Jennifer Gunter: Menstruation, Menopause & Medical Mythology

Jennifer Gunter | Caroline Ford

Why do we know so little about women’s bodies? Over half the world’s population have had a period or could be having a period right now – so why do menstruation and menopause remain such medical mysteries? And why are doctors still scratching their collective heads when asked to explain how female anatomy works? Well, New York Times bestseller Jennifer Gunter is hoping to change that.

Affectionately dubbed the internet’s resident gynaecologist Jennifer has dedicated her career to debunking misinformation about the female reproductive system and to advocate for better healthcare for all. In conversation with Caroline Ford, Gunter will unpack why she’s sick of women being sidelined by the medical profession, and outline the steps we need to take to put women’s bodies and healthcare in the spotlight.

This event is presented by the and as a part of .

The Roundhouse is located at UNSW Sydney's Kensington Campus. Please note this is a live event only, and will not be available via livestream.

Wheelchair Access

The closest accessible drop off point to the Roundhouse is the north entrance via High Street, Gate 2, follow the road to Third Avenue and turn onto 1st Avenue West. More information on getting there can be found via our interactive accessibility map available here.

Assisted Listening

The Roundhouse has a hearing loop. Patrons wishing to utilise this need to simply switch their hearing aid to the T (Telecoil) setting to pick up on the wireless signal.

Auslan & Captioning

Auslan interpreting services and/or live captioning can be provided for selected talks upon request.

Contact

To book and discuss access services, please call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email [email protected].

The Roundhouse is easily accessible via public transport and the closest light rail stop is UNSW Anzac Parade (L3 line). For more information, call the Transport infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.

Free parking is available from 5.30pm in the Western Campus Car Park. For access to free parking, event patrons must park in the UNSW Permit Holder bays. The Western Campus Car Park is located here, on Anzac Parade next to NIDA. This car park can be accessed via the Western Campus Drive through Day Avenue.

Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’ in all other UNSW car parks. For more information head here.

For all the other enquiries, please email [email protected] or call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485.

The Centre for Ideas is happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for 02 9065 0485. Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 9065 0485. For more information on all other relay calls visit here.

Jennifer Gunter
Dr Jen Gunter, originally from Winnipeg, is an internationally renowned OB/GYN. In addition to her most recent book, Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation, she is the author of the two New York Times bestsellers, The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto. She is the host of the CBC docuseries Jensplaining and her TED Talk on menstruation was the third most viewed TED Talk of 2020. She’s been called the Internet’s OB/GYN, and one of the fiercest advocates for women’s health. Her mission is to build a better medical internet because to be empowered about health, one must have accurate information. Her writing has appeared in various publications, including the New York Times, Dame, The New Republic, and The Guardian. She runs a blog called The Vajenda, and her medical practice is in San Francisco, California.
Caroline Ford
Professor Caroline Ford is passionate about science communication and enhancing the health literacy of the wider community. In 2017 she was named as an inaugural ‘Superstar of STEM’ by Science & Technology Australia and in 2018 she founded the STEMMinist Book Club, a now global network that reads and discusses books on feminism, leadership and STEMM. She is a cancer researcher and leads the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at UNSW with a focus on ovarian and endometrial cancer, as well as benign gynaecological diseases including endometriosis.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Roundhouse, (E6), Kensington, Australia