What if you weren’t told you were “fine” when you knew you weren’t? What if, instead of giving you a medication to cover up your symptoms, you had a team of practitioners who worked with you to find the root cause of your issue? My friend and colleague, clinical pharmacist and founder of Pharm to Table, Dr. Melody Hartzler, joins the podcast to discuss the functional medicine approach to health.

Here are the take-aways from this episode:
-Functional medicine is about discovering and addressing the root cause of symptoms
-Functional medicine practitioners will acknowledge your symptoms and address them through a variety of holistic methods
-Prescription medications, including birth control, can cause nutrient depletions
-Eating an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich diet can help address many health concerns
-There are many factors that can affect hormone regulation: stress, nutrients, herbs, toxins
-Gut health is vital to hormone health
-Some ways to help balance hormones include supplements (ex. Maca, chaste tree), acupuncture (and de-stressing in general), decreasing sugar intake, and balancing cardio and resistance exercises
-Pay attention to what you put in your body and have the mindset that you ARE going to thrive - then surround yourself with others, including your healthcare providers, who believe that too

Learn more about Dr. Hartzler on the Pharm to Table website: www.pharmtotable.life or by following her on Instagram @pharmtotable.life
Post your take-away and tag us both!

Connect with me further - send me a message or email:
Facebook: NFP Pharmacist
Instagram: @nfppharmacist
Email me: [email protected]

To celebrate the end of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week for 2020, I brought on my husband Ben to discuss how NFP has impacted our relationship. We review a couple of research studies that have looked at how natural family planning affects marriages and we comment on our own experiences (yes, that includes our sex life - I promise we do not get graphic).

NFP has improved our relationship overall but it does not come without its challenges. Periodic abstinence is not always easy. But, because of natural family planning, our communication has improved and our respect for one another has increased. NFP has helped me know my body better and to grow closer to God.

Thank you to my amazing husband for being willing to be my guest and talking openly and honestly about intimate topics!

The take-aways:
-There are positive and negative aspects of natural family planning
-Some positive aspects include: increased and deeper communication, improved knowledge of your (or your spouse’s) body, positive effects on faith life
-Some negative aspects include: frustrations and anger, strained sexual relationship, periodic abstinence
-Overall, the majority of couples who use NFP find more benefit than harm to their relationship
-My belief is your marriage will be blessed when you are doing what you know God wants you to do in your relationship

I will be hosting a virtual workshop called “Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning” on Tues 8/18/20 at 7:30pm CST. Sign up here: www.bit.ly/nfp818
Ready to dive in further? Sign up for my class “How to Use Natural Family Planning” on Sun 8/9/20 at 7:30pm CST here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/114317599016

Have comments, suggestions, questions? Send me a message!
Facebook: NFP Pharmacist
Instagram: @nfppharmacist
Email me: [email protected]

References:
VandeVusse L, et al. Couples' Views of the Effects of Natural Family Planning on Marital Dynamics. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 2003; 35(2):171-176.

Unseld, M, et al. Use of Natural Family Planning (NFP) and Its Effect on Couple Relationships and Sexual Satisfaction: A Multi-Country Survey of NFP Users from US and Europe. Front Public Health. 2017;5:42.

There are multiple natural family planning methods that you can choose to you. In this episode, Dr. Emily describes the differences between the methods so you can find one that works best for you.

Natural family planning methods promote abstinence rather than barrier or other artificial contraceptive back-up when the couple is desiring to avoid pregnancy. All natural family planning methods are fertility-awareness-based methods. Fertility awareness methods are considered natural family planning if a couple chooses to be abstinent when wanting to avoid pregnancy.

