Ever since I started the period club in the 6th grade, I have been fascinated with everything that goes on with my body every month. I want to know every nook and cranny of how my hormones work, what my period means, and what to eat, so that I can look and feel my best!

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Menstruation is an overlooked, underutilized vital sign and just like blood pressure can tell us much about the state of our health. When your period goes missing, you know that something is amiss, but there are also many other, less obvious indicators we can observe that will give us useful information about our overall health. I’m so passionate about periods, I  made TV - menstrual history by speaking about the importance of our periods on the Dr Oz show last year.

The appearance of your menstrual blood and the duration of your period can reveal a hormonal imbalance that will lead to other health issues. It’s possible to heal all hormonal imbalances and their resulting symptoms by addressing diet and lifestyle.Here we help you decode this important vital sign and start working towards a healthier menstrual cycle.For a visual on each of the below possibilities check out the link to the Dr Oz show and my demonstrations.

What's normal?

The ideal cycle is 5-7 days, starts and ends with a bright happy cranberry color and is the consistency of jello mix that hasn’t set yet (medium viscosity, not too thin, not too thick) and occurs every 28-30 days. There are many dietary and lifestyle reasons why this cycle gets thrown off for us women.  Sometimes is a one or two month situation, and sometimes cycle issues can last years.I want you to observe your cycle every month as a barometer of how well your diet and lifestyle are supporting your hormones.  If your cycle isn’t as I described above then you’ve got to immediately make diet changes to get your cycle back to a healthy flow.Here’s a guide for you to use for interpreting the color of your cycle every month and my favorite FLO fixes for each to bring you quickly back to good.Interpreting Your Period If you have:

‍Brown, spotty stains to start

‍Has your period started?  What is that brown stuff exactly?  Should you count this day as day one?That brown stuff is old oxidized blood that didn’t make it out of your uterus last cycle.  This is caused by low levels of progesterone.  Low progesterone is the trigger for many period-related problems.  You may also struggle to ovulate regularly in addition to having the odd coloration and you may also develop irregular cycles, or PCOS.

‍The FLO fix:

‍The herb vitex is a great treatment for this issue as it helps the pituitary gland make more Luteinizing hormone indirectly supporting your progesterone production.Eating eggs with the yolk contains progesterone precursors.Taking extra B6 will get those levels up and help your period start the cranberry red color you’re meant to see on day one.

‍Heavy Bleeding with Clots

‍Are you changing your pad or tampon once an hour?  Do you have special sheets for that time of the month?  Do you have large clots that are dark purple in color?Specifically, you have elevated estrogen levels.  Estrogen builds the lining of your uterus.  If you’re eating a diet that prevents your liver from breaking down this hormone, it can build up and wreak havoc on your cycle. In addition to the heavy bleeding and clots, you may also struggle with endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, or polyps.

‍The FLO fix:

‍Milk thistle is an herb that helps detoxify the liver and helps even out estrogen.Learning uterine massage technique via an experienced practitioner will help uterine congestion and lessen clotting.Increasing the amount of water you drink and eating more leafy greens like collards and kale will assist the estrogen detox process.Take liquid chlorophyll to boost iron in your blood and deal with the anemia that typically develops from chronic heavy bleeding.

‍Very short periods, very light bleeding, skipped periods

‍Is it coming?  Spotting for several days?A short period (less than 3 days in length) and only light bleeding can indicate low estrogen levels. Your hormones are made from the food you eat, so your low estrogen is likely due to vitamin and nutrient deficiencies from improper and extreme dieting as well as from adrenal burnout.

The FLO fix:

‍Eat protein - hormones are made from amino acids - you can’t get your estrogen up if you can’t make enough of it from your food!Eat fat - especially omega 3s - which helps stabilize hormone production in the body.

‍Super short cycles (if you’re bleeding twice or more within a 28-36 day cycle)

‍Didn’t you just have your period like last week?  Does it seem like you are constantly starting your period? This can indicate a sluggish thyroid even though you might be within normal range on your blood work.

The FLO fix:

‍Try supplementing with Gaia Herbals Thyroid Support as a start. Make sure your salt contains iodine to support your thyroid.Eat sea veggies - thyroid happy food!

What about cramps?

Get to the root of your period imbalance and cramps go away. The catch is that the more you take pain relievers for cramps, the more they congest your liver, interfere with estrogen metabolism - well, you see it’s a vicious cycle. Start looking before you flush every month, make the necessary food changes, and try Oona Cramp Relief for a natural alternative to ibuprofen.

What about PMS?

Check out my post on foods to fight PMS here for more ideas and recipes.As always, go have a chat with your OBGYN!  They can provide the physical examination and blood work needed to diagnose you with a specific issue.  Check out my post on interpreting those test results for a step-by-step guide to this process here.

If something does come up, tell your OBGYN you want to take 3 to 6 months to try out an alternative route using food instead of medication like we do at FLO Living and use the guide above to make diet changes first.

Just be prepared to hear that the usual treatment offered will be either painkillers or hormonal birth control methods such as the birth control pill or hormone-based IUD. Hormonal birth control can relieve symptoms short term, but it masks the root causes of your period problems and can make them much worse long term, not to mention the effects on your fertility. The truth is that most period problems and hormonal imbalance symptoms can be healed long term with diet and lifestyle changes. Read more about my thoughts on this here.

I hear far too often from women that there are several days out of the month when cramps really sideline them from their lives. They are popping the Advil, Midol, or Aleve and they are on the couch until it passes.I myself struggled with cramps and of course I needed to know WHY this was happening. Not just little polite cramps. No, I had cramps that were actual labor-like contractions - that turned me green and sheet white, came in waves and knocked me out. You know me, I have to fix my hormonal imbalances, it’s my way of life I just can’t help myself - I have to understand what is going on EXACTLY with my body, so I can choose the best possible course of action to take care of myself. I, of course, want you to know the science too so you can be properly informed.Tweet: Once you take the mystery out about how your hormones work, then it’s a straight line to feeling optimal!So I learned about the 2 causes of cramps and of course then proceeded to figure out what to do to make the pain stop. I want to share this with you so you can have pain free cycles and so you can pass the goods on to your girlfriends who are likely cramped out in cramptown with you.You don’t have to put up with period pain. Not today and not next month. You can alleviate those cramps right now while at the same time laying the foundation for a future that is free from menstrual discomfort of any kind.As women, we’ve all developed our own quick fixes for those days when you just can’t get off the couch.For many of us, we were prescribed the Pill or another kind of hormonal birth control way back when we were teens. For some this medication has put a stop to the pain, for others it has not. But again, for many of us, the side effects mean we’d rather not have to rely on this common daily medication to manage our monthly woes.The good news is that there are natural alternatives and they work!Here’s what you can do to alleviate your current cramps and what will, over the course of three months, change your period for the better.

