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Hormones, Nutrition, Reproductive Health

Learning Your Body With Fertility Awareness Methods

September 13, 2017 By Robyn 49 Comments

I realize that talking about birth control, periods and things related to a woman’s reproductive system is not only sensitive, but controversial at times. I write these posts because I wish I would have been more educated on my own body when I was in my teens and early twenties so I could make the best decision that was best for me. I went almost 10 years thinking not having a period unless I was taking hormonal birth control was “just fine” and in retrospect…it was anything but fine.

These posts are not meant to be a sociopolitical or religious conversation, or a position on women’s rights or feminism, nor am I trying to tell you what to do with your own reproductive health. My goal is to educate. Because I believe in informed consent and your right to know all your options so you can make a decision that is right for YOU.

This post on FAM (Fertility Awareness Methods) is for your knowledge and education. For a short summary on other methods of contraception (birth control pills, patches, rings, IUDs etc) read here. By reading this post I hope you walk away more knowledgeable about your body, more empowered when it comes to your reproductive health and simply a little more fascinated by the female body…because it is so complex, yet impressive and awesome. 🙂

natural birth control

Birth control pills, patches and rings, IUDs, shots and implants are 99% effective (give or take a few tenths of a percent) when used perfectly. Male condom use is 98% effective when used perfectly and FAM is 95-97% effective when used perfectly. Of course, there is always human error, so the more room for error, the less effective these methods become. The efficacy of birth control pills, patches and rings decreases to around 92% when you account for this error…something we call “actual use.” The Depo Provera shot and IUDs have minimal error involved, therefore the “actual use” and perfect use efficacy are relatively the same. Male condom use efficacy drops to 85% when accounting for human error and FAM drops to 75% when accounting for error. FAM involves more factors and human interpretation which can create more room for error. So while I think it’s really important to know that, I think it’s also important to know that the more you learn your body and use FAM accurately, the closer the efficacy of this method is to that 95-97% range.

FAM isn’t right for every woman, but it is an option for every woman. My hope is simply to provide information. Regardless of whether you’re married or single or a mom or never plan on becoming pregnant, FAM can be a liberating way for us women to learn our bodies and menstrual cycles, enabling us to work with our bodies instead of against them.

Okay, so…

WHAT EXACTLY IS FAM?

In essence, FAM is a method for tracking your menstrual cycle so you know exactly when you’re ovulating….aka when you’re ovaries release an egg each month.

The days leading up to ovulation are considered “fertile” days and these are the days you’re most likely to get pregnant. If you don’t want to get pregnant you can either 1) not have sex or 2) use a barrier method, like condoms. There are a handful of different FAMs that can help you in tracking ovulation. You don’t have to use all of them, you can use just 1 or a couple, but the more you use the better picture you will have of your fertility so you can predict ovulation. To increase efficacy, I high recommend tracking in an app with both temperature, symptoms and cervical mucus monitoring. Natural Cycles is an app I like. There are many to pick from.

Also important, keep in mind that FAM does not protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and neither do hormonal forms of birth control nor the copper IUD. Use condoms (or of course, don’t have sex) if you want protection against STIs.

TYPES OF FERTILITY MONITORING

  1. temperature – this involves taking your temperature with a basal thermometer right when you wake up, before you even step out of bed in the morning
  2. cervical mucus monitoring – this is where you get intimate with your vagina and check your cervical mucus aka your vaginal discharge every day
  3. calendar charting – you chart your menstrual cycle on a calendar…but now that it’s 2017, by calendar I mean an app (here is a roundup of several apps to choose from based on your individual needs) or stick with good old fashion paper 

In order to use FAM, you’ve got to know about your menstrual cycle. This could be something you know, but if you don’t…here it is in a nutshell. In order to get pregnant a sperm has to fertilize an egg. There are days when this is possible and those days are called your fertile days. Each month your ovary releases an egg into your fallopian tube, known as ovulation, and that egg hangs out there for 12-24 hours. Sperm can hang out in the uterus/fallopian tube for up to five (yes five!) days after you have sex. And if the sperm fertilizes the egg…that egg makes its way into your uterus and attaches to the uterine wall, and thus pregnancy. No sperm to fertilize the egg and you end up getting your period.

Since an egg sticks around for about a day after ovulation and sperm hang around for up to five days after sex, that means you’re potentially fertile for 7-9ish days per menstrual cycle (the five days before you ovulate, the day you do ovulate, and possibly the day after ovulation.

menstrual cycle

TEMPERATURE METHOD

For this, you’ll need a basal thermometer since changes in temperature are very subtle throughout your cycle. Your body temp is lower in the first part of your cycle (the follicular phase) and then you see a slight rise when you ovulate. Typical temps for most women are between 96-98 degrees F and then temperature goes up a touch to 97-99 degrees F when you’re ovulating — a small amount so you need a precise thermometer! After ovulation your temp stays higher until your period. If it continues to stay high past a normal luteal phase length (about 16ish days) then you could be pregnant. Progesterone is responsible for this thermal shift.

