Things That Could Be Messing With Your Menstrual Cycle

Ok, so I’ve been really into making lists lately. 

And today I wanted to talk about the variety of things that could be messing with your cycle. 

But first, a fun fact. Did you know that only ovulation can be delayed, not your period? I remember back in the day hearing gals tell other gals, “As soon as you stop worrying about your period being late, it will show up.” Basically saying that by stressing over the fact your period had not shown up would somehow delay it from showing up. Oh, and I believed it. 

You can, however, delay ovulation by being stressed out (as well as other things), and that, in turn, will extend your cycle as a whole, making your period late. But as long as you’ve ovulated your cycle is pretty much set from there. 

So, starting with stress, here’s a list of a few things that can mess with your cycle:

+ stress — cortisol is no joke.

+ travel — even if you’re having fun, hurtling your body through different time zones and schedules can throw your cycle out of whack. I should know. 

+ sleep — goes along with the whole cortisol thing. 

+ diet — your hormone production is partially affected by what you eat. 

+ alcohol — having too many drinks can mess things up.

+ exercise — when I was deciding on training for a marathon or not one of my concerns was messing up my cycle with that. 

+ weighing too much, or too little — you want a nice cocktail of hormones for everything to run smoothly in your body. Just like having too little fat/estrogen can mess things up, so can having too much. 

+ medicine — of all varieties can impact your cycle in many ways

+ smoking — worse PMS, less oxygen getting around your body, and messes with most hormones. 

+ sickness — goes back up to the cortisol thing.

+ breastfeeding — from what I hear your hormones can be a bit whacky as it as after giving birth to a baby, but did you know that breastfeeding suppresses your fertility? 

I think the most important take away today is that having a balanced cycle is somewhat of a delicate dance. You need to be taking care of your body. And it’s not that hard. Avoid the things you know are bad for you, sleep more, eat your fruits and veggies, and find your choice of stress-reducing activities to try out. 

Obviously, there are more than just this list. And there are real hormonal imbalances that could be really screwing with how you feel, so don’t just write everything off. If you know something doesn’t feel right go figure out what’s going on.

It might be a simple fix or change you can make, but it also might be something you need help with. 

I just made a video this week about why you should consider charting more than just your basal temperature and cervical fluid. You can go watch that here. 

And if you haven’t heard of or tried out charting for yourself, but are interested in learning more. I have a great course for those new to FAM (Fertility Awareness Method) and the sympto-thermal method more specifically. You can check that out and sign up here!

Have there been things that you’ve noticed impact your cycle? What were/are they and how have you fixed it?  

The Good That Comes From Knowing Your Cycle

Where do I even start!?

I just filmed a video about a few reasons why I love my cycle, which I’ll link so you can go watch. 

An easy simple things that comes from charting is you know when your next period is supposed to come. And this comes in really hand when planning for travel, different events, etc. 

One of the biggest things that comes from charting, and knowing your cycle is that you know when you are fertile. And we all know this comes in really handy when you’re either trying to avoid pregnancy or when you’re trying to conceive a cute little munchkin. 

That will forever be one of the coolest things about FAM for me. That the same exact method is both a birth control method and a pregnancy achievement method. 

If something goes wonky with your cycle you know there’s something off in your body that needs to be taken care of, and you can then address it and heal it.  If you’re obvious to your cycle or suppressing it you might be missing out on something big that could be an easy fix but might cause you harm down the road. 

When you start tracking and charting you know what to expect, and it helps handle PMS and makes other cycle related things easier. For example, I don’t get angry about cramping anymore, I understand when and why I’m irritable, and I know why I’m tired and that I just need a quick 30 minute nap. 

When you learn about what happens to your body in the different phases you know how to better take care of your body and mind in each phase. For me this means being really social around ovulation, and sleeping more during your period 

It’s surprisingly such a good conversation piece to connect with other people who menstruate. You can compare cycles, offer advice, and talk about what you use during your period. 

When you get into the emotional and mental side of each phase you can dig even deeper into scheduling out your time. This is because you have different strengths and weaknesses in each phase that you can use to excel in life. 

Honestly, learning about how my cycle and my body works was one of the most amazing things I could have ever done for myself. It’s been empowering and enlightening and I want to share it with anyone who’s interested. 

