Hi Friends!

July 19- July 25, 2020 is Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, and I wanted to take this time to share some benefits about NFP that you may not be aware of… because honestly, I wasn’t until I became informed.

NFP may also be called the Fertility Awareness Method. There are a few different methods and practices, so be sure to look around for the best method that resonates with you.

As a licensed acupuncturist, I’m very aware of the signs and symptoms our bodies present us with to help us know how things are going. However, I also know, we are too often too busy, or unaware, or simply don’t know what our bodies are trying to tell us.

This is ok and totally not your fault! It’s just the way things go.

But I want to challenge this status quo.

I want to empower women to take control of their health and wellbeing.

I want to get to the root cause of issues, symptoms, conditions, and diseases.

And what if I told you NFP/ Fertility Awareness Method was the perfect way to start this… I know, I know… NFP is just for those super religious people who don’t want to use other forms of birth control.

Wrong.

NFP and the Fertility Awareness Method and learning how to accurately chart your cycle, with a trained fertility specialist, will educate you on YOUR body. It will help show your patterns as well as possible conditions you may be experiencing, treatments needed, and a great base for your overall health and wellness- both menstrual related and in general.

NFP and the Fertility Awareness Method are wonderful if you’re looking to use it as a form of birth control or if you are wanting to conceive.

NFP and the Fertility Awareness Method are hormone free- meaning you’re not having to use any synthetic hormones to ensure no pregnancy, if that is your goal.

Our menstrual cycle is OUR FIFTH VITAL SIGN. There’s so much that can be shared with us, if only we look at and track our cycle. This book has all sorts of amazing information about why our menstrual cycle is our fifth vital sign, a great start to how to track, and other super empowering information that sadly, we don’t learn about in health class.

Photo Credit: Amanda Sengbusch

The more I learn, the more I truly am saddened by the information available to us at our fingertips, but we have no way of knowing that this is actually information, and what’s more, possibly our own answers to symptoms we may be experiencing.

Just a few things to think about, specifically relating to your cycle (pertaining to Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Family Planning & the Fertility Awareness Method):

• the length of your period
• the quality of your period (color, amount, clots)
• the symptoms you experience before, during, and after
• the amount and quality of your cervical mucus
• the length of your luteal phase (post ovulation to the start of your next period)
• the color and amount of any spotting- before or after your cycle, mid- cycle, or random
• your basal body temperature is very insightful and can help detect if your thyroid needs some support and love

If you’re interested in NFP or the Fertility Awareness Method, listening to Lisa’s podcast, Fertility Friday, would be a wonderful place to start. She could actually be your coach to get you on your way, or you could check out the good ol’ internet to find a practitioner near you.

Learning about your body is always a good idea and I just love all the knowledge one may gain by paying attention to the subtle, but sometimes obvious, clues our bodies may be telling us.

With faith, hope, and love,

Emily