For this method you have to take your temp at the same time every day before you do anything. Before you even talk or check your phone, take your temp. Then record it in your app. Over time you’ll begin to see a pattern within your cycle (because the pattern can change from cycle to cycle) Taking your temperature takes like 60 seconds. Also make a note of other factors like crappy sleep, being sick, drinking the night before, stress etc so you know if abnormal rises in temperature are related to other things.

When you see that rise in temperature, that means ovulation has already occurred – typically the day before. So I would not recommend using temperature as your sole indicator of fertility or not — if you want until your temp rises to avoid sex, you will have already ovulated and therefore, pregnancy could have very much occurred already. Use temp to help you interpret other subjective signs like cervical mucus and cervical position. Keep in mind that you should track your temp for 3 solid months before relying on this method.

CERVICAL MUCUS MONITORING

I find this method to be the most fascinating. Vaginal discharge is thought of as gross, weird, awkward to talk about…. but it can tell you so much about your menstrual cycle. So get cozy.

The hormones that control your menstrual cycle (primarily estrogen) also cause your cervix to produce mucus which then exits your vagina as discharge. This method involves checking your mucus daily and adding it to your app (or paper charting it if you want to be old school) The changes in your mucus let you know where you’re at in your cycle.

So how do you check your cervical mucus? Well, you feel (yes feel) and look at your discharge every day. After your period stops completely is when you start tracking. If you don’t care to actually touch your discharge, then simply look at the color and texture of the discharge in your underwear. If you really want to get up close and personal with your discharge, you can either wipe before you go pee and then check the color and texture on the toiler paper (use white tp) or you can place your clean fingers into your vaginal opening and check the color/texture of the mucus on your fingers. Any of these ways works.

A few things to note: record everything you see and feel with your mucus and record it in your app or chart. Before relying on this method, chart your mucus for at least one entire cycle. (I prefer 2-3 cycles so you can get the hang of it)

So what should your cervical mucus feel like and what can your mucus tell you?

  • When you’re on your period, the blood flow makes it impossible to notice your mucus. Sperm live for up to five days so if you have sex towards the end of your period and then ovulate on the early side, those sperm could potentially live long enough for you to conceive 5 days later. So all that to say, it’s not likely you’d be fertile during your period, but it’s not impossible.
  • When your period ends, there are typically a few days after where you won’t notice any discharge and these are called dry days aka non fertile days.
  • As an egg begins to ripen, your body produces more mucus as ovulation gets closer. You’ll notice this mucus is yellow, white or cloudy in color and it feels sticky. Almost tacky. Kind of like drying lotion. Then it transitions to a creamy, milky yellow or white color that looks like hand lotion. You’re sightly fertile on these days.
  • Right before ovulation is when you’ll notice the most mucus, it’s clear in color and slippery, like a raw egg white consistency that can be stretched between your fingers. These are highly fertile days when you’re most likely to get pregnant.
  • After about 3-4 “egg white” days then you’ll suddenly notice less mucus that becomes that yellow, cloudy color and sticky again, followed by 3-4 more dry days with no discharge. These DRY days are again, non fertile days. Then you get your period at the end of these days and the cycle starts again

cervical mucus

THE KEY with CMM is that no cycle is the same. Your mucus varies from day to day depending on several factors. For example, if you’re highly stressed or maybe you ran a half marathon…you might find you ovulate later that month. If you’re on vacation or maybe you take a break from formal exercise…you might ovulate sooner. You’ll see a later or earlier temperature shift as well if you’re monitoring temp.

Also keep in mind that breastfeeding, the morning after pill or other recent birth control, douching, STIs and vaginal infections can cause changes in your mucus and make CMM difficult to monitor.

TAKEAWAY POINT: if you see mucus, you’re possibly fertile and need to either use a barrier method or not have sex if you don’t plan on getting pregnant. If you want to conceive, then have at it!

THE CALENDAR METHOD

I’m not going to post much about this method here, since I actually find it to involve too much math (I need simple stuff) and not very accurate. The calendar method can only predict days that are mostly likely fertile vs non fertile. Unlike CMM and taking your temperature which tells you exactly what is going on with your body that particular cycle, the calendar method is a predictability method based on previous cycles. Your life changes from month to month (stress, physical activity, eating patterns, sleep, sickness etc) so unless all the variables are the same (which is nearly impossible) the calendar method alone is isn’t very reliable. It can help you predict when to look for changes in cervical mucus and your temperature though if you find that helpful!

