Follow Your Flow

24 An Introduction To The Menstrual Cycle Phases

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.
 

23. ’Life-changing’ Fertility Awareness Method, with Paula Andras

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.

22. What Doctors Say About Birth Control - With Mike Gaskins

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.

21. True 2 You - With Rachel Andras

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.

20. Is the Copper IUD a better choice than the Mirena?

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.

19. Endometriosis & Self-Care, with Jane Keep

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, which I could not have said even 10 years ago, let alone 20 or 20 years ago’ - Jane Keep.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.

18. Ways to ’know’ (& NOT know) when you ovulate.

This episode is brought to you by my Cycle Wise Woman 8-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. I’m offering the first program, starting in July, at a heavily reduced rate and there are still some places available at the time of this episode airing, so get in touch if you’ like to join us. 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. On average women have around 450 periods in a lifetime. So if that’s the case, this means that there has to be around 450 ovulations, because remember ovulation happens first! But very few women actually know when this happens, they may have some idea or if they are like I was up my late 20’s, they may not know what it even is. I see so many women who are trying to conceive and they get the timing completely wrong thinking they are ovulating at a particular time when they are not. So this episode is discussing the ways to KNOW when you ovulate. We all need to know this and we CAN know this, the ACTUAL day of ovulation, just as well as we know our bleeding time.Here are some of the main points discussed in this episode:The key word is ‘know’ – not think, guess, assume, presume – it’s know. And this is absolutely possible.What is ovulation? A reminder about what ovulation actually is...When does it occur in general? We can have a general understanding that ovulation occurs around 2 weeks before we get our period. However we have to look at the signs our body is communicating for us to know exactly when that is from cycle to cycle.Why do you want to know when you ovulate?To achieve pregnancyTo avoid pregnancyTo support diagnosis like PCOS, see stress patterns, short luteal phase – could be linked to recurrent miscarriage, hormone levels – are you ovulating at all, amenorrheaTo get to know your body – understand the markers in your body that support you to identify or confirm the changes that you feel – we are not always the same.Ways to KNOW when you ovulatePlease note: this is not the rhythm method, which is where your previous menstrual cycles are tracked on a calendar, and this information is used to predict future ovulations. Cervical Mucus (CM) – presence communicates the lead up to ovulation and can also let you know when ovulation has occurredBasal Body Temperature (BBT) – thermal shift in temperature confirms when you have ovulatedCervical position (CP)– feels Soft, High, Open, Wet (SHOW) when approaching ovulation – can’t be used exclusively but can support other methods – particularly CM and BBTOvulation Predictor Kits (OPK) - measures LH surge that happens before ovulation.Can OPK's reduce your chances of conceiving?Is it possible to miss your fertile window when using OPK's?Does using OPK's alone encourage use of the Rhythm Method (RM)?How is the Fertility Awareness Method different to the RM?In terms of timing, how do you maximise your chances of conception?IN SUMMARY – CM, BBT are your number 1 & 2. Know your body.CP and OPK can be a support but you can’t rely on them to know exactly when ovulation occurs.The only way to KNOW, is by knowing your body - know your cervical mucus changes and use basal body temperature as your guide.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.

