Today I share a new episode in my Pill Reality Series . Kat describes her experience of using the pill to “regulate” her cycles before she even had her very first period. She also shares her terrifying near-death experience with pulmonary embolism — a rare, but well known complication associated with hormonal birth control. Today’s episode is sponsored by the Fertility Awareness Mastery LIVE 10 week group coaching program!  Click here to register now! Early bird pricing ends December 13th! Today’s episode is sponsored by The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize Your Fertility. The Fifth Vital Sign is available for purchase on Amazon. Exciting news!! The audiobook is finally here! Listen to The Fifth Vital Sign for FREE when you sign up for a 30 day free trial with Audible. Click here to download now.   Topics discussed in today's episode: Why did Kat initially start birth control How Kat’s lifestyle and eating habits affected the start of her menstrual cycle  Why did Kat switch to the IUD and what were her side effects Kat’s return to hormonal birth control that led to pulmonary embolisms  The symptoms Kat experienced before finally being diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism  What the recovery has been like for Kat  What Kat has been using to track her cycle now that birth control is completely off the table for her  How has her relationship with her partner changed since coming off birth control  When did Kat finally get her first real menstrual period off of birth control The importance of always remembering to be your own advocate and listen to your body   Connect with Lisa: You can connect with Lisa on her Facebook, Twitter, and on her website.   Resources mentioned: FFP 262 | Should Men Be Equally Responsible For Birth Control? | Lisa | Fertility Friday FFP 218 | The Pill Gave Her A Stroke | Pill Reality Series | Julia & Lisa Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook Fertility Awareness Mastery Online Self-Study Program The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize your Fertility | Audiobook | Lisa Hendrickson-Jack The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize Your Fertility (Book) | Lisa Hendrickson-Jack Get The First chapter of The Fifth Vital Sign for FREE | thefifthvitalsignbook.com   Related podcasts & blog posts: FFP 247 | The Truth About Copper IUDs | Pill Reality Series | Nina and Kathryn FFP 218 | The Pill Gave Her A Stroke | Pill Reality Series | Julia & Lisa FFP 205 | Is Your IUD Messing With Your Mind? | Pill Reality Series Lisa & Allie FFP 203 | The Pill Problem | Ross Pelton FFP 161 | Are IUDs Safer Than The Pill? | Hormonal IUDs vs Copper IUDs | Dr. Steve Gangemi FFP 137 | Panic Attacks, Emotional Breakdowns, and Recurrent Yeast Infections | The Truth About Hormonal Birth Control | Briana & Cieara FFP 073 | Copper Toxicity, IUDs and the Birth Control Pill | Julie Casper FFP 021 | What Hormonal Contraceptives Really do to Women | Sweetening the Pill | Holly Grigg-Spall   Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group. Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts! Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic A Special Thank You to Our Show Sponsor: The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize Your Fertility This episode is sponsored by my new book The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize Your Fertility. Click here to buy now. Fertility Friday | Fertility Awareness Programs This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here to apply now!