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This episode is brought to you by my Cycle Wise Woman 12-Week Program. This is a specially designed intimate program with 12 women only, where are going to dive right in to FAM – for contraception, conception or simply to get to know your own body. There are two intakes offered each year - to get your name on the wait-list, follow this link. We will be learning the method in depth, and sharing charts to learn from each other. This is invaluable when learning this method for whatever purpose you may be using it for. You can email me at sara@followyourflow.com.au or head over to the website, look under courses and events and then select Cycle Wise Woman. In this episode I am chatting with Paula, a participant o the Cycle Wise Woman program, who shares her insight and experience of the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) and how this changed her relationship with her body and with her cycle. The Cycle Wise Woman Program is a 12-week program with a small group of women, where we dive deep into using the FAM, it’s like a FAM intensive really getting to know your cycle intimately, when you are fertile and when you are not, whether that be for contraception of conception and simply to get to know your body. As Paula shares it is very empowering on so many levels. Topics that Paula and I discuss in this episode: Fertility Awareness Method and irregular cycles Paula’s menstrual cycle history Looking at non-hormonal options of birth control Added (unexpected) bonuses of Fertility Awareness Method Observing changes in real time of cervical mucus and basal body temperature How we can gain insight into our cycle and health Going from hating periods to having an enormous appreciation for what the menstrual cycle offers Fertility Awareness to support timing of conception, and potentially avoid IVF and ART Why the Fertility Awareness Method is ‘life-changing’ Enjoy this very real and super supportive interview with Paula Andras! To find out more about the Cycle Wise Woman Program and the Fertility Awareness Method, go to the website https://www.followyourflow.com.au/cycle-wise-woman SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/post/episode-23-life-changing-fertility-awareness-method-with-paula-andrasINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever WORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-sara IMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

Have you ever been told by your doctor that what you’re experiencing couldn’t possibly be from the pill? Or maybe you’re using the copper IUD and have been told that because there are no hormones involved it doesn’t have any side-effects? In this episode I get together once again with Mike Gaskins, author of In the Name of The Pill, where we look at his 10 least favourite things that doctors say about birth control. This is a must listen for any woman who may be on or considering some form of birth control – as is Mike’s book a must read and it is NOW also a must listen, having just been released as an audiobook on Audible. Listen in to this podcast episode or check out the video version below, to hear this all important episode where we talk about hormones, the oral contraceptive pill, depo provera, Copper IUD, Mirena, regulating periods, the history of birth control, risk of depression and anxiety associated with taking birth control and much more. Some important links mentioned in this episode: In the Name of The Pill – Audio Book on Audible Association of Hormonal Contraception with Depression Episode 7 – In the Name of The Pill, with Mike Gaskins Some other related links: Episode 20 – Is the Copper IUD a ‘better’ choice that the Mirena? The Pill, by Dr Anne Malatt - To Medicine with Love Thanks to Mike as always, for his incredible dedication to Women's Health. His genuine care for women and commitment bringing the truth to the fore on important matters that deserve attention, is truly inspiring. **Also, to be clear, it is not ALL doctors who adhere to this list - however, it is quite clear that it is very common. SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/post/episode-22-what-doctors-say-about-birth-control-with-mike-gaskinsINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever WORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-sara IMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

In this episode I’m talking with Rachel Andras, gender expert and social educator from Spain, founder of the Indera Foundation and the brand-new platform True 2 You. I have interviewed Rachel back on Episode 12, so check that out to hear about What’s Missing from Sex Education Today. This episode is to bring to everyone’s awareness, the new platform called True 2 You, which has completely blown me away. It has to be the most comprehensive meaningful and supportive website for youth today, addressing every aspect that affects young people providing a space for them to get information, to have real conversations, read articles, ask questions and they can even attend support groups. There is a free online magazine with literally hundreds of articles! Rachel’s message is super clear – if we think we need to ‘tell’ and ‘educate’ the youth of today how to navigate life, we are entirely on the wrong track. Because perhaps ‘we’ (the adults) are part of the problem! Here are some of the topics we cover: - True 2 You is for young people, parents, teachers- Is ‘educating’ our youth what is really needed?- What are our standards in society?- Do we patronise young people thinking we have to ‘tell them’ how to do it?- True role models – do young people have them?- What is sexspreading versus revenge porn?- ‘Ask an Expert’ on the True 2 You website- Teacher resources for running sessions on relationships, self-love & self-esteem, understanding violence and bullying, the power to change, and much more.- True 2 You Magazine & Quizzes- Why do we accept and settle for less in relationships? True 2 You website - https://true2you.eu Enjoy looking through is game-changing website, with endless content to support us all on the real issues and challenges in life, so that we can be true to ourselves and therefore a true reflection for the young people in our lives. SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever WORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-sara IMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

I get a lot of questions about contraception, with women looking for alternatives to the pill. And one question that always comes up on this topic is – what is the difference between the Copper IUD (intra-uterine device) and the Hormonal IUD? The common and understandable way of thinking is that the copper IUD is better because it doesn’t have the hormones. And/or the hormonal IUD is better than the pill because the hormones are only released locally. In this episode I take a look to see what’s really going on here with these intra-uterine devices. Are they effective? How do they work? How do they impact the body? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Here are some of the main points discussed in this episode: What is the Copper IUD? And how does it work? The Copper IUD used as emergency contraception What is the Hormonal IUD? And how does it work? Do the hormones in the Mirena only act locally to the reproductive organs? How effective are these methods of contraception? Do these methods of contraception affect ovulation? What is copper toxicity? And what symptoms to look out for? What are the side-effects of both the Copper IUD and the Mirena? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both? How much do they cost comparatively? The importance of being informed and working in partnership with your doctor on the topic of contraception. SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever WORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-sara IMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

