GO WITH YOUR FLOW:

Having a uterus (and everything that comes with it) can sometimes feel like a burden. We went on a mission to find simple developments in technology, psychology and wellness that can make life with hormones and periods easier!

How to live in harmony with your hormones

Are there reliable natural alternatives to hormonal contraceptives? How do I get my libido back on track? Being a woman can be a rough gig at times. So we’ve compiled an updated guide for stuff that’s out there (some new discoveries, some ancient rediscoveries) to make modern living with a uterus easier – even if it’s just in tiny ways.

Whether you’re trying to get pregnant, monitoring your period for health reasons or looking for a natural alternative to the Pill, there’s an app for that! And the more people there are on these apps, the more data can be collected to understand and serve us better in terms of new information and products.

Clue – helping you track and share your cycle data

Pioneering the quest for open, healthy and much-needed conversations about periods and reproductive health in general, Clue not only helps you track your data but you can also share it with friends, family and significant others. It can remind you when your period is close and also tracks your emotions, moods, energy levels and a few other customisable markers.

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT IT:

It’s a really cute app, and it’s good to know when people you care about might be feeling extra sensitive. Clue’s information hub is also fantastic and is paving the way for all of us – not just women – to be empowered by information and open communication that breaks down period shame. Check it out at www.helloclue.com

The Flow App – grow with your flow

This one comes recommended by Kheyrne Danu, founder of WomanThrive (more about her in the next section), who has used and reviewed a ton of the available apps. She loves this one because it has great insights about the phases of our cycles (you know all about Peak Week from the hormone article in last month’s issue) and can help us to play our hormones to our advantage rather than let them block us from living our best lives. www.theflow-app.com

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT IT:

It’s focused on discovering your super skills based on where you are in your cycle. ‘We believe that to break the invisible wall and propel ‘It’s been amazing getting to know my own body after years of being on hormonal contraceptives that have suppressed certain aspects of my biology.’ women forward, we need to fully acknowledge how female qualities change across the hormonal cycle on a monthly basis, during puberty, during pregnancy or during menopause; and learn that these changes can be positively leveraged to boost female health, happiness, engagement and career choices.’

Natural Cycles – the certified contraception app

How does it work? You sign up and pay for access to the app, then buy a basal body temperature thermometer which you use to take and record your temperature every morning. By analysing your temperature and cycle data (and taking into account a host of variables), the algorithm predicts when you will ovulate. Based on this, it gives you red days (use protection or abstain) or green days (safe to have sex without falling pregnant). Many ‘cyclers’ around the world who previously struggled with contraceptive side-effects have been singing the app’s praises.

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT IT:

It’s backed by thorough research and science, and it’s the most accurate app available. Natural Cycles’ typical use efficacy is 93% – which compares pretty well with other methods like the Pill at91%.

Shané Barnard has been using Natural Cycles since 2016, and shared her experience with us:

‘I first heard about Natural Cycles on social media in October 2016. I was looking for an alternative to hormonal contraceptives, and decided to investigate. When I read that one of the founders of the app was part of the team that discovered the Higgs boson particle, I felt reassured that this was a scientific method as good as any alternative. Most of our lives rely on algorithms these days, so why not give it a try?

‘It’s been amazing getting to know my own body after years of being on hormonal contraceptives that have suppressed certain aspects of my biology. I’ve also learned a lot about ovulation and fertility thanks to the informative tips and reminders in the app.

‘The algorithm doesn’t want to take chances – so the more data you enter, the more accurately it can predict ‘green’ or non-fertile

days. It took about three months before the app actually gave me a confirmed ‘green day’! When you don’t enter enough data, it will give you more red days than you probably have, which means you have to use an alternative form of contraception on those days.

‘I love the data! It’s so cool to see your temperature curves through the various phases of your cycle. They also send you reminders of the best days to do a breast exam, which is an added benefit.

‘I would definitely recommend Natural Cycles to other women. It’s incredible that technology has come such a long way that we can use something like a thermometer and a clever algorithm to determine fertility.’

If you don’t have a regular schedule – perhaps you often work late nights or have trouble sleeping through the night – the app might not work as effectively for you. Visit www.naturalcycles.com

Just a word of warning, Dr Anita Mitra – a London-based gynecologist who’s completing her PhD on the vaginal microbiome – cautions against using this kind of contraception. She authors an interesting blog (www.gynaegeek.com) where she offers ‘no nonsense information on “down-there” healthcare’. She writes: ‘While I don’t criticise anyone who uses this app as contraception you have to remember we are humans and not mathematical algorithms.’ She warns that the app could get it wrong if you don’t take your temperature at the same time every day, have a temperature due to illness or ovulate at a different time to when the app predicts.

‘There are plenty of reasons why ovulation doesn’t occur on the predicted day, and that may be because you’re stressed, you overtrained, you have a poor diet, you had a disrupted sleep cycle, you were jetlagged. Basically, if you ovulate earlier than expected and you’ve had unprotected sex within five days, you are at risk of pregnancy because the rise in temperature happens only on the actual day of ovulation.’

