What is discharge, actually? How much 'wetness' down there is TOO much? How do I know if I've got thrush or an infection? Where does cervical fluid come from? What's that white stuff that I see in my underwear sometimes? What's that slippery stuff I notice after wiping at other times? Wait... is squirting just pee? Is female ejaculation a thing?

These are the VERY valid (and equally fascinating) questions that will be uncovered in today's episode, all about "WAPs" (forgive me).

I'm exploring: cervical fluid, vaginal cell slough, female ejaculation, squirting & signs of vulvo-vaginal infections. And let me tell you, I learned a lot myself while collecting data for this episode!

MENTIONED IN THIS EP:

https://fertilitycharting.com.au/cervical-mucus-gallery/

https://www.darcieblack.com/post/the-mucus-chronicles

https://cervicalmucus.org/images/dry-2/⁠

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323953#faq

https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article-abstract/7/5/1965/6847982

https://europepmc.org/article/MED/35388532

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:29 Demystifying Discharge: An Overview

03:12 Cycle Check-In and Personal Insights

06:05 Understanding Cervical Fluid

17:07 Exploring Vaginal Cell Slough

19:23 The Role of Arousal Fluid

23:11 Female Ejaculation vs. Squirting

29:25 Recognizing Signs of Infection

31:17 Conclusion and Additional Resources

🩸🖤🩸

FREE DOWNLOAD ↓

⁠⁠⁠⁠GET MY HOLISTIC CYCLE TRACKING GUIDE HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠

I WANT MORE CYCLE LOVING GOODNESS:

Explore the⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠CYCLE POWER BUNDLE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

REACH OUT!

⁠⁠⁠Email me here⁠⁠⁠⁠ or drop me a line on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@karinda.wholistix⁠⁠⁠⁠

INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?

You can⁠⁠⁠ ⁠book a free connection call here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to map out what working together would look like for you to achieve your health & hormone goals.

Everything else at: ⁠⁠⁠karindawholistix.com.au

In this episode of Oh My Menses, I (as your certified menstrual cycle enthusiast!) dive into the realm of fertility tracking and natural contraception methods. A recent study from Latrobe University criticizes the reliability of birth control advice from health influencers on TikTok, which is fair, tbh. But there's a method of natural contraception that the medical industry is quick to dismiss in favour of pharmaceutical birth control options. As a passionate advocate and user of fertility awareness, I explore both the benefits and challenges of the SymptoThermal Method of Fertility Awareness and the immense value of being aware of your cycle in general. And let's address reason why there is a rising mistrust in healthcare professionals and a preference for social media creators in the first place.

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MENTIONED IN THIS EP:

• The article I read & responded to 
• The La Trobe Study
• Good overview of the different types of Fertility Awareness Methods: Table 6 includes the effectiveness overview 

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TIMESTAMPS:00:45 Inspiration for Today's Topic01:54 Cycle Check-In and Invitation03:43 Diving into the Article09:15 The Importance of Discernment13:54 Distrust in Health Professionals23:48 Fertility Awareness Methods33:08 Hormone Testing Add-Ons35:27 Partner Cooperation in Fertility Awareness38:46 Understanding why Fertility Awareness Methods can work42:04 Debunking Myths About Menstrual Cycles51:58 Cons of Hormonal Contraception57:46 Empowerment Through Menstrual Cycle Knowledge01:03:18 Practical Tips for Fertility Awareness01:05:41 Conclusion and Resources

🩸🖤🩸

FREE DOWNLOAD ↓

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GET MY HOLISTIC CYCLE TRACKING GUIDE HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I WANT MORE CYCLE LOVING GOODNESS:

Explore the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠CYCLE POWER BUNDLE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

REACH OUT!

⁠⁠⁠Email me here⁠⁠⁠⁠ or drop me a line on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@karinda.wholistix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?

You can⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠book a free connection call here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to map out what working together would look like for you to achieve your health & hormone goals.

Everything else at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠karindawholistix.com.au

Welcome to my IRL Karinda’s Corner — the new reading nook in my home office, made possible by my moon chair made for camping, a $2 op-shop shawl, a chakra crystal lamp & a pretty coloured LED ring light.I felt inspired to read a passage from “Blood Rites: The Spiritual Practice of Menstruation” by Jane Hardwicke Collings. I was enjoying some Day 2 reading by myself, and the words just lit up my soul. “I have to share this”, I thought. And out came the camera.This video was originally created for the Karinda's Corner Community, a free digital space for exclusive emails, blogs and vlogs. So consider this a little appetiser for what's in there, and if you're keen to join you can download my free Cycle Tracking Guide (that'll automatically pop you on my email list), or click here

🩸🖤🩸

Blood Rites by Jane Hardwicke Collings

🩸🖤🩸

FREE DOWNLOAD ↓

⁠⁠⁠⁠GET MY HOLISTIC CYCLE TRACKING GUIDE HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠

REACH OUT!

