Family Planning That's Natural

Sticky vs. Dry Mucus

2009-06-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

A response to a reader regarding mucus.

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As you decrease soy, your mucus might change. You might see some bone dry days after and before your period. Your cycles might get shorter.

If you don't see significant changes after a couple of cycles, you might consider a few other things: decreasing or eliminating food wrapped in plastic; sugar, honey, maple syrup; animal products from live stock given GMO's, bGh, antibiotics and pesticides; caffeine; perfume and other scented products. All of these contribute to estrogen dominance, and that can create the kind of mucus pattern you described. You might also try the night-lighting techniques I've described.

What's the difference between dry and sticky? The nose is a moist membrane, and most people know whether the inside of their nose is dry or sticky. That's about sensation, and it applies to vaginal sensation.

Interesting observation about body temperatures.

2009-05-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Katie,

Love your book!

One thing I would strongly recommend though... I always took my morning temperatures under my armpit and was always discourages as the temps were so low.

A friend recommended under the tongue. I looked through your book and noticed that you recommend either way so I tried it. Well, my temps are consistently 1-1.5 degrees higher! I just think this info needs to be out there so women know it isn't apples to apples. I was convinced I had thyroid issues when in fact it was just the way I was measuring my temp.

______________________________

Thank you so much for sharing your research. I will post your observations on my blog.

Best,

Katie Singer

Interesting observation about body temperatures.

2009-05-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

Hi Katie,

Love your book!

One thing I would strongly recommend though... I always took my morning temperatures under my armpit and was always discourages as the temps were so low.

A friend recommended under the tongue. I looked through your book and noticed that you recommend either way so I tried it. Well, my temps are consistently 1-1.5 degrees higher! I just think this info needs to be out there so women know it isn't apples to apples. I was convinced I had thyroid issues when in fact it was just the way I was measuring my temp.

________________________

Thank you so much for sharing your research. I will post your observations on my blog.

Best,

Katie Singer

A question about night-lighting

2009-05-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I have just read your book "Honoring Our Cycles," and I have a question
about using the "night-lighting" technique to regulate my menstrual cycle.
I have a very bright streetlight outside and my black-out curtains don't
make the room entirely dark. Will night-lighting have the same effect if
I use a sleeping mask to block out the light from my eyes, or is it
necessary that my entire body be surrounded by complete darkness?

Thanks!

************

I'm not sure. I think the eye mask should give you what you need. If you
can afford it, there are room-darkening honeycomb blinds made with mylar;
I'm also looking into roll-down blinds that might be available at places
like Home Depot. I have also had good experience with flattened cardboard
between the window and the existing blind.

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

A question about night-lighting

2009-05-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I have just read your book "Honoring Our Cycles," and I have a question about using the "night-lighting" technique to regulate my menstrual cycle. I have a very bright streetlight outside and my black-out curtains don't make the room entirely dark. Will night-lighting have the same effect if I use a sleeping mask to block out the light from my eyes, or is it necessary that my entire body be surrounded by complete darkness?

Thanks!

***********

I'm not sure. I think the eye mask should give you what you need. If you can afford it, there are room-darkening honeycomb blinds made with mylar; I'm also looking into roll-down blinds that might be available at places like Home Depot. I have also had good experience with flattened cardboard between the window and the existing blind.

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

An interesting note from a reader.

2009-05-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!

**********

Hi Katie,

Love your book!

One thing I would strongly recommend though... I always took my morning temperatures under my armpit and was always discourages as the temps were so low.

A friend recommended under the tongue. I looked through your book and noticed that you recommend either way so I tried it. Well, my temps are consistently 1-1.5 degrees higher! I just think this info needs to be out there so women know it isn't apples to apples. I was convinced I had thyroid issues when in fact it was just the way I was measuring my temp.

A question about Queen Anne's Lace and Wild Carrot

2009-02-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

A question - and my response - about two particular herbs:

Hello Katie,

I've been thinking through various birth control options and I recently learned about a Western herb called Queen Anne's Lace or Wild Carrot? Do you have any experience with it as a natural form of birth control?

