In September, Donald Trump sparked a public health crisis when he claimed there was a link between the prenatal use of Tylenol and autism. The health and scientific community was quick to respond, citing studies that debunked his claims, but has the harm already been done? Nam Kiwanuka speaks with Dr. Rebecca Titman and pharmacist Najla Tabbara, who work at a clinic that addresses pain during pregnancy, at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. They discuss the reasons why acetaminophen is recommended during pregnancy and why other medication shouldn't be used; and how doctors know it's safe to use.

Got a question or comment? Email us at: mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health

Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.  

The Government of Ontario’s Mental Health Support Resources: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support

Follow TVO on social: https://www.youtube.com/theagenda

https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo

Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters

Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org

In September, Donald Trump sparked a public health crisis when he claimed there was a link between the prenatal use of Tylenol and autism. The health and scientific community was quick to respond, citing studies that debunked his claims, but has the harm already been done? Nam Kiwanuka speaks with Dr. Rebecca Titman and pharmacist Najla Tabbara, who work at a clinic that addresses pain during pregnancy, at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. They discuss the reasons why acetaminophen is recommended during pregnancy and why other medication shouldn't be used; and how doctors know it's safe to use.
Got a question or comment? Email us at: <a href="mailto:mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org">mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org</a>
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/campaigns/get-help-here.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&amp;utm_medium=vanity-url&amp;utm_source=canada-ca_mental-health">Canada.ca/mental-health</a>
Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. &nbsp;
The Government of Ontario&rsquo;s Mental Health Support Resources:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support">https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support</a>
Follow TVO on social: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/theagenda">https://www.youtube.com/theagenda</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo">https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo</a>
Join our newsletter: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/newsletters">https://www.tvo.org/newsletters</a>
Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: <a href="https://www.tvo.org">https://www.tvo.org</a>

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has – and still is – failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has &ndash; and still is &ndash; failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.

(MIS)Treated

Tylenol and women's pain in pregnancy

Pregnancy loss affects millions each year – so why do so many women have to suffer in silence after a miscarriage or stillbirth? According to a 2021 Lancet Study, an estimated 23 million miscarriages occur every year worldwide: 44 pregnancy losses each minute. For those who have experienced a miscarriage or a stillbirth, the joy of welcoming a child into the world can quickly turn into a nightmare of loss and isolation. On today's episode, host and producer Nam Kiwanuka speaks to Idalina Leandro about the motivations for her documentary, "An Open Conversation," which aims to destigmatize pregnancy and infant loss. The conversation explores how the silence around pregnancy loss impacts parents differently, why mothers blame themselves and how the healthcare system fails to support grieving families.

Got a question or comment? Email us at: mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

Research Links:
Canadian gynecologists group issues new compassionate care guidelines for miscarriage patients https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-new-guidelines-early-pregnancy-loss-patients/
Idalina Leandro’s ‘An Open Conversation’ Aims To Destigmatize Pregnancy & Infant Loss https://www.shedoesthecity.com/idalina-leandros-an-open-conversation-aims-to-de-stigmatize-pregnancy-infant-loss/ 
Pregnancy, Infant & Child Loss Support Centre https://pilsc.org/
Why those suffering miscarriages could benefit from specialized clinics https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pregnancy-loss-sogc-1.7563527
My wife and I were left on our own after miscarriage https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mothers-day-miscarriage-pregnancy-loss-first-person-1.6836319
New Zealand approves paid leave following miscarriage or still birth https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/new-zealand-paid-leave-miscarriage-still-birth-1.5964604
Thousands of Canadians miscarry every year. For them, Mother's Day can be a reminder of loss https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mothers-day-grief-loss-1.7532302
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028223017193
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00682-6/abstract
https://www.jogc.com/article/S1701-2163(25)00154-9/fulltext