IN ADDITION to tracking your cervical mucus and temperature, I recommend noting things like PMS symptoms, breast tenderness, exercise, sleep, swings in your food intake etc so you have a better picture of how your reproductive parts are working.

Some of you might be reading this thinking, what in the world Robyn?? This is so gross. I know it might seem that way because we are taught this stuff is shameful and women aren’t educated enough on how their bodies work. But I think having knowledge about how your body works isn’t gross, but rather empowering. And it’s your right.

cervical mucus

I know and acknowledge that 1) FAM is not right for every woman and 2) there are other non hormonal methods that might be a better option for some women (condoms, copper IUD, etc) and 3) some women feel best with hormonal birth control.

If you want to get to know your body better so you feel more confident knowing what is abnormal vs normal for your body, FAM is a tool out there to connect you with your body and allow you to be more in tune with what’s happening from month to month. For some women, this is just what they need. For others, not so much.

I hope this is helpful as you decide what’s best for your health!


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

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  • What Your Period Can Tell You About Your HealthWhat Your Period Can Tell You About Your Health
  • Things You Might Not Know About Your Reproductive Health & HormonesThings You Might Not Know About Your Reproductive Health & Hormones

Filed Under: Hormones, Nutrition, Reproductive Health

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Comments

  1. Kate says

    September 13, 2017 at 6:48 am

    Thank you for writing this all out. I’ve tried reading about this before but end up getting confused, but this is so clear. I’ve always been intrigued with this idea, but too terrified of becoming pregnant to try it! Condoms are the best thing for us right now, but I definitely see a time in our future where I will want to try this.

    Reply
  2. Annie says

    September 13, 2017 at 7:03 am

    This is so interesting thank you!
    It’s only now that I have a copper IUD that I have really been noticed all this about my body.

    I was wondering if it’s possible for some women to have a tiny bit of blood in their mucus while they are ovulating? It happens to me occasionally for maybe 1-2 days. Nothing like a period just a hint of red in the mucus close to ovulation. I have had tests and nothing test came back so just wondering.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      September 13, 2017 at 10:20 am

      Hi Annie! Just wanted to tell you that I had a copper IUD for a while and I almost always had a slight amount of blood around the time I ovulated. I also would feel a little crampy. Hope that helps you feel a little at ease! 🙂

      Reply
      • Annie says

        September 13, 2017 at 9:34 pm

        Hi katie!
        Thank you for your input, it is appreciated.
        I was wondering if it had anything to do with the IUD as I’d never had that on the pill.
        I also feel a little crampy around that time too so its nice to know it happens to other people 🙂

        Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 5:02 pm

      this is not uncommon annie – when the follicle ruptures to release an egg it can cause a trace of blood. But double check with your doc!

      Reply
  3. Lindsay says

    September 13, 2017 at 7:35 am

    This post is so interesting to me & I learned so much from it, so thank you for writing this Robyn. I honestly had no knowledge of this beforehand & it’s obviously something SUPER important to know about. I have had issues with getting my period naturally, so these posts have made me really stop & realize that having a fake period each month from birth control isn’t normal. Since these posts, I have gotten off & am trying to figure out and track what is going on with my body (also going back to my OBGYN) but if it weren’t for you & these posts, I wouldn’t have stopped to think that being relying on birth control to get a period is abnormal. I want to have kids in a few years & I need to get this figured out now. Our bodies are so smart & I think FAM is awesome. THANK YOU!!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 5:00 pm

      Lindsay! I’m so glad you have found the posts helpful! Thinking of you on this journey!

      Reply
  4. Sarah says

    September 13, 2017 at 9:34 am

    Thanks for explaining a topic that often gets overlooked in the area of female reproductive health. As a fellow nurse and DNP student doing my research and project work in reproductive health services, I appreciate more attention being brought to this topic, while taught in conjunction to the full spectrum of birth control options. One thing that you missed pointing out that I think is super important is that FAM offers no STI protection. Yes, most women who use this method are probably married or in a long-term relationship and not concerned about STIs, but as a health care provider I think its important to cover everything, including STI protection, when discussing birth control options.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 13, 2017 at 12:55 pm

      great point! I will edit the post to ensure I include that – I tried to go over it to make sure nothing was missing but missed this. Thank you for pointing that out Sarah!

      Reply
  5. Rachel says

    September 13, 2017 at 9:58 am

    I am SO thankful you actually talk about this stuff! I’ve struggled over the last year with some vaginal issues and not one of my OBGYNs has ever mentioned the FAM methods when I’ve brought up birth control. It wasn’t until I ended up going to pelvic floor physical therapy that it was suggested. Women in general should be educated on this and I’m so glad you take the time to discuss it!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 4:59 pm

      thanks for reading rachel!