17. What you need to know about talking to girls (& boys) about periods!

So here we are at episode 17! I have 20+ years experience, working in the field of Complementary medicine and that has naturally shaped it’s way in to Girls & Women’s health and have so much to share with you on this topic - one that is very close to my heart and I feel is super important for the health of society as a whole. In this episode, I'm taking a look at what we need to know to feel ok, confident and at ease when talking to girls (& boys) about periods.This is an episode for everyone, so all the Dads out there, listen in, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles – it’s for all of you. Guess what! You do not need to feel embarrassed, uncomfortable or weird when talking about periods - there is a way to deal with this! We all know how unnatural it feels to talk about something that is so very natural but has been made out to be an issue, a problem, an inconvenience or something that needs hiding, managing and perhaps even eliminating all together. I know you're with me on this. Pretty sure we all want to be done with this narrative!In this solo episode, I will be covering these topics:Why talking about periods is still very taboo.The history of menstruation and the perception of the female bodyHas this stigma around periods always been there?How are we still receiving the messages that periods are bad when we don’t want this to be the case?The importance of looking at re-education of society around periods and the female body.What does a woman’s body actually represent, if not the miasma of lies we are sold?How do we free ourselves from the ‘false narrative’?How have women sold themselves short when it comes to the way they are represented?How to feel confident, rather than awkward on this topic?Our own trauma and experiences will taint our communication about periods unless they are resolved.Why correct terminology of the female anatomy is so important.Ways to support your girls (& boys) on all things periodsWhat you didn't know about menstruation!Why girls need to know that their cycle is not just about pregnancy.This episode was brought to you by the Cycle Wise Parents (CWP) Online Course. This is a 6 week, fully comprehensive, flexible course for parents, carers, grandparents, teachers and anyone with young people in their lives. It’s addressing the questions I get asked all the time – how do you talk to your children about periods; when is the right time to do; and how to do it without feeling so embarrassed. In the CWP course we go deep into the necessary re-education on menstruation because this is where it needs to start. During the 6 weeks, you’ll receive new video lessons each week to watch in your own time and then a live Q & A each week where you can ask questions and have the opportunity to share with fellow course attendees. The course platform also allows for discussion under each individual lesson, should you choose to engage with me or others on participating in the course. The content in this course is rich and wholesome, as all period education should be. There are 2 intakes for the course every year with the latest one, at the time of recording this, set to begin on Wednesday June 16th, 2021. Head over to this page to find out more details, new course dates and how to register! Spaces are limited. 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.

16. Oral Health, Gum Disease & Hormones, with Dr Rachel Mascord

This is one episode that I hope all women do not skip over. I mean who would have thought that your oral health, the quality of your brushing and flossing could affect how you are experiencing pregnancy, PCOS, menopause or anything to do with your hormones? This is another thing that we should be taught about at school…and thank God for Rachel and her incredible and graceful way of educating us all on this topic. In this conversation Rachel breaks it all down for us, so we can understand how it all works and I promise you, you are going to be flossing to your hearts content at the completion of this episode – you will never miss a floss again!Here are some of the key points that we discuss:Gum disease seems to be a topic of absolutely no interest for people – yet it is a major condition that effects people in a wide ranging way.Link between the gums, the bacteria and our entire body and all body systems.2 most common forms of gum disease – 1. Gingivitis – inflammation of the gums. Very common and absolutely reversible with good oral hygiene. 2. Periodontitis – progression of this gingivitis where breakdown starts to occur. The ligament that attaches the tooth starts to breakdown and can start to lose bone. This is not reversible.If we allow bacteria to grow on the gum and become thick, it can become a serious issue. The immune system is working overtime, creating lots of inflammation to try to deal with the bacteria but because it is ‘on’ the surface of the teeth, they can’t be reached. Therefore, the inflammation can wreak havoc on the body. Hygiene is key – WE have to get the plaque off, our immune system cannot access it.Everything boils down to good oral hygiene.Chronic inflammation drives so many of the illness and disease we are experiencing.“Brushing your teeth but not flossing is like putting on one leg of your pants” – RachelInflammation is affecting our hormones…and our hormones also affect inflammation.The hormones magnify what is really going on. If we start with good oral health, this is what is magnified. And likewise, if we do not have good oral health, this will be magnified by the hormones.We cannot blame our hormones. We see the impacts all the way through the phases of a woman’s life all the way to Menopause.We need to stop segregating the areas of the body and bring it back to the whole that it is.We spoke about self-worth and valuing yourself – this is like a muscle we have to work. We are over-developed in our lack of self-worth. We need to bring more focus and dedication to the self-care muscle.When you go from bleeding gums to not bleeding gums; from bad breath, to feeling fresh and clean.This is preventative and treatment all in one.Women who are pregnant or looking to become pregnant, have conditions like PCOS, PMS, and all other hormonal conditions – oral health is so important for you because of the hormone changes.Clearing gum disease is a significant factor in fertility.Pregnancy is an exacerbator of gum disease – will make worse what you have already got.Studies show that Hormonal Birth Control (HBC) can increase inflammation and swelling in gums, as well as impacting the nasty bacteria.We need to stop pretending that HBC are innocuous drugs. They effect every body system.Why are we not told to take care of our oral health before we start prescribing drugs? Why don’t we look at good oral hygiene, as well as diet, lifestyle and everything that could be contributing to the certain conditions we experience?You must complete brushing by cleaning between your teeth. You must floss. There are many different ways to floss!Summary:Gum disease is quite prevalent.The bacteria in our mouth can be nasty and impact our entire bodyGingivitis is reversible and periodontitis is not reversible, although can be stabilised.Inflammation is caused by bad oral health. Impacts heart disease, immune health, risk of diabetes, stroke, Alzheimers, lung disease.Women’s hormones have an impact on the inflammation and vice versa.Pregnancy and hormones are not the issue, it is the foundation that we have created for the hormones.It is never too late to bring care to your mouth and oral health and feel the impact this has on your hormones and the overall health of your body.MORE FROM RACHEL:https://www.drrachelmascord.com.au/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.

