Fertility Friday

Fertility awareness for pregnancy and hormone free contraception

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Welcome!

I'm Lisa, Certified Fertility Awareness Educator, Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner, and author of The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize Your Fertility.

I help health conscious women discover the connection between their menstrual cycles and their overall health so they can ditch hormonal birth control forever. Our education system has failed to teach us about our fertility, so I’m here to empower you to take control of your fertility and your life.

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The Pill Isn't The Only Answer

Fertility awareness is up to 99.4 percent effective in preventing pregnancy

Fertility awareness has no impact on your natural fertility. You simply track your three main fertile signs (cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and cervical position), identify which days of your cycle are fertile, and either achieve or avoid pregnancy! The pill, on the other hand, has a whole slew of harmful side effects. To learn more about fertility awareness, click here to grab your copy of my FREE three part video series.

The Fifth Vital Sign

Now available on Amazon! Grab your copy today.

The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize Your Fertility  brings together over 1000 meticulously researched scientific references to help you understand your menstrual cycle. It aims to better connect women with their menstrual cycles and to break the myth that ovulation is only important when you're ready to have a baby.

In this book you’ll learn
  • what a normal cycle looks like;
  • the best way to chart your cycle and increase your fertility awareness;
  • how best to manage critical aspects of your health, including better sleep, exercise and a healthier diet;
  • natural methods for managing period pain and PMS;
  • how to successfully avoid pregnancy without the pill; and
  • how to plan ahead if you do want to get pregnant.

Whether children are a part of your future plans or not, your health matters. Start learning more now, and take control of your fertility and your health.

The Fifth Vital Sign is available on Amazon! Click here to buy now.

The Fertility Friday Podcast

Lisa is such an inspiring, empowering voice to have in my life. This is a podcast, but it's so much more than that. It's empowered me to finally seek help with the health challenges I've struggled with, taught me so much about the female body, fertility awareness, women's health, and so much more.

~ Abbe B.

Before listening to Fertility Friday, I was so unsure at how to handle my hormones, cycle, and desire to not get pregnant. I knew I did not want to take hormonal birth control, but I did not know other reliable options. I also wanted to feel prepared when starting a family. Happy to report that with Lisa's guidance and the resources she recommended, I'm going on two years of using the fertility awareness method as my main method of birth control with no pregnancy! I also feel more confident in tracking my cycles when my husband and I desire to have children.

~ Brielle180

I LOVE this podcast and have been listening to it religiously for the last two years. Lisa covers a multitude of topics ranging from general women's health, hormone-free birth control, how to maximize your chances of getting pregnant, and countless interviews with a variety of experts. If you have periods, there's something for you on this podcast. I love the work that Lisa is doing to promote body literacy and hope this review helps her reach even more people!

~ TaylorSN

I love this podcast and recommend it to so many of my supporters and readers looking for holistic reproductive health information. Lisa offers so many perspectives, angles within the field of sexual health, reproductive health and body literacy.

~ Greenvanillabean

I am so happy I found this podcast!! As an (allopathic) physician, I appreciate Lisa's recommendation that all women work with a team of providers. I am blown away by how much I've learned from her podcast in such a short amount of time — much of it I never learned in medical school, including FAM! I highly recommend this podcast to everyone, but especially those planning to try to conceive, actively trying to conceive, and couples facing infertility. Lisa, thank you for taking the time to educate us on FAM and natural resources for improving our fertility!

~ LA19860

This has been by far the most encouraging, empowering, and informative podcast and resource I've found struggling with secondary infertility for 2 years. I now feel like I can advocate for myself, and have recently begun charting my cycles while working with a functional nutritionist. Thank you Lisa for bringing a fresh perspective to your audience who values learning more about their bodies and not just being written off when conventional medicine can't just figure us out. This journey can be long and hard but so glad that there are voices out there shedding light on fertility and women's health!

~ Rweeler

Recent Podcast Episodes

Episode_374

FFP 374 | Taking Charge Of Your Fertility | Summer Replay Series | Toni Weschler
Episode_373

FFP 373 | Clomid, Letrozole & IUI | How Effective Are IVF and IUI? | Summer Replay Series | Lisa | Fertility Friday
Episode _372

FFP 372 | The Truth About IVF | Brett Russo
episode-371-2

FFP 371 | Hypothalamic Amenorrhea & The Menstrual Cycle | Cynthia Donovan
Episode_370

FFP 370 | Eat More, Exercise Less, and Loose Weight? | A Women-Centred Approach To Weight Loss | Kitty Blomfield
Episode_369

FFP 369 | Hormonal Contraceptives & Gall Bladder Problems | Pill Reality Series | Lucie Fink
Episode_368

FFP 368 | Why Your Doctor Isn’t Helping You With Your Period Problems | Aviva Romm, MD
Episode_367

[On-Air Client Session] FFP 367 | Stress, Cervical Mucus, & The Menstrual Cycle | Lisa & Brittany
Episode_366

FFP 366 | Conception Myths | Top 4 Myths About Conception | Timing & Sex Frequency | Lisa | Fertility Friday

