Follow Your Flow Sara Harris

This is episode 24 on the FYF podcast. Let’s jump into how the monthly cycle plays out – what actually goes on in between each period? Because there is a lot that does happen and I can assure you it is well worth knowing about. Just this week I spoke with a number of women who recently came off their hormonal birth control methods – whether that be the pill or device like the hormonal IUD – and they hadn’t had a cycle for 10-15 years. In a few cases they had only ever had the first 2-3 years of actually menstruating after getting their first period because as we know, the bleed that you get on the pill is NOT an actual period. So here we have 30-40 year old women literally getting to know their cycle for the first time in their lives – which is super amazing. And it is never ever too late to get to know your body in this way. Even when the period is done and dusted there is so much to embrace about what is happening in your body – but more on that in other episodes.
 
If you do want to talk about contraception options 1:1, feel free to get in touch. I work with women all over the world supporting in a coaching or counselling capacity on all things women’s health and knowing your body.
 
So let’s go there ladies and head over to the episode!
 
Topics that discuss in this episode:
Phases of the menstrual cycle
Our cycle is not JUST about the period itself
Changes in hormones throughout the cycle
Cervical mucus changes
Listening to the communication from your body 
Enjoy this episode giving you the 101 basics of the menstrual cycle.
 
WORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/counselling-coaching
 
To find out more about the Cycle Wise Woman Program and the Fertility Awareness Method, go to the website https://www.followyourflow.com.au/cycle-wise-woman
 
SHOW NOTES:  https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcast
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForever
 
 
IMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.
 

This episode is brought to you by my Cycle Wise Woman 12-Week Program. This is a specially designed intimate program with 12 women only, where are going to dive right in to FAM – for contraception, conception or simply to get to know your own body. There are two intakes offered each year - to get your name on the wait-list, follow this link. We will be learning the method in depth, and sharing charts to learn from each other. This is invaluable when learning this method for whatever purpose you may be using it for. You can email me at sara@followyourflow.com.au or head over to the website, look under courses and events and then select Cycle Wise Woman. In this episode I am chatting with Paula, a participant o the Cycle Wise Woman program, who shares her insight and experience of the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) and how this changed her relationship with her body and with her cycle. The Cycle Wise Woman Program is a 12-week program with a small group of women, where we dive deep into using the FAM, it’s like a FAM intensive really getting to know your cycle intimately, when you are fertile and when you are not, whether that be for contraception of conception and simply to get to know your body. As Paula shares it is very empowering on so many levels.Topics that Paula and I discuss in this episode:Fertility Awareness Method and irregular cyclesPaula’s menstrual cycle historyLooking at non-hormonal options of birth controlAdded (unexpected) bonuses of Fertility Awareness MethodObserving changes in real time of cervical mucus and basal body temperatureHow we can gain insight into our cycle and healthGoing from hating periods to having an enormous appreciation for what the menstrual cycle offersFertility Awareness to support timing of conception, and potentially avoid IVF and ARTWhy the Fertility Awareness Method is ‘life-changing’Enjoy this very real and super supportive interview with Paula Andras!To find out more about the Cycle Wise Woman Program and the Fertility Awareness Method, go to the website https://www.followyourflow.com.au/cycle-wise-womanSHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/post/episode-23-life-changing-fertility-awareness-method-with-paula-andrasINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForeverWORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-saraIMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

Have you ever been told by your doctor that what you’re experiencing couldn’t possibly be from the pill? Or maybe you’re using the copper IUD and have been told that because there are no hormones involved it doesn’t have any side-effects? In this episode I get together once again with Mike Gaskins, author of In the Name of The Pill, where we look at his 10 least favourite things that doctors say about birth control. This is a must listen for any woman who may be on or considering some form of birth control – as is Mike’s book a must read and it is NOW also a must listen, having just been released as an audiobook on Audible. Listen in to this podcast episode or check out the video version below, to hear this all important episode where we talk about hormones, the oral contraceptive pill, depo provera, Copper IUD, Mirena, regulating periods, the history of birth control, risk of depression and anxiety associated with taking birth control and much more.Some important links mentioned in this episode:In the Name of The Pill – Audio Book on Audible Association of Hormonal Contraception with DepressionEpisode 7 – In the Name of The Pill, with Mike GaskinsSome other related links:Episode 20 – Is the Copper IUD a ‘better’ choice that the Mirena? The Pill, by Dr Anne Malatt - To Medicine with Love Thanks to Mike as always, for his incredible dedication to Women's Health. His genuine care for women and commitment bringing the truth to the fore on important matters that deserve attention, is truly inspiring.**Also, to be clear, it is not ALL doctors who adhere to this list - however, it is quite clear that it is very common. SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/post/episode-22-what-doctors-say-about-birth-control-with-mike-gaskinsINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForeverWORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-saraIMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