15. Navigating Puberty, with Annette & Gabe

Navigating the time of puberty can be a challenging time for many, including parents. How do we do this and what do we need to be aware of to support ourselves, if we are currently traversing this time…or if we are adults, supporting young people as they find their way in the world. I know for myself, I really struggled during these formative years and battled with the intensity of all that was going on around me and within me. This is not uncommon, in fact, I think we tend to assume that this is a kind of initiation process that all teenagers will go through. But does it really have to be like this?My guests on today’s show, have been working as relationship counsellors for many years. They are a couple and have been together close to 20 years. Their work is founded on supporting others to access the truth of their expression and to discover true love for themselves – what this means, what it looks like. They both love what they do and being able to observe and witness these changes that people make in their lives and the confidence that comes with that. Join me for a stunning conversation with the magnificent Annette & Gabe.Topics we covered:The quality of the way Gabe and Annette live is a testament to the quality of their work. They are wholly and completely committed to being in service for others, showing us the way to truly live love. Super inspiring!Growing up and during the teen years can be very isolating because of all that is going on inside, all that you are actually feeling. There are a lot of inner thoughts and feelings about what feels true for you yet at the same time you are being dragged by everything that the world wants to influence you with.There are images coming in from every angle about what it means to be a woman – magazines, social media, music videos and media in all its forms. We are being shifted and shaped by all of this even if we don’t know it. These images are very pervasive.This melting pot can be difficult to navigate. This comes with the changes in hormones as we mature and develop, and stress also affects how this all plays out. The intensity of all of this together, so many aspects that we are dealing with, can make these years quite challenging. Particularly if we don’t have a foundation of really knowing ourselves.It is important to consider what else is going on in life that may be causing extra strain and stress which will be impacting these years as the body and being is developing.Very important to find adults whom you have solid relationships with, who you trust and can talk to. You can’t force this to happen, but is definitely worth opening up to this kind of support.Gabe talks about being very expressive in her sensitivity, very confident, very open. But when puberty started to happen and being aware of the changes in her body, as well as knowing that she was gay – she started to hold it all inside and developed this dual reality where she shut down her sensitivity, her sexuality and how she was really feeling. She knew that if others knew, it would cause a huge amount of upset. This, she made normal and later felt how much this actually impacted her.The tidal wave of pressure from ideals and beliefs affects everyone around you, so essentially everyone is swimming in it.We see this with teenagers being who we want them to be. You can see them moulding themselves to exactly what you want them to be.It can be challenging, confusing and awkward to navigate this time. We are looking to identify ourselves but without a role model showing us to way, we struggle with knowing how to be ourselves. We all know this innately but we need to support ourselves to hold on to this knowing and what we are here to bring to the world.Later when we get to our 40’s and 50’s and if we haven’t recognised that we have been living this duplicate life, we can get to a counselling session and realise that this strength that is always there, has been abandoned for 30, 40, 50 years. This can be devastating to feel and it is quite a job to go back and reclaim that and restore that.The world says to you ‘You will not be who you are’ so you learn to shut it down. And you can live your whole life like this…and then life will inevitably reflect this back to us. For example, when we have children who go through their teenage years, we struggle with their reflection and choices because we haven’t come to terms with this for ourselves and who we have not