Latest from Instagram

  • 🩸 FYI: YOU'RE NOT FERTILE EVERY SINGLE DAY!! 🩸 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Did you know there are only 6 days in the menstrual cycle when pregnancy is possible? (Also known as your fertile window!!) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There are two main reasons for this: ✅ Ovulation only occurs on one day of the menstrual cycle (you can release more than one egg on ovulation day, but once you’ve ovulated you can’t ovulate again until your next cycle). ✅ You are fertile when you produce cervical mucus (clear stretchy like raw egg whites and/or the white lotiony type) because your mucus keeps sperm alive up to 5 days prior to ovulation. 👍🏾 5 + 1 = 6 so that means there is a 6 day window of fertility each cycle! 😲😲 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Join me on Tuesday July 27th @ 2PM ET to learn more about using fertility awareness for birth control!✨ ✨Register now: Link in bio @fertilityfriday or fertilityfriday.com/webinar ✨ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤔Do you know which days of your cycle are fertile? 🤔Can you tell when you ovulate? ✅ Swipe left for more! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ PMID: 7477165 📖 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #FertilityFriday #birthcontrol #thepill #FertilityAwareness #TheFifthVitalSign #womenhelpingwomen #womensupportingwomen #menstruationmatters #hormones #pregnancy #fertility #fertilityawarenessmethod #postbirthcontrolsyndrome #mythsandfacts #womenshealth #periods #NFP #FAM #gaslighting #medicalgaslighting #TheFifthVitalSignBook #periodprobs #periodproblems #periodpain #advocacy #sideeffects #livemasterclass #webinar
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    🩸 FYI: YOU'RE NOT FERTILE EVERY SINGLE DAY!! 🩸 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Did you know there are only 6 days in the menstrual cycle when pregnancy is possible? (Also known as your fertile window!!) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There are two main reasons for this: ✅ Ovulation only occurs on one day of the menstrual cycle (you can release more than one egg on ovulation day, but once you’ve ovulated you can’t ovulate again until your next cycle). ✅ You are fertile when you produce cervical mucus (clear stretchy like raw egg whites and/or the white lotiony type) because your mucus keeps sperm alive up to 5 days prior to ovulation. 👍🏾 5 + 1 = 6 so that means there is a 6 day window of fertility each cycle! 😲😲 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Join me on Tuesday July 27th @ 2PM ET to learn more about using fertility awareness for birth control!✨ ✨Register now: Link in bio @fertilityfriday or fertilityfriday.com/webinar ✨ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤔Do you know which days of your cycle are fertile? 🤔Can you tell when you ovulate? ✅ Swipe left for more! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ PMID: 7477165 📖 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #FertilityFriday #birthcontrol #thepill #FertilityAwareness #TheFifthVitalSign #womenhelpingwomen #womensupportingwomen #menstruationmatters #hormones #pregnancy #fertility #fertilityawarenessmethod #postbirthcontrolsyndrome #mythsandfacts #womenshealth #periods #NFP #FAM #gaslighting #medicalgaslighting #TheFifthVitalSignBook #periodprobs #periodproblems #periodpain #advocacy #sideeffects #livemasterclass #webinar
    3 days ago
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  • ✨ 2 DAYS TO GO ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣 Masterclass: Preventing Pregnancy Naturally With Fertility Awareness 📣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸 I'm hosting a LIVE (FREE) masterclass ~ Preventing Pregnancy Naturally ~ on July 27th @ 2 PM ET 🩸⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The points I'll be covering:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Fertility awareness basics�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Charting cervical mucus�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍How to interpret your basal body temperature (BBT)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �📍Demystifying the cervix�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍How to confirm ovulation�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Managing your fertile window�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Strategies for balancing hormones & maintaining a healthy cycle⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �📍Boosting progesterone production in the luteal phase⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Register to join us!✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨ Link is in my bio: @fertilityfriday or go to ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💻 fertilityfriday.com/webinar 💻 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Join us live for your opportunity to participate in the live Q&A afterward! If you can't join us live you'll still have an opportunity to watch the replay ... but only if you register!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💬 Can't wait to see you there! Leave a comment below and let me know what you want me to cover in the class!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #FertilityFriday #birthcontrol #thepill #FertilityAwareness #TheFifthVitalSign #womenhelpingwomen #womensupportingwomen #menstruationmatters #hormones #pregnancy #fertility #fertilityawarenessmethod #postbirthcontrolsyndrome #mythsandfacts #feminist #womenshealth #periods #pregnancy #NFP #FAM #gaslighting #medicalgaslighting #periodprobs #periodproblems #periodpain #feminism #advocacy #sideeffects #masterclass #trustyourintuition
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    ✨ 2 DAYS TO GO ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣 Masterclass: Preventing Pregnancy Naturally With Fertility Awareness 📣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸 I'm hosting a LIVE (FREE) masterclass ~ Preventing Pregnancy Naturally ~ on July 27th @ 2 PM ET 🩸⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The points I'll be covering:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Fertility awareness basics�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Charting cervical mucus�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍How to interpret your basal body temperature (BBT)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �📍Demystifying the cervix�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍How to confirm ovulation�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Managing your fertile window�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Strategies for balancing hormones & maintaining a healthy cycle⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �📍Boosting progesterone production in the luteal phase⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Register to join us!✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨ Link is in my bio: @fertilityfriday or go to ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💻 fertilityfriday.com/webinar 💻 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Join us live for your opportunity to participate in the live Q&A afterward! If you can't join us live you'll still have an opportunity to watch the replay ... but only if you register!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💬 Can't wait to see you there! Leave a comment below and let me know what you want me to cover in the class!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #FertilityFriday #birthcontrol #thepill #FertilityAwareness #TheFifthVitalSign #womenhelpingwomen #womensupportingwomen #menstruationmatters #hormones #pregnancy #fertility #fertilityawarenessmethod #postbirthcontrolsyndrome #mythsandfacts #feminist #womenshealth #periods #pregnancy #NFP #FAM #gaslighting #medicalgaslighting #periodprobs #periodproblems #periodpain #feminism #advocacy #sideeffects #masterclass #trustyourintuition
    4 days ago
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  • 🩸 DOES FERTILITY AWARENESS REALLY WORK? 🩸 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Yes, yes it does!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As long as you take the time you need to learn to use the method correctly.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The sympto-thermal method is up to 99.4% effective when used correctly.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It involves charting your cervical mucus, basal body temperature (BBT), and cervical position. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Once you confirm ovulation by cross-checking your cervical mucus and BBT, pregnancy is impossible for the rest of your cycle for 4 important reasons:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. Once you ovulate, the egg only survives for 12-24 hours if not fertilized (so there’s no egg to fertilize!!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. Your cervix closes and fills with a thick mucus plug that prevents sperm from passing through. (so they can’t even get near your uterus/fallopian tubes).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. Your vagina reverts to an acidic pH ~ turning your vag into a sperm killing machine. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 4. After ovulation you produce progesterone, which suppresses further ovulation for the remainder of your cycle.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In other words, you can’t get pregnant once you’ve confirmed ovulation in your cycle! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So what does this mean for you?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔥It’s possible to prevent pregnancy without hormones!🔥⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Join me on Tuesday July 27th @ 2PM ET for a live class all about using fertility awareness for birth control!✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Link @fertilityfriday or fertilityfriday.com/webinar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Do you use fertility awareness for birth control?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸For conception?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸How long have you used it? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Let us know in the comments below! 👇🏾