Why do you have cramps?

There are 2 causes for cramps - one is chemical and one is functional.A chemical series called Prostaglandins stimulate the uterine muscles to contract. There are 3 types - PgE1,2, and 3. PgE2 is the one that causes uterine contractions and pain. Leave it to the genius design of your body to have only one that does that and two that counteract it - yup - PgE1 and 3 are antispasmodic - natural pain killers!Tweet: Your body makes twice as much natural cramp relief than cramps!The more PgE2 you make, the more crampy you feel. To boot, they also play a part in the vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches that come with your cycle.On the functional side - pain can be caused by any of the following conditions: endometriosis, fibroids, infections, IUD, ovarian cysts, narrow cervix, or a retroverted (tipped) uterus. That tipped uterus, turned out to be what I had along with elevated PgE2 levels!Below are my best strategies for you to leave cramptown for good and become a permanent resident of FLO ;)

Short-term solutions

• If you’re reaching for the painkillers, know that long term these can worsen the problem by putting strain on your liver and exacerbating hormonal imbalances. If you must, take ibuprofen at the lowest dose and try to take it ahead of when you normally get cramps. So if you normally get pain the first day of your period try to plan to take the dose first thing in the morning. Preventative use of ibuprofen will also stop you needing more and higher doses later on.
• Consider switching from tampons to pads. The insertion of the tampon can makepain worse for those who are sensitive to cramping. You can always swap back when the pain has subsided for that month. And absolutely make sure they are organic - just say no to pesticides and bleach in your vag!
• Clary sage essential oil rubbed into the skin above the pubic bone and below the belly button, where your uterus is situated, has been shown in several studies to relieve cramps and even childbirth contractions. You can also diffuse this oil to aid with anxiety and stress or add a few drops to an Epsom salt bath.
• An old-fashioned hot water bottle on your abdomen will work wonders. You can even wrap it with an oversized scarf around your waist if you can’t sit still or lay down for long.
• Apply counter-pressure to the sciatic nerves in your lower back with your thumbs pushing inward toward the spine and down toward your feet will help take the intensity of cramps down. You can also apply the hot water bottle to your lower back as well. Trust me this works - I used this technique to get me through 20 hours of natural labor - it’ll totally help your cramps.
• Instead of Advil - pop some almonds! A few days before your period take a high dose of vitamin E and magnesium and continue this protocol two days into your menstruation. Almonds and hazelnuts are good sources of vitamin E, along with leafy greens like collard greens for the magnesium.
• Click here to try some yoga poses that alleviate pressure and calm the nervous system.

Long term solutions

• Boost Omega 3 Fatty Acids -To really clear up cramps for good, you’ve got to lower your PgE2 levels and boost your PgE1 and 3 levels. This of course is connected to what you eat and drink throughout your cycle as well as your general, overall health. The facts show that dairy and saturated animal fats up that gnarly PgE2 series. So start by cutting those out. To increase the PgE1 and 3 series, you have to get your linoleic acid up, so load up on salmon, sardines, flax, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.
• Do less running around the day before your period starts - Stress hormones can make menstrual cramps worse. If you can start loosely planning your schedule to accommodate your period, you’ll alleviate some of the stress about what you can’t do when it come around. This doesn’t mean you must be confined to bed for three days every month, only that you may benefit from easing off on unnecessary activities and appointments. Try being super selective with your period day plans for three months and see if you feel better for taking some time out.
• Massage your uterus! - To address the tipped uterus – Learn the practice of Mayan Abdominal Massage! I loved doing this form of self massage to restore the uterus to it’s right position and even if your uterus is not retroverted, this massage can be helpful for many health issues associated with the reproductive organs since we all tend to lead very sedentary lives which cause general stagnation in this area – just like knots in your back hurt because they lack proper blood flow, your pelvic region suffers with poor circulation as well. You can look for a class in your local area or teach yourself self-massage via the Arvigo book series.

Now, we want to hear from you!

Share with us on Facebook and Twitter (or Pinterest and Instagram!) the ways in which you deal with menstrual cramps at home (#curecramps) – we’d love to hear about them.

Need more Hormone Help?

If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.I’ve designed a 4 day hormone detox and evaluation to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.Click here to get your FREE detox and evaluation!

PMS seems to be so prevalent that it’s become something of a joke, which has, in turn, made women the butt of that joke, despite the fact that for some of us it can be a source of real suffering, both physical and emotional.Many women have come to accept PMS as just part of life, an inevitability of being a woman, when in fact much can be done to combat the symptoms and relieve you of the burden entirely.PMS stands for pre-menstrual syndrome, but it does not necessarily occur right before your period. Symptoms of PMS can occur anytime between ovulation and menstruation, during the second part of your monthly cycle, and include bloating, irritability, headaches, mood swings, tiredness, and cravings. This time is known as the luteal phase of the cycle.Changing up some of what you eat and drink during this time will ease health issues and make the whole experience much more pleasant. You’re looking to increase your intake of B vitamins, magnesium, calcium and fiber. This will rebalance your hormone levels and make the luteal phase transition smooth and easy.If PMS is making you miserable, try out these changes for the next 3 months and see how much better you feel.You can make incorporating the following PMS-fighting foods into your everyday diet totally simple (like just changing up the ingredients of your morning smoothie or combining two food types to make a quick meal) or you can try your hand at these creative, delicious recipes we’ve sourced from around the web to inspire you.

Eat more PMS-fighting foods:

Roasted vegetables (particularly cauliflower, parsnip, pumpkin, squash and sweet potato)WalnutsNavy and great northern beansMilletMint and chlorellaCodDates and raisins

Recipes we recommend that make the most of these foods:

Pumpkin and millet porridgeRoasted cauliflower and walnut saladSweet potato crusted codDate and mint chutneyParsnip and date saladSquash and white bean soup

I want to hear from you!

Share your own recipes that combine these PMS-fighting foods with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest by posting pics and tagging #fightpmswthfoodDon’t forget that recipes like these are only one part of an entire system designed to help you eat in sync with your cycle all month long!

Need more Hormone Help?

If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.I’ve designed a 4 day hormone detox and evaluation to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.Click here to get your FREE detox and evaluation!

