The Class We Missed

The health class we actually needed.

Women's biology, explained. Free lessons on periods, hormones, fertility, pregnancy, menopause and more.

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The curriculum

Ten sections. Start anywhere.

1Your body

The parts, where they are, what they do, and the hormones that affect everything from your brain to your gut.

Words you'll learn: vulva, vagina, uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, estrogen, progesterone

2Growing up

What changes and in what order, how to handle your first period, and what puberty looks like for boys.

3The menstrual cycle

The four phases and what they do to your energy, mood, sleep, appetite and workouts. Plus PMS, and how to track your cycle.

Words you'll learn: follicles, follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase

4When something's off

The red flags that tell you something may not be quite right, and the most common conditions behind them.

Words you'll learn: endometriosis, adenomyosis, PMOS, fibroids, PMDD, hypothyroidism

5Sex and birth control

How pregnancy happens, every birth control method and its trade-offs, emergency contraception, STIs and consent.

Words you'll learn: contraception, IUD, emergency contraception, STI, HPV

6Fertility

How fertility changes with age, what fertility tests can and can't tell you, egg freezing, IUI and IVF, when to see a specialist, and fertility for men.

Words you'll learn: ovarian reserve, AMH, IUI, IVF

7Pregnancy

Before, during, birth and after: the vitamins and checkups that matter, the three trimesters, prenatal tests, warning signs, pregnancy loss, recovery, postpartum mental health and breastfeeding.

Words you'll learn: prenatal care, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, ectopic pregnancy, postpartum depression

8Perimenopause and menopause

What to expect, often starting in your early 40s. Hot flashes, sleep, mood and brain fog, and what to know about hormone therapy before you talk to your doctor.

Words you'll learn: perimenopause, menopause, hot flashes, hormone therapy

9After menopause

Protecting your bones, heart and brain, treating common vaginal and bladder changes, and why any bleeding after menopause needs a doctor.

Words you'll learn: osteoporosis, bone density scan

10Health information you can trust

How to tell good health information from bad, what a study actually proves, how to spot marketing dressed up as medicine, and when to get a second opinion.

Sections 2 to 9 also have a lesson for parents, partners and friends.