Have an account?
Manage your plan, find care, get help with your health and more.
Not registered? Create my account.
Little Red Lies™
It's time to say ‘bye ‘bye to the little red lies we’ve all heard about periods, like “oh, it’s just your hormones.” You’ll get the real deal on uterine health and how to handle polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Plus, tools to help you ask your doc the right questions.
It’s time to talk. Really.
ON SCREEN TEXT: Bears and sharks can smell your period. True or false?
SUZY: Oh, I think that's true.
LEANDRA: I think so, too.
SUZY: Yeah.
LINDSEY: I saw it on like Snapchat once, I think. Let's do it. True.
ON SCREEN TEXT: FALSE. Period blood does NOT attract sharks and bears.
SUZY: Have we validated this with Shark Week?
ON SCREEN TEXT: Chapter One: The Little Red Lies
ON SCREEN TEXT: Pads were first available in the U.S. in the 1790s. True or false?
SUZY: When did the pilgrims come?
LINDSEY: Yeah, let's go true.
LINDSEY: I want to say true. Yeah.
LEANDRA: Is that true?
LEANDRA: Okay, okay. No way.
ON SCREEN TEXT: FALSE. Pads became commercially available in 1920.
CARLA: That is a scary thought.
LINDSEY: That's a lot of laundry.
ON SCREEN TEXT: Women lose one cup of period blood each month. True or false?
LINDSEY: I know it's really not as much as you see it is really.
CARLA: Think.
SUZY: I'll go true.
ON SCREEN TEXT: FALSE. On average, it’s 2-3 tablespoons.
LEANDRA: Clearly, they don't really have a heavy flow.
ON SCREEN TEXT:: Period blood can kill a man. True or false?
LINDSEY: I'm sure they think that.
LEANDRA: Lots of men would be dead if that were the case.
LINDSEY: False. Please say it's false.
ON SCREEN TEXT:: FALSE. This myth is still common in many countries.
SUZY: These are quite personal questions.
ON SCREEN TEXT:: Chapter Two: The Bigger Picture
JULIANNE: So I just want to thank you guys again for coming. This is so
important, and it's showing people that it's okay to talk about these subjects. What is
it that this day and age, we're so believing period?
CARLA: One is because when things are passed down, sometimes we don't
question and see if it's a valid point.
LINDSEY: You're invalidating my pain and saying, "The moon's full, so it must
be that." Obviously, every woman has a long journey of their menstrual cycle. Some,
it may be easier. For some, it may be harder.
MONIQUE: Raise a hand. Who has PCOS here? We do. Who has endometriosis?
Wow. The majority of us, we all have our own issues.
JULIANNE: Have any of you ever miss school or work because of...
JESSICA: They never really tied the dots that it was happening once a month.
I just like, "I'm always sick." It's tough to be missing work and school and feeling like
you're always left behind.
MONIQUE: Our gynecological things we have going on are also some of the
biggest sources of stress-
JESSICA: And pain.
MONIQUE: And pain and self esteem issues.
GINA: It's very hard being in your head when you have PCOS, when you have
endometriosis, if you have any chronic healthcare condition.
MONIQUE: I think we also all invalidate ourselves like, "Oh, well it's not a big
deal." No, it is. We are not listened to, we are not heard. You have to advocate for
yourself.
GINA: I spent a good five years with people telling me it was in my head.
When I finally found my diagnosis, it's just such a relief.
SUZY: Just because we've had one or 12 bad experiences with a doctor doesn't
necessarily mean that they're all bad. We just have to find the right one.
LINDSEY: I wish I told myself that "Listen to your body. What is your body
saying?"
JESSICA: Writing things down when they happen is probably the number one
thing you could do to advocate for yourself in that doctor's office because of course,
you don't have pain that day. It never happens the day you're there.
GINA: I think the challenge with women's health that comes up is there's still a
lack of research, and there's a lack of conversation, and I feel like that's about to
change.
ON SCREEN TEXT:: 2/10 women have endometriosis or PCOS. Many suffer for 7-11
years before being properly diagnosed. Even more go undiagnosed. That’s not okay...
ON SCREEN TEXT:: You deserve to get answers. Use your tools to talk to your doc
and start your conversation.
ON SCREEN TEXT:: aetna™. This material is for information only and is not a
substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional.
Please
It’s time to talk. Really.
“We all invalidate ourselves a lot. We’re like, oh well, that’s not a big deal. No. It is. So be comfortable talking about it.”
It can be tough to bring up “period stuff.” But if we can’t even talk about periods, how can we really talk about women’s health? So, we got a group together to talk periods, and conditions like PCOS and endo. To give their best advice on how to deal. What to ask. And how to find what works for you.
Tools to help you start talking
Check in on you
Your period can mess with your body. Think GI issues or unwanted hair. So, we gathered a list of common symptoms to help you chat about it with your doctor.
Get tips to talk to your doc
It doesn’t have to be awkward. Just answer some questions, and we’ll turn it into doctor-speak for you. So you can start a conversation and keep it flowing.
Nothing but the truth
Find straight talk on topics like endo, period pain, dealing with dating and more. Straight from women and specialists we interviewed — on topics that really matter.
Just what is endo, anyway?
Find out what endometriosis is and what the common symptoms are.
So, what is PCOS?
Learn what to look out for with polycystic ovary syndrome, and common symptoms.
How to have “the talk”
Need a way to start a convo with your doc? It’s here, plus questions to ask.
How to manage symptoms
See how your diet, stress and exercise can affect endometriosis and PCOS.
How to manage life
Deal with things like work and dating while dealing with PCOS or endometriosis.
You've got lots of support
-
![]()
Endometriosis Foundation of America
Get the facts and fibs about endometriosis. Its causes, its treatments, how to deal with pain and get involved.
-
![]()
Endometriosis.org
This site for endo change is the source for global news, cutting-edge research, treatments, events and support groups.
-
![]()
PCOS Awareness Association
Take on PCOS with helpful tips, pics and a shopping zone for gear. Or, become an ambassador for the cause.
-
![]()
Aetna® Maternity Support Center
Whether you’re planning for a baby, pregnant or a new mom, you’ve got one place for maternity and Aetna health benefits info.
Legal notices
Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).
Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Call your health care provider with questions or concerning your health care needs. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change.