      Reply
  6. Whitney says

    September 13, 2017 at 10:39 am

    Thank you so much for this! I’ve been wanting learn about this for some time now. It’s great to know there are different effective methods of preventing pregnancy besides birth control. Please continue to use this blog as a way to educate your readers in a way their providers might not be. Your amazing Robyn, thank you.

    Reply
  7. Sarah says

    September 13, 2017 at 10:44 am

    Hey Robyn, I hope this isnt tmi but i was wondering if its normal to get discharge everyday? I do and Im not sure if that is healthy or not.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 4:59 pm

      I would encourage you to get checked out by your primary care doc (if they do women’s health) or GYN….you should have some dry days usually but I dont’ know much about your situation so don’t want to give false information!

      Reply
  8. Amber @ Bloom Nutrition Therapy says

    September 13, 2017 at 11:59 am

    I think you are AWESOME for writing such an educational post. I honestly feel like Sex Ed classes would benefit from printing out this post to hand out to young women! And you are so right. We often are never taught or told any of this. I know you said you didn’t want to get political, but I could go on all day about how I believe this hesitancy to teach women about their bodies is just another way to make us feel ashamed of them and as if there’s something we should hide. Maybe if more information was out there like this, then it wouldn’t be so taboo. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Paige says

      September 14, 2017 at 7:11 pm

      In my opinion I do not think that the reason FAM is talked about less than other birth control methods is because anyone is trying to shame women or their bodies. I guess I’m not feminist enough, but I don’t think all men are out to get us…..

      I think it is more likely because medicine is very focused on treating with pharmaceuticals or a different type of “fix” rather than a more natural method. This in combination with the fact that FAM is a less reliable method than other options.

      (although I definitely wish that adolescents were taught more about their bodies, I am kind of glad that reinforcing that there really are only a few days a month a woman can get pregnant is not common. Think of the number of teens that would think that they were safe from getting pregnant, when they are likely not taking the time to truly track temps and mucous, as well as the fact that periods are not always regular in the teenage years)

      Just my thoughts.

      Reply
      • Robyn says

        September 18, 2017 at 4:46 pm

        Hi Paige! I hear you in that conventional medicine is overall (but not always) quick to prescribe medications than do patient education because 1) there is no money in patient education and 2) insurance hates and reimburse for that and 3) its’ harder to learn a method than take a pill and takes more effort from a provider (and they are worked hard as it is) it’s unfortunate healthcare is set up this way but know that I can agree with your point here.

        I would never recommend FAM for teenagers (on a rare event) because they are not in the mindset (often) to prioritize and put effort into family planning. Teaching condom use and the importance of that (for pregnancy and STI prevention) is a better use of the scarce time we do have. BUT teaching women about their bodies vs using hormonal birth control for issues other than contraception is a whole different ball game.

        I appreciate your thoughts and this conversation! Thank you!

        Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 4:58 pm

      I’m glad you’re enjoying them Amber! I’m not sure if it’s a shame issue or a time issue or perhaps we haven’t figured out the appropriate space to educate (school, home or at the doctor?) but hopefully we will get better at all this!

      Reply
  9. Ritta says

    September 13, 2017 at 1:22 pm

    This was very very well explained. Ever since I recovered from amenorrhea I’ve been learning a lot about FAM. Only a few people teach this and I’m so glad you’re spreading this kind of info out there as well. Thank you

    Reply
  10. Rosamund says

    September 13, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    Much appreciation for this post. You broke it down so well!
    I know some people think this is “gross” but we need to get rid of that stigma because understanding our bodies is so important for our overall health. Female hormones are so fascinating and I always enjoy when you give a little more insight into them. I recently got my period back after three years without it due to an ED. I am wondering if this kind of monitoring can be used when dealing with amenorrhea. My period has only come back once and I am waiting to see if it will return again after four weeks. In the meantime I might try using this method to see if there are any changes in cervical mucus and m body temperature. I am curious as to what is going on inside my body and if I am ovulating despite not having a period.
    Anyway TMI? I hope not! Thanks again 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 4:57 pm

      I agree that we shouldn’t be grossed out too, so the more we talk about it the less that will be the case I hope!
      Yes it can be a good way to monitor what your body is up to …but until you get a “regular” cycle I wouldn’t rely on it for contraception!
      Never TMI 🙂

      Reply
  11. Megan @ A Continual Feast says

    September 13, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    Thank you for these posts!! Love the graphics you made, too. My husband and I were doing paper charting but then it just got too overwhelming. In this post you mentioned that no two cycles are the same, but I learned that they should be the same (or at least within a small range… like always around 28 days or something like that). Is that true? Thanks Robyn!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 4:54 pm

      A cycle that is relatively the same (give or take a few days) is a good thing, but our lives change so basing your fertility on the month prior is not a good thing since things could change from month to month (ex: more stress and you might ovulate later in the month) Plus 28 days is what the textbooks say but 25-35 days is “normal” Every woman is different!

