What Lisa Shares:

Her journey to understanding female fertility more fully after receiving incorrect information in school
How to determine when you're actually fertile
The biology of the menstrual cycle and how different birth controls alter this
The importance of male fertility in conception and how to boost male fertility

What You'll Hear:

The recent expansion of scientific literature to more fully include the female body
Learning about the biology and physiology of the female body and basing health decisions on science
The hormonal cycle is intertwined with the rest of your biology
Embracing your body through the lens of pleasure rather than fear
Developing personal agency around your fertility decisions
The difference between the rhythm method and fertility awareness
The importance of familiarizing yourself with cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and cervical positioning
The difference between pre-ovulatory and post-ovulatory mucus
When practiced *properly,* the efficacy of fertility awareness is up to 99.4%
The importance of learning and practicing the method, especially when coming off the pill
Understanding the importance of male fertility for natural conception
Average count and mobility of sperm has declined in the last century, and ways to improve sperm health
Why you might lose your period and the importance of balancing health in order to bring it back
Why the menstrual cycle is an important vital sign about your health
How vaginal steaming might interact with fertility awareness
The long-term health implications of hormonal birth control
Being familiar enough with your cycle to notice when more systemic issues are at play
How stress affects your menstrual cycle
How relating to your body in this way can empower you

EP58: Lisa Hendrickson-Jack on the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign, Fertility, and Holistic Reproductive Health