With the holiday shopping madness upon us, I wanted to share some FLO-friendly, creative gift ideas for the special people in your life.Rather than just giving something because you have to or resorting to the sugary treats that line the shelves, what if you got your loved ones something that was fun, thoughtful, and actually healthy?Here’s my go-to list of holiday gifts, all personally tested and approved by me -- plus some special discounts exclusively for our community :)Enjoy!Alisa

STOCKING STUFFERS & SMALL GESTURES

Naturopathica - My all around favorite natural skin care line! Here are a few of my can’t-live-without products:

Pumpkin Enzyme Mask - Keeps skin blemish free.Arnica Gel - Awesome for post-yoga muscle soothing.Sicilian Bergamot Body Lotion - If you like they way earl grey tea smells, you are gonna LOVE this - It’s my personal FAVORITE scent!Oat Polishing Face Wash - The perfect winter hydrating scrub.CocoMe Bodysticks - 20% off & free gift wrapping: HAPPYFLOOrganic coconut oil in a stick, for easy topical application on body, face & lips -- Genuis! Plus this company was founded by a graduate of our WomanCode Online Program, Lisa Wurtz. Here’s a special message from her: “Just going through the program really got me thinking about my capabilities and creative gifts. I got an idea and was compelled to see it through because Flo Living taught me to seek my own satisfaction and made me feel empowered."

SheThinx - 10% OFF code: HOLIDAYFLOThese undies are just TOO COOL -- super sexy, anti-microbial, moisture wicking, and leak and stain resistant. Plus, for every pair of THINX you buy, you help one girl in the developing world stay in school by providing her with seven washable, reusable cloth pads.Mineral Fusion Mineral FoundationThe best natural cosmetics brand out there: Top-notch ingredients, environmentally sustainable & officially partnered with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to support women in need.

Soma water - $12.99 discount code (equivalent to one free filter): FLOLIVINGFor the 2nd year in a row, Soma makes my list! This is the BEST sustainable glass water filter out there.Jane Iredale Starter KitThis kit is such a great deal, allowing you to experience the breadth of the line in one shot. Put your face on in less than 5 minutes AND improve the condition of your skin. One and done.Pure Organic Bars

The PERFECT gluten-free, sweet treat. I'm obsessed with their chocolate brownie bar.GIFTS OF SELF-CARE

Sakara Life Organic Meal Delivery - $25 discount code: FLOLIVINGLOVEMy favorite organic meal delivery service. Every meal is more delicious than the last and always gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free, organic and sourced locally where possible.CoraWomen Organic Product Delivery (For extra self-love the week of your period!)SO cute and such an amazing idea. This service gives you fully customizable boxes of organic products for some special self-care the week of your period.

Maxim Hygiene Organic Cosmetic Travel Pack - 20% off code: P117The perfect stocking stuffer for your girlfriend who always travels. This will keep her prepped with cotton products that won’t disrupt her endocrine system, and keep her mascara in tact between meetings and plane rides.Aloe Cadabra Lube - 20% OFF code: FloLiving20For a spicy holiday treat, this is my all-time favorite personal lube -- and the only thing I’llput near my lady parts.

Blue Apron: Fresh Ingredients, Original Recipes, Delivered to YouNeed some new recipes for 2015? What if those recipes also came with a box of fresh, seasonal ingredients perfectly portioned and ready to eat in 35 minutes or less? Yeah, Blue Apron knows what's up.

GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING: MEANINGFUL BOOKS

WomanCode - By Alisa VittiIf the ladies in your life still haven’t got their WomaCode on, there’s no better time than now. Women who read my book for the first time are forever changed and finally can make peace with the workings of their female body that were once a mystery.20 Pounds Younger - By Michelle Promaulayko"Ever wish you could have the top experts in weight loss, nutrition, fitness, and anti-aging available to answer your pressing questions—and to coach you to become your fittest, healthiest self? Well, now, you can! In 20 Pounds Younger, Michele Promaulayko shares insider secrets that she learned directly from the country’s top minds (including me!) in wellness as the editor-in-chief of Women’s Health and now at the helm of Yahoo Health, a digital magazine.The Law of Divine Compensation: On Work, Money & Miracles - by Marianne WilliamsonIf you have not read anything by Marianne Williamson, now is the time! This book explores “the spiritual principles that help us overcome financial stress and unleash the divine power of abundance.” Who doesn’t want more of that?

The AstroTwins 2015 Planetary Planner - 20% off code: holidayIn need of some guidance from the stars? Check out my go-to astrologers and let them guide you through 2015!And, for a juicier dive into this work, don't miss their 2015 Teleclass, which includes this guide as a FREE gift!Reveal: A Sacred Manual for Getting Spiritually Naked - by Meggan Watterson.This book is fantastic for the spiritual-seeker in your life. My dear friend Meggan, theologian, pilgrim of the Divine Feminine, and gorgeous woman, helps you REVEAL what really matters to you.

Playing Big: Find Your Voice, Your Mission, Your Message - by Tara Mohr“A groundbreaking women’s leadership expert and popular conference speaker gives women the practical skills to voice and implement the changes they want to see—in themselves and in the world."Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Take the Lead - by Tosha Silver“A collection of spiritual lessons, anecdotes, and thoughts on the Divine’s intervention in our lives, this brilliantly written and wonderfully entertaining book teaches us how to live purposefully and in line with the Force of Love.”[gravityform id="5" name="Want to create the life you want? "]

So, you’ve been feeling less than great lately – maybe the first sign was irregular or heavy and painful periods, or maybe it was some weight gain and acne – either way, you know something is wrong and you want to feel better.

You’re thinking it might be hormone-related. What now?

Many women take a trip to their OBGYN and ask for a hormone test. This is a great first step towards treating your health issues. But the results can be confusing and concerning without a little background information and preparation. Knowledge is power! There’s no need to be mystified.

Remember: no result received is static, the diagnosis you get can and will change with the right kind of treatment.

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Here are our tips on how to get what you want and need out of hormone testing.

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Your visit to the OBGYN:

• Get the test taken during the first few days of your cycle (when you have your period), if possible.
• Ask your OBGYN for a hormone panel test that includes estrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH (follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone).
• Ask additionally for a thyroid test, blood sugar test (using a glucose meter at home preferably) and Vitamin D3 test. These are also important indicators for hormonal health.
• Ask that they also run a general blood test (the kind you’d get at an annual exam) – you want to be checked for iron saturation, anemia, and C-reactive proteins particularly.
• Ask for a print out of your results to take home if they are not made available online for you to access.

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Assessing the results:

• Your hormone levels will fall within a range, indicated on your bloodwork panel.
• If the results come back within the “normal” range, you will want to compare your numbers within the ranges. A number on the higher or lower end of the normal range will be cast as “normal” by your OBGYN, but that number is still the reason you’re experiencing health issues. It means it is not out of range enough to alarm the OBGYN and trigger a medication prescription, but you will be symptomatic regardless. The good news is that you can do something now, before you cross that threshold into “abnormal,” to avoid worsened symptoms and to avoid having to use drugs or devices with side effects.
• Most hormone-related issues women deal with are the result of too low progesterone, too high estrogen levels and excess androgens. This is what is happening when you have PCOS, endometriosis, PMS, and problematic periods, more generally.