Pregnancy loss affects millions each year &ndash; so why do so many women have to suffer in silence after a miscarriage or stillbirth? According to a 2021 Lancet Study, an estimated 23 million miscarriages occur every year worldwide: 44 pregnancy losses each minute. For those who have experienced a miscarriage or a stillbirth, the joy of welcoming a child into the world can quickly turn into a nightmare of loss and isolation. On today's episode, host and producer Nam Kiwanuka speaks to Idalina Leandro about the motivations for her documentary, "An Open Conversation," which aims to destigmatize pregnancy and infant loss. The conversation explores how the silence around pregnancy loss impacts parents differently, why mothers blame themselves and how the healthcare system fails to support grieving families.
Got a question or comment? Email us at: <a href="mailto:mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org">mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org</a>
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
Research Links:
<ol>
<li>Canadian gynecologists group issues new compassionate care guidelines for miscarriage patients https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-new-guidelines-early-pregnancy-loss-patients/</li>
<li>Idalina Leandro&rsquo;s &lsquo;An Open Conversation&rsquo; Aims To Destigmatize Pregnancy &amp; Infant Loss https://www.shedoesthecity.com/idalina-leandros-an-open-conversation-aims-to-de-stigmatize-pregnancy-infant-loss/&nbsp;</li>
<li>Pregnancy, Infant &amp; Child Loss Support Centre <a href="https://pilsc.org/">https://pilsc.org/</a></li>
<li>Why those suffering miscarriages could benefit from specialized clinics <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pregnancy-loss-sogc-1.7563527">https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pregnancy-loss-sogc-1.7563527</a></li>
<li>My wife and I were left on our own after miscarriage&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mothers-day-miscarriage-pregnancy-loss-first-person-1.6836319">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mothers-day-miscarriage-pregnancy-loss-first-person-1.6836319</a></li>
<li>New Zealand approves paid leave following miscarriage or still birth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/new-zealand-paid-leave-miscarriage-still-birth-1.5964604">https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/new-zealand-paid-leave-miscarriage-still-birth-1.5964604</a></li>
<li>Thousands of Canadians miscarry every year. For them, Mother's Day can be a reminder of loss <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mothers-day-grief-loss-1.7532302">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mothers-day-grief-loss-1.7532302</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028223017193">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028223017193</a></li>
<li>https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00682-6/abstract</li>
<li>https://www.jogc.com/article/S1701-2163(25)00154-9/fulltext</li>
</ol>

An Open Conversation On Pregnancy Loss

You may know Viagra as the "blue pill" but what about Addyi, the "pink pill"? 

Addyi was first approved in the U.S. in 2015 to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) – the medical term for women experiencing low libidos. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is "the most commonly identified sexual problem among women." It was first identified in 1977 but getting drugs to market for women's sexual health faces unique challenges. Addyi is one of two approved drugs that help improve women's low libido, while 26 drugs have been approved for male sexual health by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. On this episode, host and producer Nam Kiwanuka speaks with Aisling Chin-Yee about the history of how Addyi came to market and what making her documentary, "The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs & Who Has Control", has taught her about how this pink pill is changing the conversation about women's libido.

 

Links:

How U.S. Tried but Failed to Wipe Out 70 Years of Global Consent on Women’s Rights

https://msmagazine.com/2026/03/19/usa-csw-70-women/

A Pill for Sexual Desire Reaches a New Group of Women

https://time.com/7341012/sexual-desire-pill-addyi-cindy-eckert/

The Pink Pill : New documentary exposes the long battle to bring Addyi — the first libido drug for women — to market

https://theconversation.com/the-pink-pill-new-documentary-exposes-the-long-battle-to-bring-addyi-th…

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8673442/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32301355/