---------

I've never used it myself.

A question about the follicular phase, and night lighting

2009-02-17T08:27:00.000-08:00

Please see a few questions, and my answers below...

Enjoy!

Dear Ms. Singer,

Your book 'Garden of Fertility' is superb but I just can't understand one part of it no matter how hard I try. You have stated that low progesterone levels can be indicated by a number of factors,including when the transitioon from the follicular phase to
the luteal phase takes more than 3 days. You have also used examples to illustrate this but I cannot understand these examples. How does one work out this transition and how many days it takes. I normally seperate the follicular phase from the luteal by looking at the day when temperatures shot above coverline. So which is the transitional period?

For example on P113 on Barbara's chart, you say she took 6 days (Days 18-23) to shift from the follicular phase to the luteal phase. How do you get 6 days?

I have shown this book to my friends as well and none of us can work it out. Not sure if I missed something in the book or if this perhaps needs further explanation.

Thanks so much for your help.

------

Thank you for your question.

I first want to clarify that we're talking about Chart 6.6 on page 114.

I think you are right. I'm confused here. I think what I was trying to show is that Day 18 was the last day before Barbara's
temperatures started to rise. Days 20, 21, 22 and 23, her temperatures continued to rise. She didn't have a crisp shift. I might say she was "stairstepping" between the follicular and luteal phases. The "stairstepping" quality can indicate low progesterone levels. I hope this clarifies.

------

Dear Ms. Singer,

Thanks for clarifying. Yes, it is Figure 6.6 I was referring to.

I see the pattern that you have explained so it makes sense now.

I have read a few chapters of your book and it's been quite enlightening...especially the lunaception chapter as I did not come across that in most of the articles I have read. After reading that last night, I now plan to sleep blindfolded for a few nights until my husband and I find a more practical way to block out the bright street lights that illuminate our bedroom every night.

Thanks once again for getting back to me.

------
I'm glad you're enjoying the book. Before I bought light blocking shades, I used unfolded cardboard boxes which actually worked quite well.

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

A question about teenagers and sexuality.

2009-02-02T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hello!

I've posted a query about teenagers and sexuality. My response follows below.

------------

Dear Katie,

Do you have advice for some kind of info to show to a 16-year old who is being tempted into sex?!

Thank you!
------------

Every sixteen year old is unique, so it's hard to know what to recommend. My book, HONORING OUR CYCLES, gives a simple description of the menstrual cycle and how pregnancy occurs. THE GARDEN OF FERTILITY also includes what happens in the male reproductive system. Both books are packed with stories from real people about their experiences with sex, birth control,
and their bodies. That might be the best recommendation I can give; that you help this young woman find a way to hear from other people about their experiences.

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

A question about Night Lighting

2009-02-02T09:46:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

I've posted a question about Night Lighting, as well as my response.

Enjoy!

---------------

Hello,

I recently got both of your books, and I thank you for the wonderful information. I’m 27 years old and haven’t had a menstrual cycle in 3 ½ years. My cycle stopped as soon as I discontinued birth control pills after taking them for 8 years. I have been charting my temperatures and cervical fluid for about a year now. I do not ovulate or have a change in cervical fluid. I have followed and combination on Weston Price and Body Ecology Diet for 4 years. I am working with a natural medicine doctor to strengthen my thyroid and adrenals. A vaginal ultrasound done about 1 year ago showed nothing abnormal.

My husband and I have begun Lunaception. We have been in complete darkness for 4 nights now. My question is should we sleep with a light on for 3 nights this coming full moon, or should we continue in darkness until I notice a change in my cervical fluid. Your opinion is greatly appreciated, and any other suggestions you might have.

--------

Why don't you sleep in total darkness until the day before the full moon, and then return to total darkness on February 10th or the 11th, right after the full moon?

These days, I'm also encouraging people to consider eliminating WiFi and drastically reducing cell phone use to see if reducing microwave radiation exposure improves your health.