Natural family planning method categories:
Calendar methods (ex. Standard Days method)
Cervical mucus methods (ex. Two Day method, Billings ovulation method, Creighton method)
Symptothermal methods (ex. taught by Couples to Couples league or Justisse practitioners)
Hormone level monitoring methods / symptohormonal methods (ex. FEMM method, Marquette method)

How to choose?
What sign is going to work best for you and your lifestyle?
What sign are you going to stick with tracking?
Symptothermal methods use basal body temperature tracking and symptohormonal methods use hormone level monitoring in addition to cervical mucus monitoring methods
The Standard Days method differs from other NFP methods in that it gives you a fixed fertile window
Choose a method based on an instructor you feel comfortable working with

Still need help deciding?
PDF chart comparing NFP methods: www.nfppharmacist.com/resources -> scroll to bottom for “NFP comparison chart”
Book a FREE 15-min call with me: www.calendly.com/nfppharmacist/15min
www.factsaboutfertility.org
Book an individual 60-min NFP education session with me: www.calendly.com/nfppharmacist/nfp

I will be hosting a virtual class called “Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning” on Tues 7/21/20 at 7:30pm CST. Sign up here: www.bit.ly/nfpvirtualworkshop

Have comments, suggestions, questions? Send me a message!
Facebook: NFP Pharmacist
Instagram: @nfppharmacist
Email me: [email protected]

Pharmacist, herbalist, and integrative health coach Dr. Book joins the podcast to share her story and how you can benefit from a holistic and personal approach.

Here are the take-aways:
Everyone needs an individual approach - there is no one right answer for everyone
We will never be ready to start - start before you’re ready
Most likely, the ideal person you could help is YOU a few steps back. How could you use your experiences and/or knowledge to help others?
If you don’t fit in with those around you, lean into that - be who you really are - you have a unique gift to bring to the world - let that shine
Red raspberry leaf is an herb that can be a “gentle ally” for women. Women can take this in pregnancy to help strengthen the uterine muscles and help with labor
Self-love is key. Accept yourself as you are right now. Say “I love you” to yourself. If you don’t feel it now, fake it until you make it. Keep repeating it to yourself and it will become real.

Find out more about Dr. Marina Buskov (Dr. Book) here:
Website: www.rawfork.com
To book a free 15-min call: www.calendly.com/rawfork
Rawfork podcast: www.rawfork.com/podcast

I will be hosting a virtual class called “Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning” on Tues 7/21/20 at 7:30pm CST. Sign up here: www.bit.ly/nfpvirtualworkshop

Facebook: NFP Pharmacist
Instagram: @nfppharmacist
Email me: [email protected]

Dr. Emily answers your questions and digs into the research on cervical mucus in this week’s episode of Wholly a Woman.

Did you know cervical mucus characteristics have been described dating back to the 1860s? Did you know that in the 1940s, women who recognized their cervical mucus patterns were noted to be “intelligent and observant”? Did you know that cervical mucus has been correlated with your unique day of ovulation?

Cervical mucus is a completely NORMAL vaginal discharge - it differs from discharge associated with STDs, bacterial infections, or yeast infections.

Peak-type cervical mucus (the type of mucus seen at the time of ovulation) is clear, stretchy, and slippery. It has been described as the consistency of egg whites or feeling lubricative.

Multiple natural family planning (NFP) methods, including the Marquette method, give women the option to recognize and track cervical mucus patterns to identify their fertile window. Cervical mucus provides so many vital functions including filtering out (or “poisoning”) poor sperm, nourishing quality ones, and even being able to store sperm for up to 3-5 days!

I will be hosting a virtual class called “Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning” on Tues 7/21/20 at 7:30pm CST. Sign up here: www.bit.ly/nfpvirtualworkshop

Facebook: NFP Pharmacist
Instagram: @nfppharmacist
Email me: [email protected]

-Optimal health is built around lifestyle, attitude, exercise, and nutrition. But it all usually comes back to attitude
-Focus on one week at a time so you don’t get too far ahead of yourself
-Ask yourself: what is my vision for my healthiest self?
-What past attitude are you holding on to and need to let go of?
-It is not only important to think about if you can do the logistics of a certain diet, but to think about WHY you are interested in it and how you will FEEL eating that way
-Women’s bodies are constantly changing. What worked for you in the past may not work now
-Listening to your body: your bowel and bladder habits are great indicators of health. Pay attention to your symptoms (headaches, bloating, sweating, fatigue/sleep) - when you notice these, your body is trying to tell you something. What did you eat last and what could your body be telling you about that?
-Celebrate your small wins! Give yourself some credit for what you’ve done and who you are

