PERIODically

Thank you to ViCE/PHEC for this opportunity and to the University of Liverpool for hosting the conference! We also would like to extend our thanks to the RSC Higher Education Group for providing Sofia with a bursary in order for her to attend the conference.

Sofia’s poster highlights the negative impact that period poverty has on higher education and how students who menstruate can be better supported by implementing effective free period product schemes.

On Thursday Sofia Olendraru from PERIODically presented at the Variety in Chemistry/Physics Higher Education Conference 2025!

Sofia presented her poster titled ‘Towards Period Dignity: Increasing and Improving Accessible Provision of Free Period Products’.

❤️🩸🧪

#ViCEPHEC2025

@compoundchem.com

Infographic on the chemistry of IUDs. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are among the most effective forms of birth control. These devices are inserted into the uterus and do not need to be replaced for several years. There are two types of IUD available: copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs. Copper IUDs slowly release copper ions into the uterine fluid, reducing the movement of sperm cells. Hormonal IUDs release a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone to prevent ovulation.

Today is #MenstrualHealthDay 🩸 To mark it, here's the second of my graphical collaborations with @periodically.bsky.social looking at the chemistry behind intrauterine devices and how they prevent pregnancy: wp.me/s4aPLT-iuds

#ChemSky 🧪

A lack of access to such education and healthcare remains a significant barrier to achieving menstrual equity. On Menstrual Health Day, we reaffirm our commitment to building a world where everyone has access to the resources they need to manage their periods safely.

However, IUDs come with a range of side effects which vary from person to person. Having access to this information is important so that people can make more informed menstrual health choices.

In the spirit of Menstrual Health Day, we created an infographic on intrauterine contraceptives in collaboration with @compoundchem. The hormonal IUD is often only thought of as a form of contraception, but it can also help with managing periods and period-related conditions.

PERIODically are committed to raising awareness about menstrual health and challenging the stigma that still surrounds periods. Periods should not be a taboo subject, and they must be a part of the conversation when discussing inclusivity and access to healthcare.

Infographic on the chemistry involved in intrauterine contraceptives in celebration of menstrual health day

The 28th May marks Menstrual Health Day. The theme this year is “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld”, highlighting the importance of access to menstrual products and facilities worldwide.

Workplace support for menstruation and menopause The chemical industry and universities are doing more to give chemists what they need to manage their menstrual health

We are really excited by all the incredible articles in @chemistryworld.com women's health collection! Especially the article on workplace support for menstruation which some of our incredible team contributed towards!

Felicity Smith spoke at the @roysocchem.bsky.social @iupac.bsky.social Global Women’s Breakfast and officially received the RSC Horizon Prize for Education 2024 on behalf of PERIODically!

#GWB2025

Collage of six pictures showing the 2025 Global Women's Breakfast speakers.

🚀Inspired by @roysocchem.bsky.social Global Women’s Breakfast 2025 #GWB2025

From breaking taboos with @periodically.bsky.social Podcast to decolonising STEM & mentoring future leaders, the event showcased powerful projects driving equity in science👩‍🔬

Let’s keep pushing for inclusivity✊ #WomenInSTEM

Last Friday @elbafeo.bsky.social presented on PERIODically at the Supramol25 conference hosted by the Australian National University. We had the chance to speak to some amazing people afterwards and it was great to see people excited to talk about periods! Thank you to Supramol25 for having us! ❤️🧪🩸

Elba Feo talking about the RSC Periodically podcast at the RACI Supramol meeting. Many congrats on the @roysocchem.bsky.social Horizon Education Prize!

Image showing cards depicting a number of contemporary women in chemistry

Image showing a selection of women in chemistry history graphics

Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 👩‍🔬🧑🏽‍🔬

The Women in Chemistry category on the Ci site has a range of graphics on women in chemistry, both historical and present-day! www.compoundchem.com/category/wom...

#ChemSky 🧪 #WomenInScience

A fantastic thread of important articles regarding accessibility in STEM ♥️

Infographic on the chemistry of the menstrual cycle. The graphic highlights the two sub-cycles, the ovarian cycle and the uterian cycle, and the varying hormone levels during them. Follicle stimulating hormone stimulates the growth of a follicle in the ovaries. After ovulation, levels drp to prevent development of multiple follicles. Luteinising hormone triggers the release of an egg from the ovaries and starts the conversion of the follicle to a corpus luteum which is essential for establishing and maintaining pregnancy. Estrogen, produced by the ovaries, causes the uterine lining to grow and triggers the production of luteinising hormone. Low levels of estrogen and progesterone cause the top layers of the uterine lining to break down - this is menstruation. The corpus luteum releases progesterone which stimulates thickening of the uterine lining and the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause contractions which shed the uterine lining and cause cramps.

What are the chemical triggers for menstruation? And what causes period cramps?

This graphic, a collaboration with @periodically.bsky.social, looks at the chemistry behind the menstrual cycle: bit.ly/3ZkpqMz

#ChemSky 🧪

Thank you!! ♥️

You can find out more about PERIODically and what motivated us to start this project on the RSC website.

All episodes of series 1 and 2 are available wherever you get your podcasts!

linktr.ee/periodically...

PERIODically was awarded the Horizon Prize “For sparking discussion around the challenges menstrual periods create for people working in higher education, acting as advocates to help remove stigma and drive change towards greater equity.”

PERIODically: the podcast that covers all things periods and chemistry - 2024 Horizon Prize for Education winner We are proud to announce PERIODically: the podcast that covers all things periods and chemistry as the Horizon Prize for Education winner. Read their full profile and share their achievement here.

We are so honoured to have been awarded the Horizon Prize for Education 2024 by @roysocchem.bsky.social ! Thank you to all of our incredible guests and everyone who has supported this project ♥️🩸🧪#RSCPrizes

www.rsc.org/prizes-fundi...