nicolejardim.com nicolejardim.com/programs Support Us on Patreon & Join the Learn True Health Book Club!!! Patreon.com/learntruehealth Menstrual Cycle  http://learntruehealth.com/menstrual-cycle Menstrual cycle and how to balance our hormones is something every woman should know. Studies show that balanced hormones are also connected to our mental health and longevity. So my guest today, Nicole Jardim will teach us exactly how to take care of ourselves especially during our menstrual cycle. Great Childhood Nicole Jardim says she had a great childhood. But when she was 11 years old, her dad suddenly passed away. It turned her world upside down. Around 14 or 15 years old, Nicole Jardim had no idea why she suddenly developed significant period problems. Her mom experienced the same thing until her 20s, so she didn’t think her menstrual cycle was amiss. Heavy Periods Nicole Jardim recalls that one of her major menstrual problems was having heavy periods. Then suddenly her menstrual cycle would halt and come only every three to four months. She continued this way for the next four years during her teenage years. There were times that it would give her terrible cramps and unable to go to school. Finally, at around 18 years old, she decided to go to an ob-gyn doctor to discuss her menstrual cycle problem. That doctor recommended that Nicole Jardim start taking birth control pills because that was the solution in conventional medicine. Effects Of Taking Birth Control Pills Upon taking birth control pills, the menstrual pain subsided and Nicole Jardim’s periods only lasted around two days. Gone are the days of heavy menstrual periods. But Nicole Jardim’s hormones swung from one end of the spectrum to the other. It turned out she was estrogen-dominant and had low levels of sex hormones. It was like at pre-menopausal level by the time Nicole Jardim went off the pill in her early 20s. “By that time, I was having serious health problems. I had serious gut issues, and my hair was falling. Then I had melasma all over my face and experienced UTIs and yeast infections,” recalls Nicole Jardim.  Seeing An Acupuncturist Because of her numerous health issues, Nicole Jardim ended up seeing an acupuncturist. After an initial consultation, the acupuncturist told her that the birth control pills caused all her menstrual cycle problems. Eventually, she got off the pill, and her health did improve. Nicole Jardim finally realized she wanted to learn more about women’s health and understand more about the female body. Institute For Integrative Nutrition During her period of research, Nicole Jardim discovered the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). However, they were only doing live courses in New York City at the time. And with Nicole Jardim living in Florida, it initially seemed impossible for her to enroll. After meeting a friend who was a graduate of IIN and teaching Holistic Nutrition, Nicole Jardim finally decided to move to New York City to go to the school. Luckily, he husband was supportive of her decision. Hence, Nicole Jardim attended her first class in 2010. Later on, after her apprenticeship, Nicole Jardim realized that she genuinely wanted to pursue a career in women’s health. It became a life mission for her to help women cope with their health issues, especially about menstrual periods. There’s More To Nutrition “One thing I learned is how food is connected to our hormones and our period,” said Nicole Jardim. Apparently, there is so much to learn about food and nutrition. I’ve had a few medical doctors on the show who said they pay so much for their education, such that they are made to think they are taught everything there is to know about healing, health, and nutrition. And in over eight years of education, they only have one class on nutrition. Hence, they think that is all they need to know about the subject. Current State Of Women’s Health Nicole Jardim thinks that one of the most significant problems of women is they are right