To find more about CC, head to www.vibrantlifestylehealthcoaching.com
To connect with CC find her on Facebook. Business page: https://www.facebook.com/vibrantlifestylehealthcoaching/
Personal page: https://www.facebook.com/cecilia.meidingerclark

Have an idea for future podcast episode topics and/or guests?
Email me at [email protected] or message me on Instagram (@nfppharmacist) or Facebook (Emily Kirkwold or NFP Pharmacist page)

I will be hosting a virtual class called “Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning” on Tues 7/21/20 at 7:30pm CST. Sign up here: www.bit.ly/nfpvirtualworkshop

Fellow pharmacist passionate about women’s health, Dr. Heather Rhodes, joins me for this very special podcast episode. You are going to want to have a notebook and pen (or your notes app or voice memo) because you are going to learn SO MUCH!

Here are the take-aways:
-Women weren’t getting the information they needed about their hormones and their bodies from our current healthcare system. Our current system is not set up to support women the way they deserve
-Stress is ANY input that increases cortisol - even things we perceive as good for us (exercising more or losing weight)
-Our bodies weren’t designed to live in the environment we live in now
-Reducing stress and balancing hormones is a process. Try taking these steps:
1) Identify your sources of stress
2) Do a self-care assessment
3) Shift your habits
-We have STRONG intuition - we just need to stop ignoring it
-If the thought of a certain self-care strategy is making you feel uncomfortable, you should experiment with it - it is probably what you NEED
-Think about caring for yourself like caring for a toddler
-Schedule in self-care - if you don’t schedule it, it won’t happen
-We need to give our bodies CONSISTENT messages that we are safe
-Self-care can be hard, but it is important
-Take care of yourself and learn your body. Not caring for your body is stealing the greatest gift we have been given

For more resources from Dr. Heather Rhodes, including her courses, visit https://www.drheatherrhodes.com/
Follow Heather on Instagram: @drheatherrhodes
Heather’s free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hormonessimplified/

I will be hosting a virtual class called “Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning” on Tues 6/23/20 at 7:30pm CST
Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-virtual-workshop-know-your-body-with-natural-family-planning-tickets-109481766912

Today I wanted to interrupt my regularly-scheduled podcasting to bring you an episode honoring my black female role model, Lisa Hendrickson-Jack. Lisa is the author of “The Fifth Vital Sign” and host of the “Fertility Friday” podcast. I have learned so much from Lisa. She is such an inspiration to me!

I still have a lot to learn, but one thing I know is I cannot be silent about the fact that black lives do matter. Anti-racism and hatred is NEVER okay. Honoring this amazing black woman and bringing more awareness to her work is one tiny thing I am doing to show my support. There is definitely a lot more work to do.

Lisa’s “Fertility Friday” podcast is the perfect mix of expert interviews and stories of real-life women using natural family planning (fertility awareness). Here are some of Lisa’s episodes that have stood out to me that I discuss on this week’s Wholly a Woman podcast episode. I highly encourage you to check them out yourself!