⁠⁠⁠Email me here⁠⁠⁠⁠ or drop me a line on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@karinda.wholistix⁠⁠⁠⁠

INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?

You can⁠⁠⁠ ⁠book a free connection call here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to map out what working together would look like for you to achieve your health & hormone goals.

Everything else at: ⁠⁠⁠karindawholistix.com.au

🩸🖤🩸

A topic close to my heart that easily fires me up: I delve deep into polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - especially the flawed system of diagnosis and treatment in conventional modern healthcare. Join me as I unravel the confusing diagnostic criteria and lets sit in the frustration and confusion together. Sharing my personal journey and how I've navigated flawed medical systems, I spill the tea on why I don't care if my clients have an official PCOS diagnosis in my naturopathy practice. Drawing from personal experiences and clinical insights, I get a lil heated while critiquing the over-reliance on diagnosis and emphasize the importance of understanding the root causes of symptoms, and holistic, individualised treatments. Let’s remember why understanding your body matters WAY more than ticking boxes on a doctor's checklist. Let's debunk, demystify, and get real about PCOS together — it’s a spicy, nuanced & complex journey. Keen to join me for the ride?

🩸🖤🩸

MENTIONED IN THIS EP:

• Article I read from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10047373/
• Additional note, I’m glad other folks are suggesting a name change for PCOS: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/health/medical/australian-professor-leads-bid-to-change-the-name-for-polycystic-ovary-syndrome/news-story/a1b20244fe9ead7d1fb7cf70111242bf?amp&nk=0aead887a3499d6e6e1bddcd8924fad0-1752656814
• My blog on PCOS: https://www.karindawholistix.com.au/blog/pcos
• Genetic insights on PCOS: https://www.livescience.com/health/fertility-pregnancy-birth/epigenetic-memory-may-help-explain-why-pcos-tends-to-run-in-families (please note I don’t necessarily think their preventative idea of modifying embryos extracted through IVF is an ideal path to go down)
• Misunderstanding (in my opinion) of root cause in mainstream medical research/science:

https://www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/malaria-drug-shows-promise-as-treatment-for-common-hormone-disorder

🩸🖤🩸

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome and Cycle Check-In

01:47 Introduction to PCOS

05:18 Personal Journey with PCOS

09:59 Challenges in PCOS Diagnosis

17:19 Understanding Diagnostic Criteria

27:51 Flaws in the Diagnostic System

29:11 Naturopathic Perspective on Diagnosis

32:59 Root Causes and Naturopathic Approach

36:06 The Validity of Personal Health Interpretations

36:30 Critique of Conventional Medicine

36:43 The Flawed Nature of Human Medical Models

37:31 Broadening Perspectives on Medicine

37:42 Nature vs. Human Inventions

38:44 The Importance of Addressing Root Causes

39:57 Understanding PCOS and Its Misconceptions

41:19 The Role of Insulin Resistance and Diet

41:58 Impact of Circadian Dysfunction

42:56 Chronic Stress and Adrenal Activation

44:53 Pseudo PCOS and Hormonal Birth Control

48:35 The Problem with Hormonal Contraception

50:50 The Importance of Fertility and Menstrual Health

53:24 Reversing PCOS and Patient Empowerment

55:46 Naturopathic Approach to PCOS

58:02 Holistic Health and Menstrual Cycle Tracking

01:00:21 Personalized Treatment Plans

01:02:29 Conclusion and Call to Action

🩸🖤🩸

FREE DOWNLOAD ↓

⁠⁠⁠⁠GET MY HOLISTIC CYCLE TRACKING GUIDE HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠

I WANT MORE CYCLE LOVING GOODNESS:

Explore the⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠CYCLE POWER BUNDLE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

REACH OUT!

⁠⁠⁠Email me here⁠⁠⁠⁠ or drop me a line on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@karinda.wholistix⁠⁠⁠⁠

INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?

You can⁠⁠⁠ ⁠book a free connection call here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to map out what working together would look like for you to achieve your health & hormone goals.