I would also recommend Tai Chi or yoga or some other kind of gentle movement that supports your circulation.

Do keep with your WAP/Body Ecology diet.

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

Question about conceiving at age 45

2009-01-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

Hello,

I was wondering if your book would be appropriate for someone trying to conceive at 45? I had a great pregnancy at 42 and would like to repeat my good luck. I would love to do this naturally if at all possible. I know I'll need to do my best to be in peak health and am looking for guidance and support in this endeavor. Have you had experience with anyone as old as I am and would your book be a good reference for me?

Thank you for your time.

---------------------------------------

My books describe night lighting techniques and information about nutrient-dense foods that strengthen reproductive health. If that sounds good to you, I hope you enjoy them.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1583331824

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

Question about Thermometers

2009-01-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

I've posted a question - and my response - about thermometers.

Hi Katie,

I am really enjoying all the information your book provides. I have a
question about thermometers. Do I need to use a basal body temperature
specific thermometer or will a regular digital one work. I am also trying
out my third thermometer and they all give me different numbers at the
same time. The second one has a quick 8 second read time but is that too short
for an accurate number?

Thanks

----------------------------------------

Thanks for your question. A digital thermometer that registers temperature
in increments of 1/10 -- not 2/10 -- is what you need. Also, I have heard
that you need to wait at least five minutes after taking your temperature
with a digital thermometer to get an accurate second reading. Last, I hope
that the three thermometers you're testing are not giving you readings
that are significantly different from each other. That fact that they are
different is reason to stick with one thermometer per cycle and to take
your temperature in the same location (under your tongue or under your
arm) everyday.

Best,

Katie Singer

A question about becoming certified in FA

2008-09-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

A question about becoming certified to teach Fertility Awareness.

My response follows below.

I am starting my long held idea of teaching NFP in my community. I have read about the workbook on your website, and will probably be buying it. When it is complete, and reviewed by another teacher, do I get a certification of some kind? Are there other options for becoming and FA or NFP teacher?

For a couple of reasons I don't want to go through CCL. I still love the organization, but I want to reach a wider audience, and I am thinking of this as a small business that can bring in a bit of income. If you have any advice, I am all ears (or eyes. . .).

------

Completing my study guide does not give you certification. This is a missing link in the FA community. Everyone involved is essentially running a one-woman show. The only certification program I know of is run by Justisse (http://www.justisse.ca) in Canada. After I studied and did enormous amounts of research, I taught at Women's Health Services in Santa Fe for many years. The clinic had received numerous grants for educational projects and this allowed me to teach and get paid. The women and couples who took my classes paid a minimal fee. I bet that you can find a similar clinic in your area.

My main concern in teaching this material is that few women have healthy cycles now. Teachers therefore need a big repertoire for responding to health problems that the charts reveal. I certainly recommend becoming well-versed with Marilyn Shannon's ideas as well as the ones I wrote about in THE GARDEN OF FERTILITY and my workbook, HONORING OUR CYCLES.

Very best to you,

Katie Singer

A question about FA classes/training

2008-09-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

An interesting question about FA classes. My response is below.

Dear Katie,

As you know I've been charting for several years, and I've also now been
begun using FA as birth control. In practice doing massage and with friends
and family it comes up so often, I find myself educating people a lot about
their options and cycles. It's something I really enjoy, and that has been
such a benefit to my own health and life. I've decided I'd like to start
teaching- and wanted to get contact you for some advice.

I noticed on your site that you recommend Justisse's course. Even though
it's somewhat expensive, I'm considering it- what are your thoughts, how
does compare to the study guide offered on your website?

I've been asked by the place I work to give a small intro talk on FA next
month- and they are very interested in supporting further courses. Is there
a way we could get a box of your books to have at the center. The last time
I did a talk I had ordered 4 copies off amazon and sold them at cost, which
worked fine, but if there's a better way to go through you, let me know.

