Is Hormonal Contraception Numbing You?

Danielle
Dec 12, 2021
10 min read

Today we will look at:

Why following your cycle is beneficial to your life
Why the FAM tops hormonal contraceptives
What’s happening during our cycle
How we can complement each phase
How to recognize when you are ovulating
Debunking a few myths

Ok, let’s get going! This topic has me tapping erratically at my keyboard in excitement. I LOVE my menstrual cycle for so many reasons, but this has not always been a passion of mine. Rewind to my first sex education class when I was around 11 years old, we were placed in front of a monster TV and made to uncomfortably watch a 80’s educational video, showing a naked family brushing their teeth and then a really strange drawing of a vagina and penis, that’s all that stuck with me…thank goodness! “Any questions, anyone?” The teacher asked, everyone was silent, I think we were scarred for life! And that was the end of that, onto the next class.

I started exploring my sexuality very young, not because I was in love or attracted to someone in particular but because I wanted to be seen and accepted. I learnt early on how to use my sexual energy to connect to another. As I write this, a lot of shame arises, but I will not put my past in a corner, I will welcome my younger insecure, self hating self and welcome her into this space. In a society where sexualising people is ‘normal’ I soon realised I was not alone in my perceptions and belief around my body image, sex and relationships. This is a deeply complex subject but I wanted to share this because it tied in with my relationship with my menstrual cycle. I was ashamed and annoyed by it. This blood that would appear each month reminded me that soon I would be at risk of an unwanted pregnancy and terrible discomfort.

I reached menarche (the Greek word for month), my first menstruation at 13 years old whilst I was watching Castaway with Tom Hanks. I felt a warm sensation between my legs, I ran to the toilet and saw my underwear painted in red. I knew what was happening but it was still a shock, I freaked out and called my cousin, even though my mum was downstairs. My mum later told me she was saddened by this, it wasn’t that I didn't feel safe with my mum, my mum is my best friend, but I looked up to my cousin who was 10 years older than me and wanted her to see I was now a woman! She brought me some pads and I just remember crying with my mum afterwards. Not much was really explained, because I knew the basics, NOW I COULD BECOME PREGNANT. I remember sneaking my mum's tampon and trying to insert one, but it got stuck behind my hymen which was still intact, I was panicking so much and so afraid that I would have to ask someone to help me.

At the age of 15 I started hormonal contraception and this continued until I was around 23 years old. It breaks my heart to think how hormonal contraception contributed to years of confusion, disconnection and self harm. I continuously have to check in with my younger self and sit with her as we replay memories and hold space for all of it to be seen and loved, no matter how uncomfortable it can become. After removing the toxin from my bloodstream I was like a whole new person, I felt like I could think and breathe more freely. I started to question many things and it put a lot of strain on my marriage at the time. It turns out there were many things we were not ready to face together and many things I was too ashamed to openly share, so I pushed him away and emotionally ran away. Following my separation, I had a lot to explore, I was receiving so much wisdom from my womb and for once in my life I felt like I was not alone, there were reasons why I felt like I was always getting lost in a black hole.

Finding Uma, the founder of Yoni Shakti transformed my view on womb sovereignty and I feel this was a powerful rebirth for me. I came out knowing the power of my womb but I was still locked in old patterns and fears which kept me pushing boundaries and burning myself. But there was no going back, yes it took time to peel back the layers but I was tuning in more and more with myself each day. I remember someone once commenting on my past experiences with “that’s the joys of being a teenage girl” I believed this for a while, but now all I will say is, we have to STOP normalizing hormone imbalance, toxin build up, depression, self harming, pain etc. Let us stand courageously together and be curious with our past and present patterns and

outcomes.

The dark side of hormonal contraceptives (HC)

There are many different types of HC. I'm going to touch on a few things which will bring this topic to the front of your mind, to raise questions which may transform your perspective.

Artificial hormones mimic our natural hormone response, for instance, progestin used in medications prevents pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, making cervical mucus unwelcoming to sperm and by reducing the uterine lining to prevent implantation. Natural progesterone on the other hand, thickens the uterus lining and helps with implantation of an embryo.