Everything else at: ⁠⁠⁠karindawholistix.com.au

Today, I’m offering you a peek behind the curtains of my life and share an interaction with my mum, where she couldn’t understand why, in her words, I “let my period rule my life.” She didn’t get my need to align my social plans with my menstrual cycle. So this podcast is essentially my answer to her, and to any of us, who have felt that our period ‘controls’ us or ruins our plans. Learn how honoring our cycle phases could help you avoid burnout and live more fully. Let’s tap into our inner 'sacred no’s' and 'sacred yes’s,' especially during our premenstrual phase, and lean into the natural ebb and flow of our bodies, for the sake of living a more full, easeful life. It’s not about being ruled by our cycles, but letting them inform our lives for embodied wellness & thriving. If you’ve ever felt societal pressures to be 'on' all the time but crave some downtime when your body calls for it, this episode is for you. Let’s explore living in harmony with our natural rhythms.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:05 Cycle Check-In and Personal Reflections

02:55 Story Time: Mum's issue with my cycle-aligned living; navigating social plans and my cycle

05:49 Mother-Daughter Conversations on Menstrual Cycle Awareness

09:47 The Importance of Aligning with Your Menstrual Cycle

18:41 Societal Pressures vs. Natural Rhythms

26:50 Practical Tips for Menstrual Cycle Alignment

35:35 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

🩸🖤🩸

FREE DOWNLOAD ↓

⁠⁠⁠GET MY HOLISTIC CYCLE TRACKING GUIDE HERE⁠⁠⁠

I WANT MORE CYCLE LOVING GOODNESS:

Explore the⁠⁠⁠ ⁠CYCLE POWER BUNDLE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠

REACH OUT!

⁠⁠Email me here⁠⁠⁠ or drop me a line on Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠@karinda.wholistix⁠⁠⁠

INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?

You can⁠⁠ ⁠book a free connection call here⁠⁠⁠ to map out what working together would look like for you to achieve your health & hormone goals.

Everything else at: ⁠⁠karindawholistix.com.au

It's a juicy and personal one, folks! I share my candid experiences and insights on the intersection of online dating and menstrual cycles. I reflect on my recent foray into the world of online dating after being single for 18 months, exploring the impact of the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle—follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and menstrual—on my emotions, behaviours, and decision-making in when it comes to romance & sexuality. Your menstrual cycle & the hormonal changes that come with it undoubtedly influences your love life, so I encourage you to embrace it with self-awareness and holistic cycle tracking, and discover your own cycle-related insights into your relational experiences.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction and Morning Routine

01:21 Cycle Check-In and Basal Body Temperature Tracking

02:20 Venturing into Online Dating

05:44 Menstrual Cycle Phases and Dating Insights

12:06 Personal Reflections on Relationships and Dating Apps

18:15 Navigating Online Dating During Different Cycle Phases

29:28 The Power of Hormones on Decision Making

31:07 Biology and Hormones: Estrogen and Dopamine

32:16 Hormones and Dating: Personal Experiences

34:29 Embracing Sexual Confidence

35:21 Navigating Sexual Power and Trauma

38:13 Self-Care and Personal Growth

41:56 Understanding Ovulation's Influence

44:39 The Luteal Phase: Grounding and Truths

49:21 The Cycle of Clarity and Decision Making

52:46 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

🩸🖤🩸

FREE DOWNLOAD ↓

⁠⁠GET MY HOLISTIC CYCLE TRACKING GUIDE HERE⁠⁠

I WANT MORE CYCLE LOVING GOODNESS:

Explore the⁠⁠ ⁠CYCLE POWER BUNDLE here!⁠⁠⁠

REACH OUT!

⁠Email me here⁠⁠ or drop me a line on Instagram⁠ ⁠@karinda.wholistix⁠⁠

INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?

You can⁠ ⁠book a free connection call here⁠⁠ to map out what working together would look like for you to achieve your health & hormone goals.

Everything else at: ⁠karindawholistix.com.au⁠

As you could imagine, I've got some unconventional thoughts about period pain and how to go about managing it. The physical is one (very important) aspect, but in today's episode, I delve in 4 "tidbits" of wisdom that have helped me tremendously in having a better relationship with period pain & my bleed as a whole.

In this episode of Oh My Menses, join Karinda on Day 2 of her cycle as she dives deep into rethinking period pain and how to transform your relationship with your menstrual cycle. Despite it not being an ideal day to record, Karinda felt the call to share her insights on period pain, stemming from her personal experiences and her journey to healing. She offers four key pieces of information aimed at helping listeners navigate and understand their period pain. Karinda also emphasizes the importance of viewing pain as a message from the body, opening a dialogue with the womb, and adopting empowering mindsets informed by poignant quotes.