As far as my thoughts about teaching go, I'd like to see the material be
taught to women who are not necessarily concerned with pregnancy or birth
control but who are interested in learning the information for themselves.
I've been offered opportunities to get involved with afterschool programs in
the bronx etc. I've been thinking about how I'd put together a class on
that. I like to dialogue with you about that to see if you any suggestions
as well.

---------------------------

I'm glad to hear that you're still charting and still an FA advocate.
That's great. Let me answer the question about books first. I buy my books
from Penguin at 50% of retail. There are twenty per box. You can open an
account with Penguin by phoning 800-847-5515 or 800-526-0275. I believe
you need to order a minimum of $250 worth of books in order to get a
discount.

I also have a newer book, Honoring Our Cycles, which was published by New
Trends. It retails for $12. I recommend that you get a copy and check it
out. If you like, you can order a box of twenty-four copies from New
Trends at 877-707-1776. That cost would be 50% of retail, plus shipping.

My concern about teaching is that most young women have significant
menstrual cycle problems, and a teacher needs to be able to present a wide
variety of options. Her options need to be educational, not therapeutic.
This can be very tricky. Of course, you also need to describe what happens
in a healthy cycle in a way that's accurate and understandable. I think
it's crucial that new teachers have support from more experienced
teachers. Unfortunately, there aren't many experienced teachers and
Justisse is the only actual training program that I know of.

If you are still drawn to teaching, I definitely recommend that you work
my study guide and consider studying through Justisse. I am not teaching
at this time. I am available for occasional consults. I charge $75 per
hour.

Best of luck, and thanks for your continued interest in sharing Fertility
Awareness.

Katie Singer

A question about bleeding

2008-08-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hi Katie,

Want to thank you profusely for your book Garden of Fertility which has provided answers to me that evaded me with midwives, naturopathics and other health practitioners that really should have answers! Your book was the end of over a year of searching. Thank you!

I just have one question left.... You stated in the book that a normal cycle should have clott free bleeding. Tho everything else seems stellar, I'm still having some clotting. It was one of the things I was seeking answers for in the first place because it was something new to me.

What causes them and what can I do to get rid of them? I am sure I don't have endometriosis, but any other info I find says they are normal. Either way, they aren't normal for me as I've never had them before this last year.

By the way, I recommend your book to *everyone* and I even wrote to Mothering Magazine suggesting they do an article on it.

Hoping you can again point me in the right direction.

Thanks again!

------------

I'm glad you like THE GARDEN.

I seem to remember that doctors of Oriental Medicine consider clotting a kind of chi stagnation. What would cause it? I'm not sure, but I bet you'd get interesting answers if you talked with doctors of Oriental Medicine. They might also be able to clear the situation through herbs and/or acupuncture.

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

Thyroid Deficiency

2008-08-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

An interesting question about thyroid problems:

I have been charting for five months and I have more than eight temperatures below 97.5 consistently during my cycles, but i am ovulating and I don't think that I am particularly lethargic. I have been eating seaweed at least every other day, avoiding soy, I don't take the pill, drinking nettle infusion, and taking Vitex to support progesterone. Should I be worried about a thyroid problem? If so, what can I do before I go for my annual in a few weeks.

----------

I think your should take a "quiz" to determine if you have symptoms of a thyroid problem besides low temperatures. If you have other symptoms, then bring your concerns to your doctor. You might find a quiz on Mary Shomon's website. To your remedies, you might consider adding cod liver oil. Do the research and discuss it with your health care provider.

Best,

Katie Singer

A question about basal temperature

2008-07-30T07:17:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

An interesting question about basal temperature. My response follows below.

Hi Katie,

I have only just discovered your information on the web & wish I'd found it a long time ago. I will see if our local library has your book otherwise I will look into buying it. My question is, how long after ovulation is it before Basal Body
Temperature rises? I haven't been able to get a conclusive answer eslewhere. It would be helpful for charting and timing our conception attempts.

Thanks for your time.

--------------------------------

A woman can ovulate 24 hours before her temperature rises and up to 24
hours after the rise. While the temperature gives you excellent
information, you really need to chart cervical mucus when you want to
conceive. My books describe all of this comprehensively.