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    🩸 DOES FERTILITY AWARENESS REALLY WORK? 🩸 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Yes, yes it does!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As long as you take the time you need to learn to use the method correctly.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The sympto-thermal method is up to 99.4% effective when used correctly.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It involves charting your cervical mucus, basal body temperature (BBT), and cervical position. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Once you confirm ovulation by cross-checking your cervical mucus and BBT, pregnancy is impossible for the rest of your cycle for 4 important reasons:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. Once you ovulate, the egg only survives for 12-24 hours if not fertilized (so there’s no egg to fertilize!!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. Your cervix closes and fills with a thick mucus plug that prevents sperm from passing through. (so they can’t even get near your uterus/fallopian tubes).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. Your vagina reverts to an acidic pH ~ turning your vag into a sperm killing machine. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 4. After ovulation you produce progesterone, which suppresses further ovulation for the remainder of your cycle.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In other words, you can’t get pregnant once you’ve confirmed ovulation in your cycle! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So what does this mean for you?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔥It’s possible to prevent pregnancy without hormones!🔥⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Join me on Tuesday July 27th @ 2PM ET for a live class all about using fertility awareness for birth control!✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Link @fertilityfriday or fertilityfriday.com/webinar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Do you use fertility awareness for birth control?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸For conception?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸How long have you used it? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Let us know in the comments below! 👇🏾
    5 days ago
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  • When you use fertility awareness for birth control, it means you've "pulled the goalie" (so to speak). You're not relying on the pill, the patch, the shot, or the IUD to stop you from getting pregnant.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Instead you're relying on your own understanding of how your cycle works — and it only works when you know what you're doing! 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Consider yourself fertile:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✅ On ALL your days of cervical fluid (lotiony or raw egg-white) before ovulation + 3 full days after ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✅ On ALL days of spotting or unusual bleeding before ovulation + 3 full days after⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✅ On any day you are confused or unsure about your observations + 3 full days after⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Consider yourself infertile:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 😍 After you've confirmed ovulation by cross-checking your cervical mucus & BBT (during your postovulatory phase!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 😍 During the evenings of your preovulatory dry days (if your cervical mucus patterns are normal) — assuming you understand the rules and have charted a minimum of 6 full cycles before you move to this stage⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✅ Many symptothermal charting methods add in an additional last infertile day calculation to improve overall efficacy of the method in the preovulatory phase⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How do you manage your fertile window? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Abstain from sex completely⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Use a barrier method: condoms, diaphragm, and cervical cap⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Have “alternative sex”: non-PIV (penis-in-vagina) options include oral sex, manual stimulation, etc.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Withdrawal (“pull-out” method)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Combine one or more of these methods to improve overall efficacy (i.e. diaphragm + withdrawal, etc.)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Join me on Tuesday July 27th @ 2PM ET for a live class all about using fertility awareness for birth control!✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Link @fertilityfriday or fertilityfriday.com/webinar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ➡️ Now I want to hear from you! How do you manage your fertile window? Let us know in the comments below 👇🏾
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    When you use fertility awareness for birth control, it means you've "pulled the goalie" (so to speak). You're not relying on the pill, the patch, the shot, or the IUD to stop you from getting pregnant.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Instead you're relying on your own understanding of how your cycle works — and it only works when you know what you're doing! 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Consider yourself fertile:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✅ On ALL your days of cervical fluid (lotiony or raw egg-white) before ovulation + 3 full days after ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✅ On ALL days of spotting or unusual bleeding before ovulation + 3 full days after⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✅ On any day you are confused or unsure about your observations + 3 full days after⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Consider yourself infertile:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 😍 After you've confirmed ovulation by cross-checking your cervical mucus & BBT (during your postovulatory phase!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 😍 During the evenings of your preovulatory dry days (if your cervical mucus patterns are normal) — assuming you understand the rules and have charted a minimum of 6 full cycles before you move to this stage⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✅ Many symptothermal charting methods add in an additional last infertile day calculation to improve overall efficacy of the method in the preovulatory phase⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How do you manage your fertile window? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Abstain from sex completely⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Use a barrier method: condoms, diaphragm, and cervical cap⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Have “alternative sex”: non-PIV (penis-in-vagina) options include oral sex, manual stimulation, etc.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Withdrawal (“pull-out” method)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Combine one or more of these methods to improve overall efficacy (i.e. diaphragm + withdrawal, etc.)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Join me on Tuesday July 27th @ 2PM ET for a live class all about using fertility awareness for birth control!✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Link @fertilityfriday or fertilityfriday.com/webinar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ➡️ Now I want to hear from you! How do you manage your fertile window? Let us know in the comments below 👇🏾
    5 days ago
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  • 🔍 How effective is fertility awareness? 🔍⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In a study of 900 women who contributed 17,638 cycles the pregnancy rate was 0.6% per 100 women. In other words …⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣 Fertility awareness is up 99.4% Effective when used correctly 📣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍I teach my clients the Symptothermal Method, which involves tracking cervical mucus (CM), basal body temperature (BBT), and cervical position if you're up for it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍To achieve the high efficacy of fertility awareness you need to know what you're doing! You have to understand how to identify which days of your cycle are fertile and which days are not.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍From a scientific perspective, you're only fertile 6 days per cycle, but when using fertility awareness for birth control you need to add a buffer period to confirm ovulation. You also need to learn the birth control “rules” for the method you’re using.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍You’ll also have to decide how you’re going to manage your fertile window! Some women use condoms or withdrawal on fertile days, some use a diaphragm or cervical cap, others abstain from sex entirely or engage in alternate sex (no PIV).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍The study participants were taught a specific method of charting by trained instructors, so you may want to consider working with an instructor if you’re planning to rely on fertility awareness as your primary birth control method!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Join me next week for a live class all about using fertility awareness for birth control!✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Tuesday July 27th @ 2PM ET✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A replay will be sent to everyone who registers!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The link is in my bio @fertilityfriday or head over to fertilityfriday.com/webinar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Do you use fertility awareness for birth control? How do you manage your fertile window? Tell us about it below👇🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊 PMID: 17314078
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    🔍 How effective is fertility awareness? 🔍⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In a study of 900 women who contributed 17,638 cycles the pregnancy rate was 0.6% per 100 women. In other words …⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣 Fertility awareness is up 99.4% Effective when used correctly 📣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍I teach my clients the Symptothermal Method, which involves tracking cervical mucus (CM), basal body temperature (BBT), and cervical position if you're up for it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍To achieve the high efficacy of fertility awareness you need to know what you're doing! You have to understand how to identify which days of your cycle are fertile and which days are not.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍From a scientific perspective, you're only fertile 6 days per cycle, but when using fertility awareness for birth control you need to add a buffer period to confirm ovulation. You also need to learn the birth control “rules” for the method you’re using.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍You’ll also have to decide how you’re going to manage your fertile window! Some women use condoms or withdrawal on fertile days, some use a diaphragm or cervical cap, others abstain from sex entirely or engage in alternate sex (no PIV).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍The study participants were taught a specific method of charting by trained instructors, so you may want to consider working with an instructor if you’re planning to rely on fertility awareness as your primary birth control method!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Join me next week for a live class all about using fertility awareness for birth control!✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Tuesday July 27th @ 2PM ET✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A replay will be sent to everyone who registers!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The link is in my bio @fertilityfriday or head over to fertilityfriday.com/webinar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Do you use fertility awareness for birth control? How do you manage your fertile window? Tell us about it below👇🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊 PMID: 17314078