      Reply
  12. Sydney says

    September 13, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    I LOVE these posts!! I think women are very under-educated about the intricacies of their body and reproductive health, so it’s refreshing to finally see someone addressing this! Thank you for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  13. Ashley V says

    September 13, 2017 at 7:40 pm

    While this post isn’t 100% relevant to my life (I’m neither married nor sexually active), I always find your posts about women’s health to be fascinating! I appreciate that you share the knowledge you have, and I hope it works toward making women feel less grossed out by their bodies. I used to be extremely grossed out by this type of thing, but about five years ago I started using a menstrual cup (after having spent about 6 months prior reading about and being grossed out by them), and that has changed everything for me.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 4:52 pm

      I had a patient last week say the Diva Cup CHANGED HER LIFE because she has a heavy flow – so you’re not alone in loving it and being way more comfortable with your body. So happy for you and thanks for sharing Ashley!

      Reply
  14. Andrea says

    September 13, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    Neat post! I used the FAM while trying to get pregnant and it was really neat to see and track all the changes in my body. Now that my little one is here and I’m not trying to conceive I feel more comfortable with a hormonal IUD than FAM. I would be devastated right now if I became pregnant so I really depend on that 99% effectiveness that my IUD offers. Plus with a little one it’s hard enough to find time to have sex … so if the opportunity came up and I had to think about if I was fertile or not or whether we needed a condom … just one less thing I need to think about!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 4:51 pm

      Thank you for sharing what works for you Andrea – different things work for different women and the most important is that it is best for YOU! haha great point about less to think about when the occasion does arise 🙂

      Reply
  15. Faith VanderMolen says

    September 13, 2017 at 9:39 pm

    Before I got married I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and was so bummed that I hadn’t read it earlier! It just helped me understand my body so much better! So glad you’re sharing such helpful information:)

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 4:50 pm

      great book, agreed!

      Reply
  16. Abigail T says

    September 14, 2017 at 12:10 am

    Thanks for educating us. I appreciate you wanting women to be informed about their bodies Our bodies are SO amazing! Also, I love all of the charts related to a menstrual cycle is in one graphic.

    Reply
  17. Julianne Oliver says

    September 14, 2017 at 7:19 am

    I loooove this! I’m not sexually active, but I love the female reproductive system and hormones! So complex and amazing. This post is super informative and empowering, and I love how you talk about our bodies with excitement and pride..as it should be! These things shouldn’t be embarrassing to talk about; us women are incredible 🙂 thanks as always!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 4:47 pm

      <3

      Reply
  18. Katherine says

    September 14, 2017 at 9:37 am

    Thank you for this post, Robyn! Because of your posts on hormones and periods, I have decided to go off the pill and try non-hormonal methods. I am on my first month without the pill and already feel so empowered. I would love to do FAM, but my husband does not want to risk anything right now. We are trying a diaphragm, but I am going to also try the methods you mentioned above so I can understand my body better. The female body is amazing! Thank you for helping me understand my body better!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 4:47 pm

      I am glad you feel empowered! And FAM is not for everyone, but there are other options that don’t involve hormones and I hope you guys find helpful!

      Reply
  19. Nicole @ Laughing My Abs Off says

    September 14, 2017 at 9:46 pm

    This is such a helpful post, and thank you so much for talking about this! I admit I find FAM a tad daunting. I mean it does require more work than some other methods, but I am also very against hormonal contraception, so I think this might just be worth trying for me.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      It is a learning curve for sure – once you get the hang though it’s gets more natural.

      Reply
  20. April says

    September 15, 2017 at 1:01 am

    Thanks for this informative post!!! I have a semi-unrelated (but equally TMI) question— often, whether or not I notice cervical mucus, I experience mucus in my stool. I know you’re not a GI doctor, but do you know what could be causing that/ if that is normal? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      no such thing as TMI 🙂
      mucus in your stool isn’t usually normal so I would ask your GI doc about that!

      Reply
  21. Ellen says

    September 15, 2017 at 11:40 am

    Great post! I’m echoing the other women, but this is definitely an under-discussed topic. I think something else to mention is that’s it’s also important to find a women’s health provider who understands and can help interpret a chart to best address any abnormalities (like the comment about mucous every day), specifically a Napro Technology trained OB. Thankfully there’s an awesome OB close to us in Ft Wayne, IN who understands the different signs of a women’s cycle, and is able to diagnose & treat in a respectable and ethical way. Thanks again for posting! Apologies for my lengthy comment ????

