#38: What should I teach my daughter about her period?
with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, Fertility Awareness Educator
In this episode we discuss…
how lisa discovered fertility awareness
why so many woman are not taught about and never fully understand their menstrual cycle
why lisa considers the menstrual cycle a vital sign and a window into health
hypothalamic amenorrhea and the impact of under-nutrition, over-exercise, and stress on the menstrual cycle
osteoporosis and bone loss as a consequence of losing your period for an extended time
the typical cultural response to menarche (a girl’s first period)
how understanding your period can help you connect to and appreciate your body
three distinct phases of menstrual cycles across a lifetime
why it takes years after your first period for the menstrual cycle to fully mature and normalize
the myth that the cycle is always 28 days
signs of an irregular cycle
the connection between the menstrual cycle and body positivity
how to identify when ovulation is happening through cervical fluid (and modeling a conversation to have with your daughter about this)
lisa’s answer to the million dollar question
We’re joined by fertility awareness educator Lisa Hendrickson-Jack to learn about all things periods. Lisa discusses common misconceptions about menstrual health, and we explore why helping your daughter understand her menstrual cycle can promote body-positivity.
Lisa Hendrickson-Jack talks about vaginas a lot! She’s a certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner who teaches women to chart their menstrual cycles for natural birth control, conception, and monitoring overall health. In her book The Fifth Vital Sign, Lisa debunks the myth that regular ovulation is only important when you want children, by recognizing the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Drawing heavily from the current scientific literature, Lisa presents an evidence-based approach to fertility awareness and menstrual cycle optimization. She also hosts the Fertility Friday Podcast, a weekly radio show devoted to helping women connect to their fifth vital sign by uncovering the connection between menstrual cycle health, fertility, and overall health. When she’s not researching, writing, and interviewing health professionals, you’ll find her spending time with her husband and her two sons.
Connect with Lisa on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.