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Three questions to ask your doctor in the most common scenarios:

1. Everything here seems to be normal, but I am experiencing significant symptoms. Where within the range am I falling that might indicate I am moving towards having a hormonal imbalance?
2. It looks like my calcium, Vitamin D3 (also other vitamins and minerals) are at a low level. What can I change about my diet to help them improve?
3. I see you have recommended I use birth control pills/a Mirena IUD/implant to control my symptoms. I would really like to try giving myself 3-6 months to improve the situation first. What kind of changes in my blood work would you like to see so that I wouldn’t have to use these options?

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What next?

• You can follow up on your blood test by using a home saliva testing kit from DiagnosTechs or Phamasan. Testing your hormone levels over a 30-day period via saliva provides far more accurate results than a blood test taken on a single day, and it can help better pinpoint the exact problem. A naturopath or acupuncturist can provide you with a test kit and facilitate you receiving the results. Or you can ask to receive the kit directly from the company and return it yourself for the lab testing and results.
• You can start taking your BBT (basal body temperature) at home to understand if and when you are ovulating. You can learn more about this from Toni Weschler’s, Taking Charge of Your Fertility.  An example for charting your temperature is here. A fertility awareness instructor can help you interpret your chart for a diagnosis of your hormonal health issues.

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And then:

Once you finally have your results, it can be so motivating. By following the FLO protocol, many women have addressed their hormonal health issues and returned to their OBGYN to receive vastly improved results, without the use of drugs or devices. Click here to watch their stories!

‍Food should be your first form of self-medication. Once you know where you stand, give yourself 3-6 months to heal your body at home through dietary and lifestyle changes.

Pie. Donuts. Cookies. Stuffing. Egg Nog.Family stress. Traveling. Not enough exercise.

If you’re anticipating any of those factors making an appearance in your life over the next few weeks, chances are you’re also scared of the extra weight that might also make an experience on your body.Have no fear, ladies.Your expert hormone hacker Alisa is here!The biggest mistake women make over the holidays, in my opinion, is that they leave their hormones out of the equation. There’s actually a profound science to weight loss that takes place in your endocrine system.So if you’re just going for the typical less food + more exercise equation, then you’re setting yourself up for failure and missing out on one of your biggest allies!Especially for those of us who are prone to period problems and hormonal imbalances, this science is a must-know! Your hormones have a HUGE impact on your weight, and so if you’re not addressing these key points, you’re making your period problems and your weight struggles much worse than they need to be.

Here's why typical dieting doesn't work:

If you’re living on just green juice or another calorie-restricted diet all day before hitting up the holiday dinner party, you might think that you’re saving yourself a boat load of calories so that you’ll be more free to eat what you want at the event.The reality?You’re putting your body into high-alert stress mode. Your hypothalamus (in your brain) senses the lack of glucose coming into the bloodstream, and so it sends signals via the pituitary gland to have your liver and adrenal glands step in and help out by releasing stored sugar into the bloodstream.What happens is that your body holds onto the fat stores it has, because it’s in starvation mode, and doesn’t know when the next meal is coming.It will also be really difficult to avoid overdoing the sweets and carbs and alcohol - because your brain will be craving them!

Here's how to use science to avoid weight-gain:

Instead of falling into that trap, how about a new approach?

To start, eating a balanced breakfast will help ease your hypothalamus and prevent it from sending out the stress signals! A combination of protein and complex carbohydrates is usually the best way to do this.Try: a veggie egg scramble with sprouted grain toast or steel cut oats with nuts or seeds. Accompany it with a fiber supplement like ground flax seeds for an extra satiating boost!You’ll also want to support your liver throughout the holidays and beyond.The liver is responsible for removing toxins from the body and it does this by turning fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins so they can be excreted through your large intestine, kidneys, and skin. However, when your hormones are out of balance or stuck in stress mode, your liver’s function is compromised and can’t work as efficiently at removing these toxins.

Therefore, your body clings to those fat-soluble toxins for dear life! It holds them in your fat tissue in order to protect your liver from a toxic load it won’t be able to handle. But then, unlucky for you, those fat tissues become really difficult to shed – unless, of course, you do what’s necessary to help out your liver.Try: adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to your water in the morning and throughout the day. Incorporate a liver-supportive supplement like Milk Thistle, and follow these tips to avoid the holiday hangover.

Want to keep the weight off for good?

I have a brand new program designed to help you do this! It isn’t opening until January 1st, but…By subscribing here, you’ll get the chance to save hundreds of dollars, access pre-registration before any spots are filled, and you'll receive a few extra bonuses you won't find anywhere else.[gravityform id="5" name="Want to create the life you want? " title="false" description="false"]

If you’re dealing with period problems like PMS, PCOS, fibroids, cysts, heavy bleeding, infertility, low sex drive, and more, you’re actually more susceptible to weight issues.While this can sounds like a bummer, there’s also a big opportunity here for changing the game for yourself!When you understand these 2 key aspects behind why your hormonal imbalances are contributing to your weight issues, you’ll shift your mindset and learn how to shift the pattern!

#1 - The Scientific Reason:

At the root of all period problems, there’s an imbalance with estrogen. Most often, estrogen dominance is in play, meaning that your estrogen levels are way too high in comparison to progesterone. In addition to causing the period problems, high estrogen levels are connected to water retention and weight gain.Bottom line: You need to get your estrogen levels balanced in order to really be able to lose weight.

#2 - The Practical Reason:

Aside from all the hormonal implications occurring behind the scenes, let’s be honest -When your hormones are out of whack and your period is suffering, you are practically not able to implement any kind of weight-loss routine. You might start out with noble efforts in the beginning of your cycle, but once that second half of your cycle starts - the luteal, pre-menstrual phase - you are doomed to failure!If your period is symptomatic, you’re going to crave sweets and salty stuff and all the things you don’t want to be eating for weight loss. You’ll also be way too tired to work out, so any exercise efforts will fail.Bottom line: consistency is a big challenge when your hormones are not balanced. Address your period problems first, and the weight loss will come easily.

Need more Hormone Help?

If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.I’ve designed a 4 day hormone detox and evaluation to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.Click here to get your FREE detox and evaluation!