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      Agreed with your comment on informed providers Ellen! I am from IN so this is great that there is one in Ft. Wayne – I would love her name if you email me 🙂

      Reply
  22. Victoria Yates says

    September 15, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    I just loved this post! I was on bc for years previously to help regulate hormones d/t amenorrhea from being underweight. I never had an issue, but once I started recovering weight back after years of orthorexia, I finally got my period back and it was like…”Yes! My body is capable of this amazing thing on its own!” Also, I just got married and tried bc again, but had some uncomfortable side effects this go-around and was looking into FAMs, but was scared about the higher chance of getting pregnant (my husband’s in school right now and we can’t afford a baby/ want to enjoy married life just us for now). Anyways, I’m going to at least try some of the methods you described so beautifully and just see if I can get a better picture of my body!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      September 18, 2017 at 3:06 pm

      So glad that your body recovered! I can relate to your story and I’m so glad yours returned and you have that story to share now 🙂

      Reply
  23. Emily says

    September 18, 2017 at 2:29 am

    It’s so amazing how all these indicators actually help a lot with knowing our bodies and knowing the beset times to try getting pregnant or avoid it if you’re married. I found this fascinating and helpful! Thank you Robyn.

    Reply
  24. Ruth says

    September 19, 2017 at 9:27 pm

    Thank you so much for posting this article! I entirely agree – more information the better, regardless of how your audience may react. There is bound to me and at least one other who didn’t know some/most of what you’ve typed about out there 😉

    One additional question for ya. I’m not sure if this is the place to ask but I’ll be bold. And I’m pretty sure that you have not mentioned this in a previous blog post. (I try to be thorough in my reading prior to asking perhaps a redundant question!) Without giving too many details, I have not had a regular cycle for over a year. However, I still have plenty of vaginal discharge. Do you have any feedback about vaginal fluid when there is no/inconsistent period? While I’ve tried to find answers about that, I find little to nothing as to if the vaginal fluid could provide a ‘clue’ to me about trying to gain back my period.

    I’d prefer to ask you via email but I can’t be the only one with this question. Hopefully this doesn’t push it in your comments section on this blog post. Again, thank you for being so open and providing information for us women!

    Reply
  25. Katie says

    January 31, 2018 at 3:00 am

    Has anyone heard of Natazia (USA) or Qlaira (Europe)? Instead of using the synthetic hormones found in all other birth control pills, Natazia/Qlaira uses bioidentical hormones from plants. I have tried everything from Ortho Evra, to Mirena, to Nuvaring and I had problems with every single form of birth control that used artificial hormones.

    On Natazia/Qlaira I have had no weight gain, no crazy mood swings, no hair thinning, and no real side effects like the other birth controls gave me. Very pleased with Natazia/Qlaira.

    Reply
  26. Karina Kalmbach says

    June 11, 2021 at 9:50 am

    Thank you so much for this article! I’ve tried to do my own research but theres hardly any information on cervical mucus after ovulation. Is this normal? I have a temp rise of .5-.6 in my luteal phase compared to my follicular phase so I know I’ve ovulated but I tend to still have a small amount creamy/.sticky CM after ovulation. Could this be a sign of low progesterone?

    Reply

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    […] with similar values as you, then see who they go to. For example, if you’re interested in the fertility awareness method and you have a friend who uses it, open up a conversation to see who her OB/GYN is and if he or […]

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A non-diet dietitian and nurse practitioner helping women find peace with food, accept their natural body size and heal from hormonal issues and period problems.

More On Lady Hormones

How Birth Control Methods Affect Your Hormones, Period and Fertility

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women's reproductive health

Women’s Reproductive Health 101

I have yet to experience postpartum myself, but I've had many clients and readers that have been through that season of life. Or perhaps you are currently living through the postpartum period. Every woman's body is different, therefore every woman's experience after giving birth will be different. What works for one woman, might not work for the next. While one woman might go through postpartum and adjust to newborn life quiet seamlessly, another woman might find it much more difficult. She might need the support of medication, therapy, extra help and many other things. One way is not better than the other - they are simply two different ways of navigating the postpartum period. I hope this post helps you better care for yourself, whatever that means for you. There's no right or wrong way to care for yourself as a mom or your new baby.

