Life After the Pill with Fertility Awareness (Episode 466)

Full Transcript: Episode 466

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: Welcome to the Fertility Friday Podcast, your source for information about the Fertility Awareness Method and all things fertility. I’m your host, Lisa Hendrickson-Jack. I’m the author of The Fifth Vital Sign and the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook. I’m a certified fertility awareness educator and holistic reproductive health practitioner with over 20 years of experience teaching women to connect to their menstrual cycles, balance hormone health, and understand their fertility.

This podcast is designed to empower you to take control of your cycles, your fertility, and your overall health. I’m so glad you’re here with me today.

Today I’m sharing a new episode in my Fertility Awareness Reality Series. I’m joined by Maureen, who shares her experience transitioning from hormonal birth control to fertility awareness and learning to chart her cycle for birth control and cycle understanding.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: Maureen, welcome to the show.

Maureen: Thank you. Thanks for having me.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: Before we get into charting, take us back to your first period. What was your menstrual cycle history like?

Maureen: My first period came just before my fifteenth birthday, which felt a little late. My cycles were irregular throughout my teens and twenties, and I was often told that was normal. I didn’t track my cycles and never really knew what to expect.

I had heavy and painful periods, especially when I was younger. I was told that was normal and that it ran in my family, so I managed it with painkillers and just pushed through.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: You’ve shared that you also experienced chronic pelvic pain. Can you describe that?

Maureen: The pain was a dull ache on my right side. It didn’t seem clearly connected to my cycle and didn’t only happen around my period or ovulation. I had scans and ultrasounds over the years, but everything came back normal.

At its worst, the pain was around a six out of ten. Over time it improved, and now it’s much milder. Many days I don’t feel it at all.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: When did hormonal birth control come into the picture?

Maureen: I went on the pill when I met my husband for contraception. I stayed on it for about seven and a half years. The first couple of years were difficult. I experienced anxiety and mild depression, but I didn’t connect it to the pill at the time.

Eventually, I switched to a lower-dose pill and felt more stable. Later on, I developed gut issues and eczema and worked with a naturopath and osteopath, which helped a lot. The pelvic pain also improved during that time.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: What led you to fertility awareness?

Maureen: I had heard about fertility awareness years earlier, but I knew women who had gotten pregnant unintentionally while charting, so I assumed it didn’t work. After listening to podcasts and learning more about how the method actually works, I became more interested and decided to learn properly.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: How has charting been since coming off the pill?

Maureen: I’m on my third charted cycle now. The first cycle was about 37 days. The next two were closer to 30 days, which feels like a big improvement. Before the pill, my cycles were often long, but I didn’t track consistently.

At first, I felt unsure and wondered if I was charting correctly or if ovulation would happen. After a couple of cycles, I feel much more confident.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: How has it felt using fertility awareness for birth control?

Maureen: The first time having unprotected sex in the post-ovulatory phase was scary, even though I understood the rules. The second time felt much more confident. Seeing the temperature shift and confirming ovulation made a big difference.

One thing I didn’t expect was how reassuring it would be to see my body ovulate each cycle after years of unexplained pain.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: You also tracked pain on your chart. What did you notice?

Maureen: In the first cycle off the pill, I noted pain frequently. In the second cycle, it was only a few days. In this cycle, it’s still present but less frequent. Seeing those changes over time has been really helpful.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: What would you say to someone who’s been on the pill for years and is curious about fertility awareness?

Maureen: I would explain how the method actually works. Once you understand how temperature and cervical mucus are used together, it makes sense. Following the rules consistently made me feel confident.

I wish I had started sooner. Even after a few cycles, I feel much more informed and confident in my body.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Maureen.

Maureen: Thank you for having me.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: Thank you for listening. You can find the show notes for today’s episode at fertilityfriday.com/466. Until next time, be well and happy charting.