Endometriosis is experienced by 1 in 10 women. It is a condition where endometrial like tissue grows outside of the uterus, forming adhesions in the pelvic cavity and therefore can affect other organs such as the bladder and the bowel. When the endometrial lining responds to hormonal changes each month, so too do the adhesions growing outside of the uterus which can cause severe pain, along with other complications. The average length of time for a woman to be diagnosed with endometriosis is 7 years – the reasons being that it can be passed off as just being bad period pain; symptoms associated with endo are similar to other pelvic conditions; and 1 in 3 women consult 3-4 physicians before getting an actual diagnosis – so this takes time… The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimated that this condition cost $7.4 billion in 2017/18, mostly through reduced quality of life and productivity losses – and they acknowledge that this may actually be a considerable underestimate given the difficulties in diagnosing and in underdiagnosing. In this episode, I had the great pleasure of interview Jane. She is a professional woman who is 60 years old this year and works in health-care, manages a large number of people, also works at a University and volunteers for other numerous organisations. And she has a very interesting history with Endometriosis that we are going to hear about in this episode. What she came to in her understanding of the condition and how she was living is incredibly valuable and I am so pleased that she has very generously shared her experience with us on the Follow Your Flow Podcast, for you all to hear her story. If you experience severe period pain and or have a diagnosis of endometriosis, have you considered Counselling as part of your treatment? I work with women 1:1 in a counselling capacity to support them to deal with any trauma associated with these conditions – and there is often A LOT of trauma involved that can be due to the pain itself, the management of the pain, the effects and impacts on your life – and then I also work with you to look at any underlying patterns that may be contributing to what you are experiencing. Head over to the Follow Your Flow website and go to the ‘work with me’ tab and you can get in touch from here. Topics we discussed – Jane talks about her life in her younger years, working a very stressful job and not taking care of herself. She was absolutely exhausted and ‘burnt-out’ eventually. Jane needed a big stop to help her recognise that she was not taking care of herself – even though part of her role was to advocate for wellbeing in the workplace. Is being stoic really a desirable way to be in work and in life? And how did this impact Jane’s body and her overall health? Jane’s experience of extreme debilitating pain as a young woman – disillusioned and blind-sided by the lack of medical support, the succession of pain-killers and being prescribed by the oral contraceptive pill. Jane had numerous investigations into the pain and associated symptoms she was experiencing however endometriosis was never mentioned until she was in her 30’s. What options was Jane eventually given? What changes did Jane make and how did this change her experience of the pain? Considering the detail of understanding your cycle and how you live your life – and how they mutually exclusive. The link between self-worth and endometriosis. Jane makes astounding revelations around this that so many women will be able to relate to. Jane realised that building a relationship with her body is essential to working in partnership with medical professionals rather than giving her power away. There is a ‘before’ model and an ‘after’ model that Jane shares with us that summarises her experience – super inspiring and makes so much sense. ‘I love people, love being out in the world, I love the magic of the world…I look in the mirror now and I’m more and more loving myself, which I could not have said even 10 years ago, let alone 20 or 20 years ago’ - Jane Keep. SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever WORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-sara IMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

This episode is brought to you by my Cycle Wise Woman 8-Week Program. This is a specially designed intimate program with 12 women only, where are going to dive right in to FAM – for contraception, conception or simply to get to know your own body. I’m offering the first program, starting in July, at a heavily reduced rate and there are still some places available at the time of this episode airing, so get in touch if you’ like to join us. We will be learning the method in depth, and sharing charts to learn from each other. This is invaluable when learning this method for whatever purpose you may be using it for. You can email me at sara@followyourflow.com.au or head over to the website, look under courses and events and then select Cycle Wise Woman. On average women have around 450 periods in a lifetime. So if that’s the case, this means that there has to be around 450 ovulations, because remember ovulation happens first! But very few women actually know when this happens, they may have some idea or if they are like I was up my late 20’s, they may not know what it even is. I see so many women who are trying to conceive and they get the timing completely wrong thinking they are ovulating at a particular time when they are not. So this episode is discussing the ways to KNOW when you ovulate. We all need to know this and we CAN know this, the ACTUAL day of ovulation, just as well as we know our bleeding time. Here are some of the main points discussed in this episode: The key word is ‘know’ – not think, guess, assume, presume – it’s know. And this is absolutely possible. What is ovulation? A reminder about what ovulation actually is... When does it occur in general? We can have a general understanding that ovulation occurs around 2 weeks before we get our period. However we have to look at the signs our body is communicating for us to know exactly when that is from cycle to cycle. Why do you want to know when you ovulate? To achieve pregnancy To avoid pregnancy To support diagnosis like PCOS, see stress patterns, short luteal phase – could be linked to recurrent miscarriage, hormone levels – are you ovulating at all, amenorrhea To get to know your body – understand the markers in your body that support you to identify or confirm the changes that you feel – we are not always the same. Ways to KNOW when you ovulatePlease note: this is not the rhythm method, which is where your previous menstrual cycles are tracked on a calendar, and this information is used to predict future ovulations. Cervical Mucus (CM) – presence communicates the lead up to ovulation and can also let you know when ovulation has occurred Basal Body Temperature (BBT) – thermal shift in temperature confirms when you have ovulated Cervical position (CP)– feels Soft, High, Open, Wet (SHOW) when approaching ovulation – can’t be used exclusively but can support other methods – particularly CM and BBT Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPK) - measures LH surge that happens before ovulation. Can OPK's reduce your chances of conceiving? Is it possible to miss your fertile window when using OPK's? Does using OPK's alone encourage use of the Rhythm Method (RM)? How is the Fertility Awareness Method different to the RM? In terms of timing, how do you maximise your chances of conception? IN SUMMARY – CM, BBT are your number 1 & 2. Know your body.CP and OPK can be a support but you can’t rely on them to know exactly when ovulation occurs.The only way to KNOW, is by knowing your body - know your cervical mucus changes and use basal body temperature as your guide. SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever WORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-sara IMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

