Natural Birth Control Methods

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For women who choose to live a natural lifestyle, selecting a birth control option can be challenging. Many choose to avoid hormonal contraception. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) can cause scarring and pain. Condoms may be uncomfortable (though necessary to prevent sexually transmitted infections). Diaphragms may be ineffective unless properly in place and measured correctly. Though no method other than abstinence can fully prevent the risk of pregnancy, here are some ideas for natural birth control methods.

Basal Body Temperature Method

Your basal body temperature is your lowest body temperature in a 24-hour period. Many women use the Basal Body Temperature method to check for fertility, as there is a slight rise in body temperature on the most fertile days of the month.  If you want to get pregnant, then these are the days to get busy between the sheets. But if you want to avoid an unintended pregnancy, you can simply avoid having sex on these days. To learn more about how to monitor your basal body temperature, come check out this post.

Cervical Mucus Method

A woman’s body has ways to help sperm move through the reproductive tract on the way to find an egg. During ovulation, cervical mucus becomes very slick and thin, and creates an environment that is easy for sperm to swim through. During this time, the natural wetness between the legs is very wet, very stretchy, and pulls easily into thin strings between the fingers. It may resemble the consistency of raw egg whites. If you want to avoid unintended pregnancy, this is not the time to have sex. Wait until the mucus is either dry, sticky, or creamy and lotion-like, and avoid sex on days when super slick and wet.

Papaya Seeds

Papaya seeds have been traditionally used to prevent pregnancy. These are unique in that they are a male birth control agent that prevents sperm production. A study dosed adult male monkeys with a chloroform extract of papaya seeds for 360 days. Within 30-60 days, sperm motility was inhibited, sperm viability was decreased, and sperm appeared to be abnormal. A complete lack of sperm was observed after 90 days. Following withdrawal of daily papaya seeds, sperm production returned to normal within 150 days. There were no toxic side effects noted and serum testosterone remained normal.

A rat study indicates that methanol extract of papaya seeds can also inhibit sperm production without impact on serum testosterone. However, examination of the tissues of the testis revealed adverse effects on the process of sperm production, yet did not effect other structures of the male reproductive tract.

Castor Seeds

Another traditional method to prevent pregnancy is castor seeds.  In a study aimed to verify that they seeds can in fact reduce the chance of pregnancy, castor beans were fed to adult female rabbits for at least 10 consecutive days. Females mated with males after the treatment. Animals fed the castor seeds had a 4.3 fold decrease in the incidence of pregnancy compared to rabbits not fed castor seeds.

Pull and Pray

No lie: this is not the best method for preventing pregnancy. Also known as the pull out method or the withdrawal method, it is the removal of the penis from the vagina immediately prior to ejaculation.  Even when used perfectly, about 4 in every 100 women will get pregnant, because in the words of one of my pharmacy school professors, “All men dribble before they shoot”. But, a lot depends on the discipline of the man to pull out, and the awareness of when ejaculation is about to occur, which can be challenging in the heat of the moment. In reality, approximately 1 in 5 women who use this method will become pregnant. Only use this method if you are okay with the potential pregnancy that may result.

What do you choose to do for birth control?

Is it a natural birth control? Or do you go with the synthetic stuff? Leave a comment for what has worked, or (oops) not worked for you.

While you’re at it, check out this blog post on the 8 Health Benefits of Sex.

Monitoring Fertility with Basal Body Temperature

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Whether or not you are working on becoming pregnant, tracking your fertility cycle can help you plan ahead for conceiving or not conceiving. Monitoring fertility with basal body temperature is among the easiest, least expensive, and most reliable methods.

What is Basal Body Temperature?

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is your body’s lowest temperature in a 24-hour period. Before ovulation, your BBT may range from about 97 to 97.5ºF .

During ovulation, your body releases the hormone progesterone, which triggers a rise in temperature. The day after ovulation, you should see a slight increase in temperature, normally about 0.5 to 1º.  This increased temp should last until the start of your next cycle. Note that the temperature increase always happens after ovulation. This means that once you see that rise, you’ve likely already missed your chance to become pregnant in that cycle. But a few months of charting your temperature will reveal your body’s patterns and help you predict when you will be most fertile. Once you do, you can use this information to decide when its go time.

How It’s Done

You need to purchase a basal body thermometer. Regular thermometers aren’t sensitive enough to measure the minute changes you are looking for.

Begin taking your temperature first thing in the morning, before getting out of bed. Make sure you do this before eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, etc. It will be most accurate before your feet even touch the floor. It’s also best if you remember to take your temperature at the same time every day.

Record your temperature each day. You can make a fertility chart or just a simple listing of your BBT each day. Look for those small increases in temperature to determine ovulation. You may have an occasional high reading that doesn’t fit into the pattern. Just ignore those readings and look for the overall picture.

Now What?

Whether or not you are wanting to conceive, you can use this information to plan the best times for intercourse. If you do want to get pregnant your ideal time would be the few days just before the sharp increase in temperature. If you are using the BBT method as contraception, those are the days during which you would want to avoid having sex.

Using the BBT method as contraception? Want more natural contraception methods? Check out this blog post!

