Exactly a week ago, I attended the first meeting of the Nourish Club organized by the lovely Jessica The Fertility Nutritionist. The club aims to teach women to flourish throughout womanhood.
As I sat there listening to the panelists and the questions from the crowd, I couldn't help but feel proud of the fact that women can now come out and speak openly about issues in their reproductive health, without being hushed, ignored, put into mental institutions (for hysteria) or burned at the stake for being witches!
The panelists described their journeys through womanhood opening the way for heartfelt conversations on PCOS, infertility, menstrual health, exercise, and nutrition.
Key takeaways from this inaugral meeting is:
Do not suffer in silence. Menstrual pain is not normal. Be your own health advocate, seek until you get the help to understand any underlying cause for extreme pain and how to manage the pain. It takes approximately 7 years to diagnose menstrual problems e.g PCOS, PMDD, endometriosis. Girls, do not suffer in silence. Dr Jessica Langtree runs a women's health hub (Jersey CI) and you dont need a GP's letter to see her! Just book an appointment on her website https://www.womenshealthhub.je/about
Exercise. Jade Knight of Strive Health Club could not stress the importance of having muscle mass and balanced hormones which are grately aided by regular exercise. Exercise will lower the risk of lifestyle diseases, improve your mental health, while positively impacting your fertility. Who doesnt want to feel good, look good and know they are great in and out? Time to hit the gym ladies. Make a plan with your PT. set your goals and get working on building that muscle mass! A walk/run outdoors will do your lungs a gread deal good.
Nutrition is King. Have you fallen victim to a fad diet that had you eating the same food over and over and over... As women, we should actually be eating a whole range of different meals,to optimize each phase of the menstrual cycle.
Mestrual phase - increase your iron rich food intake to replace nutrients lost during menstruation
Folicular phase - prioritize nutrient dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and healthy fats
Ovulatory phase - boost fertility with foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
Luteal phase - manage PMS by increasing intake of complex carbohydrates, magnesium rich foods, omega-3 fatty acids Reach out to the fertility nutritionist who will understand your needs and guide you on how to address the need using the right nutrition.
Finally we know someone or have ourselves been through the fertility journey, which at times may seem bleak. The ladies mentioned above have put taken time to learn and build the expertise to help women through the journey to a successful end. Sometimes though, it may be more difficult to conceive despite doing all the right things. Chloe Fosse founded Tiny Seeds a charity that supports people in Jersey who are experiencing infertility or who need the help of fertility treatments to conceive. You are not alone, never walk alone.
So why oxytocin? This is the feel good hormone that we get when we are treated good, when we associate with the right people, when we take time to practice self care and this is what I got from the evening with like minded people learning all I can about my amazing body.
Be on the lookout for the next Nourish Club invite from Jessica. We shall be talking all about cycle tracking and I will have Liberty reusable period products for you to see, test and buy.