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

A question about light periods

2008-07-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

A message you may find interesting:

Hi Katie,

I found your website today and am wondering if you might be able to point me to any helpful information for a question that no one has been able to help me with to date!

I'm 37 years old. In late 2002, I went off the Pill in the hopes of getting pregnant. My husband and I tried for 3 years, only once
actually getting pregnant and miscarrying. A key problem for me is that since I stopped taking the pill, my periods, though regular, are only 1.5 days long, 2 at the most, and (obviously) my uterine lining is soooo thin! Not nearly what's needed for implantation much less nourishing a fetus.

All the information I've found to date talks about irregular cycles or too much bleeding, but I've yet to find anything about helping create a healthy uterine lining. We went the whole infertility clinic route three years ago, and oh, I'd love to never step foot in that place again if I can! All they wanted to do was test, test, test, test, test. Yuck.

If you have any websites, books or info that might help, I would be very grateful!

Thank you.

-----------------------------------------------------------

You've got an excellent question. As I understand, estrogen is needed to create the new uterine lining after your period and before you ovulate. After ovulation, progesterone makes the uterine lining spongy; this quality is necessary for implantation of an embryo. My mind goes to asking what you can do to strengthen estrogen and progesterone. I have written a lot about how food affects the menstrual cycle and I think my findings would be useful in your situation: decrease or eliminate sugar, white
flour, soy, caffeine, and animal products that are not organic. Consume cod liver oil, moderate and frequent portions of organic meats and full-fat cheeses, lots of green leafy vegetables, butter, and grains and beans that have been soaked and rinsed before you cook them. Sleeping in darkness except around ovulation would be helpful. I also sense acupuncture and chinese herbs could be very helpful to you. I trust that there are many other things that you might discover that could nurture you and strengthen your menstrual cycle.

I say more about these things in my books, The Garden of Fertility and Honoring Our Cycles.

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

A question about temperatures

2008-07-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

An interesting message about temperature-taking:

I recently read an article about natural ways of birth control and became very interested. I decided that getting off my birth control was the best health choice I could make (after 13 straight years of being on it). I ordered both of your books and just got Honoring Our Cycles and started reading it immediately. I know that taking your temperature in the morning before you get out of bed is one of the main point of charting. My question is how long do I need to have slept before I take my temperature? Unfortunately I wake up quite a few times during the night and morning hours. My normal wake up time is 730am but sometimes I might have to wake up 1/2 an hour to an hour earlier to let the dog out and then I'm back to bed. I'm wondering if this kind of a routine is going to mess with my temperature? Do I need to have so many hours of sleep before I take my temperature?

Thanks for any help!

My response:

I congratulate you on taking a step toward what you think will improve your health. Please be gentle with yourself as you come off of the Pill and your body returns to natural cycling. You might get confusing signals for a while; you might not. It's a time to discover what truly nourishes you and your body.

When taking your temperature, try to be as consistent as possible. You should take it before you get out of bed and before you let your dog out. On your chart, mark the time that you take your temperature. If you notice significant differences in temperatures that are say, an hour apart, then you might try waking every morning at 6:30 so that you get a consistent
reading.

This sounds sort of muddled. Just do the best you can and take it before you get out bed. Technically, the basal temperature is your body's temperature after three hours of rest.

You didn't ask, but given that you've been on the Pill for 13 years, I'll encourage you to read the chapters about food and night lighting in both of my books. They have good information that can help you nourish your body after you've been on the Pill.

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

Nursing and pregnancy

2008-07-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

An interesting message I'd like to share with you:

I am solely nursing my 3 month old daughter. I wanted to know if I can have sex w/o using birth control pills and not get pregnant? I’ve heard you can have sex for the first 6 months of your newborns life and not get pregnant if you are solely nursing? I nurse every 3-3.5 hours during the day and 7-8 hours at night. I heard that you have to nurse every 6 hours at night in order to not get pregnant? Can I have sex and not use any contraceptives and still not get pregnant up to 6 months if I’m nursing every 3-3.5 hours during the day and 7-8 hours at night?

