Fertility Friday | Fertility Awareness Mastery for Women's Health Professionals

Dr. Katz is an Instructor at Baylor College of Medicine in The Center for Precision Environmental Health. She began her research career as a McNair Scholar at the Pennsylvania State University and earned her Ph.D. at Rutgers University where she was a Southern Regional Education Board Doctoral Scholar and a National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute Fellowship recipient.

During her dissertation work, she began studying the developmental origins of health and disease and breast cancer risk. She went on to the University of Pittsburgh in the Women’s Cancer Research Center to continue studying how epigenetic mechanisms contribute to breast cancer risk with a particular focus on the protective effect of early pregnancy against breast cancer.

Dr. Katz believes that there are periods during the life course where the genome becomes highly dynamic to accommodate great change such as early development, puberty, and pregnancy and has termed these times of purposeful plasticity.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the connection between endocrine disrupting chemicals and various health issues including fibroids and endometriosis.

Today's episode is sponsored by my free FAM 101 video series? Click here for access.

Today’s episode is also sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs. My Fertility Awareness Programs are designed to help you to master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles. Gain confidence charting your cycles, and gain deep insights into the connection between your health, your fertility, and your cycles. Click here for more information!

• The protective effect of pregnancy on the lifetime risk of breast cancer (and how it relates to a woman's age at first pregnancy)
• Is there a link between xenoestrogens and the development of fibroids and/or endometriosis?
• Developmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals
• The potential fallout of early exposure (in utero) to endocrine disrupting chemicals
• The role of epigenetics in future risk of developing various health conditions
• How big of a role a genetic predisposition to certain illnesses (i.e. fibroids, endometriosis) play in your risk of developing it?
• Genetic determination versus environmental exposure
• The difference between xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens
• Practical ways to reduce your exposure

Resources mentioned:

• Potential Mechanisms underlying the Protective Effect of Pregnancy against Breast Cancer: A Focus on the IGF Pathway | Tiffany Katz
• Endocrine disrupting chemicals and uterine fibroids | Tiffany Katz
• Measurement of endocrine disrupting and asthma-associated chemicals in hair products used by Black women
• Tiffany Katz | Research Publications (complete list)
• Hack Your Cycles to Change Your Life! | Live Event in New York | November 3rd, 2018
• Fertility Awareness 101 FREE Video Series
• Fertility Friday Facebook Group

Related podcasts & blog posts:

• FFP 226 | Xenoestrogens in Black Hair Products | Tola Okogwu
• FFP 065 | 6 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Xenoestrogen Exposure with Lisa | Fertility Friday

Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group. Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts!

Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic

This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here for more information!

Tola Okogwu is a British blogger and author of the ‘Daddy Do My Hair?’ book series for children. She recently launched KECHIS ‘Kechi’s Hair Goes Every Which Way’ in May 2018, Tola wants to tackle the relationship between young black girls and their natural afro hair in a vibrant, entertaining and educational way. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and has written for several publications including Black Beauty and Hair Magazine and Metro UK.

In her own words: “For black people, hair is so much more than just what grows out of our heads. Along with our skin colour, it’s the biggest signifier of the differences between us and other races and for the longest time we’ve been made to feel that there is something wrong and unattractive about it.”

In today’s show, we talk about the issue of chemicals in black hair products, and how black women can move away from products that contain harmful chemicals.

Join me in New York on November 3rd for an epic event, Hack Your Cycles to Change Your Life! Click here for details

Today's episode is sponsored by my free FAM 101 video series? Click here for access.

• The complexities and politics of straitening your hair as a black woman
• The toxic and damaging nature of hair relaxer
• Relaxer and chemical burns
• Is there a link between hair relaxer and fibroids?
• The importance of informed choice as it relates to hair-care products
• Embracing the beauty of natural hair
• How manufacturers have adapted to the natural hair movement
• The xenoestrogen and other chemical content of natural hair products
• The particular way black women use hair-care and other beauty products, and why this exacerbates our toxic exposure
• How to minimize your exposure?
• How many products do you need?

Resources mentioned:

• Tola Okogwu
• Daddy Do My Hair
• Kechi's Hair Goes Every Which Way (Daddy Do My Hair)
• Measurement of endocrine disrupting and asthma-associated chemicals in hair products used by Black women
• Hack Your Cycles to Change Your Life! | Live Event in New York | November 3rd, 2018
• Fertility Awareness 101 FREE Video Series
• Fertility Friday Facebook Group

Related podcasts & blog posts:

• FFP 065 | 6 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Xenoestrogen Exposure with Lisa | Fertility Friday 

Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group. Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts!

Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic

This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here for more information!

Valerie has been working in women’s health field for the last decade. Her medical career experiences and passion for helping women merged when she founded her educational website eggsperience.com. She focuses on guiding women of any reproductive age through the complex and challenging paths of fertility decisions.

Valerie compliments the Eggsperience website with a fertility podcast called Eggology Club that she hosts to continue to change the conversation around cryopreservation and egg freezing. Valerie provides non-bias and fact-based information to empower women to feel inspired, brave, and act progressively to take control of their future families and protect their fertility.

And in today’s episode, we talk all about fertility preservation, cryopreservation, and egg freezing.

Today's episode is sponsored by my free FAM 101 video series? Click here for access.

Join me in New York on November 3rd for an epic event: Hack Your Cycles to Change Your Life! Click here for details.

• What is fertility preservation?
• What is the difference between egg and embryo freezing?
• Can egg freezing stop the aging process?
• The impact of aging on fertility?
• How many eggs are necessary to have a successful pregnancy and live birth?
• What is the best age for egg freezing?
• What does egg freezing entail? Is it similar to IVF?
• Improving egg quality in preparation for egg retrieval
• Cost effective options for women who want to freeze their eggs
• What types of drugs are used in the process?

Resources mentioned:

• Eggsperience | Valerie Landis
• Eggology Club Podcast | Valerie Landis
• Hack Your Cycles To Change Your Life | New York | November 3rd, 2018
• Fertility Awareness 101 FREE Video Series
• Fertility Friday Facebook Group

Related podcasts & blog posts:

• FFP 199 | Fertility Law | Assisted Reproductive Technology | Sara Cohen
• FFP 109 | The Reality of Aging & Fertility | IVF & Assisted Reproductive Technology | The Future of Fertility Treatments | Dr. Marjorie Dixon
• FFP 196 | Egg Donation | Infertility | The World Egg Bank | Diana Thomas
• FFP 088 | IVF Using Donor Eggs | Egg Donation | Infertility | Donor Egg Bank USA | Heidi Hayes
• FFP 040 | Premature Ovarian Failure at Age 28, IVF Using Donor Eggs, and Fertility Coaching | Sarah Clark
• FFP 011 | Age Related Fertility Decline | Using Reproductive Technologies | IVF IUI & IVM | Dr Melanie McDowall

Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group. Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts!

Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic

This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here for more information!

In today’s FAM Reality Series episode, Rachel and I talk about how to make sense of wonky cycles.

Click here for other episodes in the Fertility Awareness Reality Series.

This episode is sponsored by my 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program. We start on October 9th (2018). Will you be joining us? Click here for details!

• What issues can impact ovulation?
• Interpreting temperature fluctuations
• The relationship between cervical position and your hormone levels
• The difference between random fluctuations and health issues that show up in your charts
• The importance of looking for patterns and trends over several months prior to making rash judgements about your charts
• Possible sources of breast tenderness during the luteal phase

Resources mentioned:

• Taking Charge of Your Fertility | Toni Weschler
• 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness 101 FREE Video Series
• Fertility Friday Facebook Group

Related podcasts & blog posts:

• Fertility Awareness Reality Series | Fertility Friday
• FFP 044 | Taking Charge of Your Fertility | Fertility Awareness Method | Toni Weschler
• Fertility Awareness | Lisa | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness Episodes | Fertility Friday

Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts!

Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic

This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here for more information!

Today I am joined by Nicola Rinaldi, author of, No Period. Now What? for her second interview on the podcast. Make sure to go back and listen to our first interview together in Episode 141. Today’s episode focuses on the emotional aspects of hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA), whereas our first episode focused more on how to identify the condition, and identifying the difference between HA and PCOS.

This episode is sponsored by my 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program. Master fertility awareness, take a deep dive into your cycles, gain confidence charting your cycles, and gain deep insights into the connection between your health, your fertility, and your cycles. We start on October 9th. Will you be joining us? Click here for details!