resolved the shut-down from our own teenage years. This may evoke jealousy, resentment, shame, longing, loss, regret, missing out, the devastation of having their sensitivity crushed and not having he space and the freedom to be able to express this.If we don’t reconnect to this sensitivity within ourselves then we can struggle to support the teens in our lives. They may inevitably go through enacting the same patterns.Cycle Wise Parents has been developed for this very reason.What about being a young woman? There are so many stereotypes about what this should be. There are so many images that we are bombarded with. Ultimately, we need to live in a way where we are not so easily influenced by all of this. We need to find women who are genuinely confident in who they are, are at ease in their bodies and are settled within themselves and how they express and dress. These are the true role models we need in life."Innately we know who we are, and we innately want to express that" GabeIt is a very explorative time – going from a child, to adolescent, to teenager, to adult. The key is to be able to do this in way that whatever path we go on, is to not feel like we have to lock ourselves in to that or for others to impose locking us in on that or labelling us as that forever. It is such a changing time in so many ways. Exploring is very natural but we need to allow ourselves the space and flexibility to finding and accessing what our true expression is.In the age of social media, space and flexibility can be very challenging because we don’t get a break to feel where we are at.What is the true expression of a woman? It is something we all have to find within ourselves. There is an equal expression of feminine and masculine energy within us that Gabe says for her happens simultaneously and harmoniously and with great equanimity. When expressing the masculine aspects, for example, she didn’t feel she needed to be a man to do this. She realised she can be feminine in vibration and equally masculine in vibration without thinking that this needed to look a certain way. It was simply her expression that came from the inside.Women role model in the world and we need to be very responsible with that.There is such a preciousness about being a girl and being a woman. And it is the same for boys, they are innocent and pure and sweet. Before and unless they get corrupted by the outside influences.The presence of our cycle is such an important reminder of how delicate we are. It asks us to slow down, honour our sensitivity and our bodies. This is what is available.Have a relationship with the maleness and femaleness expression – this is where true confidence comes from and the ability to true to yourself and not be influenced by everything in the world that asks us to be everything else. It is the steady point that reminds us of who we are.There are the perversions of what it is to be a girl, and what it is to be a boy such as the pack energy of both that tries to come in and compress us. These have nothing to do with the true expression and essence of the person. It is about connecting to and knowing the inner qualities and inner beauty of who we are. Then it is natural to take care of the body and the being. It is then natural to express this, and this expression will be exactly what is needed.“Find people in your life that you can be yourself with and reveal yourself to. As a teenager, consider to access and nurture those relationships and seek the support so that you have an anchor point that you can come back to” - Annette“Trust your inner knowing and establishing this relationship. Become strong in this and don’t shut that inner voice down because this is your truth, this is your wisdom, this is your intuitive understanding about how you need to be taken care of or how you need to express in the world” - Gabe“Take time to self-reflect, giving yourself space to just feel where you are at. If you know yourself in this way, this is a massive foundational quality for being in a relationship with anyone. If you don’t have this, the quality of your relationships will be very superficial and very one-dimensional” - GabeWhere to find more from Annette & Gabehttps://annetteandgabe.comCycle Wise Parents Coursehttps://www.followyourflow.com.au/cycle-wise-parents-courseFollow Your Flow Podcasthttps://www.followyourflow.com.au/podcastSHOW 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. 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