Postpartum Hormones: what’s happening in your body and how to care for yourself

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A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years o A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years of getting to spend so much time with my kids: aka another way I’m discovering some pockets of peace so my heart & mind & soul don’t crumble under the reality of dependent & emotionally dysregulated tiny humans.  About once a week we go somewhere for baked goods. We drive or walk, buy something buttery & then find a beautiful, relatively quiet outdoor spot where the boys can romp and I can sit and think my thoughts while I watch them play. This past week we were found ourselves at the Wool Factory where the boys threw rocks & whatever else off the bridge while I ate 90% of this almond 🥐 from @coucourachou that will blow your mind. Boys ate the other 10% bc they were busy playing and didn’t ask for more quickly enough 😜  I’m finding *for me* playgrounds have a time & place but they aren’t where I enjoy motherhood & my two toddlers the most. Baked goods & a pretty outdoor spot without high drops my 15 month old could launch himself off of…I’m here for it.
I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the boys to hike out at one of our favorite spots last week and when I ripped it open I was regretting my choice to share them with my kids. @baresnacks randomly sent me a box of snacks and I usually eat free food we receive or give it to a friend/neighbor and move on. But I felt it my duty to tell you about these bc they are THAT GOOD. I’m not getting paid and this isn’t sponsored - I was just shocked at how tasty these were and felt you needed to know. We ate them with some buttery roasted nuts and the combo was 👌🏻 but they are good just on their own.  The boys climbed rocks and swam in the reservoir - leave it to my almost 3 year old to want to strip down naked and fully submerge himself in chilly water on a sixty degree morning. “Mama can I get super nakey?” Sure baby. Sure. This is your childhood.
It’s a hard sell to get me to accept an offer of It’s a hard sell to get me to accept an offer of extended alone time away from the babies to just be. And that isn’t something that’s best for me, it’s an area I gotta grow in. So this afternoon when Nick pushed me out the door and was like - get out of here plzzzz - I walked to my favorite cafe and ordered a thick pastrami sandwich and sat there for a good LONG while before taking a long, peaceful walk in the rain to wrap up the afternoon. Note to self: stop being such a control freak and go be by yourself sometimes.
a girlfriend brought me a 🍪 the size of my face a girlfriend brought me a 🍪 the size of my face from @mariebettecafe this morning when she came to get her toddler who played with us all morning and it is v good. even better when paired with an iced latte 😍
#AlignPartner I left off a few weeks ago sharing a #AlignPartner I left off a few weeks ago sharing about how taking @alignprobiotic regularly has improved my digestive regularity.  And I’m still taking them! I’ve permanently added Align 24/7 Digestive Support* into the roundup of supplements I take before bed (prenatal, vitamin D, choline & DHA - all which help keep me healthy while breastfeeding) so I can keep seeing the benefits.  Just because you see benefits, doesn’t mean you should stop taking your probiotic. Keep taking Align daily (under the supervision and recommendation of your health care provider of course) to keep seeing the benefits!  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - one of my favorite parts of Align probiotics is that they don’t need refrigeration AND they come in a convenient little blister pack that has the days labeled. It’s the little things people! #MyAlignGuutJourney #guthealth  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoo I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoon (91 and muggy in MAY 🤯) when a toddler nap was refused and a baby nap was cut wildly short ....so my tired mom brain pulled out two plastic storage bins, filled them up with soap & hose water and striped ‘em down naked in the yard. Two hours later, it was almost time for an early dinner and I had magically been able to sit for most of that time and we already had baths checked off the list. 👍🏻 I’m archiving this idea for my future self, hope it helps another tired mama out.
#AlignPartner I left off a month ago sharing about #AlignPartner I left off a month ago sharing about getting better at doing the basics to care for myself which included taking my supplements and @alignprobiotic regularly.  Probiotics take time to work so I wanted to give it a full month to see the full effects of @alignprobiotic. So here are my honest thoughts: it took a few weeks to notice any differences, but near the end of the month I did notice some changes in my digestive balance - even while traveling! I’m not someone who experiences occasional gas, bloating or abdominal discomfort frequently enough to notice a difference, so I don’t feel like I can comment on how well Align works for those benefits.  All in all though, taking @alignprobiotic was a positive experience and I really appreciated how the capsules don’t need to be stored in the fridge, making it convenient to take them with me anywhere #MyAlignGuutJourney #guthealth  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Where we will spend a good majority of our summer. Where we will spend a good majority of our summer. Because the swampy VA summer has already begun (it’s in the low 90s today 🥵 lord help) and creeks are our retreat - not only from the heat but also from the noisy world. I need this just (if not more) than they do! We’ll be at the splash pads and pools too, but the quietness of the creek...my mental health is so about it. And it’s hours of play for them! Win win.  A couple things to note: this scene also included a few toddler reminders on finding another direction to throw rocks instead of at his brother - so not all is serene 🤪 and also, yes I am now that mom who buys the same clothing for both kids bc it keeps things simple & i think i kinda like it too 🤷🏻‍♀️
Things I love about midwifery among many: the appo Things I love about midwifery among many: the appointments, no matter how long, feel so unhurried. 
Just walked in from an appointment with my midwife because I was due for a Pap test + an overall wellness visit. My last pap was during my first trimester with Cal which feels like a jillion years ago, but it’s only actually been three years. Life changes so fast! Pre-baby life feels like a whole other life.  I’m wayyyy overdue for a visit to my PCP bc I’ve been under OBGYN or midwifery care for the majority of the past three years while having babies, but I am pretty good with keeping up with my paps. It seems women often think they need pap and/or HPV testing way more frequently than they do (and providers sometimes perform these tests more frequently than necessary - remember more testing doesn’t always mean better outcomes!)  So if you need it, here’s a quick little reminder on this chilly spring Friday afternoon on how often you need this testing (these are the recommendations from ACOG)  Women aged 21–29 years should have a Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended.  Women aged 30–65 years should have a Pap test and an HPV test (aka co-testing) every 5 years (preferred). It also is acceptable to have a Pap test alone every 3 years.  If you get abnormal results, this testing frequency could change - but for healthy women with normal results, you actually don’t need testing as frequently as you might think. Which is great news for those of you who hate the speculum.  Ok, off to finish up some things on the to-do list (including cleaning this kitchen) during nap time and then come 5 o’clock, crack an IPA with our neighbors 🍻
#AlignPartner Over the past seven months since bec #AlignPartner Over the past seven months since becoming a mom of two, caring for myself has gotten shoved to the back burner. And it's been a challenge to make it a priority. My routine-resistant personality has upsides and downsides when it comes to motherhood. So I'm starting small this year with a consistent bedtime routine that includes taking my supplements and @alignprobiotic and hoping as that becomes consistent, my mornings will naturally shift too.  In short my bedtime currently goes like this….jammies & face care when putting the babies to bed. Before I go to bed (anytime between 9pm and 12am...) I’ll pump, take my supplements and fill my water. Then I go upstairs and brush my teeth. And then get in bed. The kicker: 70% of the time I find myself finishing up tasks on my phone IN BED. I hate this habit.  Back to supplements. This is something I have been able to stick with. On top of fish oil, my prenatal, choline and vitamin D, I recently added @AlignProbiotic 24/7 Digestive Support*§ to see if it helps with abdominal discomfort and regularity because when I don’t drink coffee or am traveling that can get thrown off.  I’ll be taking it every day for the next 28 days since it takes TIME for our bodies to adjust to probiotics - and I'll be taking you guys along with me as I share my honest thoughts. Many people think if they don’t see changes within the first 7-10 days then the probiotic isn’t working, but that’s not the case. I’m giving myself more than just a week or two and instead a full month to see the full benefits. I’ll keep you posted over the next month. Check out my stories to learn more! #MyAlignGutJourney #guthealth
 
