Taboo Topics

This episode is kindly sponsored by @larocheposay Anthelios – recommended by dermatologists and our personal go-to sun protection brand! Apply generously and reapply at least every 2 hours, always after towelling, swimming, or excessive perspiring.It’s the Season 1 Finale of Taboo Topics ✨ and the girls are going out with their most important mission yet: breaking the stigma around Cervical Screening. Dr. Becca is in "mourning" (wearing all black) for the end of the season, but there’s plenty to celebrate. Amber is deep in DIY wedding planning for her 2027 Greek nuptials (Canva invites and all), and Becca finally has a "functioning" cycle post-coil removal! But before the season ends, we discuss why 99% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, why it’s not a "dirty" STI, and the adjustments you can ask for to make your screening comfortable and empowered.This episode is kindly sponsored by @larocheposay Anthelios – recommended by dermatologists and our personal go-to sun protection brand! Apply generously and reapply at least every 2 hours, always after towelling, swimming, or excessive perspiring.In this episode, we cover:✅ The "Functioning Human": Becca’s period returns! We talk ovulation, cycle tracking, and being "one step closer to health." 🩸✨✅ The 30% Gap: Why a third of women are skipping screenings and the specific fears (trauma, pain, stigma) keeping them away. 🩺🩹✅ HPV Myths: 100% of your podcast hosts have had HPV. We explain why it’s common, not shameful, and why 90% of cases clear themselves. 🧬✅ The Speculum Guide: Warm water, lubrication, smaller sizes, and why you can even put the speculum in yourself. 🛠️🩺✅ HPV Vaccine: Who is eligible for free? (Hint: it’s not just 12-year-olds). 💉✅ Inclusive Screening: Why trans men, non-binary people, and those living with HIV need specialized screening schedules. 🏳️‍⚧️🩺✅ Future Tech: Can we really use menstrual blood instead of a smear? We look at the latest BMJ research. 🔬🩸Thank you for an incredible first season! We’ve covered everything from Herpes to Creatine, and we can’t wait to be back for Season 2. 💙🎙️RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT:🔹 Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust🔹 NHS Cervical Screening Information🔹 Brook (Sexual Health Support)FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tabootopicpod✨ Rate, review, and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Dr B & Dr A x#tabootopics #cervicalscreening #hpv #smeartest #womenshealth #nhsdoctors #healthgossip #sexualhealth #doctorlife #seasonfinale #hpvvaccine #datingstories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Taboo Topics! ✨ Dr. Becca and Dr. Amber are stripping away the stereotypes surrounding one of the world's most researched supplements: Creatine. We move past the "bulking" myths to discuss how this naturally occurring molecule affects ATP, mitochondrial energy, and why it might be the secret weapon for menopausal health and cognitive function!In this episode, we cover:✅ The Science of Power: ATP, Mitochondria, and how Creatine "donates" energy to your cells. ⚡🧬✅ Women & Creatine: Why the lack of research on women is "classic," and why we might actually benefit more than men. 🚺✨✅ The Gummy Con: Why Amber’s "sweet treat" was actually an under-dose, and the hidden costs of Creatine gummies. 🍬💸✅ Brain Health: Can Creatine help with depression, sleep deprivation, and neurodegenerative disorders? (The early research is exciting!). 🧠💤✅ Side Effects & Kidney Tests: Debunking the "Water Weight" myth and why you MUST tell your GP you're taking Creatine before a blood test. 🧪📉Whether you’re a marathon runner or just looking for a bit more "brain power" in the morning, this episode is your evidence-based guide to supplementation 🎙️💙FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tabootopicpod✨ Rate, review, and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Dr B & Dr A x*This podcast and social media content is for general information and discussion only. We’re both doctors, but we’re not your doctors, and this podcast does not replace personal medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, or anything else we talk about, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.For full references, follow the link in our bio.