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/414363

https://www.sproutpharmaceuticals.com/

You may know Viagra as the "blue pill" but what about Addyi, the "pink pill"?&nbsp;
Addyi was first approved in the U.S. in 2015 to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) &ndash; the medical term for women experiencing low libidos. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is "the most commonly identified sexual problem among women." It was first identified in 1977 but getting drugs to market for women's sexual health faces unique challenges. Addyi is one of two approved drugs that help improve women's low libido, while 26 drugs have been approved for male sexual health by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. On this episode, host and producer Nam Kiwanuka speaks with Aisling Chin-Yee about the history of how Addyi came to market and what making her documentary, "The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs &amp; Who Has Control", has taught her about how this pink pill is changing the conversation about women's libido.
&nbsp;
Links:
How U.S. Tried but Failed to Wipe Out 70 Years of Global Consent on Women&rsquo;s Rights
<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmsmagazine.com%2F2026%2F03%2F19%2Fusa-csw-70-women%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ctlam%40tvo.org%7Ce9d9eeb6b608449009b008de891db73b%7C2eadfde0e18641eb8f621e033d56dcbe%7C0%7C0%7C639098957991793574%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=spzlYDnFJF7gh91RrnfqqEqbrRCerj8zl%2BSeXL0kn4c%3D&amp;reserved=0" aria-label="Link https://msmagazine.com/2026/03/19/usa-csw-70-women/">https://msmagazine.com/2026/03/19/usa-csw-70-women/</a>
A Pill for Sexual Desire Reaches a New Group of Women
<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftime.com%2F7341012%2Fsexual-desire-pill-addyi-cindy-eckert%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ctlam%40tvo.org%7Ce9d9eeb6b608449009b008de891db73b%7C2eadfde0e18641eb8f621e033d56dcbe%7C0%7C0%7C639098957991821265%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=VZpDll5jIn5HIBsaKCz7ppZWpCwVMRZg3gnmJ%2FRLrWs%3D&amp;reserved=0" aria-label="Link https://time.com/7341012/sexual-desire-pill-addyi-cindy-eckert/">https://time.com/7341012/sexual-desire-pill-addyi-cindy-eckert/</a>
The Pink Pill : New documentary exposes the long battle to bring Addyi &mdash; the first libido drug for women &mdash; to market
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-pink-pill-new-documentary-exposes-the-long-battle-to-bring-addyi-the-first-libido-drug-for-women-to-market-276473" aria-label="Link https://theconversation.com/the-pink-pill-new-documentary-exposes-the-long-battle-to-bring-addyi-th&hellip;">https://theconversation.com/the-pink-pill-new-documentary-exposes-the-long-battle-to-bring-addyi-th&hellip;</a>
<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Farticles%2FPMC8673442%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ctlam%40tvo.org%7Ce9d9eeb6b608449009b008de891db73b%7C2eadfde0e18641eb8f621e033d56dcbe%7C0%7C0%7C639098957991863836%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=UUAiYfPLvFmxfAEdSYUq6gVfVBdiNUPc7cC9yw2ikqI%3D&amp;reserved=0" aria-label="Link https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8673442/">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8673442/</a>
<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F32301355%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ctlam%40tvo.org%7Ce9d9eeb6b608449009b008de891db73b%7C2eadfde0e18641eb8f621e033d56dcbe%7C0%7C0%7C639098957991885973%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9kfkk1itKxCwySq0hwH5kcPHNHjClkgMDgXa1osTy5o%3D&amp;reserved=0" aria-label="Link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32301355/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32301355/</a>
<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjamanetwork.com%2Fjournals%2Fjamainternalmedicine%2Ffullarticle%2F414363&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ctlam%40tvo.org%7Ce9d9eeb6b608449009b008de891db73b%7C2eadfde0e18641eb8f621e033d56dcbe%7C0%7C0%7C639098957991905542%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=XR%2FkAfIVpf0gqBtrPDBh3UvS1u2rBLoyUx12txc3Avo%3D&amp;reserved=0" aria-label="Link https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/414363">https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/414363</a>
<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sproutpharmaceuticals.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ctlam%40tvo.org%7Ce9d9eeb6b608449009b008de891db73b%7C2eadfde0e18641eb8f621e033d56dcbe%7C0%7C0%7C639098957991923774%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=sjJhhOlVmLCXLeRS9LszBuNKuvkMFa1ALi0oy%2B9cIYI%3D&amp;reserved=0" aria-label="Link https://www.sproutpharmaceuticals.com/">https://www.sproutpharmaceuticals.com/</a>