Launching into a vigorous exercise routine in January might seem like a good idea. The fresh start of the new year and the pricing specials that many gyms and programs offer make it really enticing to whip your booty back into shape.But if you jump into it that way, you’re not taking into account your hormonal reality!The stress and excess sugar intake you will experience over the holidays are both putting your adrenal glands in a compromised position. This will thwart your weight-loss efforts and do more damage to your adrenals and entire endocrine system.I see this all the time at FLO Living, women decide to train for a marathon or triathalon, or to start doing long 90min workouts at the gym or at home. Their intention is to get in shape and lose weight, but because they don’t understand how to work with their hormones, they end up gaining up to 20 lbs!

What gives? Why do your adrenal glands matter?

When you exercise, after you burn through the glucose in your bloodstream - which takes about 30 minutes - you then start tapping into your adrenal reserve. You force the adrenals to pump out cortisol to get your fat cells to convert into sugar for the blood stream.This seems like a good thing, you want the fat to melt right?The problem is, when you have estrogen overload due to unresolved period and fertility issues, the estrogen tells you to store any circulating sugar as fat. So you have this vicious cycle of trying to burn stored fat with cortisol and then estrogen putting it right back on your butt! And this is assuming your adrenals are performing optimally!As if that weren’t bad enough, there is an additional layer of complexity here: your stress levels and diet and how those affect your adrenal health. When we have too much going on (um, hello holidaze!) and when we eat too much sugar and alcohol (again, holiday madness) we are left perfectly vulnerable for our adrenals to start underperforming.So you produce less cortisol throughout the day and during your workouts you can produce none at all! You know you have this adrenal fatigue going on if you find yourself dragging yourself out of bed in the morning and totally drained after your workout and needing a while to recover your energy.In this scenario, you hormones are programming you to be an excellent storer of fat. And any time you workout too hard, too long, you reinforce that messaging.

Where exercise comes in

If you’re feeling drained after the holidays, the antidote is not to pump up the jams and do a zillion jumping jacks - that will actually wear out your adrenal glands even more!In fact, exercising for more than 30 minutes at a time puts undue stress on your adrenal glands by causing cortisol to rise at first, mixing with your estrogen keeping fat on. And if you start this regime already in a state of adrenal fatigue, you’ll gain weight faster than you did from Halloween to New Years!In addition, during the 2nd half of your cycle this all gets worse if you have any of the conditions we treat! At this point - your luteal phase - estrogen is out of balance with progesterone, making you more fatigued and putting further strain on your adrenals.Trust me, having been 200lbs myself, and having tried for years to lose weight before I cracked my WomanCode, I know how frustrating this can be. And of course this is typically when we give up on our new year’s resolutions.

What’s the solution?

Instead of setting yourself up for failure, ease back into a balanced exercise routine!Try 20-minute sessions of cardio or weight training, and longer sessions of more gentle movement like hatha yoga or walking. Definitely do the right exercise for the phase of the cycle you’re in!Tracking your body throughout the month is also really helpful. You’ll get to know how YOUR body functions at different points in your cycle which can help you choose the right kind of exercise for your hormonal phase.

Need more hormone help?

If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.I’ve designed a 4 day hormone detox and evaluation to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.Click here to get your FREE detox and evaluation!

I have a quick personal story today, that I think can help you.

Once I hit age 35, I started to feel noticeably more anxious every month during the second half of my cycle (i.e. the Luteal Phase, as it’s technically called.) Things that weren’t a big deal in the past, all of a sudden got blown out of proportion as I noticed my mood sensitivity was way more sensitive.

Knowing what I know about hormones, I chalked it up to my naturally declining estrogen levels, and took the necessary steps to help rebalance. This theory was proved true once I got pregnant, when my estrogen naturally increased I started feeling so mellow. No more anxiety.

Why am I sharing this with you? Because I don’t think aging and hormones is talked about  enough prior to menopause. There’s an unspoken belief that we should just function the same decade after decade until we hit the big M (menopause), which simply isn’t true.

The fact is, your hormones shift as you age, and so do your moods.

If you’re noticing your body acting differently as you enter into your mid-to-late 30s, what I want you to know is that it’s totally normal. I also want you to know that you actually have more control than you think over how your symptoms show up. It doesn’t have to be a struggle.In my premium training program, the WomanCode System, I take women through the exact steps I took with food and lifestyle to get my hormonal balance in check across my life cycle.Today, I want to give you a bit of a sneak preview of that formula so that you can start taking the right steps, no matter how old you are.

Here are a few key questions to ask yourself if you’re dealing with mood changes at any age:

‍Are you eating quality fats? Did you know that quality fats are the building blocks of many of your hormones and can also help with mood stabilization? Healthy fats include avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, fish oil, and animal protein. Beware of fats like canola oil and other hydrogenated vegetable oils that increase your Omega-6’s and decrease your Omega-3 balance.

‍Are you caring for your adrenals? Your adrenal glands which manage your stress response tend to get worn out as you get older, which means they need even more love and attention. One of my favorite supplements for adrenal health is vitamin B5.

‍Are you putting too much pressure on yourself? Keeping up with a killer pace of life is not actually going to get you anywhere faster. It will only burn you out. Where in your life can you set healthy boundaries that allow for more time in your self-care? How can you be more gentle with yourself - i.e. in your exercise routine, work schedule, or social life?!

You’ve probably seen natural supplements like Sam-E and St. John’s Wort that claim to treat depression. Maybe you’ve even tried them yourself.While there can be some benefits if they are taken the right way, here’s what you need to know:You can’t spot-treat your mood.Even when the treatments are “natural,” just taking one supplement and expecting a change is a lot to ask your body. There are complex and connected systems involved with your mood and hormones that require a more holistic and well-rounded approach to be fully effective.I’m going to be bold and say that if you don’t have a clinically diagnosed mental illness, the issue is not in your brain, it’s in your endocrine system. (And if you’re uncertain about whether or not you do, be sure to read this.) What it boils down to are:

3 specific underlying causes to your depression and mood issues

1. Micronutrient Deficiency: Your mood is determined by your gut. 90% of the serotonin your body makes is actually produced in your gut! From Vitamin D, to Vitamin B to Iron to Essential Fatty Acids...if you’re not eating for maximum exposure to these nutrients, you can’t make enough mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters. Also if your gut flora is out of balance, you aren’t absorbing nutrients, which causes inflammation, which increases your risk for dementia and mood issues.

