Blog & Articles

Let's face it - periods are given a bit of a bad rap. For decades, we have been told that our periods are inconvenient, messy, unhygienic and don't serve any real purpose. 

The female reproductive system works cyclically in a pattern of infertility, then fertility, then infertility again. When you learn a fertility awareness-based method, you learn to identify the signs that will tell you when you are approaching your time of fertility.

3 things you need to know about Progesterone.

Fertility awareness-based methods do not have the best reputation for managing fertility

The Creighton Method is often known as the mucus method. This is because it requires monitoring of cervical mucus alone to track fertility.

Here are 4 lesser-known facts about your menstrual cycle. 

Fertility awareness-based methods or FABMs are an effective way of using the information that a woman's reproductive system is telling her (through certain markers) to monitor gynaecological health. 

Painful and heavy periods? Chronic pelvic pain? Nausea, vomiting and fatigue during your periods? Diarrhoea and painful defecation during your period? These are all signs of endometriosis.

Endless cycles? Almost continuous mucus? Unsure when you are ovulating? Difficulty conceiving? Facial hair/acne? Do any of these apply to you? If so, you could have PCOS.

Do you ever feel that just before your period, you become a different person? You feel less in control of your emotions, tearful, irritable or with sudden cravings for chocolate or just plain bloated?

Progesterone is the hormone that dominates your cycle post ovulation. It has so many functions...

For some women, their natural cycles can return within a few months of stopping hormonal contraception. However, for many women it can take a lot longer for cycles to return and to become regular.

As I have experienced myself and have heard through many friends and clients, cycle charting becomes a way of life with many unexpected benefits! 

You are reading this because you are interested in charting using a Fertility Awareness Based Method. 

I remember the first time I heard about Fertility Awareness Based Methods or Natural Family Planning as it was more commonly known then. 

You’ve made the decision – you and hormonal contraception are parting ways.

With so much in popular media about the menopause recently, this article seeks to explore how using a Fertility Awareness Based Method can help!

Endometriosis is a menstrual disorder in which endometrial deposits (tissue similar to the lining of the womb) grows outside of the womb. This tissue is most commonly found within the pelvic area – for example on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel and bladder but it can also be found in a variety of other locations including the lung, renal tract, diaphragm, skin and liver.

Learn more about your body and how to avoid the worst effects of its monthly cycles! 

Is Pre-Menstrual Syndrome Real?

Yes! Pre-Menstrual Syndrome is a condition in which several emotional, behavioural and physical symptoms begin 4 or more days before the menstrual period. The table below lists some of these symptoms. It occurs cyclically, can be debilitating and a lot of women suffer greatly as a result.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition of infrequent or no ovulation which causes infertility and metabolic dysfunction. It affects 5-20% of women of reproductive age with between 50 – 75% of cases being undiagnosed.