They interfere with your natural hormones causing chronic suppression not just estrogen and progesterone but oxytocin, your love hormone, affecting your libido! The toxins in the medication burden the liver, which we rely on to detoxify our body, this has a roll on effect for the synthesis of other hormones and toxins continue to building in your body. With the body out of sync we can see depletions of vital nutrients such as link, zinc, Vit B, magnesium, selenium!

Isn’t it funny that we don’t get taught about this at school along with the benefits of the natural fertility awareness method. Of course not! The pharmaceutical companies do not benefit from women listening to their bodies and owning their experience. It’s no surprise that coming off of HC may present more pain, discomfort and unwanted symptoms. They simply mask symptoms caused by hormonal imbalances in the body, it does not get to the root cause. Be gentle if you choose to let go of your HC and follow a detox plan rich in nutrient dense meals or reach out for support.

Remember the pill CANNOT BALANCE YOUR HORMONES, it works on the hypothalamus in the brain to offer a negative feedback which causes the reproductive hormones to SWITCH OFF! To put it in one sentence, anything that messes with your natural state will not go unmissed by the body, the list is endless and all weave into one another.

Oh also it doesn’t prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

We call forward wild and wise women to get on their hands and knees and dig up the weeds from the roots! We have been pushed in a corner, neglected of information that can help us tune into our bodily wisdom. Instead we are fed collective fears and limiting beliefs. We are offered a pill that will ‘make everything better’ a pill that will hand over our freedom. We must reclaim our body's sovereignty! To honor our ancestors, ourselves, our children and the ones who are yet to arrive. This may be triggering, that is a good sign, there’s truth in the words pulling at you, asking you not to look away. You’re ready, it may not be a smooth transition if your body has relied on HC for many years, be gentle, be soft and love each arising, as this is your body showing you that change and transformation is happening

Let’s talk about Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) as a way to connect to your cycle

Firstly, what’s happening in your hormone cycle if you're not on contraception?

All hormonal activity begins in the brain. At the beginning of the cycle, which is the first day of your bleed, the reproductive hormones, which are estrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are at their lowest points. FSH begins to rise stimulating a couple of eggs to develop in the ovaries, and as they are maturing estrogen starts to rise, moving us towards ovulation. As estrogen reaches its peak, LH triggers the release of the egg, the egg will be alive for 12-24 hours, following this estrogen drops and progesterone elevates.

With FAM, we begin to tune into our body and our fertility. These hormones are not just for reproduction, they have receptors throughout the body, so with hormonal imbalances you will see your whole system become affected. Fertility observation gives us so many insights to what is happening in our inner world, what a gift!

So what are the main messages to find out where we are in our cycle?

Basal body temperature - core resting body temperature, taken before you get out of bed at the same time each day. This rises with the rise of progesterone, when the fertility window is closing
Cervical mucus

FAM is tracking ovulation. No egg, No sperm. No cereal mucus. Conception can not occur.

Start tracking. Day 1 of your cycle is the first day of your bleed.
Taking your BBT. You’ll need a special thermometer
Cervical mucus (Dry, none peak, peak) check out this blog
Commit to this daily ritual and study this method deeply, here is an amazing book
Chart for at least full cycles or until you are comfortable with your observations, if you do not feel comfortable find a coach

For deeper wisdom and insight click here

For many years of my life I was left feeling utterly embarrassed at the sight of mucus in my underwear. I felt a huge relief the day I realized this was just how my body intended. Cervical mucus neutralizes the PH level of the vagina, nourishes and feeds sperm, and allows it to make the journey to the egg. It even filters out the sperm it doesn’t like, finally the empowered yoni choses the knights worthy to greet the great queen. This fascinated me because throughout our cycle the cervical mucus plays a very important role, a harmonious body produces this juicy nectar to encourage conception. This was a TADAAAA moment for me.

What if you are using FAM to avoid conception?

During your fertile window, chose a barrier method or do not have sex, the latter I find extremely unrealistic as it’s the time my libido is raging!