    7 days ago
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  • 📣 JOIN ME FOR A LIVE MASTERCLASS 📣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Preventing Pregnancy Naturally With Fertility Awareness ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨If you're wondering: 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Is it really effective?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸What if my cycles aren't "regular"?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Is it too time consuming?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸How do I figure out/interpret my mucus, BBT, and cervical position? — You'll love this class!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸There's so much to know! So I'm hosting a LIVE (FREE) masterclass ~ Mastering Fertility Awareness ~ on July 27th @ 2 PM ET 🩸⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'll be covering:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Fertility awareness basics�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Charting cervical mucus�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Interpreting basal body temperature (BBT)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �📍Demystifying the cervix�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍How to confirm ovulation�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Managing your fertile window�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Balancing hormones & maintaining healthy cycles⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �📍Boosting progesterone production in the luteal phase�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �📍And more!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍There will be a live Q&A portion for those who join us on the call!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍A replay will be sent out to everyone who registers (if you can't make it live)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💬 Can't wait to see you there! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Head over to my bio @fertilityfriday to register today!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💻 fertilityfriday.com/webinar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What topics do you want me to cover in the masterclass? Leave a comment below and let me know! 👇🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ FertilityFriday #birthcontrol #thepill #FertilityAwareness #TheFifthVitalSign #womenhelpingwomen #womensupportingwomen #menstruationmatters #hormones #pregnancy #fertility #fertilityawarenessmethod #postbirthcontrolsyndrome #mythsandfacts #feminist #womenshealth #periods #pregnancy #NFP #FAM #gaslighting #medicalgaslighting #periodprobs #periodproblems #periodpain #feminism #advocacy #sideeffects #masterclass #trustyourintuition
    fertilityfriday
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    📣 JOIN ME FOR A LIVE MASTERCLASS 📣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨Preventing Pregnancy Naturally With Fertility Awareness ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨If you're wondering: 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Is it really effective?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸What if my cycles aren't "regular"?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Is it too time consuming?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸How do I figure out/interpret my mucus, BBT, and cervical position? — You'll love this class!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸There's so much to know! So I'm hosting a LIVE (FREE) masterclass ~ Mastering Fertility Awareness ~ on July 27th @ 2 PM ET 🩸⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'll be covering:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Fertility awareness basics�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Charting cervical mucus�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Interpreting basal body temperature (BBT)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �📍Demystifying the cervix�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍How to confirm ovulation�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Managing your fertile window�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Balancing hormones & maintaining healthy cycles⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �📍Boosting progesterone production in the luteal phase�⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �📍And more!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍There will be a live Q&A portion for those who join us on the call!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍A replay will be sent out to everyone who registers (if you can't make it live)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💬 Can't wait to see you there! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Head over to my bio @fertilityfriday to register today!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💻 fertilityfriday.com/webinar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What topics do you want me to cover in the masterclass? Leave a comment below and let me know! 👇🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ FertilityFriday #birthcontrol #thepill #FertilityAwareness #TheFifthVitalSign #womenhelpingwomen #womensupportingwomen #menstruationmatters #hormones #pregnancy #fertility #fertilityawarenessmethod #postbirthcontrolsyndrome #mythsandfacts #feminist #womenshealth #periods #pregnancy #NFP #FAM #gaslighting #medicalgaslighting #periodprobs #periodproblems #periodpain #feminism #advocacy #sideeffects #masterclass #trustyourintuition
    2 weeks ago
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  • ✨Lots of new faces here! ✨ 😃⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For those of you new to my page, WELCOME! I'll take this opportunity to introduce myself (once again!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'm Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, wife and mother of 2 busy boys, Fertility Awareness Educator, author of The Fifth Vital Sign (and the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook!), founder of The Fertility Friday Podcast, creator of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Mentorship program (FAMM), and I’m generally outspoken about all things fertility and vagina-related! 🩸 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My focus is helping women take control of their menstrual cycles—and it all starts with understanding how it all works!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Instead of waiting for our public education systems to teach us what we need to know, I think it's best to jump right in and do it ourselves because ... aint nobody got time for that!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There are so many things we should have been taught growing up ... like ... 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸You can't get pregnant every day of your cycle 🤦🏾‍♀️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Period pain may be common but it's not normal 🤦🏾‍♀️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Depression and low libido are the most common HC side effects 🤦🏾‍♀️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸You can effectively prevent pregnancy without hormones 🤦🏾‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The list just goes on and on...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My latest adventure has been to expand my practice to include high-level training for practitioners through my Fertility Awareness Mastery Mentorship (FAMM) program. I know that many of you want to incorporate fertility awareness charting (i.e. monitoring the fifth vital sign!) into your professional practice, so stay tuned! The next FAMM class begins in January 2022 (details in bio link @fertilityfriday).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Now I want to hear from you!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When did you first discover #fertilityawareness? How long have you been charting? Let us know in the comments below👇🏾
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    ✨Lots of new faces here! ✨ 😃⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For those of you new to my page, WELCOME! I'll take this opportunity to introduce myself (once again!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'm Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, wife and mother of 2 busy boys, Fertility Awareness Educator, author of The Fifth Vital Sign (and the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook!), founder of The Fertility Friday Podcast, creator of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Mentorship program (FAMM), and I’m generally outspoken about all things fertility and vagina-related! 🩸 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My focus is helping women take control of their menstrual cycles—and it all starts with understanding how it all works!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Instead of waiting for our public education systems to teach us what we need to know, I think it's best to jump right in and do it ourselves because ... aint nobody got time for that!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There are so many things we should have been taught growing up ... like ... 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸You can't get pregnant every day of your cycle 🤦🏾‍♀️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Period pain may be common but it's not normal 🤦🏾‍♀️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸Depression and low libido are the most common HC side effects 🤦🏾‍♀️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🩸You can effectively prevent pregnancy without hormones 🤦🏾‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The list just goes on and on...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My latest adventure has been to expand my practice to include high-level training for practitioners through my Fertility Awareness Mastery Mentorship (FAMM) program. I know that many of you want to incorporate fertility awareness charting (i.e. monitoring the fifth vital sign!) into your professional practice, so stay tuned! The next FAMM class begins in January 2022 (details in bio link @fertilityfriday).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Now I want to hear from you!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When did you first discover #fertilityawareness? How long have you been charting? Let us know in the comments below👇🏾
    2 weeks ago