So here we are at episode 17! I have 20+ years experience, working in the field of Complementary medicine and that has naturally shaped it’s way in to Girls & Women’s health and have so much to share with you on this topic - one that is very close to my heart and I feel is super important for the health of society as a whole. In this episode, I'm taking a look at what we need to know to feel ok, confident and at ease when talking to girls (& boys) about periods. This is an episode for everyone, so all the Dads out there, listen in, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles – it’s for all of you. Guess what! You do not need to feel embarrassed, uncomfortable or weird when talking about periods - there is a way to deal with this! We all know how unnatural it feels to talk about something that is so very natural but has been made out to be an issue, a problem, an inconvenience or something that needs hiding, managing and perhaps even eliminating all together. I know you're with me on this. Pretty sure we all want to be done with this narrative! In this solo episode, I will be covering these topics: Why talking about periods is still very taboo. The history of menstruation and the perception of the female body Has this stigma around periods always been there? How are we still receiving the messages that periods are bad when we don’t want this to be the case? The importance of looking at re-education of society around periods and the female body. What does a woman’s body actually represent, if not the miasma of lies we are sold? How do we free ourselves from the ‘false narrative’? How have women sold themselves short when it comes to the way they are represented? How to feel confident, rather than awkward on this topic? Our own trauma and experiences will taint our communication about periods unless they are resolved. Why correct terminology of the female anatomy is so important. Ways to support your girls (& boys) on all things periods What you didn't know about menstruation! Why girls need to know that their cycle is not just about pregnancy. This episode was brought to you by the Cycle Wise Parents (CWP) Online Course. This is a 6 week, fully comprehensive, flexible course for parents, carers, grandparents, teachers and anyone with young people in their lives. It’s addressing the questions I get asked all the time – how do you talk to your children about periods; when is the right time to do; and how to do it without feeling so embarrassed. In the CWP course we go deep into the necessary re-education on menstruation because this is where it needs to start. During the 6 weeks, you’ll receive new video lessons each week to watch in your own time and then a live Q & A each week where you can ask questions and have the opportunity to share with fellow course attendees. The course platform also allows for discussion under each individual lesson, should you choose to engage with me or others on participating in the course. The content in this course is rich and wholesome, as all period education should be. There are 2 intakes for the course every year with the latest one, at the time of recording this, set to begin on Wednesday June 16th, 2021. Head over to this page to find out more details, new course dates and how to register! Spaces are limited. SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever WORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-sara IMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

This is one episode that I hope all women do not skip over. I mean who would have thought that your oral health, the quality of your brushing and flossing could affect how you are experiencing pregnancy, PCOS, menopause or anything to do with your hormones? This is another thing that we should be taught about at school…and thank God for Rachel and her incredible and graceful way of educating us all on this topic. In this conversation Rachel breaks it all down for us, so we can understand how it all works and I promise you, you are going to be flossing to your hearts content at the completion of this episode – you will never miss a floss again! Here are some of the key points that we discuss: Gum disease seems to be a topic of absolutely no interest for people – yet it is a major condition that effects people in a wide ranging way. Link between the gums, the bacteria and our entire body and all body systems. 2 most common forms of gum disease – 1. Gingivitis – inflammation of the gums. Very common and absolutely reversible with good oral hygiene. 2. Periodontitis – progression of this gingivitis where breakdown starts to occur. The ligament that attaches the tooth starts to breakdown and can start to lose bone. This is not reversible. If we allow bacteria to grow on the gum and become thick, it can become a serious issue. The immune system is working overtime, creating lots of inflammation to try to deal with the bacteria but because it is ‘on’ the surface of the teeth, they can’t be reached. Therefore, the inflammation can wreak havoc on the body. Hygiene is key – WE have to get the plaque off, our immune system cannot access it. Everything boils down to good oral hygiene. Chronic inflammation drives so many of the illness and disease we are experiencing. “Brushing your teeth but not flossing is like putting on one leg of your pants” – Rachel Inflammation is affecting our hormones…and our hormones also affect inflammation. The hormones magnify what is really going on. If we start with good oral health, this is what is magnified. And likewise, if we do not have good oral health, this will be magnified by the hormones. We cannot blame our hormones. We see the impacts all the way through the phases of a woman’s life all the way to Menopause. We need to stop segregating the areas of the body and bring it back to the whole that it is. We spoke about self-worth and valuing yourself – this is like a muscle we have to work. We are over-developed in our lack of self-worth. We need to bring more focus and dedication to the self-care muscle. When you go from bleeding gums to not bleeding gums; from bad breath, to feeling fresh and clean. This is preventative and treatment all in one. Women who are pregnant or looking to become pregnant, have conditions like PCOS, PMS, and all other hormonal conditions – oral health is so important for you because of the hormone changes. Clearing gum disease is a significant factor in fertility. Pregnancy is an exacerbator of gum disease – will make worse what you have already got. Studies show that Hormonal Birth Control (HBC) can increase inflammation and swelling in gums, as well as impacting the nasty bacteria. We need to stop pretending that HBC are innocuous drugs. They effect every body system. Why are we not told to take care of our oral health before we start prescribing drugs? Why don’t we look at good oral hygiene, as well as diet, lifestyle and everything that could be contributing to the certain conditions we experience? You must complete brushing by cleaning between your teeth. You must floss. There are many different ways to floss! Summary: Gum disease is quite prevalent. The bacteria in our mouth can be nasty and impact our entire body Gingivitis is reversible and periodontitis is not reversible, although can be stabilised. Inflammation is caused by bad oral health. Impacts heart disease, immune health, risk of diabetes, stroke, Alzheimers, lung disease. Women’s hormones have an impact on the inflammation and vice versa. Pregnancy and hormones are not the issue, it is the foundation that we have created for the hormones. It is never too late to bring care to your mouth and oral health and feel the impact this has on your hormones and the overall health of your body. MORE FROM RACHEL:https://www.drrachelmascord.com.au/ SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever WORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-sara IMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

