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Fertile as F*ck is many things, but it's not the right fit
Before you panic though, I'm not going to leave you hanging!Your hormones are in a free fall and even though I think Fertile as F*ck would be a great place to start for you, ultimatelyyour body might need a little extra lovin' to get into that coveted fertile flow.The longstanding trend of treating women's menstruation as taboo and off limits in daily conversation has led to a very harmful shroud of mystery around what's normal for women to feel when your little red friend blows in like Hurricane Sandy.The result? Many women believe that their absolutely horrific monthly PMS and menstrual woes are just part and parcel of being a woman.Fact: 1 in 10 women suffer from a condition called endometriosis, the unfortunate habit of your uterine cells deciding that they're bored and want to go exploring, spreading cells to other parts of your body, like your intestines, your bladder – pretty much anything that's nearby and down to make a connection.And the results are pretty ungroovy – painful cramps, painful urination, painful sex – PAIN!The problem is, many of the symptoms of endometriosis are also found on the list of PMS symptoms, including depression, bloating, fatigue, sexual discomfort, and exceptionally painful cramping.Sound a bit like Aunt Flo on a John Wick story arc?But because we don't talk about our periods, many women are unaware that they're even afflicted with something more than just kinda wicked bad, life disrupting periods.And endometriosis is only one of the things that can cause brutal cycles.Hormonal thyroid imbalance, polyps and fibroids, even good old anemia (lack of iron), can disrupt your cycle and leave you wondering if you're going to survive next month's Crime Scene.But don't fear! There are ways to treat these conditions, and often the results mean life resumes business as usual, without the Red Room theatrics.Hormonal treatments – a progesterone based oral contraceptive or I.U.D. are just what the doctor ordered, and can help keep many uterine issues in check.Surgery – unfortunately, in the case of cysts, fibroids, and polyps, sometimes a surgery is required to get to the root of the problem and alleviate the pain that can come with owning a uterus.Diet & Lifestyle – to help with any doctor administered medication or procedures, there are things you can do to help your body deal with the unfortunate reality that feels like a scene out of Carrie.Cutting out alcohol, refined sugars, nicotine and caffeine can be a bummer, but your Outraged Baby Maker will thank you! Feed her some vitamins and the occasional avocado and see how much she mellows."Periods. Of all things, why blood? Why can't it be like...fairy dust or something?" — UnknownMenstrual MythbusterWe’ve all heard the bad rap your Monthlies get, and for many women, it’s a time of horror, pain, and erratic mood swings.But there’s a disturbing myth going around about periods:PMS and cramps are normal and there’s nothing you can do about it.The truth?The symptoms that we attribute to PMS are actually excellent diagnostic tools to show you areas of your body and health that need some attention.Yes, even bloating, back pain, and the Misery Poops serve a purpose – to let you know that something isn’t quite right.So how do you balance your body and calm down Aunt Flo so she doesn’t rain on the parade every time she comes to town?Prime Your System for A Premium Period ExperienceYou Are What You Binge EatWhen it comes to your overall monthly happiness, what you put in your body is crucial for weathering the storm, so be careful when indulging in some of your favourite sinful indulgences.Things to avoid:Caffeine – I know mornings are rough at the best of times, but starting your day with a dose of coffee is a great way to supercharge your cramps because caffeine makes your blood vessels constrict. Not to mention it can give you a serious case of the crankies.Salt – Resist the urge to tame the Cthulu in your Uterus with Sea Salt & Vinegar chips, unless you want to feel the bloat of Davy Jones’ Locker.Red Meat & Dairy – Steak and cheese will only make your cramps worse, so satisfy your iron craving with plant based foods like chickpeas and lentils.Download our complete Womb Support Cookbook and find your favorite new recipe to beat your period cravings.Alcohol – Although the Crimson Tide seems like it would pair nicely with a box of Merlot, the truth is, alcohol only makes everything worse. It throws off your hormones, slows your digestion, and dehydrates you. Who wants PMS and a world class hangover?Sugar & Refined Carbs – Talk about inflammation! When your Red Wedding comes, say no to the cakes or suffer the wrath of Fatigue & Bloating!Things to indulge in:Chocolate – The darker, the better! Chocolate is loaded with magnesium, which helps with period bloat, and increases your happy serotonin levels.We’ve created the perfect Black Bean Dark Chocolate Brownie recipe to boost your iron and magnesium levels in one darkly decadent indulgence.Avocado – Full of healthy fats and potassium, to reduce cramping and fulfill your craving for fatty foods.Self-joy – Yes, orgasms. So cuddle up to yourself and nurture your uterus with blissful oxytocin!Vitamins & Supplements – Folic Acid, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium all help to reduce cramps and moderate mood swings.Try our Cycle Supplements, designed to help you regulate your PMS with complete vitamin support.Rest and restful exercise – A body that’s menstruating is a body that’s working hard to flush hormones out of your system, so help it out by sleeping 8 hours and skipping the Cross Fit in favor of gentle yoga or light exercise.Check out our Flo Flow videos on YouTube for gentle exercises designed to help you ease your body through menstruation.Perfect your Period!Hey there, womb warrior! I'm Joselle Carpenter, women’s wellness coach, period advocate, and registered OB-GYN, owner of Hormone Harmony, an academy created to help women manage their hormonal cycles and create their best womb health.In my Gyno practice, I helped countless women find relief from their overwhelming PMS, and now I want to take it one step further, and help women embrace their hormone cycles and treat their PMS symptoms from a place of understanding and compassion.It’s time to break the silent taboo around women’s bodies and empower them through education and acceptance of the nurturing power of their uterus.Check out our articles in “Womb Warrior Magazine” and tune into our guest spot on the “Hormones 101” podcast.Harness Your HormonesCheck out these helpful resources to find balance in your body!1. Follow us on Instagram. From helpful tips and mindset hacks, to mindfulness reels and Q&A Lives, @HormoneHarmony has everything you need to stay ahead of your PMS symptoms and on the right track for overall body health.2. Listen to my Podcast interview on “Period Power” I share my passion for everything about womanhood, including my own battle with endometriosis.3. Want guidance on how to create the best routines for Shark Week? Book a consultation with me. We’ll not only assess your period symptoms, we’ll look at your whole lifestyle and find ways to better support and regulate your hormonal health and mental wellness.Relax into your FloNow that you've got some insight into how to nurture your body through your Moon Time, keep an eye on your inbox for a Womb Wellness Plan based around your quiz results.Over the next week, I'll share with you more menstrual management tips and tell you more about how to create the best hormonal health for your body."Yes, I am on my period. No, that doesn't mean that my anger is irrational." — Unknown