Looking for education about essential oils, supplements, and wellness? Check out my book, Essentials: 75 Answers to Common Questions About Essential Oils and Supplements! Or come check out this class on reproductive hormone health.

Natural Remedies for Menopause

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Menopause. It’s a natural part of a woman’s cycle, yet it often brings feelings of fear, anxiety, and even shame for many women. While this “change of life” is inevitable for women, it often comes with very uncomfortable symptoms, especially for those who choose to avoid hormone replacement therapy. Let’s take a look at some natural remedies for menopause.

Wild Yam

Wild Yam extract has been used in Chinese medicine to relieve menopause symptoms for centuries. Studies show that wild yam not only has estrogen-stimulating abilities, but it may also help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Muira Puama

Muira Puama is an aphrodisiac that is sometimes used to treat sexual disorders. Decreased sex drive, vaginal dryness, and painful intercourse are common complaints during menopause. In one study that combined muria puama with ginkgo biloba for one month, post menopausal women reported improved sex drive, having more sex, and satisfaction with sex and climax. Order Muira Puama here.  Order Ginkgo Biloba here.

Dong Quai

Dong Quai is another traditional Chinese remedy with promise for menopausal women. Some women claim decreased hot flashes, improved sexual desire, and better sleep quality after using dong quai.

Ginseng

Ginseng is an adaptogenic herb, which means that it has the ability to help the body adapt to stress. Adaptogens can promote better sleep, resulting in positive mood regulation as well. Even more importantly, ginseng helps the body produce more of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. These endorphins elevate mood and decrease perceived pain in our bodies. Endorphins help us maintain a positive outlook, reduce depression, and increase energy.

Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh is a traditional Native American remedy used to provide relief from menstrual irregularities. In addition, many women report that black cohosh improves sleep quality and even brings relief from hot flashes. On the other hand, there are a ton of studies that suggest that black cohosh has no effect on menopausal symptoms. So if this supplement works for you, great. If not, be quick to move on and try something else.

Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone is a hormone that peaks in women sometime around the age of 30-35 before beginning a continual decline as women approach menopause. Supplementing this hormone with a natural source can provide relief from menopause discomforts. Women report improvements in occurrence of hot flashes, insomnia, dry skin, low libido, fatigue, mood, and energy.

Soy

The phytoestrogenic effects of isoflavones have led some to view soy foods as alternatives to conventional hormone therapy. Thus, adding soy to your diet can help support healthy estrogen levels and bring relief from hot flashes and other discomforts.

Concerned about eating soy products? Then check out this post for some interesting information about this superfood.

What are your favorite menopause remedies? Comment below and share!

Check out this Master Class on Functional Medicine for Menopause Course for even more natural hormone remedies.

You can also shop my menopause protocol at Fullscript. Get Black Cohosh, Wild Yam Extract, and a few other key supplements!

6 Fall Must Haves

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Fall is on the horizon and with the cooler temperatures come boots, leggings, and cozy hoodies for me! The weather in New York quickly changes during the fall and the gorgeous leaves start falling all over the place. I love to get out and walk and take in the brisk air before the frigid winter sets in. Here is a list of just a few of my fall must haves and cool weather essentials.

Spanx Faux Leather Moto Leggings

Like for real. These leggings are the bomb! They are so comfortable and classic. They are a bit more snug than yoga pants, and are fitted in all the right places. I love how high waisted they are because it gives a really smooth waistband that shirts glide right over. These are a bit warmer than faux leather leggings I have worn in the past and can easily be worn over tights for an even warmer look. They are machine washable, so no more spending money on pricey (and potentially toxic) dry cleaning. Whoop whoop!

Sorel Joan of Arctic Wedge Boots

The style and class of these boots is only matched by their functionality. I mean, come on, they are platform wedge lightweight snowboots for goodness sakes. All the love. They keep my toes toasty warm during cold weather and look super chic with just about anything I throw on. I’ve worn them with every thing from leggings and jeans to dresses and skirts with tights.

Fleece Lined Tights

Speaking of tights, have you discovered sweater tights? Best invention ever for us girls that live in colder climates. Can be a bit annoying because of how thick they are, but worth it for all the coziness.

LuluLemon Scuba Hoodie

I walk everywhere in New York City. This ultra-soft, relaxed fit hoodie is a staple for me. I love that it has an oversized hood and thumbholes to keep my hands warm. It comes down to my hips so it’s perfect over my yoga gear. Get this hoodie.

Hot Water Bottle

I love this hot water bottle that comes with its own cozy, knit cover. Mine has soothed many a sore muscle and warmed my toes on cold nights. Throw it in your bed an hour before you crawl in for added warmth. It brings comforting relief during that time of the month and for use with castor oil packs. I’ve even been known to use it just to keep warm (a.k.a. husband replacement).

Sip by S’well Water Bottle

This is not just one of my must haves for the fall. Because this bottle goes with me everywhere, all the time, it is a general must have. It keeps drinks cold for up to 24-hours or hot for about 12 hours. I can take my hot tea with me on a blustery day and it stays warm to the last drop. Plus, there is a design and pattern for every person.

What are your favorite cold weather essentials?

Comment below with your favorite products that’ll help you get through the cooler days ahead.

For some great fall pumpkin recipes as well as health benefits of pumpkin, check out this blog post!