The Pink Pill: De-stigmatizing women's libido

Because the male body has been the default in medicine, conditions that primarily impact women, like PCOS and endometriosis, are under researched, misunderstood and under funded. Even conditions that are commonly understood in men like autism, ADHD and cardiovascular disease are misunderstood, misdiagnosed and under diagnosed in women. On today's episode we speak with journalist Tracey Lindeman about her book, "Bleed: Destroying Myths and Misogyny in Endometriosis Care". We talk to her about how her pain was dismissed for decades and how it took 24 years to be diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Got a question or comment? Email us at: mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

Research links:

Endometriosis and Misogyny With Tracey Lindeman
https://canadianwomen.org/blog/endometriosis-and-misogyny-with-tracey-lindeman/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/women-health-second-opinion-1.7531876

https://www.ellecanada.com/culture/society/the-gender-health-gap-misogyny-in-medicine

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome

https://www.cfp.ca/content/72/1/e17

https://www.oma.org/newsroom/news-releases/2026/january/new-study-finds-female-family-doctors-spend-more-time-caring-for-patients-yet-earn-less/

https://m-power.mecca.com/blog/what-is----medical-misogyny----and-how-is-it-impacting-women---s-health-

https://www.bmj.com/content/387/bmj.q2780.full

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/women-pain-dismissed-1.7390686 

 

Because the male body has been the default in medicine, conditions that primarily impact women, like PCOS and endometriosis, are under researched, misunderstood and under funded. Even conditions that are commonly understood in men like autism, ADHD and cardiovascular disease are misunderstood, misdiagnosed and under diagnosed in women. On today's episode we speak with journalist Tracey Lindeman about her book, "Bleed: Destroying Myths and Misogyny in Endometriosis Care". We talk to her about how her pain was dismissed for decades and how it took 24 years to be diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Got a question or comment? Email us at:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org">mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org</a>
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
Research links:
Endometriosis and Misogyny With Tracey Lindeman <a href="https://canadianwomen.org/blog/endometriosis-and-misogyny-with-tracey-lindeman/">https://canadianwomen.org/blog/endometriosis-and-misogyny-with-tracey-lindeman/</a> <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/women-health-second-opinion-1.7531876">https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/women-health-second-opinion-1.7531876</a>
<a href="https://www.ellecanada.com/culture/society/the-gender-health-gap-misogyny-in-medicine">https://www.ellecanada.com/culture/society/the-gender-health-gap-misogyny-in-medicine</a>
<a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome">https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome</a>
<a href="https://www.cfp.ca/content/72/1/e17">https://www.cfp.ca/content/72/1/e17</a>
<a href="https://www.oma.org/newsroom/news-releases/2026/january/new-study-finds-female-family-doctors-spend-more-time-caring-for-patients-yet-earn-less/">https://www.oma.org/newsroom/news-releases/2026/january/new-study-finds-female-family-doctors-spend-more-time-caring-for-patients-yet-earn-less/</a>
<a href="https://m-power.mecca.com/blog/what-is----medical-misogyny----and-how-is-it-impacting-women---s-health-">https://m-power.mecca.com/blog/what-is----medical-misogyny----and-how-is-it-impacting-women---s-health-</a>
<a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/387/bmj.q2780.full">https://www.bmj.com/content/387/bmj.q2780.full</a>
<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/women-pain-dismissed-1.7390686">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/women-pain-dismissed-1.7390686</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Tylenol and women's pain in pregnancy

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