Thanks!
-----------
My response:
-----------

To create unambiguous infertility, you need to nurse at least once or twice per hour during the day and several times at night during your baby's first few months. When a woman nurses this frequently, then her mucus will dry up. That dryness signals
infertility.

Since you are nursing only every few hours during the day, and 7-8 hours at night, you are not nursing enough to create unambiguous infertility. You also don't say whether you are observing your mucus. You therefore need to consider yourself
fertile.

The Pill can affect your health and it can get into your breast milk. If this is a problem for you, then you might consider a barrior method of birth control, such as condoms, the diaphram or the cervical cap.

A question about finding my books at the library....

2008-05-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

I recently received this message via email:

"I want one of your books, but I don't have the money. What can I do?"

My response:

"Either book should be available at your library through inter-library loan. Your library also might purchase the books if you ask them."

Periods and withdrawal bleeds

2008-04-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

I've pasted a message from a reader (and my response) below.

***********

Katie,

I am 25 years old. For the past 6 months I have been ill with what turns out to be a parasite infection (I will begin an intense antibiotic treatment in about a month, after my wedding). My illness led me to completely change my lifestyle which I am very
greatful for. For the past 3 months, my diet has been in accordance with the Weston Price Foundation and Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions. I eat plenty of butter and have my cod liver oil every day. I drink raw, cultured milk. I don't eat soy, sugar, or any processed or refined foods.

I had been on birth control pills for 7 years and quit taking them 3 months ago. After the last "period" started a couple days after I quit taking the pill, I have not had a period in 3 months. My gynecologist wants me to take a natural form of progesterone (derived from peanut oil?) so I will have a period. She told me it is unhealthy to have the lining buildup without shedding it monthly, and 3 months is the maximum I should leave it "untreated". She said if that doesn't make me bleed then there is a whole slew of tests that she can run to make sure nothing else is going on.

I think having this infection has just caused my body to go haywire, and I want to return to health as naturally and gently as possible. Do you think it is unhealthy to let my body return to its natural cycle without using the hormone? Do the benefits outweigh the risks of using the progesterone?

Thank you so much for your help with this. I completely trust your advice with this issue.

**************
My response:
**************

Let me clarify a few things. First, a "period" is bleeding that follows ovulation. When you bleed without having ovulated the bleeding that you experience is a "withdrawal bleed." It is not a "period." Most prescriptions for birth control prevent you from ovulating; the bleeding that you experience on the Pill is therefore a withdrawal bleed. A few prescriptions do not prevent ovulation. But they repress other key parts of the menstrual cycle. You might want to look at the cervix pictures on my site to get an image of what the Pill does to the cervix.

If you have been taking birth control pills for 7 years, since you were a teenager, then your body has not ovulated for a long time. The years 18-25 are significant for most women's bodies as a time of learning to cycle in a healthy way. I salute you
for learning about your body now. You will need to be gentle with yourself as your body learns to cycle naturally.

My books, THE GARDEN OF FERTILITY and HONORING OUR CYCLES describe night lighting techniques and other remedies (such as acupuncture and homeopathy) that can help your body return to health. I appreciate that your doctor wants your uterine lining to shed regularly. But perhaps you can continue to collect information and experiment with treatments that can lead to healing the roots of your menstrual cycle.

Best of luck,

Katie Singer

A message of interest

2008-03-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a message - and my response - I thought you might find interesting.

***********
Hi Katie,

I am a midwife and I am helping one of my past clients try to conceive their next baby. Is there anyone you would recommend for consultation? I am helping her narrow down as much as possible, but I think we are getting to the point of needing extra help. I just gave her your article on diet and night lighting for the WAP foundation - she is a big WAP eater, so that is great. She is somewhat nursing a 2.5yo (I'm checking on how often at night). Wondering if the stevia she uses as
sweetener could be a problem. She is working with a holistic doctor, too, and her "pre-ovulatory phase is much too long and luteal phase too short, even with the progesterone cream." They have run saliva tests and are waiting for the results. Doing some adrenal support with the holistic doctor - temp is a little bit higher since then but still on the low side (she is going to fax me her charts). Any really good practitioners out there who will do a consultation and work with her?
Thanks so much.