#tabootopics #creatine #womenshealth #supplementscience #nhsdoctors #healthgossip #brainhealth #menopause #fitnessmyths #bodypositivity #creatinegummies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Taboo Topics! This week, Dr. Becca and Dr. Amber are getting incredibly personal about a topic that keeps them (and most of their friends) up at night: Fertility.Between Becca being "single as f***" and Amber locking in a 2027 wedding deposit, the girls are at completely different life stages, but both are feeling the weight of the "biological clock." We’re breaking down the science of why fertility declines, the reality of egg freezing and why fertility is a "partner diagnosis" that involves much more than just the female body.From the 74-day sperm lifecycle to the "ovulation gap" we’re arming you with the clinical facts to replace the panic.In this episode, we cover:✅ The 2027 Wedding: Amber’s deposit is paid! We talk wedding costs, Airbnb disasters, and "religious" brothers. 👰💎✅ The Coil Removal: Why Becca got her contraceptive out just to see "what was going on down there." 🩸✅ The Biological Clock: The terrifying graph Amber saw in medical school and the "35" myth. 📈✅ Egg Freezing 101: Is it a privilege? When should you do it? And the legal "conundrum" of frozen embryos. 🥚🧊✅ The Sperm Factor: Laptops on laps, hot tubs, and why men need to wait 3-6 months for "good quality" sperm. 🚹💻✅ Home Testing Kits: Are AMH blood tests actually worth the money or do they just cause panic? 🧪📉✅ The 24-Hour Window: Why the egg only lives for one day but sperm can wait around for five. ⏳🕵️‍♂️✅ Red Flag, Green Flag: Legs up after sex, social media detoxing, and freezing eggs at 38. 🚩🟩Whether you're planning a family now or just want to understand your body better for the future, this episode is about empowerment through education. 💙🎙️RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT:🔹 Fertility Network UK🔹 British Fertility Society🔹 Tommy’s (Pregnancy & Fertility Information)FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tabootopicpod✨ Rate, review, and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Dr B & Dr A x*This podcast and social media content is for general information and discussion only. We’re both doctors, but we’re not your doctors, and this podcast does not replace personal medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, or anything else we talk about, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.For full references, follow the link in our bio.#tabootopics #fertility #eggfreezing #ovulation #nhsdoctors #healthgossip #spermhealth #womenshealth #biologicalclock #datingstories #reproductivehealth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by  ⁨@LaRochePosayUKI⁩  & its Effaclar anti-blemish skincare range. La Roche-Posay Cleansing & Moisturising formulas are also suitable for people who may be prone to Acne.Welcome back to Taboo Topics! This week, Dr. Becca and Dr. Amber are diving into a topic that affects nearly half of adults in their 30s but is still shrouded in "dirty skin" myths: Adult Acne.We’re breaking down why adult acne is so much more than "just a spot." It’s a condition that carries a 2x higher risk of depression and anxiety, yet is often dismissed by society (and sometimes doctors) as a vanity project. From the 5 "P's" of hormonal breakouts to the shocking link between acne and PCOS, we’re getting clinical.But first... Amber is back from Thailand! 🇹🇭🥥 We catch up on 13-hour flights, why watching Sully ruined Amber’s dreams of being a pilot, and the return of the legendary "Bum Gun." Plus, Becca shares her latest dating app "fizzle" with a 6'5" Instagrammer and her upcoming weekend of three back-to-back dates. 📱🍷In this episode, we cover:✅ The Thailand Catch-up: Breakfast buffets, spicy margaritas, and villa upgrades.✅ The "Sully" Effect: Why Amber is now a nervous flyer. ✈️😱✅ The Solo Trip Debate: Is Barbados for six days a good idea for the soul?✅ The Dating Grind: Swiping on Bumble as a full-time job. 📱🫦✅ The 43% Stat: Why adult acne is an "occupational phenomenon" of adulthood.✅ PCOS & Acne: Why 30% of women with acne have underlying PCOS. 🧬✅ Treatment Ladder: From Benzoyl Peroxide to the truth about Roaccutane (Isotretinoin).✅ The Roaccutane Myth: Does it actually cause suicidal ideation? (The research says otherwise). 📑✅ Skincare Debunked: Toothpaste, Sudocrem, and the "Semi-Skimmed Milk" link. 🥛🚫✅ Red Flag, Green Flag: Slugging, Skin Fasting, and the "Bum-Towel" debate. 🚩🟩Whether you’re struggling with your skin or just here for the dating tea, this episode is a reminder that you aren't alone and your worth isn't tied to your productivity—or your pores. 