Navigating the time of puberty can be a challenging time for many, including parents. How do we do this and what do we need to be aware of to support ourselves, if we are currently traversing this time…or if we are adults, supporting young people as they find their way in the world. I know for myself, I really struggled during these formative years and battled with the intensity of all that was going on around me and within me. This is not uncommon, in fact, I think we tend to assume that this is a kind of initiation process that all teenagers will go through. But does it really have to be like this?My guests on today’s show, have been working as relationship counsellors for many years. They are a couple and have been together close to 20 years. Their work is founded on supporting others to access the truth of their expression and to discover true love for themselves – what this means, what it looks like. They both love what they do and being able to observe and witness these changes that people make in their lives and the confidence that comes with that. Join me for a stunning conversation with the magnificent Annette & Gabe.Topics we covered:The quality of the way Gabe and Annette live is a testament to the quality of their work. They are wholly and completely committed to being in service for others, showing us the way to truly live love. Super inspiring!Growing up and during the teen years can be very isolating because of all that is going on inside, all that you are actually feeling. There are a lot of inner thoughts and feelings about what feels true for you yet at the same time you are being dragged by everything that the world wants to influence you with.There are images coming in from every angle about what it means to be a woman – magazines, social media, music videos and media in all its forms. We are being shifted and shaped by all of this even if we don’t know it. These images are very pervasive.This melting pot can be difficult to navigate. This comes with the changes in hormones as we mature and develop, and stress also affects how this all plays out. The intensity of all of this together, so many aspects that we are dealing with, can make these years quite challenging. Particularly if we don’t have a foundation of really knowing ourselves.It is important to consider what else is going on in life that may be causing extra strain and stress which will be impacting these years as the body and being is developing.Very important to find adults whom you have solid relationships with, who you trust and can talk to. You can’t force this to happen, but is definitely worth opening up to this kind of support.Gabe talks about being very expressive in her sensitivity, very confident, very open. But when puberty started to happen and being aware of the changes in her body, as well as knowing that she was gay – she started to hold it all inside and developed this dual reality where she shut down her sensitivity, her sexuality and how she was really feeling. She knew that if others knew, it would cause a huge amount of upset. This, she made normal and later felt how much this actually impacted her.The tidal wave of pressure from ideals and beliefs affects everyone around you, so essentially everyone is swimming in it.We see this with teenagers being who we want them to be. You can see them moulding themselves to exactly what you want them to be.It can be challenging, confusing and awkward to navigate this time. We are looking to identify ourselves but without a role model showing us to way, we struggle with knowing how to be ourselves. We all know this innately but we need to support ourselves to hold on to this knowing and what we are here to bring to the world.Later when we get to our 40’s and 50’s and if we haven’t recognised that we have been living this duplicate life, we can get to a counselling session and realise that this strength that is always there, has been abandoned for 30, 40, 50 years. This can be devastating to feel and it is quite a job to go back and reclaim that and restore that.The world says to you ‘You will not be who you are’ so you learn to shut it down. And you can live your whole life like this…and then life will inevitably reflect this back to us. For example, when we have children who go through their teenage years, we struggle with their reflection and choices because we haven’t come to terms with this for ourselves and who we have not resolved the shut-down from our own teenage years. This may evoke jealousy, resentment, shame, longing, loss, regret, missing out, the devastation of having their sensitivity crushed and not having he space and the freedom to be able to express this.If we don’t reconnect to this sensitivity within ourselves then we can struggle to support the teens in our lives. They may inevitably go through enacting the same patterns.Cycle Wise Parents has been developed for this very reason.What about being a young woman? There are so many stereotypes about what this should be. There are so many images that we are bombarded with. Ultimately, we need to live in a way where we are not so easily influenced by all of this. We need to find women who are genuinely confident in who they are, are at ease in their bodies and are settled within themselves and how they express and dress. These are the true role models we need in life."Innately we know who we are, and we innately want to express that" GabeIt is a very explorative time – going from a child, to adolescent, to teenager, to adult. The key is to be able to do this in way that whatever path we go on, is to not feel like we have to lock ourselves in to that or for others to impose locking us in on that or labelling us as that forever. It is such a changing time in so many ways. Exploring is very natural but we need to allow ourselves the space and flexibility to finding and accessing what our true expression is.In the age of social media, space and flexibility can be very challenging because we don’t get a break to feel where we are at.What is the true expression of a woman? It is something we all have to find within ourselves. There is an equal expression of feminine and masculine energy within us that Gabe says for her happens simultaneously and harmoniously and with great equanimity. When expressing the masculine aspects, for example, she didn’t feel she needed to be a man to do this. She realised she can be feminine in vibration and equally masculine in vibration without thinking that this needed to look a certain way. It was simply her expression that came from the inside.Women role model in the world and we need to be very responsible with that.There is such a preciousness about being a girl and being a woman. And it is the same for boys, they are innocent and pure and sweet. Before and unless they get corrupted by the outside influences.The presence of our cycle is such an important reminder of how delicate we are. It asks us to slow down, honour our sensitivity and our bodies. This is what is available.Have a relationship with the maleness and femaleness expression – this is where true confidence comes from and the ability to true to yourself and not be influenced by everything in the world that asks us to be everything else. It is the steady point that reminds us of who we are.There are the perversions of what it is to be a girl, and what it is to be a boy such as the pack energy of both that tries to come in and compress us. These have nothing to do with the true expression and essence of the person. It is about connecting to and knowing the inner qualities and inner beauty of who we are. Then it is natural to take care of the body and the being. It is then natural to express this, and this expression will be exactly what is needed.“Find people in your life that you can be yourself with and reveal yourself to. As a teenager, consider to access and nurture those relationships and seek the support so that you have an anchor point that you can come back to” - Annette“Trust your inner knowing and establishing this relationship. Become strong in this and don’t shut that inner voice down because this is your truth, this is your wisdom, this is your intuitive understanding about how you need to be taken care of or how you need to express in the world” - Gabe“Take time to self-reflect, giving yourself space to just feel where you are at. If you know yourself in this way, this is a massive foundational quality for being in a relationship with anyone. If you don’t have this, the quality of your relationships will be very superficial and very one-dimensional” - GabeWhere to find more from Annette & Gabehttps://annetteandgabe.comCycle Wise Parents Coursehttps://www.followyourflow.com.au/cycle-wise-parents-courseFollow Your Flow Podcasthttps://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastSHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForeverWORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-saraIMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