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  • IVF v.s. IUI? Clomid vs Letrozole?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍IUI completely bypasses your cervix and cervical mucus (CM) & places sperm directly into your uterus. The two most common drugs used in an IUI cycle are Clomid and letrozole. Clomid is associated with higher rates of miscarriage, thinning the endometrial lining, and decreasing CM production 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍IVF involves extracting eggs, retrieving sperm, putting them together, and creating embryos. The embryos are then directly implanted into the uterus.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ AGE unfortunately plays a huge role in the success rates of both of these procedures.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍One study on IUI success rates found that women under 25 had a significantly higher conception rate (20%) compared to women in their 30s (10%) – with an average success rate of 10% per cycle (1 in 10). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍The success rates of IVF are generally much higher with women under 35 having a 33% live birth rate per IVF cycle, and women over 35 ranging from 5 to 16% live birth rate depending on age. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅When considering IUI or IVF there are a few questions to consider asking:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍What are the conception rates compared to the live birth rates? How many pregnancies end in miscarriage?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍What are the success rates for someone in your age range specifically? Getting a general figure doesn’t always give the full picture⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍What are the side effects associated with the medications that will be used? Is it possible to use a lower dosage successfully?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Knowledge is power, so always ask as many questions as you can to get the most complete information possible.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ More on IUI and IVF in CH 17 of #TheFifthVitalSign 📚 and also in my latest podcast episodes:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/373 & fertilityfriday.com/372 🎧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Let us know if you've done IUI/IVF below👇🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *PMID: 24771935 & IVF stats from the CDC (see CH 17 of The FVS)
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    IVF v.s. IUI? Clomid vs Letrozole?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍IUI completely bypasses your cervix and cervical mucus (CM) & places sperm directly into your uterus. The two most common drugs used in an IUI cycle are Clomid and letrozole. Clomid is associated with higher rates of miscarriage, thinning the endometrial lining, and decreasing CM production 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍IVF involves extracting eggs, retrieving sperm, putting them together, and creating embryos. The embryos are then directly implanted into the uterus.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ AGE unfortunately plays a huge role in the success rates of both of these procedures.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍One study on IUI success rates found that women under 25 had a significantly higher conception rate (20%) compared to women in their 30s (10%) – with an average success rate of 10% per cycle (1 in 10). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍The success rates of IVF are generally much higher with women under 35 having a 33% live birth rate per IVF cycle, and women over 35 ranging from 5 to 16% live birth rate depending on age. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅When considering IUI or IVF there are a few questions to consider asking:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍What are the conception rates compared to the live birth rates? How many pregnancies end in miscarriage?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍What are the success rates for someone in your age range specifically? Getting a general figure doesn’t always give the full picture⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍What are the side effects associated with the medications that will be used? Is it possible to use a lower dosage successfully?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Knowledge is power, so always ask as many questions as you can to get the most complete information possible.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ More on IUI and IVF in CH 17 of #TheFifthVitalSign 📚 and also in my latest podcast episodes:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/373 & fertilityfriday.com/372 🎧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Let us know if you've done IUI/IVF below👇🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *PMID: 24771935 & IVF stats from the CDC (see CH 17 of The FVS)
    2 weeks ago
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  • 💡We need to talk about the IUD💡⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍The IUD (intrauterine device) is a small T-shaped plastic (hormonal/progestin-infused) or copper (non-hormonal) device that's inserted into your uterus by a doctor or nurse⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍The copper IUD (also called the "coil") causes localized inflammation of the uterine lining which interferes with implantation, and the copper has a spermicidal effect. This makes it an extremely effective non-hormonal contraceptive option⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Some women experience heavier bleeding and more severe period pain/cramping after having their copper IUD placed⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍The progestin-releasing IUDs prevent implantation by maintaining a very thin/flat endometrium, and preventing sperm from passing through the cervix⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍No, the synthetic progestins aren't "localized" (i.e. they don't stay in your uterus) so many women experience side effects from the artificial hormones⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Insertion pain is VERY REAL and many women find it EXCRUTIATING. Did you know you can request a local anesthetic? Discuss this with a GP or nurse beforehand⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here's what a few women said about their insertion experience:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣“The minute or so it took to put in my IUD was the longest minute of my life. I have never ever experienced pain like that before or since. Despite the 3 Advil I took before it was so bad that I almost passed out”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣“The actual insertion was about five seconds of the most intense pain I've ever felt in my life”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣“I felt a ton of pressure combined with what I would describe as the worst period cramp I have ever had. I was yelling/wincing/making noises during the whole procedure”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 Have a listen to these 2 podcast episodes for details:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/365 & fertilityfriday.com/341⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 Also my Pill Reality Series here: fertilityfriday.com/pillreality⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💭 Do you have an IUD? Did you experience INSERTION PAIN? Let us know in the comments👇🏾
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    💡We need to talk about the IUD💡⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍The IUD (intrauterine device) is a small T-shaped plastic (hormonal/progestin-infused) or copper (non-hormonal) device that's inserted into your uterus by a doctor or nurse⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍The copper IUD (also called the "coil") causes localized inflammation of the uterine lining which interferes with implantation, and the copper has a spermicidal effect. This makes it an extremely effective non-hormonal contraceptive option⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Some women experience heavier bleeding and more severe period pain/cramping after having their copper IUD placed⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍The progestin-releasing IUDs prevent implantation by maintaining a very thin/flat endometrium, and preventing sperm from passing through the cervix⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍No, the synthetic progestins aren't "localized" (i.e. they don't stay in your uterus) so many women experience side effects from the artificial hormones⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Insertion pain is VERY REAL and many women find it EXCRUTIATING. Did you know you can request a local anesthetic? Discuss this with a GP or nurse beforehand⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here's what a few women said about their insertion experience:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣“The minute or so it took to put in my IUD was the longest minute of my life. I have never ever experienced pain like that before or since. Despite the 3 Advil I took before it was so bad that I almost passed out”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣“The actual insertion was about five seconds of the most intense pain I've ever felt in my life”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣“I felt a ton of pressure combined with what I would describe as the worst period cramp I have ever had. I was yelling/wincing/making noises during the whole procedure”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 Have a listen to these 2 podcast episodes for details:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/365 & fertilityfriday.com/341⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 Also my Pill Reality Series here: fertilityfriday.com/pillreality⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💭 Do you have an IUD? Did you experience INSERTION PAIN? Let us know in the comments👇🏾
    2 weeks ago
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  • 💭 Have you ever had a migraine? 🤔 If yes, have you ever had a migraine with AURA? 🤔 💭⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Migraine with aura = a severe headache with visual or sensory disturbances—seeing spots, flashes, experiencing numbness/tingling, and/or speech problems like slurring or mumbling words.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍If you answered "yes" then there's a few things you should know:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊 Women who experience mirgaine with visual aura are 1.5X MORE LIKELY to experience ischemic stroke than women who just get "regular" migraines⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊Women who experience 12+ migraine "episodes" per year are at an increased risk of stroke compared to women who don't experience migraines⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊Women on HCs who have a history of migraine are anywhere from 2 to 4X as likely to have a stroke compared non-HC users who experience migraines. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊Women on HCs with a history of migraine, who also SMOKE are at a 7-fold greater risk of ischemic stroke than non-HC users/non-smokers with a history of migraine. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣 In summary, if you have a history of migranes (especially migraine with aura), HCs significantly increase your risk of stroke. If you also smoke, the risk is even greater.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍If you're in the high risk category (i.e. history of migraine with aura while on HCs) consider talking to your doctor to switch from an estrogen-containing contraceptive and/or consider non-hormonal options.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ PMID: 16413849; 17690308⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📚 More in The Fifth Vital Sign (CH 7) 📚⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 Have a listen to this podcast episode: fertilityfriday.com/310⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 And the Pill Reality Series episodes here: fertilityfriday.com/pillreality⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💭Now I want to hear from you! Have you ever had a migraine? If yes, have you experienced a migraine with aura? Are you also taking the pill or a smoker? Let us know in the commets below 👇🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #migraine #stroke
