Who knew

December 24th. Springtime. Having just come out of a rather short two day winter, I’m beginning to cultivate the natural powers of: tenderness, innocence, containment, curiosity, playfulness, imagination, surging energy, sexual desire, focus, motivation, enthusiasm, foolhardiness, positivity and assertiveness. 

Who. Knew.

Springtime is the pre-ovulatory phase in a woman’s cycle where you are full of the joys after resting, retreating, listening and going into the meditation chamber of your vagina. Here you receive visions, have outpourings of ecstasy and, if you surrender fully, get to bathe in the overflow of creative inspiration. I’m sold and trying not to look too far ahead but summer is coming and, all being well, ovulation will see me rise up into a full-blown, sexed-up, multitasking Superwoman. 

Who. Knew.

Yes. I am writing about my periods. Because, having successfully avoided them for ten years, my re-education is proving to be quite astonishing. And, really, who did know? Who knows about the follicular and lineal stages of their cycle? Did anyone ever tell you how to monitor your cervical fluid or that you are only fertile for a few days a month? That you only ovulate for one day and that you don’t need to pump your body full of hormones because there are things called FAM (Fertility Awareness Method) and MCA (Menstrual Cycle Awareness). 

I am 38 years old and when I made the decision to come off hormone based contraception I had to look ‘ovulation’ up in the dictionary. My levels of ignorance were off the chain. 

I was swiftly put on the pill at the ripe old age of 12 and, having been on the Mirena coil since age 27, I didn’t even know what day one of a cycle was. I had absolutely no idea that I could safeguard against pregnancy by simply monitoring my basal body temperature and cervical fluid. And so, I set out to learn what it means to bleed and how to do it on my own terms.

Armed with three apps, a thermometer, three books, a Mooncup, two pairs of Thinx pants, two boxes of lemon balm tea, a bottle of caste tincture, liquid magnesium, and two lots of vitamins and supplements, I am approaching my feminine reclamation in true Virgoan, type A personality fashion. 

After eight years of deep study into yoga and meditation, I also have a committed daily practice and, at almost 40 years old, feel like I finally know how to take care of myself. I mean, seriously, it’s taken me this long but I am ready. Ready to honour my cycles, connect more deeply to my body, reclaim my femininity, get those unwelcome hormones out of my system and drop the story that I will be a borderline maniac once a month. So far, so good.

Here’s what I’ve learnt:

Natural Cycles is a gamechanger. I love it. Every morning I enter my basal body temperature and the algorithm detects my ovulation and predicted the first bleed with startling accuracy. Use this code if you sign up and I’ll get it free for life. I mean, they really should be employing me. I’m quite likely their biggest fan.

Condoms are ok but a bit too rubbery at times

I am only fertile for a few days a month

For two days before my period comes I have to take napping very seriously

Mooncups should be given to every teenage girl when they get their period

Thinx pants are worth every penny

Tampons and sanitary towels are an unnecessary blight upon the earth

Self-care is Queen. Lots of sleep, minimal booze, meditation, exercise, a healthy diet, herbal remedies

There are powerful secrets held in each phase of your cycle

Listening to your body is an endlessly fascinating endeavor

I am incredibly lucky to have a kind, generous and silly partner who has been tender, gentle, light and supportive throughout my process

Some resources I’ve dipped into over the last few months:

Wild Power – although it can be a little gushing (‘scuse the pun), the content is good and there’s plenty you can take from it. Definitely worth a read.

The Woman Code – a bit worthy but also worth a read

Fertility book – she has a thinly veiled resentment towards men but there are some great chapters on FAM. If, like me, you’re scared of graphs and charts, then you might feel a little overwhelmed but the words are easy to read. 

Flo – cute app where you can monitor your mood, exercise, sleep, water intake, temperature etc. It takes a minute each day and you can gather some good data that will help you stay in tune with where you’re at in your cycle

Clue – similar to Flo

Natural Cycles – charts your temperature to monitor and predict the follicular and lineal stages of your cycle so you know when you’re fertile, when you’re not, when you’re ovulating and when to expect your period.

Thinx – sexy pants with a built in pad that you treat like a normal pair of knickers and wash at the end of the day.

The Red School, suggested by my dear friend Jess. I just did the free course but they have Menstruation Mentors, which I think is brilliant. I didn’t use them but their very existence reassured me. It’s led by the same women who wrote Wild Power.

I’ve been so inspired to share my experience – it’s Spring, after all – but please comment below with any wisdom, resource and experience that might help myself or others. And feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Much love to you and your magnificent vagina, vulva, womb, uterus, ovaries, glands, tubes and eggs. Hooray for Bartholins glands.