It is estimated that period pain affects over 90% of women to varying degrees and so often we think that this is just the way it is – as we discussed in detail back in episode 10 when I interviewed Elodie about her experience with period pain. In this episode, I am talking with Henrietta Chang, a Naturopath from NSW in Australia, where we discuss the impacts of food and lifestyle on how we experience period pain and the impacts are very real. It’s a very practical and important conversation that I know will be of great support to many women, particularly those who think there really is no solution to what they are experiencing month in and month out. This episode just scratches the surface, as there is so much to talk about when it comes to our relationship with food, but it is a necessary surface to scratch to start questioning our behaviours and how every choice we make affects us in some way. Henrietta and I will have much more to share on this in coming episodes. But for now, let’s get clear on the science about why and how certain food groups can increase our experience of period pain. Henrietta has been a naturopath and complimentary medicine practitioner since 2001 and has a background in science with a keen interest in nutritional biochemistry. She combines her considerable knowledge and experience with an unwavering dedication and deep care for her clients and the wider community. She works closely with conventional medicine and also deeply values all that complementary medicines brings - knowing that a client's best outcomes are often based on a combination of both approaches. Some of the topics we discuss: Give yourself permission to look at all of the options available that both conventional and complementary medicine offer The difference between period pain and endometriosis As women, we have normalised pain in relation to our periods. This is passed down from generation to generation. Lack of education in knowing what is actually not normal, in relation to period pain. A lack of talking to each other about our periods, means we carry on without realising that what we may be experiencing may be an issue. Nutrition and supplements do play key roles in supporting our menstrual health Period Pain is the body signalling that we need extra support in this area. Period pain is experience by over 90% of women to varying degrees. This is different to endometriosis which involves the immune system and the whole body. From our experience, changes in diet and lifestyle can often resolve period pain quite quickly. Endometriosis will need more specific support. Nutritional support for period pain (and any chronic pain or inflammatory conditions) – Drink more water, stay very well hydrated. Avoid or minimise sugar as much as possible. Sugar causes inflammation which contributes to period pain. Be aware of sugars in fruits and hidden sugars in refined grains. Increase vegetable intake to support digestion and metabolism of excess oestrogen. Fibre helps populate good bacteria in the gut and digestive tract. Green vegetables are a huge support working as anti-inflammatory. Look at your consumption of gluten and dairy. Both play a huge role in inflammation. Dairy from an animal origin is what we are referring to. They contain lactose (sugar) or the protein. We are more concerned about the protein in regards to period pain and inflammation. Avoiding dairy can have a huge affect on how women experience period pain. Dairy has an affect on the brain in such a way that makes it addictive. It creates a dependant pathway in the body, which says ‘I can’t function without this substance’ Dairy is one of the most affective but can be one of the hardest for people to cut out. Dairy alternatives – all variations of nut milk, soy milk, dairy free betters Calcium from dairy (calcium carbonate) is very difficult for the human body to absorb. Calcium Citrate or plant forms of calcium are readily available and are much easier for the body to absorb. Examples are nuts and seeds, green vegetables, seaweed, tahini, fish, leave the bones in canned salmon. Omega 3 fatty acids – support with the good types of prostaglandins. Certain foods can trigger inflammatory pathways – Prostaglandins 2. And then other foods can trigger the anti-inflammatory pathways – Prostaglandins 2 & 3, our natural pain killers! Gluten also contributes hugely to inflammation. Research has found that, something like 120 illness and diseases significantly reduced simply by eliminating gluten. Why is this not a first line intervention when it comes to treating inflammatory conditions? Gluten has the same affect on the brain as dairy having an addictive impact. Zinc works as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Often is depleted in so many people. Start with Gluten and Dairy free diet and see how this impacts you. Henrietta recommends a personalised baseline diet that you can always come back to as a foundation when things go wrong. When we deviate we feel the impact of this and have much more clarity and motivation to come back to what truly supports us. More from Henrietta and all that she offers:L’Alchimiste – Natural Medicine Clinic & ApothecaryBased in Ballina, NSW Australia. Also offering online consults, so you can access Henrietta wherever you are! SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever WORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-sara IMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

Do you have a relationship with your cycle? And what does this even mean? How do we do have a relationship with our cycle. In this episode I am so excited to welcome Bianca Barban to the show, where we delve right in to our personal experience on this topic. Bianca and I own a business together and we have this incredible relationship where, from the very beginning, we have been all about growing and supporting ourselves, growing and supporting each other and then growing and supporting others - this really is the purpose of our business. Our relationship is such that, we are very real with each other and very open. We talk about all sorts of things that happen in the body and the menstrual cycle is always a hot topic. It's a super fun episode, we seriously can't help but have fun together. Listening back to it, I don't think I stopped smiling the entire way through. Bianca is exquisitely wise and a living example of a woman who knows who she is and does not back down from this no matter what may come her way. I know you will find her as inspiring as I do. Having a relationship with your cycle is absolutely essential for your health. Not only to understand your health and your body but to enrich your life on every level. It is so worth it! If having a relationship with your cycle is something you would like to explore, you can check out the Follow Your Flow website for lots of resources to support with this. I have a free ebook on an introductory to fertility awareness, heaps of blog posts on this topic - and I also offer the Stillness & Cycles Program that has grown to be hugely popular because of the incredible practical support it offers us as women. Head over to the website to put your name down on the wait list for the next program. Some of the topics we discuss: Introducing Bianca Barban and Living Stillness Our cycles support us by showing us that everything is related and nothing is separate. Listening to what the cycle and the body is communicating. We are taught to over-ride the natural ebb and flow and how our bodies naturally operate. Cyclical living is very natural for both men and women. When we commit to making this part of our lives, the body responds. Circadian Rhythm and the Pineal gland. We are taught the lineal projection rather than understanding cycles Self-care & listening to your body is foundational We are always learning from our body - we are students of our own bodies. Not listening to our body is exhausting. We have to use a lot of effort to ignore what our body is communicating. The body is here to support us, if we get out of the way. Having a relationship with our body starts right back at the beginning to the ways we are taught to refer to parts of our bodies and how we refer to periods. The messages we get from such a young age about what it is to be a woman. We are told that the only purpose of our body is to make babies. Cycle syncing - bringing an understanding to how personal this is. How does our relationship with our cycle affect those around us? Particularly boys and men. "Being in a flow is the love of my life' - Bianca Barban More from Bianca and all that she offers:Living StillnessBianca Barban Want to build a relationship with your cycle?Stillness & Cycles ProgramWork with Sara SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever Please note: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, health concern, or illness and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health.

