Hormone Health, part 3
In this final installment of the Hormone Health series I want to explain (briefly) how FEMM works and why it is so helpful and healthy for women to use, and practice, this method of tracking their cycle and natural family planning. We already know that hormonal birth control can really take a toll on the mind and body, not to mention its ability to cause early abortions. With that in mind, let's take a look at FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management).
In a nutshell, FEMM teaches women to look at their body's biomarkers to determine health and fertility. It does not utilize any outside chemicals, hormones, or medication. Instead, it empowers women to read and understand their body's signs and symptoms in regards to healthy hormone function and fertility awareness. First, let's get a basic understanding of the four main reproductive hormones for females.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)- this hormone is triggered by the pituitary gland in the brain and signals one of the ovaries to begin recruiting and maturing an egg to eventually be released in ovulation.
Luteneizing Hormone (LH)- this hormone is also triggered by the pituitary gland and tells the follicle in the ovary to begin preparing to release an egg in ovulation.
Estrogen- there are a wide variety of ways this hormone works in our body to keep us well-balanced and healthy. With our reproductive system it builds the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to prepare the body for pregnancy, and also causes the cervix to secrete a moist, slippery, lubricative mucus. This mucus is a key factor in determining fertility because it is noticeable a few days prior to, on, and often a day or two after ovulation.
Progesterone- this hormone is also responsible for many different aspects of our health and well-being, but its main role in our reproductive system is to maintain the lining of the uterus during the luteal phase (period of time between ovulation and next menstruation). Progesterone is one of the key components in maintaining a healthy pregnancy in the first trimester. Progesterone also signals the cervix to create thick, dense mucus which barricades the cervix and other reproductive organs from infection and foreign objects.
So here's a really basic overview of how hormones work during each part of a woman's cycle. Keep in mind, while it is helpful for women to know when their last period was, it is far more beneficial for them to know if and when they ovulated in each cycle. Ovulation is a vital sign of health for women from puberty to menopause.
Let's start with your period, or menstruation. The first day of bright red bleeding is considered the first day of a new cycle. Menstruation occurs when progesterone levels from the previous cycle fall and the lining of the uterus begins to break down and shed. At this point in the cycle all reproductive hormones are relatively low in the woman's body. Women are not considered fertile in this stage. However, she will need to pay close attention to the first observation of moist mucus, which signals upcoming ovulation and peak fertility.
After menstruation a woman's hormones begin to rise. There is a noticeable increase in FSH, LH, and Estrogen as the body begins to prepare an egg for ovulation. At this point you will notice the rise in these hormones as you observe cervical mucus in your underwear going from moist to more slippery, clear, and lubricative. Once these hormones all reach peak levels ovulation occurs, and an egg is released. If sperm are present at this point, Congratulations! You may become pregnant. If not, the egg will survive for about 24 hours before it disintegrates.
After ovulation occurs, FSH, LH, and Estrogen levels drop drastically and progesterone takes over. Progesterone is produced in the now-empty follicle where the egg was just released in ovulation. The empty follicle is now called the corpus luteum. As progesterone levels rise it triggers the cervix to produce the dense, antimicrobial barrier, which doesn't allow sperm or any other foreign substance to enter. This phase will often just feel dry. During this phase women are not considered fertile. It is progesterone's job to maintain the lining of the uterus and stabilize it so a fertilized egg can implant and grow. Progesterone maintains a pregnancy until the placenta takes over, at about 12 weeks gestation.
If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels fall and the endometrium sheds again in menstruation, and the cycle begins again. For a healthy woman, this cycle should last about 28-31 days each time. Anything shorter could indicate low progesterone levels, and anything longer could point to another hormonal imbalance.
I hope this was informative and beneficial for you. In closing, I'd like to point out a couple of the other vital roles of the estrogen and progesterone produced naturally in our body. Estrogen typically proliferates tissue, and causes growth. Progesterone typically normalizes and stabilizes. For example, estrogen causes breast tissue to grow and multiply. Progesterone causes it to stabilize and normalize. Estrogen increases blood clotting, while progesterone regulates blood clotting to stabilize our blood flow. With our bones, estrogen helps our bones grow and strengthen, while progesterone aids in bone maintenance. In our overall body, estrogen promotes health and well-being in normal levels, while high levels of estrogen may increase anxiety. Similarly, progesterone promotes sleep and relaxation, but low levels may cause increased anxiety, as well.
Lastly, there is so much that can be said about hormones and the importance of allowing our hormones to function healthily, the way they were created to function. If hormones are not at adequate levels there are natural ways to address those issues. I would highly encourage you to resist the "quick fix" of hormonal birth control, for any reason, and get to the root of the issue, or practice natural family planning methods. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about FEMM I would be happy to help! Please contact me!
