunderstandings that shroud women’s health, healthy menstruation, and reproductive organ health are the catalysts of pip. We strive to demystify and destigmatize the periods of life we live in pain, whether that’s during our periods, around ovulation, after a meal, or on a random Tuesday night. Period pain is not normal, so why does the whole world seem to act as if it is? Chronic illnesses that affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries are not taboo: they are very, very real, and it’s about time our very real pain is heard from the rooftops.
The mission here at pip is to advocate for the health of every person with a uterus. The time for minimizing our pain is well over: the time for understanding our cycles, making our symptoms heard, and advocating for women’s health is now.
“Period pain is not normal; women’s health is not taboo; menstrual cycles are a vital sign that deserves to be talked about without shame. Every person living with a uterus deserves to be heard and receive the medical attention they deserve.”
ABOUT THE PIP TEAM
Veronica Guido, Periods in Pain Founder & Co-Host the pip podcast
Veronica is a lawyer, writer, & artist turned women’s health and endometriosis advocate. She lives in periods of pain navigating multiple diagnoses while still dedicating her passions and time to her clients, her writing and her art.
After years of uterine and ovarian pain, and a slew of other ailments and health issues (such as PCOS, chronic migraines, back pain, and IBS), Veronica was diagnosed with stage 3-4 endometriosis in January 2022.
Already used to advocating for her clients as a lawyer, Veronica decided it was time to start advocating for herself and others suffering from chronic illness. And the best way to start was to do what she does best: by writing and speaking her mind. She was tired of only seeing and hearing the negative about chronic illness, and wanted to speak about her experiences with a healthy dose of laughter mixed in. A strong believer in being able to talk about the hard truths in a genuine, fun way, she decided it was time to do exactly that.
She founded Periods in Pain as a way to drive change for women’s health, advocate for chronic illness and pain, and fight the myths and taboos surrounding menstrual cycles and uterine health. As part of this mission, and to fulfill her desire to have a space that speaks about it in an unfiltered, unapologetic, and fun way, she created and co-hosts the pip podcast with her best friend and fellow chronic illness sufferer.
Amanda Thompson, Co-Host the pip podcast
Amanda has worked in the social work field for the last 9 years with a passion for reducing stigma and environmental, physical, mental, and societal harms, in both her work and personal life. She lives in periods of pain and wants a space outside of work to advocate for menstruators living with pain, learn, and talk about real things.
Amanda has an idea of what it is like to live with an incurable disease. Amanda was sick a lot and almost didn’t finish school, until a diagnosis of Celiac Disease in 2011, saved her life.
Amanda is an advocate and educator in her field with a belief that healing involves creating a safe, inclusive and environmentally conscious space for everyone. She knew there were other menstruators out there living in pain, confused, alone and tired. Working in a female dominated profession that often involves advocacy roles, she knew that there needed to be a space for menstruators to advocate, learn, hear and share.
Periods in Pain founder, Veronica, and Amanda have had countless late night chats, long winded text messages, shared reels and memes as a way to express and laugh about their pain. They knew they were in a good space and a safe space to talk and learn and it helped them heal.
Amanda and Veronica joked around about having their own “Ted Talk” or Podcast. Until one day Veronica suggested that they stop joking and just do it. Amanda knew she was right, and so became the pip podcast. Both are thankful to be able to create this space and hope it does some good.
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