2. Hormonal Imbalance: In the right balance, estrogen makes you feel good and social, while progesterone makes you feel motivated to get things done. When these are imbalanced, however, it can lead to feeling foggy, lethargic, anxious, moody, or tearful. If you’re having PMS and experiencing these symptoms, the likelihood that you’re having a significant mood issue is high. You don’t need Prozac for this - you need to get your period sorted out!3. Not Living Cyclically: If you’re constantly out of sync with your natural flow, you’re going to be more stressed and anxious. You have to learn how to play to your neurochemical strength to minimize the stress that can lead to mood issues.The Cycle Syncing Method® is the only diet and fitness program based on the women's hormonal cycles, or our infradian rhythm. We're not the same throughout the 4 phases of our menstrual cycle - there are changes in our metabolism, brain, stress and other systems. We have different calorie, fitness and nutrient needs depending on which phase we are in. The Cycle Syncing Method® guides you to eat, work, and live in alignment with your infradian rhythm across the different hormonal phases of your cycle. It changes the game when it comes to productivity, success, and making most of life in a female body. Just recently, an article in Vogue said every woman should know about this method!Always remember, that once you have the right information about how your body really works, you can start making health choices that finally start to work for you! You can do this – the science of your body is on your side!to your FLO,Alisa

Need more Hormone Help?

If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.I’ve designed a 4 day hormone detox and evaluation to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.Click here to get your FREE detox and evaluation!

If You're Also struggling with Anxiety, Check out My Recent Live Video:

How to Fix Hormone Driven Anxiety

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45OeHH-1bgM&t=3s[/embed]

Do you ever struggle with your emotions? I spent many years holding my emotions in -- to the point where I was no longer able to even identify how I was feeling.If you had asked me from the age of 14 to 24 how I was feeling, the only answer I could give was “I’m fine”. I had no modeling to show me how to safely express my emotions. Because I was so afraid of my emotions, I didn’t trust myself or my feelings, and though I didn’t realize what I was doing, I started to rely on my masculine energy. I checked out of my body and lived in the realm of my mind, excelling in academics and problem-solving as much as I could.Meanwhile, my physical body was suffering. I was overweight, covered in acne, and got my period once a year. I was exhausted, anxious, and stressed.While food played a huge part in my healing journey, it was also the relationship between my feminine and masculine energy that had major implications. You see, the fact that I was divorced from my feminine nature was creating all kinds of stress internally. The activation of my masculine energy had my adrenal glands going into high stress mode, plus it had my reproductive organs turned off - hence, no regular period.This is why, in my hormonal health training programs, I not only cover a breadth of information on food and lifestyle shifts, but there is also quite a bit of work we do on your feminine energy.Today, I want get you focused in that direction so that you can start to release stress from deep places and allow your body to do the magic it’s meant to.From a feminine standpoint, reducing stress is NOT about fighting it or cutting it out of your life completely. That, in fact, is a very masculine way of approaching it.Instead, it’s about leaning into the neurochemistry of your cycle and shifting your priorities and the way you engage with the world.As women, our bodies are constantly shifting throughout the month based on our hormonal patterns. So, too, are our emotional needs and ability to handle stress.The next time you’re getting frustrated at yourself for missing an appointment or not accomplishing everything on your to-do list, take a moment to check in with your body.Ask yourself: Where am I in my cycle?Especially if you’re in your luteal (pre-menstrual) or menstrual phases, see if you can cut yourself some slack. Those are the times in your cycle to be gentler with yourself and take things off of your to-do list.I’m curious about your response to stress ...Please share your questions and insights in the comments below, which will help me and my team better know how to help you manage your stress.I know you might feel alone in these struggles, but I can assure you, you’re not!With love to your lady parts - inside and out,Alisap.s. I delving into all this and more when it comes to stress and your female body in my popular webinar, Address Your Stress The WomanCode Way. Click here for more details if you’re digging this conversation!

Need more Hormone Help?

If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.I’ve designed a 4 day hormone detox and evaluation to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.Click here to get your FREE detox and evaluation!

Many women dismiss their periods as annoying and disruptive. They just want them to go away, no matter their age. But your period is an important indicator of your overall health. The menstrual cycle is considered a vital sign, just like your blood pressure and your pulse, and to ignore it or wish it gone is to do your whole body a disservice.

Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or 50s, the real issue isn’t having a period. The issue is having period problems and, despite what you’ve been told, period problems aren’t normal. When your hormones are balanced, your periods will be symptom-free. When you’re living in sync with your cycle, you won’t dread your period every month because you won’t experience acne, bloating, fatigue, irritability, PMS, heavy or irregular periods, or severe cramps.

Instead, you will feel great AND you will be able to tap into the unique strengths of each phase of your 28-day cycle. A healthy hormone cycle means that some weeks you’re predisposed to being creative and generative, some weeks you’re set up to be focused and productive, some weeks you’re primed to be a tip-top communicator. When you tap into this rhythm, not only will you not want your period to disappear… you will welcome it as a superpower.

But how to keep your hormones healthy changes as you move through different phases of your life. What worked for you at age 23 may not work as well at age 33 or 43.

Today, I’m going to explain how to optimize your hormonal health during each decade of your menstrual years so you can feel, look, and perform your best at every age.

The 7 Different Life Phases of Female Reproductive Hormones

Here are the seven different hormone phases women move through during adulthood. You will know where you are by your age or your life experiences (or both), but I also recommend taking my Period Type quiz to assess your hormone health and cycle status. I recommend re-taking the quiz time every time you enter a new phase. This will help you get in touch with what your cycle is telling and how to best take care of yourself during each new phase of your life.

‍1. Puberty (9-21 years old)

‍This is a time where you might notice irregularity with the menstrual cycle. It takes time for the body to build up enough of a hormonal concentration for you to ovulate and menstruate regularly. This is worth reiterating: some irregularities with your menstrual cycle during this time are normal. As a culture, however, we’re quick to assume that these normal fluctuations need to be regulated with medication, i.e. the birth control pill. This means that so many young women are—needlessly and often harmfully—put on the hormonal birth control.

The better route to managing the normal ups and downs of this hormonal phase is to support adolescent girls and young women with food and lifestyle choices. You can work with your daughter or niece (or your own body) during this phase by limiting exposure to endocrine disruptors (everything from chemical-based shampoo to pesticides in her food) and making sure food is working in her (or your) favor.

The birth control pill only masks reproductive health issues and delays proper treatment and care. A great book to help start a teen on this journey is Cycle Savvy by Toni Weschler (who wrote the comprehensive cycle knowledge bible Taking Charge of Your Fertility).

‍2. Adult Menstrual Years (21 – 35 years old)

‍This phase of life brings with a lot of stressors—some of the bad, but many of them good, don’t get me wrong! There’s moving to a new place, going to graduate school and/or finding your first job, having caffeine and alcohol for the first time, and more. Whether the life change you’re experiencing during this phase is exciting or just straight-up stressful, it will affect your hormones. This is when you are likely to notice new period problems or a continuation of the symptoms you experienced in puberty.