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    💭 Have you ever had a migraine? 🤔 If yes, have you ever had a migraine with AURA? 🤔 💭⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Migraine with aura = a severe headache with visual or sensory disturbances—seeing spots, flashes, experiencing numbness/tingling, and/or speech problems like slurring or mumbling words.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍If you answered "yes" then there's a few things you should know:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊 Women who experience mirgaine with visual aura are 1.5X MORE LIKELY to experience ischemic stroke than women who just get "regular" migraines⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊Women who experience 12+ migraine "episodes" per year are at an increased risk of stroke compared to women who don't experience migraines⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊Women on HCs who have a history of migraine are anywhere from 2 to 4X as likely to have a stroke compared non-HC users who experience migraines. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊Women on HCs with a history of migraine, who also SMOKE are at a 7-fold greater risk of ischemic stroke than non-HC users/non-smokers with a history of migraine. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📣 In summary, if you have a history of migranes (especially migraine with aura), HCs significantly increase your risk of stroke. If you also smoke, the risk is even greater.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍If you're in the high risk category (i.e. history of migraine with aura while on HCs) consider talking to your doctor to switch from an estrogen-containing contraceptive and/or consider non-hormonal options.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ PMID: 16413849; 17690308⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📚 More in The Fifth Vital Sign (CH 7) 📚⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 Have a listen to this podcast episode: fertilityfriday.com/310⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 And the Pill Reality Series episodes here: fertilityfriday.com/pillreality⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💭Now I want to hear from you! Have you ever had a migraine? If yes, have you experienced a migraine with aura? Are you also taking the pill or a smoker? Let us know in the commets below 👇🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #migraine #stroke
    2 weeks ago
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  • 📣 PSSST .... YOU CAN AVOID PREGNANCY WITHOUT HORMONES! 📣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤷🏾‍♀️ If you've been told that your only two options are "on hormonal contraceptives (HCs)" or "pregnant" ... have I got news for you 🧐⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'll go out on a limb and suggest that that little white lie (i.e. non-hormonal birth control methods are "risky" and "ineffective") benefits the pharmaceutical industry more than you 🤦🏾‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💊 HCs are part of a multi-BILLION dollar industry, and the big drug companies only make money when we use their drugs 💊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤷🏾‍♀️ If all women knew that it's absolutely possible to *effectively* prevent pregnancy without hormones, I'm guessing it could lower their bottom line a little 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💸 They wouldn't even lose that much money... Many women would still choose hormonal methods, but many would opt for non-hormonal options — if for no other reason than to avoid the side effects (and keep their libidos intact!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌷One of the things I love most about fertility awareness is that it empowers you to understand how your cycle works. When you know which phases of your cycle are fertile and infertile, it allows you to be extremely intentional with your chosen non-hormonal method during your fertile window. It's not hard to use your chosen non-hormonal methods PERFECTLY to benefit from their perfect-use efficacy rate. It's also not hard to COMBINE METHODS to improve overall effectiveness!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Bottom line? You've got this!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📚 More in #TheFifthVitalSign 📚⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 And also these podcasts episodes: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ fertilityfriday.com/fertilityawareness 🎧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Do you use fertility awareness? How do you manage your fertile window? Let us know in the comments below! 👇🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #FertilityFriday #birthcontrol #thepill #FertilityAwareness #fertility #fertilityawarenessmethod
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    📣 PSSST .... YOU CAN AVOID PREGNANCY WITHOUT HORMONES! 📣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤷🏾‍♀️ If you've been told that your only two options are "on hormonal contraceptives (HCs)" or "pregnant" ... have I got news for you 🧐⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'll go out on a limb and suggest that that little white lie (i.e. non-hormonal birth control methods are "risky" and "ineffective") benefits the pharmaceutical industry more than you 🤦🏾‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💊 HCs are part of a multi-BILLION dollar industry, and the big drug companies only make money when we use their drugs 💊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤷🏾‍♀️ If all women knew that it's absolutely possible to *effectively* prevent pregnancy without hormones, I'm guessing it could lower their bottom line a little 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💸 They wouldn't even lose that much money... Many women would still choose hormonal methods, but many would opt for non-hormonal options — if for no other reason than to avoid the side effects (and keep their libidos intact!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌷One of the things I love most about fertility awareness is that it empowers you to understand how your cycle works. When you know which phases of your cycle are fertile and infertile, it allows you to be extremely intentional with your chosen non-hormonal method during your fertile window. It's not hard to use your chosen non-hormonal methods PERFECTLY to benefit from their perfect-use efficacy rate. It's also not hard to COMBINE METHODS to improve overall effectiveness!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Bottom line? You've got this!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📚 More in #TheFifthVitalSign 📚⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 And also these podcasts episodes: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ fertilityfriday.com/fertilityawareness 🎧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Do you use fertility awareness? How do you manage your fertile window? Let us know in the comments below! 👇🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #FertilityFriday #birthcontrol #thepill #FertilityAwareness #fertility #fertilityawarenessmethod
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  • 💊 BIRTH CONTROL SIDE EFFECTS ... 💊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Have you ever read the insert that comes with your birth control?!?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When you unfold that (GIANT) piece of paper, keep in mind that all of the potential side effects are listed because a real person experienced that exact side effect as a direct result of taking their birth control as directed.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Let's name a few of those comon side effects…⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Depression⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Anxiety⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Panic attacks⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Low Libido⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Painful sex⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Migraines⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Fatigue⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Weight Gain⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Nutrient deficiencies⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Acne⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Gallbladder disease⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Yeast infections/bacterial vaginosis⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Multiple Sclerosis⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Lupus⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍IBS/Crohn's disease/Ulcerative colitis⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Delayed return of fertility⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Deep vein thrombosis/stroke⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Cervical dysplasia/persistent HPV infection⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Increased risk of cervical cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you've experienced side effects you're not alone, and it's not in your head!! 🤦🏾‍♀️ 💊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📚 More in The Fifth Vital Sign (Chapter 7) 📚⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And have a listen to these #PillRealitySeries podcast episodes: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/361 (💊 & anxiety)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/327 (💊 & Multiple sclerosis)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/310 (💊 & stroke)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💭 Have you experienced side effects on the pill? What happened? Let us know in the comments below 👇🏾