For those of you out there ready to learn how to use the sympto-thermal method to understand more about your body and as a natural form of birth control you have a week left to sign up for my Chart Your Cycle course.

How I Chart My Cycle | Natural Birth Control

One of the biggest misconceptions about charting your cycle is that there is only one way to do it.

And this is pretty limiting because if you believe this and think you don’t fall within that certain method that you can’t chart. 

But there are so many different, amazing methods, variations and not to mention all the new technological advances that have been made.

I really do believe that there is a method for everyone. 

I started with the sympto-thermal method, which combines temperature and fluid. In the beginning I also used paper charts before switching to charting apps. I then used a fluid-only method for awhile, then temperature-only with the Daysy. 

So, what have I currently settled on for my Goldilocks charting method? 

I use the sympto-thermal method combined with the Daysy fertility monitor. The reason I like this so much is because I get so much confidence and security from both the sympto-thermal method and Daysy separately. So, using them in conjunction with each other has been really reassuring. 

With the symptom-thermal method you take your basal body temperature every morning at the same time. Two rules to note beyond having to take it at the same time is that you have to do it first thing before getting out of bed, even before just hanging out in bed for 30 minutes before getting up. The other rule is that you have to take your temperature after at least four hours of sleep. 

I used to just take my BBT (basal body temperature) with a simple BBT thermometer from the drugstore. But since getting the Daysy, that has become my thermometer in every sense. 

Not only does it calculate your fertility on its own, it also provides you with a temperature (after syncing it to the app) that you can then use in a more traditional charting method. 

And I take that temperature from my Daysy each day and put it into the Kindara app on my phone, where I also chart my cervical fluid each day, along with a slew of other things. 

So each time I go to the bathroom I will quickly check my fluid before going to the actual bathroom. It takes an extra like 5-10 seconds. Easy.

Some days I wish the Daysy had a digital screen that displayed your temperature, but usually I don’t mind spending the extra 30-60 seconds it takes to sync it to the app in my phone where you can get the temperature. 

All in all I’m very happy with my current method, and I love knowing there are a variety of methods and technologies for charting. 

Charting my cycle has taught me so much about my body, and I love that I can use the same exact method when the time comes that I am ready to try and get pregnant. Which is when a lot of women first start learning about their menstrual cycle. 

[Disclaimer: This post does not teach you FAM. I mention how to take your temperature and fluid, but don’t mention any of the rules.]

[Use the code “FEMME” at checkout to save some money on your Daysy]

When You Don’t Have Time to Slow Down on Your Period

I’m a big advocate of letting yourself slow down leading up to your period and during your period. So much so that if you follow FemmeHead pretty closely you know I really never shut up about it. 

And that’s because I have seen the importance of it month after month in my own life, and in my own cycle. 

Every month I preach the same message “Just Slow Down”, and after each period I come back with a sigh of relief and say, “Gah, that felt good. I feel refreshed and renewed for the month ahead.” 

And I do. If I just take a step back during the few days leading up to, and the first few days of my period, I get a huge burst of energy, motivation and positivity at the end of my period. And this little burst of “I can do anything!” carries on through the rest of my cycle. Right up until the last few days before my next period. 

Just thinking about that type of energy gets me excited as I sit here writing this. 

And that’s because I wasn’t able to slow down during last month’s period. It was right when we were coming back from Bali, which meant around 30 hours of travel, hurtling myself across 14 time zones, and trying to play catch up in the two days I had at home before getting back on another plane to head to California for a few days. 

It was a lot, and that combined with trying to beat jet lag and get back on a normal sleep schedule threw me for a loop and kept me from being able to do my usual slow down, breathe, you’re on your period, routine. 

So, what do you do when this happens? Well, I’ll tell you from my current experience. 

Now if you’ve never been able to slow down on your period, I bet you have no idea what I’m even talking about. But I promise you, and challenge you to try it out. 

If you don’t, or can't take the much needed break during you period you’ll have to take this past month just a smidgen slower and accept that there’s not going to be that usual burst of renewed energy. 

Instead of finding time during your period to breath and relax. You’re going to have to find those moments when you can here and there throughout that following cycle. 

One example for my own cycle, right before ovulation I had been just absolutely pooped for a few days, but couldn’t slow down. 