In this episode I’m talking with Rachel Andras, gender expert and social educator from Spain, founder of the Indera Foundation and the brand-new platform True 2 You. I have interviewed Rachel back on Episode 12, so check that out to hear about What’s Missing from Sex Education Today.This episode is to bring to everyone’s awareness, the new platform called True 2 You, which has completely blown me away.It has to be the most comprehensive meaningful and supportive website for youth today, addressing every aspect that affects young people providing a space for them to get information, to have real conversations, read articles, ask questions and they can even attend support groups. There is a free online magazine with literally hundreds of articles!Rachel’s message is super clear – if we think we need to ‘tell’ and ‘educate’ the youth of today how to navigate life, we are entirely on the wrong track. Because perhaps ‘we’ (the adults) are part of the problem!Here are some of the topics we cover:- True 2 You is for young people, parents, teachers- Is ‘educating’ our youth what is really needed?- What are our standards in society?- Do we patronise young people thinking we have to ‘tell them’ how to do it?- True role models – do young people have them?- What is sexspreading versus revenge porn?- ‘Ask an Expert’ on the True 2 You website- Teacher resources for running sessions on relationships, self-love & self-esteem, understanding violence and bullying, the power to change, and much more.- True 2 You Magazine & Quizzes- Why do we accept and settle for less in relationships?True 2 You website - https://true2you.euEnjoy looking through is game-changing website, with endless content to support us all on the real issues and challenges in life, so that we can be true to ourselves and therefore a true reflection for the young people in our lives.SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForeverWORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-saraIMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

I get a lot of questions about contraception, with women looking for alternatives to the pill. And one question that always comes up on this topic is – what is the difference between the Copper IUD (intra-uterine device) and the Hormonal IUD? The common and understandable way of thinking is that the copper IUD is better because it doesn’t have the hormones. And/or the hormonal IUD is better than the pill because the hormones are only released locally. In this episode I take a look to see what’s really going on here with these intra-uterine devices. Are they effective? How do they work? How do they impact the body? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?Here are some of the main points discussed in this episode:What is the Copper IUD? And how does it work?The Copper IUD used as emergency contraceptionWhat is the Hormonal IUD? And how does it work?Do the hormones in the Mirena only act locally to the reproductive organs?How effective are these methods of contraception?Do these methods of contraception affect ovulation?What is copper toxicity? And what symptoms to look out for?What are the side-effects of both the Copper IUD and the Mirena?What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?How much do they cost comparatively?The importance of being informed and working in partnership with your doctor on the topic of contraception.SHOW NOTES: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_followyourflow_/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FollowYourFlowForeverWORK WITH SARA: https://www.followyourflow.com.au/work-with-saraIMPORTANT: The information in these podcasts is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness or address any health concern you may have, and it may not be suited to your personal circumstances. It is in no way to be used as a substitute for or alternative to the advice of a registered medical or health care professional. By engaging with this material and any other material distributed by Follow your Flow, you are acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any decisions you make regarding your health, you will not rely on any information presented by Follow your Flow in making health decisions, and that you have consulted with a registered medical practitioner on your particular circumstances, conditions and goals and will continue to do so. If you do not agree with this statement, you should not listen to or use the podcasts on this site or use any other information provided by Follow your Flow.

Endometriosis is experienced by 1 in 10 women. It is a condition where endometrial like tissue grows outside of the uterus, forming adhesions in the pelvic cavity and therefore can affect other organs such as the bladder and the bowel. When the endometrial lining responds to hormonal changes each month, so too do the adhesions growing outside of the uterus which can cause severe pain, along with other complications.The average length of time for a woman to be diagnosed with endometriosis is 7 years – the reasons being that it can be passed off as just being bad period pain; symptoms associated with endo are similar to other pelvic conditions; and 1 in 3 women consult 3-4 physicians before getting an actual diagnosis – so this takes time…The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimated that this condition cost $7.4 billion in 2017/18, mostly through reduced quality of life and productivity losses – and they acknowledge that this may actually be a considerable underestimate given the difficulties in diagnosing and in underdiagnosing.In this episode, I had the great pleasure of interview Jane. She is a professional woman who is 60 years old this year and works in health-care, manages a large number of people, also works at a University and volunteers for other numerous organisations.And she has a very interesting history with Endometriosis that we are going to hear about in this episode. What she came to in her understanding of the condition and how she was living is incredibly valuable and I am so pleased that she has very generously shared her experience with us on the Follow Your Flow Podcast, for you all to hear her story.If you experience severe period pain and or have a diagnosis of endometriosis, have you considered Counselling as part of your treatment? I work with women 1:1 in a counselling capacity to support them to deal with any trauma associated with these conditions – and there is often A LOT of trauma involved that can be due to the pain itself, the management of the pain, the effects and impacts on your life – and then I also work with you to look at any underlying patterns that may be contributing to what you are experiencing. Head over to the Follow Your Flow website and go to the ‘work with me’ tab and you can get in touch from here.Topics we discussed –Jane talks about her life in her younger years, working a very stressful job and not taking care of herself. She was absolutely exhausted and ‘burnt-out’ eventually.Jane needed a big stop to help her recognise that she was not taking care of herself – even though part of her role was to advocate for wellbeing in the workplace. Is being stoic really a desirable way to be in work and in life? And how did this impact Jane’s body and her overall health?Jane’s experience of extreme debilitating pain as a young woman – disillusioned and blind-sided by the lack of medical support, the succession of pain-killers and being prescribed by the oral contraceptive pill.Jane had numerous investigations into the pain and associated symptoms she was experiencing however endometriosis was never mentioned until she was in her 30’s.What options was Jane eventually given?What changes did Jane make and how did this change her experience of the pain?Considering the detail of understanding your cycle and how you live your life – and how they mutually exclusive.The link between self-worth and endometriosis. Jane makes astounding revelations around this that so many women will be able to relate to.Jane realised that building a relationship with her body is essential to working in partnership with medical professionals rather than giving her power away.There is a ‘before’ model and an ‘after’ model that Jane shares with us that summarises her experience – super inspiring and makes so much sense.‘I love people, love being out in the world, I love the magic of the world…I look in the mirror now and I’m more and more loving myself,