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    💊 BIRTH CONTROL SIDE EFFECTS ... 💊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Have you ever read the insert that comes with your birth control?!?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When you unfold that (GIANT) piece of paper, keep in mind that all of the potential side effects are listed because a real person experienced that exact side effect as a direct result of taking their birth control as directed.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Let's name a few of those comon side effects…⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Depression⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Anxiety⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Panic attacks⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Low Libido⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Painful sex⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Migraines⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Fatigue⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Weight Gain⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Nutrient deficiencies⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Acne⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Gallbladder disease⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Yeast infections/bacterial vaginosis⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Multiple Sclerosis⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Lupus⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍IBS/Crohn's disease/Ulcerative colitis⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Delayed return of fertility⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Deep vein thrombosis/stroke⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Cervical dysplasia/persistent HPV infection⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Increased risk of cervical cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you've experienced side effects you're not alone, and it's not in your head!! 🤦🏾‍♀️ 💊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📚 More in The Fifth Vital Sign (Chapter 7) 📚⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And have a listen to these #PillRealitySeries podcast episodes: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/361 (💊 & anxiety)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/327 (💊 & Multiple sclerosis)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/310 (💊 & stroke)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💭 Have you experienced side effects on the pill? What happened? Let us know in the comments below 👇🏾
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  • 🩺 Believe it or not … Doctor's don't know everything ... 🩺⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's important for us to remember that doctors are PEOPLE — like you and I — and that means 2 important things:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1️⃣ They don't know everything about every health-related topic (especially when it comes to resolving menstrual cycle issues 'naturally'), and ...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2️⃣ They sometimes make mistakes ...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We need to get clear on what type of support we can expect from our doctors — and what we can't! I mean, you don't go to Ikea and expect them to rotate your tires. They sell FURNITURE there 🤣 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Doctor's are trained to provide a specific type of medical care — so we shouldn't expect our doctors to ALSO be our nutritionists, naturopaths, functional health coaches, and fertility awareness experts!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A few considerations to help you get the best possible care at your doctor's office:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Choose someone who specializes in what you need help with (i.e. fertility issues, thyroid, hormone health, etc.)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Prepare your questions ahead of time — write them down in advance to keep your appointment focused ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Talk their language — describe your symptoms in detail and provide specific data (i.e. how many times? how much? since when? how frequently? etc.)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Ask questions — are there any side effects with that medication/procedure?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Use the "phone a friend" option — you don't need to commit to any course of treatment that day. You can take a week or more to think about it (i.e. "let me talk it over with my sister/partner..")⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Get a second opinion — have another professional look at your results/labwork/ultrasound/x-rays — just to be sure!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ More on this topic in my recent podcast episode with @avivaromm 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/368 🎧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #fertilityawareness #doctors #advice
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    🩺 Believe it or not … Doctor's don't know everything ... 🩺⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's important for us to remember that doctors are PEOPLE — like you and I — and that means 2 important things:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1️⃣ They don't know everything about every health-related topic (especially when it comes to resolving menstrual cycle issues 'naturally'), and ...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2️⃣ They sometimes make mistakes ...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We need to get clear on what type of support we can expect from our doctors — and what we can't! I mean, you don't go to Ikea and expect them to rotate your tires. They sell FURNITURE there 🤣 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Doctor's are trained to provide a specific type of medical care — so we shouldn't expect our doctors to ALSO be our nutritionists, naturopaths, functional health coaches, and fertility awareness experts!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A few considerations to help you get the best possible care at your doctor's office:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Choose someone who specializes in what you need help with (i.e. fertility issues, thyroid, hormone health, etc.)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Prepare your questions ahead of time — write them down in advance to keep your appointment focused ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Talk their language — describe your symptoms in detail and provide specific data (i.e. how many times? how much? since when? how frequently? etc.)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Ask questions — are there any side effects with that medication/procedure?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Use the "phone a friend" option — you don't need to commit to any course of treatment that day. You can take a week or more to think about it (i.e. "let me talk it over with my sister/partner..")⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Get a second opinion — have another professional look at your results/labwork/ultrasound/x-rays — just to be sure!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ More on this topic in my recent podcast episode with @avivaromm 🎧 fertilityfriday.com/368 🎧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #fertilityawareness #doctors #advice
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  • ✨ Did you know that if you don't eat enough, your hormone production goes down? ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Your ovaries produce estrogen as your ovarian follicles develop in preparation for ovulation. Low estrogen production can be a sign of impaired follicular development. Estrogen is responsible for:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Building the endometrium⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Fertile quality cervical mucus production⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Triggering ovulation (via the LH surge)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Progesterone is also produced in the ovaries via the corpus luteum and is responsible for:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Preparing the uterine lining for pregnancy⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Sustaining the uterine lining in the luteal phase⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Balancing the proliferative effects of estrogen⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤷🏾‍♀️ So why does the amount of food you eat impact your estrogen & progesterone production?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊 A 2010 study found that women who restricted calories 20-35% below their daily energy requirements produced SIGNIFICANTLY LESS estrogen and progesterone — even though their cycles remained ovulatory. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The amount of FOOD the participants ate played a direct role in their level of ovarian hormone production. In other words, you need to eat enough to fuel your body and maintain balanced hormones — especially on exercise days!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 Have a listen to my recent podcast episode with @kittyblomfield for additional details on how to optimize your exercise routine, and eating habits in a way that doesn't mess with your menstrual cycle! fertilityfriday.com/370 🎧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💬 What have you done to make sure you're getting enough to eat on exercise days? Have you experienced menstrual cycle issues related to exercise or under-eating? Tell us about it in the comments below 👇🏾 ...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #overexercise #dietculture #undereating #fifthvitalsign⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ PMID 20605898
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    ✨ Did you know that if you don't eat enough, your hormone production goes down? ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Your ovaries produce estrogen as your ovarian follicles develop in preparation for ovulation. Low estrogen production can be a sign of impaired follicular development. Estrogen is responsible for:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Building the endometrium⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Fertile quality cervical mucus production⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Triggering ovulation (via the LH surge)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Progesterone is also produced in the ovaries via the corpus luteum and is responsible for:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Preparing the uterine lining for pregnancy⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Sustaining the uterine lining in the luteal phase⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅Balancing the proliferative effects of estrogen⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤷🏾‍♀️ So why does the amount of food you eat impact your estrogen & progesterone production?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📊 A 2010 study found that women who restricted calories 20-35% below their daily energy requirements produced SIGNIFICANTLY LESS estrogen and progesterone — even though their cycles remained ovulatory. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The amount of FOOD the participants ate played a direct role in their level of ovarian hormone production. In other words, you need to eat enough to fuel your body and maintain balanced hormones — especially on exercise days!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 Have a listen to my recent podcast episode with @kittyblomfield for additional details on how to optimize your exercise routine, and eating habits in a way that doesn't mess with your menstrual cycle! fertilityfriday.com/370 🎧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💬 What have you done to make sure you're getting enough to eat on exercise days? Have you experienced menstrual cycle issues related to exercise or under-eating? Tell us about it in the comments below 👇🏾 ...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #overexercise #dietculture #undereating #fifthvitalsign⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ PMID 20605898