Then I found myself almost nodding off I was so knackered, and I stepped back and thought, you know what if I just stop for an hour the world will keep spinning. 

So I took a nap, a glorious hour long nap at 2 o’ clock in the afternoon. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a napper. I feel guilty when I take naps. I lay down, close my eyes, and all I can think about is everything I should be doing instead. 

But that day I let myself have a nap, and I woke up. And how did I feel? 

It felt like coming too after a really delicious Shavasana after a difficult yoga practice. You feel refreshed, renewed and completely zenned out. 

It’s one of my favorite feelings in the world. 

And that’s what coming off of the end of your period kind of feels like when you let yourself slow down and rest. 

So, if you don’t do it already try, just try to find a few minutes here and there during your period to just take a deep breath and just stop moving for awhile. 

I know, I know. We think, “I can’t slow down. I don’t even have enough time to keep up with everything as it is.” But I promise you that you can find ten minutes a day, you’ll reap the rewards throughout the rest of your cycle. 

As I sit here putting the finishing touches on this I’m currently on day 3 of my cycle, and I don’t know if it’s because we’ve just gotten home (yesterday) from another trip, or because I didn’t get my rest last time ‘round, but I’m feeling completely out of sorts and exhausted today. 

But you better believe I learned my lesson last time around, and today my goal is to just finish what I have to get done. And you can find me doing all of that either curled up on the couch or from one of our big red comfy chairs, in a sweater and leggings, sipping on some hot lemon water. 

While I’m trying to enjoy this phase, I’m craving the energy I know will come. 

[If you want to learn more about your cycle, consider taking my Chart Your Cycle course to learn all the basics of the symptom-thermal method of FAM, and whether it’s a good fit for you — hint: it is.]

My Daysy + Its Role in My Birth Control

A quick little post today because I just wanted to come on here and talk about the Daysy fertility computer and how I've incorporated it into my birth control method.

I use the sympto-thermal method, which means I take my temperature and track my cervical fluid daily, and use those two fertility signs combined along with a particular set of rules and guidelines to know whether I am fertile or not. 

Before getting the Daysy I just used a simple basal body thermometer, which I recommend for anyone wanting to try out FAM to see if it’s right for you. 

There are so many different methods and tools to apply those methods that it’s really quite amazing how customizable FAM is to the individual lady. 

The Daysy alone is 99.3% effective just by taking your temperature. I like to combine it with also charting my cervical fluid. 

It takes a lot of that anxiety away that comes along with trusting your ability to know you fertility. 

FAM has legit changed my life and I really enjoy sharing my knowledge of the sympto-thermal method with other gals like myself. 

If you want to learn more about FAM and whether it’s a good fit for you (it is) you can take my Chart Your Cycle course which is now available as a PDF download. 

And if you want to snag a Daysy for yourself you can save some of your moolah (money) thanks to me. Just use the code FEMME at checkout. 

Can You Chart Your Cycle While on Hormonal Birth Control?

Towards the end of your journey with hormonal birth control you may be wondering, can I start charting while still on it, while I learn the in’s and out’s of FAM. Here’s my answer for you — Yes, and No. 

Boo. I know. What a boring answer, but stick with me.

Here's why you “can’t” chart your cycle while still on hormonal birth control: 

+ your chart isn’t going to look right...

+ most forms of hormonal birth control keep you from ovulating so there won’t be that spike in temperature

+ because your body is being tricked into essentially thinking it’s pregnant you probably won’t notice a big change in your cervical fluid while you’re on it.

But, in better news, Yes! Start charting your cycle as you end your relationship with hormonal birth control:

+ practice taking your temperature, checking your fluid and marking it on your chart

+ get in the habit of doing this. Every. Single. Day.

+ educate yourself before taking the leap

+ if you have a partner, get them on board

+ find a supportive group, even if that’s online (#femmehead)

+ and finally get excited to have a menstrual cycle again, and a real period

So, while you can’t technically chart your cycle because you won’t have those changes in fertility signs, you can darn well start practicing and get comfy in your new lifestyle change.  And if you're even more curious about this transition — keep your eye open for my new course, all about coming off  hormonal birth control, which I'm looking to debut in early 2017.