Unfortunately, young people today are getting their education on sex in places that do not offer a wholesome and supportive understanding on this topic. With access to phones, internet and readily available porn – so many young people are completely disconnected from their own bodies…and to a point where they are using outside forces to inform them of how to be in relationships. In this interview I speak with gender expert and social educator Rachel Andras, who beautifully outlines what is in fact missing from sex-ed and what is needed to support young people to come back to using their own inner-compass to navigate relationships and sex - and to set standards based on knowing the love that is within their own body. Rachel makes all of this very real which is very refreshing and very much needed on a topic that so many feel completely lost with. Rachel is the co-founder and director of the INDERA Foundation and heads up the INDERA – Gender Consultancy as a co-director. She is an entrepreneurial, dedicated, client-oriented Gender and Educational professional with more than 20 years of professional experience gained across International Cooperation, Gender Equality and Education, with diverse stakeholders across Europe, Latin, and Central America. She focuses on empowerment strategies introducing body awareness and “self-care” as an essential category of value-creation specifically in the area of reproductive and sexual health and gender-based violence. Working with youth she focuses on the “normalization of violence” and the impact normalized abuse has on young people and their understanding of gender equality, empowerment and well-being. Some of the topics we discuss: What is abuse and what is violence? We tend to only look at the extremes…but what is the whole picture and what is fostering that we can reach these extremes? There is a gap between learning something and then actually living it. We know how to function in life but there is something missing. Sex education has to be about your relationship you have with your body. We have very little that focuses on how do you feel – that we are feeling beings. If our feelings and awareness is not nurtured then we develop a lot of coping mechanisms and we crave love and connection. We find a lot of replacements e.g., porn Our ideals and beliefs make us feel empty and we are constantly looking for something to fill us up. We need to be asking young people – how can you connect to your body and your inner-world and build a relationship with this. Romantic love – is this what we should be striving for? How do changes in your breath inform you about your connection? “Our bodies are a massive resource of information and supports us on how to be in life to keep us on the front foot rather than being a victim” Sex education starts in kindergarten because it is about having a relationship with your body. Detecting abusive behaviour is hard to do if we are abusive and critical with ourselves. In society we ignore the massive power source in our body that is not recognised. If we grow up without our inner compass being nurtured then we go by what the world is telling us. We need to support children to activate this power source so that life becomes much more simple. If you go against the grain and the expectation of society then you are ostracised. The pressure to join in is huge. Young people need a lot of support with this – to learn how to be with your own body. As parents we can ask our children questions to support them – ‘how does it feel when a boy touches your hand?’ ‘how do you feel being with them’ ‘do you really like them’ ‘how does it feel when he/she kisses you’ etc When boys enter puberty they are basically obliged to let go of their sensitivity. Boys are extremely sexualised. Be open with the young people in your lives, share with them and be vulnerable. Being honest about our own experiences can support them. We do not need to be perfect and or the master of this topic because the truth is, we probably aren’t. The importance of the female cycle and understanding that it is a vital part of wellbeing and having a healthy relationship with your body. More from Rachel:https://www.fundacion-indera.org CYCLE WISE PARENTShttps://www.followyourflow.com.au/cycle-wise-parents-course SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever Please note: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, health concern, or illness and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health.

In this episode I am talking about stress – what is stress and how does it affect our menstrual cycle. Listen in to the episode to hear my expanded view on what stress actually is because I believe that we are living in much more constant stress than we realise. I mean, any time we are not living who we truly are, not honouring how we feel, over-riding what we naturally sense in life and about life and anytime we simply don’t listen to the communication from our body – this is a stressful situation for our body. We may be so used to it that we don’t even realise that this has become our normal. So I broaden our view on stress, talk about how it affects the delicate communication between our hormones and how this then gives us the symptoms in our menstrual cycle that we tend not to like very much, like PMS or period pain or heavy bleeding to name a few. One thing I wanted to point out is that I mention how stress can delay ovulation – well in truth, this is not the case. Ovulation will always be on time. ALWAYS. Because your body is simply responding to the quality that your body is in. It is doing exactly what is being called for according to how you are living and it is communicating that to you. Like I always say, we are not at the mercy of our hormones, they are at the mercy of us. These are the topics I discuss in this episode - What is stress and how does it affect your cycle? What is stressful for one person may not be stressful for another, however there is a biological response that is the same for everyone. Cortisol levels are a typical way of measuring stress in our body. Fight of Flight response and the sympathetic nervous system Rest and digest response is our parasympathetic nervous system Many of us are in the fight or flight mode more often than is needed. Our body thinks we are needing to survive. The menstrual cycle is one of the first casualties of constant stress Stress can result in PMS, Irregular periods, heavy periods, acne, absent periods. What is stress? Is it more than we realise? Have we accepted low-grade of stress (or even high-grade stress) as normal? From young we learn to live according to want the outside world wants us to be rather than from the inside-out. Lack of self-worth, not feeling enough and being critical with ourselves is a stress on our body. How does stress affect our menstrual cycle? We can see the effects of stress on ovulation by checking our cervical mucus and basal body temperature Ovulation may be delayed and cycles may be long or absent. None of this means there is anything wrong with your body. Ovulation is in fact on time and not delayed because your body is simply responding to the quality that your body is in. It is doing exactly what is being called for according to how you are living and it is communicating that to you. Stress effects our hormones and the production of oestrogen and progesterone. Our behaviours that result from stress, can compound the effect of stress on our menstrual cycle. I give an example of my choice to indulge in dairy products which exacerbated my period pain. Effect of stress on progesterone – supports us with stress; calms us and supports sleep; soothes mood. Stress increases inflammation and decreases immune system. Progesterone decreases inflammation and supports the immune system. Yet stress also reduces progesterone. So, it is a viscous cycle! We need a marker of what normal actually is…because a lot of the time, our normal is our body under stress. This is the power of the Stillness and Cycles Program, to support women to get a sense of what their true normal actually is and then how to adjust life to live closer to this marker, rather than to a marker of stress that they may not have even realized they were living by. Sleep is super important. It is not just about shutting down the body. It is about having a rejuvenated and restorative rest to support our body. Our circadian rhythm is governed by our pineal gland, which governs the rhythms in our body including our menstrual cycle. SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever Please note: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, health concern, or illness and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health.

