Fertility Cafe

The Truth About Birth Control, Ovulation, and Your Hormones with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

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Why are we taught so little about something that happens every single month for decades of our lives?

In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise Drane sits down with fertility awareness educator and author Lisa Hendrickson-Jack to unpack one of the most overlooked truths in women’s health: the menstrual cycle is not just about getting pregnant. It is a vital sign.

From heavy periods and birth control prescriptions in her teens to becoming a pioneer in fertility awareness education and podcasting, Lisa shares how charting her cycle transformed her understanding of her body and ultimately her career.

This conversation goes far beyond basic sex education. It breaks down what is actually happening during your cycle, how ovulation impacts overall health, what hormonal birth control really does to the body, and why so many women feel confused or dismissed when something feels “off.”

If you have ever been told your symptoms are normal when they do not feel normal…
If you have ever come off birth control and wondered why your body felt different…
If you want to better understand what your cycle is actually telling you…

This episode is for you.

You’ll Learn

  • What it really means when we say “the menstrual cycle is a vital sign”
  • What’s happening hormonally from your period to ovulation to the luteal phase
  • Why the 28-day cycle myth is misleading — and what’s actually normal
  • How cervical fluid works (and why most of us were never taught about it)
  • The key role ovulation plays in bone density, mood, and long-term health
  • How hormonal birth control suppresses ovulation — and what that means for your body
  • Why there can be a temporary period of subfertility after coming off the pill
  • What research shows about post-pill cycle normalization
  • Why women often feel dismissed by providers — and how to advocate for yourself
  • The importance of learning your body before trying to conceive

    • About Our Guest

    Lisa Hendrickson-Jack is a certified fertility awareness educator, host of the Fertility Friday podcast, and author of The Fifth Vital Sign and Real Food for Fertility (co-authored with Lily Nichols, RDN).

    Lisa has been charting her cycle since age 18 and was one of the first voices to bring fertility awareness education to the podcast space in 2014. Today, her work focuses not only on educating women directly but also on training health practitioners to use the menstrual cycle as a diagnostic and health tool.

    Her mission is simple but powerful: to help women understand their bodies in a way that is informed, practical, and grounded in research.

    Resources & Links

    Fertility Friday Podcast (look for the pink cover)
    Website: fertilityfriday.com
    Book: The Fifth Vital Sign
    Book: Real Food for Fertility (realfoodforfertility.com — free first chapter available)
    Instagram: @fertilityfriday

    Connect with Eloise & Family Inceptions: familyinceptions.com

    Related Episodes

    Ep 129 – Acupuncture for Fertility: Supporting Hormones, Cycles & IVF Success
    A conversation on how acupuncture supports hormone balance, regulates cycles, and complements fertility treatment.

    Ep 126 – What Your OBGYN Isn’t Telling You
    A candid discussion about the gaps in reproductive health education — and why so many women leave appointments without real answers.

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    Fertility CafeBy Eloise Drane
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