💙🎙️RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT:🔹 British Association of Dermatologists🔹 Mind (Mental Health Support)🔹 PCOS Charity (Verity)FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tabootopicpod✨ Rate, review, and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Dr B & Dr A x*This podcast and social media content is for general information and discussion only. We’re both doctors, but we’re not your doctors, and this podcast does not replace personal medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, or anything else we talk about, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.For full references, follow the link in our bio.#tabootopics #adultacne #pcos #roaccutane #skincaretips #nhsdoctors #healthgossip #mentalhealth #womenshealth #datingstories #hormonalacne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Taboo Topics with Dr. Becca and Dr. Amber! This week, we are diving into a topic that almost every woman has dealt with but no one fully understands: Emergency Contraception. 🩺✨In a massive reality check, Dr. Amber explains why the "morning-after pill" is actually useless once you’ve ovulated - meaning for many women, there is a huge window where the pill won't help. We break down the three main options (Levonorgestrel, EllaOne and the Copper Coil), the side effects and why the IUD is actually the "Holy Grail" of emergency prevention 🧬🩹In this episode, the Doctors cover:✅ Epilation vs. Waxing: The armpit disaster of 2008. 🩸✅ Health Gossip: Amber’s wedding deposit and Becca’s "dating drought." 💍✅ The Morning After Pill Myth: Why it won't work after ovulation. 📉✅ Pharmacy Shame: The awkwardness of asking for EC over the counter. 💊✅ Amber’s Christmas Scare: Telling her dad she was pregnant on Christmas morning 🎄🏖️✅ The "Furball" Discovery: A very interesting trip to the sexual health clinic. 🧶🤢✅ The Three Options: Comparing the 72-hour pill, the 5-day pill, and the Emergency Coil.✅ Roleplay: Exactly what happens when you walk into a sexual health clinic. 🩺Whether you're in the middle of a pregnancy scare or just want to be prepared for the future, we’re breaking the stigma and giving you the facts 💙RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT:🔹 Find a Sexual Health Clinic: nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health🔹 Sexwise: sexwise.fpa.org.ukFOLLOW THE JOURNEY:📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tabootopicpod✨ Rate, review, and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Dr B & Dr A xNote: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. For references for this episode head to: https://linktr.ee/tabootopicpod#emergencycontraception #morningafterpill #pregnancycare #sexualhealth #doctorlife #nhsdoctors #tabootopics #healthgossip #ellaone #coppercoil Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to episode three of Taboo Topics! We are Dr Amber and Dr Becca, and today we are tackling the "wonder drug" that has taken over social media and celebrity culture: Weight Loss Jabs 🧬✨In this episode, the Doctors break down the science of GLP-1 agonists (Semaglutide), exploring how a medication designed for Type 2 Diabetes became a global weight loss phenomenon. We discuss the return of the "90s Skinny Aesthetic," "Ozempic Parties" and the recent study showing weight returns 4x faster once you stop the jab.But before we talk science, the Doctors have some serious "Health Gossip" to get through! Dr Becca reveals why she’s "allergic to work" (literally), the "Hedgehog" date with a Glaswegian man, and why she ended up talking about herpes in a tiny wine bar. Plus, we settle the ultimate debate: Bidets, bum guns, and the "ick" of warm toilet seats. 🚽🔥In this episode, the Doctors cover:✅ Becca’s Stress Rash: Can you actually be allergic to your job? 🏥✅ The Scottish Date: Understanding the accent & first-date "green flags."✅ What is Ozempic? Breaking down GLP-1, satiety, and "Food Noise." 🧠✅ The Cost of Skinny: NHS rollout vs the private market.✅ Side Effects✅ The 90s Aesthetic: Is the "Kate Moss era" coming back to haunt us? 