When it comes to treatment for period pain, many women feel at a loss. The only option that seems to be offered is the pill or other drugs/devices that can interfere with how a woman feels within herself. I know these options are super supportive for some women where they do need a reprieve from what they are experiencing, however, most women think it really is their only option. In this episode I am talking with Elodie, who shares her personal experience with severe period pain and how the lifestyle changes she made supported her enormously. Rather than being at the mercy of what was happening to her, she was supported to bring awareness and understanding to her body and from there she made self-care choices that made a huge difference. As you'll hear from Elodie, these changes were not simply revolving around diet and sleep for example but also had very much to do with her relationship with herself, how she felt about herself, about her worth and the degree to which is would give herself a hard time throughout the month...or not. I love this episode because it is very real and super relatable, as is the nature of Elodie. We recorded this episode some months ago in the midst of Covid in 2020. Here are the main points that we cover in our conversation: Elodie talks about her simple, healthy life. What does this look like? Is it really boring? Having a relationship with yourself - how this effects the experience of your cycle. Lifestyle changes and the impact this has on the experience of period pain. Stress, overwhelm and anxiety - period stopped for 6 months. Very high functioning but body was completely shot. The history of Elodie's period pain originally diagnosed with dysmenorrhea and prescribed the pill Instilled beliefs that period pain is normal and just part of being a woman. Prostaglandins role in inflammatory responses. Increase in prostaglandins are linked to increase in pain. Lifestyle factors that increase inflammation in the body - stress, diet (particularly dairy), quality of sleep After the pill, pain came back with a vengeance, worsening every month. Care and awareness of body - more sensitive and able to see more clearly what was exacerbating the pain. Support from practitioners under the Esoteric Women's Health umbrella to see that she actually had a body and that it needed to be cared for and connected to. Rather than seeing pain as a punishment, seeing it as a communication from the body. Lack of self-worth and self-bashing is like a poison in the body that has to be cleared. Being empowered by understanding that we have a part to play in the treatment of period pain. Period Pain is common but it is not normal. Seek supportive medical attention and explore avenues such as counselling to bring a deeper understanding of your body to bring greater levels of self-care. Self-care has a huge part to play in period pain treatment. Remember that you are the master of your own body. Do not give your power away to your medical practitioner. be open to their support but if you don't feel heard in regards to what is happening in your body, be persistent and/or find another doctor. Where to find Elodie:As mentioned Elodie makes stunning jewellery that you will want to check out!Website: https://www.elodie.com.au/Instagram: @elodiejewelleryFacebook: @elodiejewllery Related Blogs:10 Period MythsUnderstanding Period PainPeriod Pain: What is your body really trying to tell you? SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever Please note: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, health concern, or illness and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health.

In this episode I'm going to talk you through your 3 main fertile signs - something every woman should know about! Unfortunately we are not taught this as part of health education in a way that should really form the basic basis of our understanding and knowledge of our menstrual cycle. If you're wanting to understand the incredible intricacies of your body, this episode is for you. Whether it's for the means of conception, contraception or wanting to connect more with your body, you will only gain from knowing your body in this way. Topics I discuss in this episode: Your 3 main fertile signs are:- indications/communication from your body- communicating when you ovulate- not commonly known by most women - even though it's happening to us month in and month out Why is it important?Common reasons why women start to find out about when ovulation is...and then consequently, the Fertility Awareness Method are: to have a baby for contraception to understand your body Whatever your reason, knowing when you ovulate is absolutely essential. Benefits of Fertility Awareness and knowing when you ovulate: achieving pregnancy effectively avoiding pregnancy getting insight in to your health gaining a deeper connection to your body Had I known about Fertility Awareness I may have made different choices re contraception when I was younger. Your awareness of these 3 fertile signs is invaluable and supports in so many ways: I have avoided further invasive investigations because I knew when I had ovulated - could pass this on to specialist There are countless stories of women avoiding unnecessary treatments because of their knowledge. So what are the 3 main signs?! #1 - Cervical Mucus #2 - Basal Body Temperature #3 - Cervical Position There is much more detail involved when wanting to use Fertility Awareness as a method but this give you an introduction in to your 3 main fertile signs - or what we could also say are the 3 main signs of ovulation. FREE eBook:As mentioned in this episode, 'Ovulation - your introductory guide to fertility awareness & knowing when you ovulate' is available now for FREE on the website for you to download - for a limited time (at the time of recording this). CYCLE WISE WOMAN:And check out the website for the upcoming course 8 week course, formalising what I have been doing with women for many years. 'Cycle Wise Woman' is for you if you are interested in getting to know your cycle and the principles of FAM, putting it into practice and using it as a method of contraception, to achieve pregnancy and/or to simply know your body much more intimately. We could all do with more of this! Related Blogs:What is Fertility Awareness? with Dr Kerry HamptonFertility Awareness: The Fascination of Ovulation Please note: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, health concern, or illness and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health.

We are heading in a little bit of a different direction this episode to have a look at the topic of pregnancy. Pregnancy is a significant experience in many women's lives and I think most would say that their lives were completely changes as a result. I loved interviewing my guest Rebecca Poole on her experience of pregnancy because she really challenges the 'norm' by being very real and open about where she was at and what she needed. She saw the pressures of society and from those around her and learned to navigate this in a way that deepened her relationship with herself. When parenting came along, she saw the importance of letting in support and getting out of this all-to-common mentality that we are in this on our own and we have to soldier on and just keep going. She blows this to pieces giving us all permission to 'raise the white flag' and ask for help - gosh, how would it be if we allowed ourselves to do this?! This episode is about much more than just pregnancy - it is about life...and the richness of life that we can tap in to if we so choose. And Rebecca, very wisely and very gently gives us a little nudge to encourage us to settle for nothing less. Topics that Rebecca and I cover: Pressures around pregnancy from society and those around you Having expectations about pregnancy and how this can affect you Do we focus to much on the birth rather than appreciating the stages of pregnancy? There is a richness in pregnancy, an offering to deepen your connection with yourself As women, what we offer our children and families - the 'inner pulse' - insight and wisdom 1st Trimester - we are being asked to shed anything that is no longer supportive for us in this next phase. And to accept a deeper quality within yourself. Our body is always communicating - listen to the nausea and other symptoms Feeling resentment during and after pregnancy - being honest about this and not judging yourself Society doesn't fully support us. We think we have to do it all alone in isolation. And if we need help that it is a failure. It's ok to put up the white flag! Opening up to community around you for support. Rebecca's experience of letting others in to support in the raising of her children The harms of comparison. Our experience of pregnancy is very personal. The importance of not over-riding what we feel. Where to find Rebecca:www.healthhealinglife.comRebecca's FREE 2-day Re-boot Program - a great 2 day program to support you to start to recognise and feel what feels true for you and what doesn’t. SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever Please note: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, health concern, or illness and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health.