That leads me into the Menstrual Cycle Awareness Method (MCA) , the glorious method I conceived Auraya on….unintentionally! I was obsessed with it but it also made me super aligned with everything and super fertile, I think I just looked at Ilan and I became pregnant. Not so true, but I remember it was the summer solstice, I had just taught a live yoga class and was enjoying Stonehenge on a live stream, passion erupted and the rest is history, no pull out method would have stopped that little miracle.

That being said, MCA is still a huge part of my life, it wraps FAM up in a little cozy blanket. This is a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual observation method. I even wrote a Ebook which goes deeper into this practice.

When in balance you will notice your energy levels rise as your estrogen levels peak during ovulation, of course, physiological you are seeking a lover. You are drawn to the external word. Now is the time to bring action to your dreams and start manifesting. You are unstoppable. Estrogen will bring extra glow and a sniff of fertility which fills the air with life. Go steady and stay anchored with the intention that you would have set during your inner moon time.

As estrogen falls, and progesterone rises, you enjoy the benefits of the zen hormone and things start to slow down, take this time to reflect on the phases past so far and welcome the revealing of what serves you and what doesn't. Be ready to let go, and make some space for new healing patterns and experiences.

Moving into your inner moon phase, all hormones drop and you are stripped bare, everything is seen. Your body is going into a state of hibernation as it plugs into the earth to recharge. Here is when the real magic happens, a time to retreat inwards, the outside world isn't so colorful any more. Slowly and gently prepare for your rebirth.

And that leads me into your pre-ovulation phase, where you begin to raise your head from beneath the soil and prepare to display the beauty of your petals. Now is a time of tapping into your creative energy to envision a plan that will honor your desires. Here you are refreshed, pure and ready to reconnect with the outside world.

How imbalances can present themselves

If there is anything that is uncomfortable or out of control within your internal world, which is causing an unwanted outward expression?

Blotting

Acne

Painful cramps

Back ache

Exhaustion

Depression

Anxiety

Unhealthy relationships with food

Mood storms

Low libido

The list is endless……

What does this tell us? It shares with us an opportunity to make a few adjustments to reconnect to our natural and healthy state.

If you get to your ovulation phase and you have no energy or drive to have any involvement in the outside world, you feel exhausted and unenthused, honor this. If you push through this stage to prove your worth you will crash even harder. Slow down, let go of your expectations and come back to your body. What would be the most nourishing thing to do right now?

Moving into the pre-menstruation phase can seem dark for many women, as your energy levels start to drop and the zen master hormone steps in, you may want to ride the dragon for a little longer, but your body is ready to slow down. Trust in your journey, tune into the beauty of patience and the gift of time. Hear your critic and see what is beneath those fears.

During your inner moon time, the heaviness this phase brings as your energy pours into the earth can feel threatening. The pull of your needs to please the external world is challenged by your needs to go inwards. A complete surrender will drop you into the wisdom of your womb and into the healing arms of mother earth. If you are resisting the slower pace, or you are still fully booked with events, meetings etc. then you will start to feel drained and to counter this as your mind moves into fear mode, you will start to release stress hormones, which will affect your immune system, putting you at risk of illness.

Helping out your liver

When stress hormones fill your bloodstream it affects many systems in your body to help it to survive in that very moment. Stress causes inflammation in the body that has serious long term effects. Stress hormones take priority to be synthesized by the liver, which leave a backlog of other hormones and toxins to build up in your system. Your liver deserves some love, let's look at how we can support it!

Clean up your diet, eat as close to a food's natural state as possible, choose organic when possible. Choose healthy fats from plant sources such as almonds, coconut, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds or animal sources such as eggs and fatty fish (salmon).
Start using a tap water filter to remove harmful chemicals which are added by the water company.
Stay hydrated, drinking lemon water will help to flush toxins
Avoid chemicals in cleaning products, makeup, toiletries, fumes, unnecessary medications
Exercise regularly to get your heart pumping to remove stagnation
Include a detox tea (chamomile, turmeric, peppermint)
Learn ways to understand your how to honor your emotions that arise in a healthy way
Reduce stress through meditation, breathwork, massages, heartwomb practices…