Find the podcast episodes here: https://fertilityfriday.com/category/fertility-friday-podcast/
Ep 86: hypothalamic amenorrhea with Dr Lara Briden
Ep 104: birth control from your doctor’s perspective with Dr Miranda Naylor
Ep 21: what hormonal contraceptives really do to women with Holly Grigg-Spall
Ep 66: gut health and fertility - GAPS diet - Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride
Ep 68: Sleep and Fertility - Shawn Stevenson
Ep 84: Adrenal fatigue, fertility, and hormone balance - Dr Daniel Kalish
Ep 273 The Magnesium Miracle - Dr Carolyn Dean, MD, ND
Ep 313: Histamines and Your Menstrual Cycle - Nicole Jardim
Ep 299: End Period Poverty Now - Jana Girdauskas
Ep 255: Is questioning the pill anti-feminist? - Beyond the Pill - Dr Jolene Brighten (ND)

Wholly a Woman podcast episodes mentioned: find links here: https://nfppharmacist.com/podcasts/
Episode 10 - Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea
Episode 6 - Supporting Hormone Health with Lifestyle
Episode 5 - Our Menstrual Cycles are a Sign of Health
Episode 8 - Working With Your Body to Manage Stress with Terra Sorg, Stress Management Consultant
Episode 7 - Connecting to Yourself through Yoga
Episode 13 - Facts about hormonal contraceptives (how birth control works)

THANK YOU to Lisa Hendrickson-Jack for being a role model for me!!

I will be hosting a virtual class called “Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning” on Tues 6/23/20 at 7:30pm
Sign up here: https://bit.ly/nfppharmworkshop

Emily is a certified instructor for the Marquette Method of natural family planning. She discusses some of the science behind the method, describes the options for following the method using 1-3 fertility signs, and introduces how to use the method to identify your unique fertile window. The information from this episode should not be used as a replacement for individualized direction from a certified Marquette Method instructor

Book a FREE 15-min call with Emily to ask your questions and determine if natural family planning is right for you: www.calendly.com/nfppharmacist/15min

Take-aways from this episode:
-What differentiates the Marquette Method from other methods of NFP is the use of at-home urinary hormone testing
-Studies show that peak levels of urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) are correlated with the ultrasound-confirmed day of ovulation +/- 1 day
-When using the Marquette Method, you can choose to track 1-3 signs of fertility. Options include: urinary hormones alone, cervical mucus alone, urinary hormones plus cervical mucus, or urinary hormones plus cervical mucus plus basal body temperature
-You have a unique fertile window. The Marquette Method teaches you to look back at your last 6 cycles to determine the start and end of your fertile window

I will be hosting a virtual class called “Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning” on Tues 6/23/20 at 7:30pm
Sign up here: https://bit.ly/nfppharmworkshop

Facebook: NFP Pharmacist
Instagram: @nfppharmacist
Email me: [email protected]
Interested in more resources? Vist www.nfppharmacist.com

Take-aways from this episode:
-Most birth controls pills are a combination of an estrogen and a progesterone
-The main effect of the estrogen component is to stop your body from releasing an egg (inhibit ovulation)
-The main effect of the progesterone component is to change the environment of your uterus to make it a poor environment for sperm and/or a fertilized egg (effects on cervical mucus and endometrial lining)
-Side effects can depend on the amount of estrogen and progesterone components in the product you are taking
-SERIOUS side effects you need to be aware of include signs of blood clots (pain/swelling in legs, shortness of breath, chest pains) or stroke (sudden onset severe headache, blurry vision, facial droop)
-Progestin-only pills NEED to be taken at the same time every day (if you miss by 3 hours, consider it a missed dose)
-Antibiotics can interact with birth control pills - the most conservative strategy is to use a back-up method while on the antibiotic and for 7 days after
-Hormonal contraceptives contain synthetic hormones that stop your body from making its own natural hormones. The bleed you have during your “off week” or “placebo week” is withdrawal from the synthetic hormones, which is different than your natural period when you go through your true menstrual cycle

I will be hosting a virtual class called “Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning” on Tues 6/23/20 at 7:30pm
Sign up here: https://bit.ly/nfppharmworkshop

Interested in a complete medication/supplement (including birth control) review with Emily, the NFP Pharmacist -OR- do you want to learn how to prevent pregnancy naturally? Book at www.calendly.com/nfppharmacist

Facebook: NFP Pharmacist
Instagram: @nfppharmacist
Email me: [email protected]
Interested in more resources? Vist www.nfppharmacist.com