 | Using fertility awareness as contraception means having periods - true periods, not the withdrawal bleeds you get on the pill. This can be a mixed blessing. If all goes well, they can be reassuring. A great indicator of overall health and fertility, and a handy way to confirm that we’re not pregnant. However some women have absent periods, heavy periods, period pain, PMS, acne, breast pain, PCOS, irregular bleeding, endometriosis, fibroids... It’s not exactly the stuff to fill you with joy about your natural hormones. |
The pill is often presented as the solution but, as Lara Briden says, this isn’t tackling the underlying problems - it's just suppressing our normal cycles.
Food and lifestyle are the basis of her approach. That might sound alarming, like you have to live on kale and tofu and do endless yoga, but it's sensible stuff like:
She also talks about smoking (don't do it), alcohol (in moderation) and caffeine (some is fine).
Lara's approach to fat is slightly controversial, but they echo the recommendations of a major fertility and diet study and those of some leading cardiologists.
The impact of stress on periods and fertility might be overstated. There's good research that low to moderate stress doesn't stop you getting pregnant, but it's no fun being stressed, or depressed.
It's worth looking after your mental health and acknowledging the impact of society's expectations on mental health, especially women's mental health. Lara says not to ignore or dismiss any anger and sadness you might feel before your period. Instead think of it as your monthly "truth serum" which I found a rather refreshing thought...
I am wary of all the herbal medicine and vitamins that Lara recommends. In a perfect world I'd wait for big pharma to do some trials and publish all their results. But the world isn't perfect and Lara provides some nice low-key suggestions for everyday cycle problems that more official sources are pretty hopeless about.
For example, breast pain and breast lumps before your period. I've experienced this and followed the official advice and had alarming visits to the breast clinic only to be told it's nothing to worry about. All the NHS website suggests is painkillers and making sure your bra fits.
Lara says breast pain can be a sign of low-level thyroid issues and iodine deficiency, which is increasingly common in young women. She suggests (very careful) use of iodine and selenium. She also says to get checked out in case the lumps are masking something more sinister.
Thanks to this advice, if my boobs are painful I eat a bit more dairy and fish (for the iodine), and have a few brazil nuts (for the selenium). It seems to work. Thanks Lara.
She has also helped me with period pain. Firstly by saying it is not normal and then by suggesting magnesium to help prevent it. A couple of Boots magnesium tablets a week stopped me getting period pain. You can see why I'm a fan.
Lara doesn't claim to have all the solutions. Sometimes you will need help from a doctor, or even surgery, but it is helpful to have suggestions for tackling period problems that don't involve simply taking the pill. You can visit Lara's blog and buy the Period Repair Manual here.
Food and lifestyle are the basis of her approach. That might sound alarming, like you have to live on kale and tofu and do endless yoga, but it's sensible stuff like:
- Exercise in a way that you enjoy. It flushes out the stress hormones that can disrupt your cycle. Walking, running, dancing, karate - whatever works for you.
- Look after your mental health. Do things you enjoy, make time for loved ones, enjoy nature, sleep well, get therapy if you need it. Again, good for those stress hormones.
- Honour your hunger. Eat proper meals with protein, vegetables and plenty of carbs - low-carb diets aren't a good option for women. Avoid sugar as much as you can, go easy on wheat and aim for a BMI between 20 and 24.
- Eat good fats, in moderation, to help you feel full and avoid over-eating, and because they do you good. This includes olive oil, nuts, butter and cheese (hurrah!). Avoid cows milk, especially skimmed milk, as it can be inflammatory in a similar way to wheat and sugar.
She also talks about smoking (don't do it), alcohol (in moderation) and caffeine (some is fine).
Lara's approach to fat is slightly controversial, but they echo the recommendations of a major fertility and diet study and those of some leading cardiologists.
The impact of stress on periods and fertility might be overstated. There's good research that low to moderate stress doesn't stop you getting pregnant, but it's no fun being stressed, or depressed.
It's worth looking after your mental health and acknowledging the impact of society's expectations on mental health, especially women's mental health. Lara says not to ignore or dismiss any anger and sadness you might feel before your period. Instead think of it as your monthly "truth serum" which I found a rather refreshing thought...
I am wary of all the herbal medicine and vitamins that Lara recommends. In a perfect world I'd wait for big pharma to do some trials and publish all their results. But the world isn't perfect and Lara provides some nice low-key suggestions for everyday cycle problems that more official sources are pretty hopeless about.
For example, breast pain and breast lumps before your period. I've experienced this and followed the official advice and had alarming visits to the breast clinic only to be told it's nothing to worry about. All the NHS website suggests is painkillers and making sure your bra fits.
Lara says breast pain can be a sign of low-level thyroid issues and iodine deficiency, which is increasingly common in young women. She suggests (very careful) use of iodine and selenium. She also says to get checked out in case the lumps are masking something more sinister.
Thanks to this advice, if my boobs are painful I eat a bit more dairy and fish (for the iodine), and have a few brazil nuts (for the selenium). It seems to work. Thanks Lara.
She has also helped me with period pain. Firstly by saying it is not normal and then by suggesting magnesium to help prevent it. A couple of Boots magnesium tablets a week stopped me getting period pain. You can see why I'm a fan.
Lara doesn't claim to have all the solutions. Sometimes you will need help from a doctor, or even surgery, but it is helpful to have suggestions for tackling period problems that don't involve simply taking the pill. You can visit Lara's blog and buy the Period Repair Manual here.