Addressing hormonal imbalances in this phase requires the same attention to diet and toxin exposure as the puberty phase. But you will likely need even more focused support during this phase, when regular caffeine consumption may be depleting key micronutrients and a sedentary lifestyle (thanks to the demands of internships or entry-level jobs) may be making hormone problems worse.

During this phase, you will want to pay attention to replenishing key micronutrients and syncing your exercise with your cycle.

‍3. Pregnancy (age varies)

‍The degree to which you're hormonally sensitive in this phase indicates the degree to which you did or didn’t address your hormonal symptoms in the adult menstrual phase. You should and can feel great during pregnancy, but it usually needs some preparation. I suggest women prep their bodies with diet and lifestyle changes at least 3 months prior to trying to conceive, but preferably a year prior. If you’re a hormonally-sensitive person like me, then it’s even more important to prep for pregnancy as the surge of pregnancy hormones is more likely to lead to health issues.

‍4. Post-Partum  (age varies)

‍What you’ve been eating for the decade leading up to having your baby will leave you vulnerable to developing postpartum issues. This is something you want to prevent, but if it’s happening there’s still a lot you can do by engaging in phase-based self care. I’ve shared my postpartum food choices after giving birth to my baby girl—a daily diet that helped me to breastfeed for the next two years, lose the extra baby weight quickly, avoid the mood swings that can arise from my hormone sensitivity, and get my period back at the right time.

‍5. Perimenopause Phase One (35-45 years old)

‍This hormonal shift starts at 35 no matter what! You shouldn’t have to feel symptoms during this phase if you’re healthy. You should be ovulating and menstruating regularly and have good muscle tone, skin quality, energy, and sex drive, i.e. still making enough hormones to feel vital and youthful.

It’s key to really pay attention to what your body is telling you in this phase so you can adjust your diet and lifestyle accordingly. It’s very likely that because your hormones are changing, your body will be giving you insight into the underlying problems that need addressing. If you’re not healthy, your body will let you know. Difficulty with fertility, vaginal dryness, wrinkles in skin, and drying of hair are not to be solved at a spa or a salon. These are messages that your hormones need attention—especially before you get into the next phase of perimenopause. You can avoid the effects of premature hormonal aging with the right foods and supplements.

‍6. Perimenopause Phase Two (45- 55 years old)

‍This should be a relatively smooth process where FSH levels rise to the point where you no longer ovulate. But for women who have hormone imbalances in phase one of perimenopause, stage two can be unnecessarily rocky—with symptoms and problems starting as early as one’s early 30s!

When hormones are in balance during this stage, the body will manufacture slightly less, though still a balanced amount, of estrogen and progesterone and testosterone. If you’re having hot flashes, night sweats, no libido, etc., you can adjust your diet and lifestyle to ease symptoms and feel better.

Perimenopause is an amazing opportunity to check in with your body, make sure you are doing everything you can to keep your hormones happy and healthy, and to set yourself up for healthy aging.

‍7. Post-menopause (55 +)

‍In this phase, FSH levels are now at their new, permanent elevated levels (between 20 and 30) and your estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone should be at stable concentrations, which will be lower than they were in your menstruating years, but still in balanced ratios. If you’ve been eating and taking care of yourself during the previous hormone phases, you should have enough micronutrient building blocks to make this phase symptom-free. Continuing to focus on diet and lifestyle in this phase is key. It’s also a good time to support your digestion and ability to absorb nutrients, which can be compromised with age.

When you care for your hormones with diet, lifestyle, and micronutrient support at every stage of life, you will feel better now—and all down the road.

If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) or know someone who has, you might question why you don’t fit into every single one of the symptoms listed on Google.This is because PCOS is a condition that isn’t black or white, but rather it contains a spectrum of symptoms that you might experience at various levels of intensity. Which also indicates that conquering PCOS does not always occur with a one size fits all approach.In general there are 2 extreme types:

1. The classic kind shows up as obesity, hirsutism, amenorrhea, acne, and of course multiple tiny cysts on the ovaries from the lack of ovulation.
2. The thin kind shows up with no extreme weight issues or skin issues, but still amenorrhea and cysts on the ovaries.

Within those 2 extremes are various combinations and levels of severity with each symptom, as every woman��s body and hormones are unique.

What’s the real difference here?

The thin type of PCOS has better efficiency of insulin and glucose in the cells, which is why there are no extreme weight issues that show up, but there is still a miscommunication happening between the pituitary and the ovaries that blocks or delays ovulation. The classic type usually has little or no ability to get glucose into cells and can become insulin resistant. Since the act of ovulation is very sensitive to insulin levels and glucose levels, this can pose a problem for menstruation and fertility.

So does the same treatment work for both kinds?

In terms of classic medical treatment, the answer is no. We’ll talk more about the birth control pill and metformin in next week’s article.In terms of the natural nutritional and lifestyle protocol we use here at FLO, the answer is yes, but with some modifications for each type.What’s true across the board is that extreme diets like paleo or raw do not have a great effect on conquering PCOS, either kind. While women report some results, they don’t get the full remission that is possible with the right kind of diet.What is the right kind of diet? A hormonal and cyclical one! In both cases, you need to eat to support endocrine function - like blood sugar stability, adrenal performance, estrogen metabolism - all the things we take you through in the FLO protocol while simultaneously improving your exposure to the right micronutrients that create hormones, stabilize them, and keep them moving in the blood stream.To help you understand what does work for each extreme type, we’re going to illustrate with two examples: our very own Alisa and our FLO counselor Jessica.

Classic example: Alisa

As we mentioned earlier, Alisa experienced much of the classic symptoms of PCOS: extreme weight gain, acne all over, hirsutism, and very infrequent periods.Her body was having a difficult time managing insulin and glucose levels. Think of it like someone who keeps walking into a glass door but keeps hitting her head. This is what’s happening to glucose when it’s trying to get into the cell. The body releases more insulin to try and help, and those high levels of insulin prevent ovulation.Women with classic PCOS are often put on metformin for this reason, which can sometimes be a bridge until her diet and lifestyle are under control.If you’re on this extreme, here are 2 things you can start doing today:1. Eat cinnamon for blood sugar stability. Sprinkle it everywhere or take a supplement! Cinnamon has been proven to improve insulin and glucose management.2. Try walking for 5 minutes after every meal. Gentle movement after eating helps to mobilize the glucose you’ve just consumed and get it into your cells more efficiently. These short bouts of movement peppered throughout your day and after eating and be even more effective than only doing one chunk of exercise once per day!