-------

Nursing mothers typically have low temperatures and low progesterone levels, so I am not alarmed by the situation of the woman you describe. Also, Westin Price found that traditional cultures considered it best for the woman, the family, and the whole community when there was *at least* three years between children.

I've found cod liver oil consumed with butter oil to be much more helpful in strengthening women's menstrual cycles than progesterone cream, which, in fact, can be hazardous.

Stevia. I have not read anything about stevia's effects on the menstrual cycle. If your client suspects that its affecting her, then experimenting with not using any for a month or longer could be good.

My books, THE GARDEN OF FERTILITY and HONORING OUR CYCLES, (which Sally Fallon published), present dietary guidelines and night lighting techniques in greater detail than my article does. THE GARDEN is more comprehensive than HONORING OUR CYCLES.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes to you and your client,

Katie Singer

FAM, hirsutism, and anovulation

2008-03-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Another message I thought you might enjoy! My response follows below....

Dear Ms. Singer,

I was introduced to your teachings and expertise via the Weston A. Price Foundation's website. I would like to begin practicing FAM but am concerned about my personal circumstances. I am 25 and was placed on birth control at 15 due to anovulation with mild symptoms of hirsutism. As part of my dedication to an all natural lifestyle I would like to stop taking birth control but am concerned of what the consequences will be and what my options are for helping my body to begin ovulating normally, assuming this is possible. Have you heard of women controlling hirsutism and anovulation through natural methods or is my situation hopeless? Also, should I expect any side effects from going off the pill?

I appreciate how dedicated you are to helping women and their partners become more aware of their natural fertility.

Thank you for your dedication.

---------------------------
My response:

You've raised a lot of questions that are common to many women. Let me clarify a few things and raise more questions for you.

Most prescriptions of the birth control pill suppress normal menstrual cycle functioning, including ovulation. You can see some of the effects of the Pill on the cervix at this page on my website.

If you have been on the Pill for ten years, then your body has not cycled for all of those years. When you come off of the Pill, your body will need to learn how to cycle. It's hard to say how long you'll need for that. Every woman is different, and many factors -- including your diet --affect your return to health. Your main job is to be gentle with yourself. Gentle, gentle, gentle.

I recommend using condoms for birth control until you can discern regular, ovulatory cycles.

Many women have benefitted from decreasing or eliminating soy, sugar, white flour and caffeine; and by eating plenty of organic, free range eggs, organic butter, cod liver oil, lots of green leafy vegetables, organic raw dairy, and
other foods suggested by the Westin A. Price Foundation.

The night lighting techniques that I describe in my books, The Garden of Fertility and Honoring Our Cycles, are also very helpful to women coming off of the Pill. Moderate and frequent exercise is also very important.
Acupuncture and homeopathy can also be very helpful. You'll have to experiment and do what's right for you.

I wish you the very best of luck,

Katie Singer

Materials in Spanish?

2008-03-04T10:44:00.000-08:00

Hello!

For those of you who may be looking for materials in spanish...

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Hi
Katie,

I have moved to Costa Rica and am looking for materials on Natural Birth Control in spanish. Might you know where I
can get such materials?

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My reply:

Try the Couple To Couple League at www.ccli.org and/or Family of the Americas Foundation at www.familyplanning.net. They are both Catholic organizations and present the material in a Catholic framework, which may or may not be agreeable to you. Both organizations have materials and, possibly, volunteer teachers available in spanish. I post a Fertility Awareness IQ test in Spanish on my website at http://www.gardenoffertility.com/iqspanish.shtml.

I can also recommend that you purchase Honoring Our Cycles, which Sally Fallon published, and which presents the method very simply in english so that you can know it well for yourself. I also have a study guide for people who want to teach the method - http://www.gardenoffertility.com/teaching.shtml

Very best,

Katie Singer