‘Most of the issues women are dealing with is because they’re putting outside pressures ahead of themselves,’ says Kheyrne Danu of WomanThrive (www.womanthrive. com). She has been running workshops on Hormone Vitality and Yoni Eggs for nine years.

‘We’re forgetting something crucial: if we’re not okay we can’t support everyone around us, be efficient at work, be good parents and partners. Everybody knows this but women are really bad at this. If your cup is full and overflowing then you can share that with everybody. But if it’s not full, you need to withdraw and top up. That’s where the reproductive cycle is really useful.’

The first step is to be aware of the phases of your cycle and try to manage your life accordingly (where possible, of course – you can’t very well put off a big work presentation because it doesn’t fall on a good day). Kheyrne recommends the following:

• Between ovulation and your period your hormones are gearing up to a state where you are stronger – your mind is more efficient, you’re better at creating structure and putting projects together and everything is geared up in your favour. This is your time to share with the world; try to plan big events around this time.

• The moment you stop ovulating is the time to reflect, reassess and refine. Usually just before you get really PMS-y is when you need to take time off projects, clear out your house, throw out old clothes and have important conversations with your husband or partner.

• Your period is your recoup time, your quiet time. This is not the time to do a crazy CrossFit class and go for a long run on the beach. Rather do some yoga at home, meditate or read a good book.things can make a big difference, whether it’s taking the time to listen to your favourite song, burn a scented candle or taking five deeps breaths before you start the day. If you need your morning coffee, eat a handful of nuts or take a few sips of smoothie beforehand so that you don’t spike your cortisol and put your body into survival mode.

The other basic health principle (one we all know about but need reminding of) is keeping your blood sugar stable by eating the right nutrient-dense food with enough healthy fat (seeds, nuts, avocadoes, coconuts, olives).

To make sure your blood sugar is always in check, Kheyrne recommends keeping a little bag of trail mix in your car, office and home pantry so that you’re never forced to grab junk food.

‘I keep one savoury mix (with dried olives and macadamia nuts) and one sweet mix (with nuts,

seeds and Goji berries).’

And of course, steer clear of animal protein that has added hormones – the estrogen in these foods throws your hormones off balance. Making sure you eat enough plants is key and always eat wholefoods, fill your plate with colour and eat enough.

Another way to get more in touch with your cycle is to switch to a menstrual cup – you’ll know your exact flow volume, and coming into closer contact with it normalises it if you’ve been conditioned to believe that it’s gross. Apart from obvious benefits like not having to buy tampons which pollute the environment, many women are surprised at the change they experience on a philosophical or psychological level.

Lunette is a Finnish company that has developed one of the best-rated menstrual cups, and it recommends the following essential oils (for massage or aromatherapy) to relieve period cramps and PMS:

• LAVENDER – for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties

• ROSE – for cramps, nausea and fatigue

• YLANG-YLANG – the ultimate essential oil for anxiety, stress and low moods as a result of periods

• PEPPERMINT – for relief of headaches, inflammation and for an energy boost

An important mental shift to make is realising that hormonal vitality, health and wellbeing are all related – and a big part of that is tapping into your sensuality. Modern life can be stressful and isolating, leaving little time for sexual desire, libido and pleasure.

‘Our pelvic floors play a huge role in keeping everything supported internally, yet mainstream medicine tends to ignore this area,’ says Kheyrne. ‘Having a bad birth experience, lower back problems or a traumatic sexual experience, among other things, can cause tension and other problems with our pelvic floor muscles, which can result in painful sex, incontinence and intimacy issues.’ If any of this applies to you, she advises getting to a pelvic floor physiotherapist first. There aren’t many in the country but they can make a massive difference.

The other tool she’s found gentle and healing is Yoni egg practice, also known as jade egg practice. Yoni eggs, first discovered and used by Taoist women centuries ago, are small jade stones carved into the shape of an egg.

‘Yoni egg practice is something you can do quietly at home. It’s an intimate, personal thing and there are a few basic exercises that you can do with the egg inside you. On a practical level it triggers your parasympathetic nervous system and thereby some cool hormones, but on an emotional and sensual side it helps your whole being to feel relaxed.’ The practice can rebalance and strengthen your pelvic floor, and help you connect with yourself on a sensual level.

‘Sexuality is so loaded and for me it’s about bringing it back to a soft, playful space – comfort is the key. There are so many elements in life that can trigger our sensuality and we need to start from that place. What is it in life that turns you on? We forget that our sexual energy and sensuality is our life force energy – it’s the thing that makes us thrive. If we talk about vitality we can’t leave sensuality out of it, and people are doing that: obsessing over food and exercise and hardly bringing sensuality into the picture. It’s not about flirtation or trying to be sexy, it’s just about feeling good.’

It ain’t easy having all these hormones, but the best place to start is to get to know your flow, be gentle with yourself and keep your sensual side alive. And luckily there are loads of tools to help us do that. Here’s to better living with a uterus!