• What is Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA)?
• Why regular ovulation is important for overall health (not only when you want to have babies!)
• The role of estrogen and progesterone in the menstrual cycle
• Are periods necessary?
• HA as a symptom of a broader social issue
• The role of under-eating and over-exercise in HA
• Overcoming the mindset associated with severe caloric restriction with food
• Why hormonal contraceptives aren't the solution for HA
• Overcoming HA when trying to conceive

Resources mentioned:

• No Period. Now What?
• 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness Reality Series | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness 101 FREE Video Series
• Fertility Friday Facebook Group

Related podcasts & blog posts:

• FFP 141 | Surviving Hypothalamic Amenorrhea | Getting Your Period Back Without Fertility Drugs | Nicola Rinaldi
• Fertility Awareness | Lisa | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness Episodes | Fertility Friday

Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts!

Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic

This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here for more information!

In today’s FAM Reality Series episode, Daysi shares her experience moving from a PCOS diagnosis to a possible diagnosis of endometriosis all while trying to conceive.

Click here for other episodes in the Fertility Awareness Reality Series.

This episode is sponsored by my 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program. We start on October 9th (2018). Will you be joining us? Click here for details!

• How much mucus is necessary for successful conception?
• How to identify your fertile window?
• The association between hormonal birth control and HPV and abnormal cervical cells
• Why not all women experience the same observations of cervical mucus
• The importance of monitoring sperm health when you experience fertility challenges
• Stacking your healthcare team

Resources mentioned:

• FFP 136 | Endometriosis, PCOS & Fibroids | Surgical Techniques That Preserve Fertility | NaPro Technology | Dr. Kyle Beiter
• FFP 031 | Using Fertility Awareness Charting to Treat Infertility Naturally | NaPro Technology | Dr. Danielle Miller
• Women are being given needless IVF treatment as men’s infertility and ‘plummeting sperm count’ is ignored, experts warn | Daily Mail
• 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness Reality Series | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness 101 FREE Video Series
• Fertility Friday Facebook Group

Related podcasts & blog posts:

• FFP 134 | Optimizing Sperm Health | Motility, Morphology & Sperm Count | Why He Needs To Get Tested ASAP | Marc Sklar
• FFP 191 | Cervical Health & Fertility Awareness Charting | Lisa | Fertility Friday
• FFP 180 | Managing Painful Periods | Dysmenorrhea | Endometriosis | Dr. Lara Briden, ND
• FFP 143 | Choosing the Right Practitioner | How To Find A Functional Practitioner Who Will Really Help You | Lisa | Fertility Friday
• FFP 020 | How to Accurately time Sex to Optimize your chances of getting Pregnant | Why Cervical Mucus is Essential | Dr Kerry Hampton
• Fertility Awareness | Lisa | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness Episodes | Fertility Friday

Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts!

Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic

This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here for more information!

In today’s episode, I share the top 10 ways I’ve reduced my sugar consumption over the past 10 plus years, and I share how my cycles have changed as a result!

This episode is sponsored by my 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program. We start on October 9th. Will you be joining us? Click here for details!

You are invited to join us in the Fertility Awareness Mastery program! You’ll have an opportunity to master Fertility Awareness, take a deep dive into your cycles, gain confidence charting your cycles, and gain deep insights into the connection between your health, your fertility, and your cycles. Click here to apply now!

• The reason why I opt for water over juice and pop
• Why I went (mostly) gluten free & reduced my grain consumption
• The importance of having a balanced breakfast
• How to reduce your carbohydrate consumption by changing your plate
• Knowing the difference between high and low sugar fruits
• Skip the sugar with alternative sweeteners!
• Tips for reducing processed foods
• Do you have to give up chocolate? (Hint: I didn't!)
• Benefits of tracking what you eat for a few days
• Why moderation is important
• Can your sugar intake impact your cycles?

Resources mentioned:

• [On Air Client Session] FFP 151 | Overcoming Period Pain | The Link Between Digestion & The Menstrual Cycle | Lisa & Stacey
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
• 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness Reality Series | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness 101 FREE Video Series
• Fertility Friday Facebook Group

Related podcasts & blog posts:

• FFP 051 | The Impact of Sugar Consumption on Fertility and Health | Creating a Healthy Relationship with Food | Angelique Panagos
• [On-Air Client Session] FFP 148 | The Impact Of Sugar On The Menstrual Cycle | Body Literacy | Fertility Awareness Reality Series | Lisa & Anna
• Fertility Awareness Episodes | Fertility Friday

Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts!

Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic

This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here for more information!

In today’s FAM Reality Series episode, Maria shares her experience managing painful periods while trying to conceive.

Click here for other episodes in the Fertility Awareness Reality Series.

Today's episode is sponsored by my 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program.

