Skip to content

The Pill’s Image Problem & Why Your LED Mask Might Be BS

September 9, 2026 · 21 min

Show notes

Dr Ginni Mansberg and Cath Mahoney are back, ready to get to the bottom of the health headlines everyone’s talking about, from why a viral LED face mask ad was banned in the UK, to whether wellness IV drips are actually worth the money.

They also unpack social media’s obsession with pregnancy "vitamin stacks" and demystify which supplements you actually need during pregnancy. In Are You Well? Dr Ginni reveals why the contraceptive pill is getting hit by the "nocebo effect" and suffering from an image problem. Plus the hosts discuss a surprising link between bad air pollution days and painful rheumatoid arthritis flares.

And in Asking for a Friend, Dr Ginni answers your awkward questions, including what’s driving intense late-night sugar cravings, and why an orgasm can sometimes trigger sharp, period-like belly cramps.

Leave us an 'Asking for a Friend' voice note here.

Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok.

Very Peri, Mamamia's exclusive perimenopause series is here! 25 world-leading experts, over 20 on-demand sessions, instant access. We’ve sorted through the noise so you don't have to. Go to veryperi.com.au today. You hot? Same.

CREDITS

Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Cath Mahoney

Senior Producer: Tina Matolov

Executive Producer: Courtney Ammenhauser

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Social Media Producer: Zara Meier

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on.

Information discussed in Well. is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.

Right now, every Mamamia subscriber is automatically entered to win a $5,000 Dreamworld holiday for four; flights, accommodation, express passes and more included. Subscribe here to enter. T&Cs apply.

Become a Mamamia subscriber and get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts and early listening, subscriber-only articles, monthly giveaways and our home workout app, MOVE.

Get access to Very Peri, Mamamia's exclusive perimenopause series, for just $59. 25 world-leading experts, over 20 on-demand sessions, available now. We’ve sorted through the noise so you don't have to. Go to veryperi.com.au today. You hot? Same.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All episodes of Well.

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.