In a nutshell, FEMM teaches women to look at their body's biomarkers to determine health and fertility. It does not utilize any outside chemicals, hormones, or medication. Instead, it empowers women to read and understand their body's signs and symptoms in regards to healthy hormone function and fertility awareness. First, let's get a basic understanding of the four main reproductive hormones for females.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)- this hormone is triggered by the pituitary gland in the brain and signals one of the ovaries to begin recruiting and maturing an egg to eventually be released in ovulation.
Luteneizing Hormone (LH)- this hormone is also triggered by the pituitary gland and tells the follicle in the ovary to begin preparing to release an egg in ovulation.
Estrogen- there are a wide variety of ways this hormone works in our body to keep us well-balanced and healthy. With our reproductive system it builds the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to prepare the body for pregnancy, and also causes the cervix to secrete a moist, slippery, lubricative mucus. This mucus is a key factor in determining fertility because it is noticeable a few days prior to, on, and often a day or two after ovulation.
Progesterone- this hormone is also responsible for many different aspects of our health and well-being, but its main role in our reproductive system is to maintain the lining of the uterus during the luteal phase (period of time between ovulation and next menstruation). Progesterone is one of the key components in maintaining a healthy pregnancy in the first trimester. Progesterone also signals the cervix to create thick, dense mucus which barricades the cervix and other reproductive organs from infection and foreign objects.
So here's a really basic overview of how hormones work during each part of a woman's cycle. Keep in mind, while it is helpful for women to know when their last period was, it is far more beneficial for them to know if and when they ovulated in each cycle. Ovulation is a vital sign of health for women from puberty to menopause.
Let's start with your period, or menstruation. The first day of bright red bleeding is considered the first day of a new cycle. Menstruation occurs when progesterone levels from the previous cycle fall and the lining of the uterus begins to break down and shed. At this point in the cycle all reproductive hormones are relatively low in the woman's body. Women are not considered fertile in this stage. However, she will need to pay close attention to the first observation of moist mucus, which signals upcoming ovulation and peak fertility.
After menstruation a woman's hormones begin to rise. There is a noticeable increase in FSH, LH, and Estrogen as the body begins to prepare an egg for ovulation. At this point you will notice the rise in these hormones as you observe cervical mucus in your underwear going from moist to more slippery, clear, and lubricative. Once these hormones all reach peak levels ovulation occurs, and an egg is released. If sperm are present at this point, Congratulations! You may become pregnant. If not, the egg will survive for about 24 hours before it disintegrates.
After ovulation occurs, FSH, LH, and Estrogen levels drop drastically and progesterone takes over. Progesterone is produced in the now-empty follicle where the egg was just released in ovulation. The empty follicle is now called the corpus luteum. As progesterone levels rise it triggers the cervix to produce the dense, antimicrobial barrier, which doesn't allow sperm or any other foreign substance to enter. This phase will often just feel dry. During this phase women are not considered fertile. It is progesterone's job to maintain the lining of the uterus and stabilize it so a fertilized egg can implant and grow. Progesterone maintains a pregnancy until the placenta takes over, at about 12 weeks gestation.
If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels fall and the endometrium sheds again in menstruation, and the cycle begins again. For a healthy woman, this cycle should last about 28-31 days each time. Anything shorter could indicate low progesterone levels, and anything longer could point to another hormonal imbalance.
I hope this was informative and beneficial for you. In closing, I'd like to point out a couple of the other vital roles of the estrogen and progesterone produced naturally in our body. Estrogen typically proliferates tissue, and causes growth. Progesterone typically normalizes and stabilizes. For example, estrogen causes breast tissue to grow and multiply. Progesterone causes it to stabilize and normalize. Estrogen increases blood clotting, while progesterone regulates blood clotting to stabilize our blood flow. With our bones, estrogen helps our bones grow and strengthen, while progesterone aids in bone maintenance. In our overall body, estrogen promotes health and well-being in normal levels, while high levels of estrogen may increase anxiety. Similarly, progesterone promotes sleep and relaxation, but low levels may cause increased anxiety, as well.
Lastly, there is so much that can be said about hormones and the importance of allowing our hormones to function healthily, the way they were created to function. If hormones are not at adequate levels there are natural ways to address those issues. I would highly encourage you to resist the "quick fix" of hormonal birth control, for any reason, and get to the root of the issue, or practice natural family planning methods. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about FEMM I would be happy to help! Please contact me!
Hello Sara. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am so blessed and feel privileged and honored to get connected with you as well as know you. Your post is great and educative for the new couples. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 37 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reachout to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have young people from your circle come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would also love to have you and your husband come to strengthen the body of Christ and to speak to our youth too during your vacation time. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends. Also wishing you a blessed and a Christ centered rest of the year 2017. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede.
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