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
We had an AFTERNOON today. Toddler didn’t care f We had an AFTERNOON today. Toddler didn’t care for a nap. Putting baby down was harder than I wanted it to be. Miraculously, I had a moment of clarity as I was covered in tiny humans and decided I wasn’t doing the nap battle thing a on 60 degree, gorgeous, sunny spring day 🙅🏻‍♀️ so I piled both babies into the car half naked, opened the sun roof, put on white noise for them and an audio book for me and drank a kombucha as I drove a meal to a postpartum mama. Thirty five minutes later we had a sleeping baby and a toddler who at least had a rest. Baby transferred without waking HALLELUJAH and although my toddler didn’t nap today (lord help) at least we got soaked in breezy sunshine 😎🤘🏻💆🏻‍♀️
We veered from our usual Friday night homemade piz We veered from our usual Friday night homemade pizza (minus the dough, we leave that to @albemarlebakingco) because we are eating pizza tomorrow with some friends - instead I called my mom and asked her how she makes her chicken fingers and we fried up a big ole batch of chicken nugs 🙌🏻🤤 along with a sheet pan full of sweet potato fries and a simple arugula salad dressed with parmesean, olive oil and s&p. Oh and my moms honey mustard recipe for dipping. It’s SO DANG GOOD.  Over the past 6ish months we’ve been practicing (and practicing and practicing bc it doesn’t come naturally) unplugging from technology and slowing down and resting and just being for one day a week. Some call it Shabbat. Some call it Sabbath. Maybe you call it something different. All I know is IT IS SO GOOD FOR MY WEARY SOUL and the day I look forward to ALL WEEK. Sundown on Friday to sundown Saturday. Nothing but rest. For us that means hiking (or something outside) and napping and reading and being with friends and eating really good food. And drinking some really good wine or craft beer. Sometimes whiskey. 😛  And because I know I’ll get asked about the chicken finger recipe and also because it’s too good not to share and Momma Coale said I could, here ya go:  Cut chicken breast into thin strips or small pieces (I prefer nug size bc the breading to chicken ratio is perfection). Salt and pepper those babies really well. Then dredge them in all purpose flour, then egg, then panko - just like you would bread anything else. Then fry them up in a light oil - I use avocado oil because that’s our everyday oil. You could also use canola or peanut oil. Just fill a pan with an inch or so of oil on medium high heat. They only take 2-3 minutes per side. You can always temp them to make sure they are at least 165 degrees F to really make sure they are done. Dunk in all the sauces and enjoy!  Happy weekend!

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