You are invited to join us in the Fertility Awareness Mastery program! Master Fertility Awareness, take a deep dive into your cycles and discover the connection between your fertility and your health. Click here to apply now!

• The connection between dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, and infertility
• Managing period pain
• Timing sex for conception
• What are optimal sperm parameters?
• How to optimize sex for conception when sperm count or quality is low
• How important is laying on your back after sex (when trying to conceive)?

Resources mentioned:

• FFP 018 | Arvigo Abdominal Therapy | Vaginal Steaming | Traditional Maya healing for Fertility and Menstrual Cycle Irregularities| Dr Rosita Arvigo
• FFP 067 | Healthy Menstruation | Fertility Awareness | Fertility Massage Therapy | Rachel Eyre
• 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness Reality Series | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness 101 FREE Video Series
• Fertility Friday Programs
• Fertility Friday Facebook Group

Related podcasts & blog posts:

• FFP 180 | Managing Painful Periods | Dysmenorrhea | Endometriosis | Dr. Lara Briden, ND
• FFP 134 | Optimizing Sperm Health | Motility, Morphology & Sperm Count | Why He Needs To Get Tested ASAP | Marc Sklar
• Fertility Awareness Episodes | Fertility Friday

Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts!

Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic

This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here for more information!

In today’s FAM Reality Series episode, Georgia shares her experience learning to use fertility awareness for birth control.

Click here for other episodes in the Fertility Awareness Reality Series.

Today's episode is sponsored by my 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program.

You are invited to join us in the Fertility Awareness Mastery program! Master Fertility Awareness, take a deep dive into your cycles and discover the connection between your fertility and your health. Click here to apply now!

• How Georgia managed to avoid pregnancy without hormonal birth control
• Georgia's experience with irregular bleeding during her cycle
• Possible causes of abnormal mucus patterns and mid-cycle spotting
• Interpreting varied basal body temperatures and pinpointing ovulation
• Using cervical checks to confirm ovulation
• What does a normal cervical mucus pattern look like?
• Using fertility awareness to avoid pregnancy

Resources mentioned:

• Fertility Awareness Reality Series | Fertility Friday
• Pill Reality Series | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness 101 FREE Video Series
• 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Friday Programs
• Fertility Friday Facebook Group

Related podcasts & blog posts:

• FFP 127 | What Does a Normal Period Look Like? | How Much Am I Supposed To Bleed During My Period? | Lisa | Fertility Friday
• [On Air Client Session] FFP 151 | Overcoming Period Pain | The Link Between Digestion & The Menstrual Cycle | Lisa & Stacey
• Fertility Awareness Episodes | Fertility Friday

Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts!

Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic

This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here for more information!

Today’s episode is the newest installment of the Pill Reality Series. Julia had a stroke as a direct result of taking hormonal birth control. She shares her experience in today’s episode.

Click here for other episodes in the Pill Reality Series.

Today's episode is sponsored by my 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program.

You are invited to join us in the Fertility Awareness Mastery program! Master Fertility Awareness, take a deep dive into your cycles, and discover the connection between your fertility and your health. Click here to apply now!

• Julia's history with hormonal contraceptives, and the events leading up to the stroke
• The early warning signs and symptoms that Julia was at risk
• The lengthy recovery process
• Why in Julia's case, she can never use hormonal birth control again
• Why so most of us don't consider blood clots and stroke to be a significant risk factor
• Why women's experiences are often minimized by health professionals
• The importance of informed choice as it relates to women's health, and birth control in particular

Resources mentioned:

• Pill Reality Series | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Awareness 101 FREE Video Series
• 10 Week Fertility Awareness Mastery Group Program | Fertility Friday
• Fertility Friday Programs
• Fertility Friday Facebook Group

Related podcasts & blog posts:

• 6 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Take The Pill Long Term
• FFP 203 | The Pill Problem | Ross Pelton
• FFP 095 | Cervical Cancer & The Pill | Menstrual Suppression | Cervical Dysplasia | Abnormal Pap | No More Periods? The Blessings of the Curse | Dr. Susan Rako
• FFP 079 | The Top 10 Unexpected Effects of Coming Off The Pill | Lisa | Fertility Friday
• FFP 029 | Learning to use Fertility Awareness after Coming Off  of the Pill | Managing PCOS Naturally | Jennifer Neff
• Fertility Awareness Episodes | Fertility Friday

Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts!

Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic

This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here for more information!