How can you reclaim your hormone health and have a healthy period? Creator and author of Fix Your Period, Nicole Jardim, shares how to effectively address a wide variety of period problems by using evidence-based information. You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode102. Topics Discussed in this Episode: Why the birth control pill is detrimental to your health The non-hormonal birth control options What it means to have a healthy period What your period can tell you about your health Why ovulation is important Period cramps and what an irregular cycle might mean Myths and misconceptions around your period What an optimal diet looks like for supporting hormonal health and your cycle   Key Takeaways: The goal of any hormonal birth control is to stop you from ovulating. However, what we fail to realize is that stopping ovulation for any length of time can be detrimental to our overall health.  The birth control pill is referred to as the lifestyle drug. It’s been used not just to prevent pregnancy but to address lifestyle issues like period-related problems and even acne. A healthy menstrual cycle is 25 to 35 days long. If it’s below 25 days, it tends to mean you have too short of a luteal phase or it’s associated with heavier, longer periods and more blood clots. If it’s longer than 35 days, it’s usually associated with polycystic ovary syndrome or another condition that’s causing you to not ovulate consistently. Your period should be fluctuating by only 2 or 3 days every cycle. This means that you’re ovulating regularly each month. Ideally, your period should be somewhere between 3 and 7 days. If you spot for a day or two before your period, that’s okay, but anything longer than that could signify a lower progesterone state in many cases. If you eat something that doesn’t agree with your metabolism or your body, your blood sugar is going to go way higher than it should.   Action Steps: Tune in to your body and improve your body literacy. Get off the birth control pill and make the switch to non-hormonal birth control. Know the basics of a healthy period. Track your cycle. Don’t over-complicate your diet. Get back to the basics and keep it simple.   Nicole said: “Our hormones are all talking to each other all day long through the endocrine glands and the endocrine system, so if we’re just focused on one hormone, first of all, we don’t even know why that hormone is out of whack in the first place…” “We can’t out-supplement a bad diet. We can’t out-supplement a lifestyle that is not sustainable, that is not suitable for our overall health.” Thanks for listening!   Important Announcements:The Metabolic Reset program is now ON SALE! Registration is open until April 17, 2020. You can grab the savings and also get on the 6-month payment plan.   Connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie. It would also mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review at any podcast platform that you’re listening to us on.    Links to things I talk about in the show: Books by Nicole Jardim:   Fix Your Period: Six Weeks to Banish Bloating, Conquer Cramps, Manage Moodiness, and Ignite Lasting Hormone Balance The Happy Balance: The original plant-based approach for hormone health - 60 recipes to nourish body and mind Fixyourperiod.com   Where you can find Nicole Jardim: Nicole’s Website Nicole’s Instagram (@nicolemjardim)Nicole’s Twitter (@nicolemjardim) Nicole’s Facebook Nicole’s Podcast (The Period Party)   Where you can find me: Samantha’s Facebook Samantha’s Instagram Samantha’s Website Samantha’s Twitter Healthy Hormones for Women Podcast Private Community on Facebook   How you can work with me: 6-Week Healthy Hormones for Women Intensive - Get 60% when you enroll today! Healing & Dealing with Hashi’s