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  • 📣 Do you eat enough on exercise days?📣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One of the quickest ways to throw your menstrual cycle out of whack is by not eating enough — especially on exercise days!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🛑 Women require sufficient protein, fat, and carbohydrates (i.e. sufficient energy) each and every day to sustain normal menstrual cycle parameters and normal hormone production. Period.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💭 When you deprive your body of sufficient energy on a regular basis you may start to see issues in your menstrual cycle, such as:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Delayed ovulation/incresed cycle length⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Premenstrual spotting/bleeding⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Short luteal phase (10 days or less)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Increased PMS symptoms⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Low progesterone⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Low estrogen⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Reduced cervical mucus production (due to reduced hormone production!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A few bad habits that could be making things worse:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Drinking coffee for "breakfast" ~ coffee is an appetite suppressant, so coffee first thing in the morning often allows you to go longer without eating⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Skipping breakfast altogether (and calling it "intermittent fasting") ~ women who skip breakfast are less likely to consume sufficient overall calories throughout the day⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Not eating enough protein ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Contrary to everything we've been told about weight loss, you need to EAT MORE on exercise days to compensate for your increased energy expenditure⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 If you have a strenuous exercise routine and eat the same amount that you do on regular days (or if you skip breakfast, and swap your first meal of the day for coffee!) you're likely under-eating. Tracking your menstrual cycle is one of the best ways to determine if your body is getting what it needs. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 Check out my recent podcast episode with @kittyblomfield to learn more: fertilityfriday.com/370 🎧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tell us what you do to ensure you're eating enough—especially on exercise days!👇🏾
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    📣 Do you eat enough on exercise days?📣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One of the quickest ways to throw your menstrual cycle out of whack is by not eating enough — especially on exercise days!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🛑 Women require sufficient protein, fat, and carbohydrates (i.e. sufficient energy) each and every day to sustain normal menstrual cycle parameters and normal hormone production. Period.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💭 When you deprive your body of sufficient energy on a regular basis you may start to see issues in your menstrual cycle, such as:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Delayed ovulation/incresed cycle length⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Premenstrual spotting/bleeding⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Short luteal phase (10 days or less)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Increased PMS symptoms⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Low progesterone⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Low estrogen⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Reduced cervical mucus production (due to reduced hormone production!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A few bad habits that could be making things worse:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Drinking coffee for "breakfast" ~ coffee is an appetite suppressant, so coffee first thing in the morning often allows you to go longer without eating⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Skipping breakfast altogether (and calling it "intermittent fasting") ~ women who skip breakfast are less likely to consume sufficient overall calories throughout the day⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Not eating enough protein ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 Contrary to everything we've been told about weight loss, you need to EAT MORE on exercise days to compensate for your increased energy expenditure⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔅 If you have a strenuous exercise routine and eat the same amount that you do on regular days (or if you skip breakfast, and swap your first meal of the day for coffee!) you're likely under-eating. Tracking your menstrual cycle is one of the best ways to determine if your body is getting what it needs. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎧 Check out my recent podcast episode with @kittyblomfield to learn more: fertilityfriday.com/370 🎧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tell us what you do to ensure you're eating enough—especially on exercise days!👇🏾
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  • As you can imagine, my inbox has been filling up with questions about "the shot." If you've been following for me for awhile, you know that I talk about hormonal contraceptives A LOT. I talk openly about the side effects and challenges women experience on them.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I get push back from time to time about it. The most common objections include⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍You shouldn't talk about birth control side effects because you'll dissuade women from using them⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Some women don't experience any side effects, and⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Many women need birth control to control their symptoms i.e. severe period pain, PMDD, etc.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ All valid! Talking about birth control side effects CAN dissuade women from using them (in some cases). Many women don't experience side effects that deeply impact their lives (or at least don't perceive it at the time), and many women DO benefit from the symptom-relief they experience when they take the pill.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The difference is that hormonal contraceptives have been on the market since 1960. That's 60 YEARS of data we can draw from. There are literally tens of thousands of research articles available to us on virtually every possible issue from nutrient deficiencies, mood disorders, and painful sex to autoimmune disorders (lupus, Crohn's, thyroid), cancer, and everything in between.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We can disagree all we want over birth control, but at least we have real-world data⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As for the current situation — we don't have 60 years worth of real-world data to guide us. For that reason, I'm skeptical of anyone who says, with 100% certainty, that we KNOW one way or another what the possible outcomes will be.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When I'm asked about the possible effects — long or short term — regarding the menstrual cycle, fertility, and the future — the most honest answer is that we don't really know yet. We'll learn more as the data comes out. What do you think❓Let us know below👇🏾
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    As you can imagine, my inbox has been filling up with questions about "the shot." If you've been following for me for awhile, you know that I talk about hormonal contraceptives A LOT. I talk openly about the side effects and challenges women experience on them.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I get push back from time to time about it. The most common objections include⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍You shouldn't talk about birth control side effects because you'll dissuade women from using them⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Some women don't experience any side effects, and⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Many women need birth control to control their symptoms i.e. severe period pain, PMDD, etc.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ All valid! Talking about birth control side effects CAN dissuade women from using them (in some cases). Many women don't experience side effects that deeply impact their lives (or at least don't perceive it at the time), and many women DO benefit from the symptom-relief they experience when they take the pill.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The difference is that hormonal contraceptives have been on the market since 1960. That's 60 YEARS of data we can draw from. There are literally tens of thousands of research articles available to us on virtually every possible issue from nutrient deficiencies, mood disorders, and painful sex to autoimmune disorders (lupus, Crohn's, thyroid), cancer, and everything in between.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We can disagree all we want over birth control, but at least we have real-world data⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As for the current situation — we don't have 60 years worth of real-world data to guide us. For that reason, I'm skeptical of anyone who says, with 100% certainty, that we KNOW one way or another what the possible outcomes will be.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When I'm asked about the possible effects — long or short term — regarding the menstrual cycle, fertility, and the future — the most honest answer is that we don't really know yet. We'll learn more as the data comes out. What do you think❓Let us know below👇🏾
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