This heartfelt episode blends practical advice, personal anecdotes, and empowering philosophies, encouraging women to embrace and understand their cycles with compassion and wisdom.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

02:14 Personal Experiences with Period Pain

06:53 Transforming Your Relationship with Period Pain

13:02 Opening a Dialogue with

 Your Womb

22:33 Quotes and Wisdom on Pain and Suffering

31:43 Practical Approaches to Managing Period Pain

36:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

MENTIONS:

• Samantha Zipporah on Re-Storying Pain
• Jane Hardwicke Collings Shamanic Drumming Meditations
• "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional" quote

🩸🖤🩸

FREE DOWNLOAD ↓

⁠⁠GET MY HOLISTIC CYCLE TRACKING GUIDE HERE⁠⁠

I WANT MORE CYCLE LOVING GOODNESS: Explore the⁠⁠ ⁠CYCLE POWER BUNDLE here!⁠⁠⁠

REACH OUT!

⁠Email me here⁠⁠ or drop me a line on Instagram⁠ ⁠@karinda.wholistix⁠⁠

INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?

You can⁠ ⁠book a free connection call here⁠⁠ to map out what working together would look like for you to achieve your health & hormone goals.

Everything else at: ⁠karindawholistix.com.au⁠

I overheard some mainstream news this week, and I have some 🌶️ thoughts 🌶️ about it.

When you hear that the government is investing half a billion dollars into women's health, do you question what the government actually considers "women's health"? What does a healthy woman look like? Why does the Western medical model insist on hormonal birth control as being the epitome of women's health concerns?

→ PREFER TO READ? TRANSCRIPT HERE

🩸🖤🩸

FREE DOWNLOAD ↓

⁠⁠GET MY HOLISTIC CYCLE TRACKING GUIDE HERE⁠⁠

WANT MORE CYCLE-LOVIN' GUIDANCE?

Explore the⁠⁠ ⁠CYCLE POWER BUNDLE here!⁠⁠⁠

REACH OUT

⁠Email me here⁠⁠ or drop me a line on Instagram⁠ ⁠@karinda.wholistix⁠⁠

INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?

You can⁠ ⁠book a free connection call here⁠⁠ to map out what working together would look like for you to achieve your health & hormone goals.

~ Everything else at:⁠karindawholistix.com.au⁠ ~

A rambly albeit helpful exploration of (1) why the luteal phase can feel rough AF, and (2) practical AND a lil more woo-woo ways that we can support ourselves to have the a more smooth, manageable premenstrual phase.

I emphasise the importance of working with these 5 categories: Nutrition, Movement, Sleep, Light, Nervous System Regulation - because if there are any imbalances here, they're likely to impact your premenstrual vibe greatly. Work on these foundations first because seeking any "cure-all" or magic fixes for your PMS struggles.

The practical tips are after the 32-ish-minute mark, with lots of helpful hints & concepts woven throughout.

Things I mention in this ep:

🩸🖤🩸

FREE DOWNLOAD ↓

⁠⁠GET MY HOLISTIC CYCLE TRACKING GUIDE HERE⁠⁠

I WANT MORE CYCLE LOVING GOODNESS: Explore the⁠⁠ ⁠CYCLE POWER BUNDLE here!⁠⁠⁠ Just $27!

REACH OUT!

⁠Email me here⁠⁠ or drop me a line on Instagram⁠ ⁠@karinda.wholistix⁠⁠

INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?

You can⁠ ⁠book a free connection call here⁠⁠ to map out what working together would look like for you to achieve your health & hormone goals.

Everything else at: ⁠karindawholistix.com.au⁠

Probably my most vulnerable episode so far, I take you behind the scenes of a raw emotional release from the start of my last menstrual cycle that I video-recorded.

I also cover:

May this episode be of benefit to you - above all else, I hope you feel a bit more normal and a little less alone in feeling big feelings of your own (whether you're menstruating or not!).

Your emotional expression is important & needed.

🩸🖤🩸

💫 FREE DOWNLOAD ↓

⁠⁠GET MY HOLISTIC CYCLE TRACKING GUIDE HERE⁠⁠

💫 I WANT MORE CYCLE LOVING GOODNESS: Explore the⁠⁠ ⁠CYCLE POWER BUNDLE here!⁠⁠⁠

💫 REACH OUT!

⁠Email me here⁠⁠ or drop me a line on Instagram⁠ ⁠@karinda.wholistix⁠⁠

💫 INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?

You can⁠ ⁠book a free connection call here⁠⁠ to map out what working together would look like to achieve your menstrual cycle, fertility & hormone goals.

Everything at: ⁠karindawholistix.com.au⁠