👗✅ Serena Williams and GLP-1s✅ Final Advice: Should you actually take the jab?RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT:🔹 BEAT Eating Disorders: beateatingdisorders.org.uk🔹 NHS weight loss support: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/treatment/🔹 Talk to your GP before starting any prescribed medication.FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tabootopicpod✨ Rate, review, and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Dr B & Dr A xNote: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. For references for this episode head to: https://linktr.ee/tabootopicpod#ozempic #weightlossjabs #wegovy #mounjaro #healthgossip #doctorlife #skinnytock #bodyimage #tabootopics #nhsdoctors #semaglutide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to episode two of Taboo Topics! We are Dr Amber and Dr Becca, and today we are tackling a topic that is becoming the "occupational phenomenon" of the decade: Burnout. 🧱In this episode, Dr Becca shares the raw, unfiltered story of her 6-year journey through burnout, from graduating early into a global pandemic to the specific day she reached her breaking point. We discuss why high-performers are often at risk and explore the "Moral Injury" of the healthcare system. 📉But first, the Doctors have some "Health Gossip" to catch up on! Dr Amber has a major update on her destination wedding in Greece 🇬🇷, and Dr Becca tells the truly baffling story of "The Bracelet Guy" - involving a 15-minute bus journey, a lost memento, and a handwritten love letter...In this episode, the Doctors cover:✅ What is Burnout? Why it's more than just "workplace stress."✅ Pandemic Doctors: The reality of starting on the frontline in a pandemic.✅ The Day Dr B quit✅ The 5 Stages of Burnout: From Overdrive to Collapse.✅ How to Actually Recover: Why a one-week holiday isn't the cure (and why Becca stares at walls for fun).✅ Advice to their younger selves: Why your worth is NOT your productivity.If you’re feeling exhausted, emotionally numb, or just "done," this episode is for you. You are not alone 💙RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT:🔹 Mind: mind.org.uk🔹 Rethink Mental Illness: rethink.orgFOLLOW US:📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tabootopicpod✨ Like, comment & subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Dr B & Dr A xNote: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. For references for this episode head to: https://linktr.ee/tabootopicpod#burnout #mentalhealth #nhs #doctorlife #stressrelief #tabootopics #datingstories #healthcareworker #moralinjury #exhaustion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the very first episode of Taboo Topics! We are Dr. Becca and Dr. Amber, two best friends and doctors who met at medical school. We’re here to talk about all the things you chat about with your friends but never actually have the clinical answers to. 🩺✨In today's episode, we are diving deep into one of the biggest taboos in health: Herpes Simplex Virus. Did you know that 7 out of 10 people have herpes by the age of 25? 📊 So why are we still treating it like a moral failing or the punchline of a joke? Dr. Becca shares her traumatic experience with facial flare-ups during her A-Levels and university, and we explain why a "cold sore" is just herpes with a better PR team. 💅We also have some MAJOR "Health Gossip" this week, including Dr. Amber’s wedding planning stress and Dr. Becca’s absolute nightmare Hinge date with an "Industry Guy" who had some seriously questionable audacity... 🚩🙄In this episode, we cover:✅ The Stats: Why you are definitely not the "odd one out."✅ Cold Sores vs. Genital Herpes: The identity crisis and why language matters.✅ Becca’s Story: Dealing with severe flare-ups, stress triggers, and sunlight.✅ Asymptomatic Shedding: Can you spread it with NO symptoms? (The answer might surprise you).✅ The Disclosure Roleplay: Exactly how to tell a date you have an STI without the panic.✅ Treatments: From Acyclovir to suppressive therapy—how to take back control.Don't suffer in silence! Whether you’re struggling with a diagnosis or just want to educate yourself, we are here to break the taboo 💙RESOURCES MENTIONED:🔹 Herpes UK: herpes.org.uk🔹 BASHH (British Association for Sexual Health and HIV)🔹 Visit your local sexual health clinic for support!FOLLOW US:📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tabootopicpod✨ Like, comment & subscribe to help us break more stigmas!Dr B & Dr A xNote: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice.#herpes #coldsores #stigma #tabootopics #sexualhealth #datingstories #nhsdoctors #healthgossipReferences: Tuddenham, et al, 2022 and Gnann and Whitley 2016, S3xually Transmitted Infections: Updated Guideline From the CDC. 2022. BASHH Genital Herpes PIL. For full references, follow the link in our bio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.