An epic interview with author of 'In the Name of The Pill' Mike Gaskins, on all things hormonal birth control. Such important information for us all, women and men, to know and understand. Topics that Mike & I discuss in this episode: Introducing Mike Gaskins, author of 'In the Name of the Pill' How Mike became a women's health advocate - very interesting story! Is contraception just a women's issue? Men need to be having conversations about hormonal birth control too Women need to demand more from their health-care & be informed We have normalised The Pill so much that it is not even perceived as a medication by many women The Nelson Pill Hearings - a landmark event in the history of The Pill - 1970 Has The Pill ever been proven safe? Benefit to Risk paradigm - how this changed in relation to The Pill Population growth and the link with The Pill Original Puerto Rico Trials that were submitted to the FDA - what were the results and what were the inadequacies? How did The Pill get approved? Bayer settlements as a result of The Pill Are Doctor's being educated on the full impact of the pill and other hormonal contraceptives? Is a woman's health even a concern when it comes to the pill? What are the health risks of taking the pill? Further impacts of the pill including environmentally Enjoy this epic episode with Mike...and as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and any episode suggestions you have, simply send me an email and let me know. SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever Please note: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, health concern, or illness and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health.

Depo Provera is a slow release hormonal medication administered by injection that suppresses a woman's menstrual cycle for 3 months at a time. My interview with Dr Rachel Mascord, gives us a very personal account of her experience with this drug and what transpired as a result. Her inspiring story includes her renewed relationship with her menstrual cycle and with herself as a woman. As I've said many times, I'm not necessarily anti-hormonal contraception completely...but I am definitely pro-being fully informed. And I do firmly believe that IF we were fully informed about the drugs themselves, how they work, their impacts on the body and potential harmful effects AS WELL as being educated on our cycles and reproductive health overall, then there would be far fewer women taking these drugs as a result. I believe these conversations are super important to inspire women to have a relationship with their bodies in a way that deeply supports them - perhaps more than they had ever considered it could. Topics we discuss: Rachel explains what Depo Provera is What prompted Rachel to have the shot Side-effects that Rachel experienced The fear that she experienced as a result of taking the shot Giving your power away to the medical system The trivialisation of symptoms that women experience Women giving up on themselves or even questioning themselves in the face of medical authority Looking at the root cause of what we are feeling instead of just managing it all Examining life from our bodies rather than our heads Self-care and the difference this makes in a woman's health Appreciation of the female body Having a relationship with our cycle and why this is so important SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever Please note: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, health concern, or illness and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health.

So what is PMDD? It stands for Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder and it affects between 2 - 10% of women. The pathogenesis is not fully understood but it is often referred to as a more severe form of PMS. We do know that PMDD is not so much about an hormonal imbalance but rather a sensitivity to the fluctuation of the hormones throughout the cycle. The main indicator of PMDD is that the symptoms occur after ovulation and before the period, so whilst there are often symptoms of mental instability, it should not be confused with something like bipolar. If this important point is not recognised by your health professional, there is the risk of being prescribed anti-psychotic drugs unnecessarily. The symptoms of PMDD can include:Feeling sad, depressed and even thoughts of suicideFeeling tension & anxietyPanic attacksIrritability and angerTrouble focusingTired and low energyFeeling out of controlBreast sorenessBloatingHeadaches The symptoms are generally quite disruptive and are often associated with much distress, impacting the woman's quality of life. If a woman presented with at least 5 of these symptoms, she may be diagnosed with PMDD. In this episode I interview Eleanor Cooper, a 41 year old woman from the UK. Eleanor had a Women's Health Counselling session with me recently and naturally, we were talking about her cycle and the history of her experience with it. PMDD became the topic of conversation and the way she found her way through it is very inspiring and is the same approach I take when working with women experiencing these or similar symptoms with their menstrual cycle. Here are some of the main points shared by Eleanor in this episode: Her experience of her cycle growing up and how she thought it was normal because this is what all the women in her family also experienced Here symptoms were clearly between ovulation and the start of menstruation, meaning she was hanging out to get her period every month so that the symptoms of fatigue, moodiness, anxiety and insomnia would ease. She chose not to take anti depressants and see if she could find another way, which is when she began to slowly change her lifestyle. Changing simple things like going to bed earlier, her diet, not watching as much TV started to shift a lot of what she was experiencing. Esoteric Healing was a huge support for Eleanor helping her to feel more settled in her body and being able to sleep!!! She was able to turn things around so that she was no longer feeling a victim to her body but rather felt empowered and more in control of her body, now feeling more equipped to deal with any challenges that should arise in life. Eleanor offers some fantastic advice for us all in terms of first steps we can take to support ourselves if we are feeling these kinds of symptoms and indeed any symptoms that we would like to address. Enjoy this inspiring episode with Eleanor and all things PMDD. Please note: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, health concern, or illness and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health.

In this episode I chat with Dr Kerry Hampton, a leader in the field of the Fertility Awareness Method. Dr Hampton is a natural fertility specialist in clinical practice where she provides counselling for couples who are preparing for pregnancy, having trouble conceiving or wish to use fertility awareness as contraception. As an active researcher, Kerry publishes on fertility awareness in peer review journals. She is also an education leader in her field, being the author of several professional development courses in fertility awareness for health care practitioners. In this episode with talk about - What Fertility Awareness is? Using Cervical Mucus & Basal Body Temperature as a fertile sign Fertility Awareness Methods are NOT the Rhythm Method Why don’t all women know this? Apps are not reliable predictors of ovulation Charting your cycle provides important information regarding your health The 28 day medical model is not an accurate representation of women's experience Stress may affect how and when we ovulate in the cycle FULL SHOW NOTES RESOURCESDetails to contact Kerry -Dr Kerry Hampton - https://wisewomanbusiness.comEmail – Kerryhampton@iprimus.com.au Effectiveness of Fertility Awareness for contraception - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17314078/Based on this data the symptom-thermal method (CM & BBT) is 99.6% effective for contraception with perfect use and 98.2% with typical use. Note that robust typical use data needs to come from a large population base and studies on FABM have not had this kind of reach as yet in the current research. RELATED EPISODESEpisode 1 - 10 Period Myths RELATED BLOGSWhat do Stress & Stillness have to do with my menstrual cycle? Ditching hormonal contraception for an app - is this a good idea? Natural Fertility Awareness. Ovulation: who knew it could be so fascinating eBOOKOvulation. An Introduction to Fertility Awareness PROGRAMSStillness & Cycles Program SOCIALSFacebookInstagram Please note: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, health concern, or illness and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health.