Thin example: Jessica

When Jessica first came to FLO Living over 7 years ago, she had been on the birth control since age 18 and never got a natural period. During her teenage years she was a ballerina and was highly active as well as underweight at times, and definitely not eating a diet that was hormonally supportive. This lifestyle combined with genetic factors, caused ovulation to stop and a “string of pearls” of cysts to develop on her ovaries. Her doctor told her she would have to come back for IVF when she wanted to get pregnant since there was a big chance that she would be infertile.Before Jessica knew there was another option, she took the birth control pill to induce a period each month. Meanwhile she was feeling depressed, creatively blocked, and in the dark about her body. She had blood sugar issues, but not to the extreme of insulin resistance.What’s happening with this kind of PCOS is that the pituitary gland and the ovaries are not communicating well due to micronutrient deficiencies that support hormone creation and transport. Think of it like a phone call: The pituitary gland in the brain is trying to call the ovaries (via hormones in the bloodstream) but all the ovaries hear are static on the line because they are not getting the right signals.Women with this kind of PCOS are often put on the pill to induce a period each month, but really it’s just a band-aid solution to a much deeper problem that needs to be addressed.If you’re on this extreme, here are 2 things you can start doing today:1. Lay off extreme exercise. Excessive cardio is only going to zap your adrenal glands and put your whole system in stress mode which is counterintuitive for ovulation and restoring your pituitary gland’s proper function. Explore gentle forms of movement like yoga that can help balance your hormones and stress levels.2. Follow the moon. That might sound strange, but if you start observing the moon and it’s changing patterns throughout the month it can help your body relearn how to get into that cyclical mode. Sleep in complete dark all month long, except for the 3 days before, during, and after the full moon - the light you let in will simulate the moonlight. If you’re already following our protocol, you can also map out the cyclical eating plan to match the moon phases if you’re not menstruating regularly. (New Moon is equivalent to menstruation, Full Moon is equivalent to ovulation.)

Need more Hormone Help?

If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.I’ve designed a 4 day hormone detox and evaluation to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.Click here to get your FREE detox and evaluation!

Heavy period bleeding can be one of the most debilitating symptoms you can experience. The pain, the inconvenience, and the boxes of pads and tampons to go through each month - ahh! Some women suffer from heavy periods all their lives, others get it more intensely after pregnancy or develop it during perimenopause.

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There are a few ways it might show up for you:‍

1. A normal (5-7 day) length bleed with a super heavy flow that causes you to bleed through everything

2. Extended bleeding for 2-3 weeks out of the month or more

3. Frequent bleeding - 4 or more days at a time, twice per month

4. Heavy clotting

Often times these are associated with anemia and fatigue, which can make it feel like a drag to get through the day.

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What’s the underlying cause?

There are 3 main reasons heavy bleeding can develop:

1. Estrogen overload. When your estrogen levels are high, the lining of your uterus can become thicker. Estrogen can also be much higher relative to progesterone, which is the hormone that will keep your uterine lining intact for a longer period of time. Excess estrogen occurs when diet contains estrogen-rich foods, and when your liver is not able to keep up with detoxification.

2. Lack of uterine tone. Both a sedentary lifestyle and pregnancy can cause the uterus to lose its tone. While this is a physical issue, it is also influenced by the quality of nutrients you are getting through your diet.

3. Hypothyroidism. One of the signs that your thyroid might be slow is excess bleeding. If you also notice you have a lack of appetite, are gaining weight, feel cold most of the time, and are fatigued easily, there’s a good chance your thyroid function is below the normal range.

With any of these causes, there is an essential, proactive approach you must take if you want a lasting solution.

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‍What you can do:

To eliminate heavy bleeding for good, you must look at the larger picture of balancing hormones. Your diet and lifestyle are the most essential factors in this picture, since how you eat and how you live have a direct effect on your hormonal balance. In each of the 3 underlying causes listed above, you can see how there is a direct influence from food and daily practices.

Our 5-step protocol is designed to help you create a solid foundation with your diet and lifestyle, so that you can eliminate excess estrogen, restore proper thyroid function, and rebuild uterine health, thereby banishing frustrating symptoms like heavy bleeding.

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Where do supplements come in?

Taking supplements means exactly what the word implies: a supplemental addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

If you’re experiencing heavy periods, here are supplements you can start taking that will help heal the issue alongside other dietary changes:

• ‍Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids - 2,000-4,000 mg/day - has an anti-estrogenic effect on the uterus.  A study showed that vitamin C was able to reduce heavy bleeding in 87% of women who participated. Bioflavonoids were also shown to strengthen the vessel walls of the capillaries, further reducing the bleeding. *‍
• Sulforaphane - detoxifies and clears out excess estrogen from the body. It also provides protection against fibroid growth, as well as supporting a healthy inflammatory response. ‍
• NAC - supports detoxification in the liver, and provides antioxidant support against inflammation. ‍
• DIM - assists the body in removing excess estrogen. DIM also helps balance hormones and weight, and may reduce long periods.‍
• Calcium-D-Glucarate - detoxifies excess hormones and supports the liver in breaking down and removing xenoestrogens.

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Our RELEASE Fibroids and Heavy Bleeding Supplement Kit contains all of the essential nutrients needed to help get to the root cause of heavy bleeding to get rid of it for good.

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Of course any supplement is only a part of the bigger picture of diet and lifestyle. To create sustained healing and a balanced period, you need to address several factors including estrogen overload, progesterone levels, cortisol levels, elimination and blood sugar stability.

In our webinar, Troubleshoot Your Period Problems, we'll break it all down for you into easy-to-apply action steps that will get you from feeling weighed down by your period to flo-ing freely all month long! This webinar covers:

• The most common period problems and how to self-diagnose: PMS, heavy bleeding, irregular or missing periods, etc.
• Exactly what signs and symptoms to be aware of – and which ones indicate something more serious
• The steps to take to address them all from the underlying causes

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Today I have news that might be shocking to you: it’s time to turn off the vibrator.

Using vibrators to self-pleasure might seem like the easiest, quickest way to reach the big O, but there are a few very important reasons why it’s not doing your entire body justice.

To help explain why, it’s important to know the 4 stages of sexual response, as originally outlined by scientists Masters & Johnson in the 1960s. You might also recognize them from Chapter 8 of my book, WomanCode: Initial Arousal: the excitement phase, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Sex organs become engorged with blood and glands in the vaginal walls secrete lubricating liquid to make you feel wet.‍

Plateau: a continuation of arousal, when tissues swell and breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue to rise. You may even make a moaning sound at this point.

‍Orgasm: vaginal lubrication increases, muscles in the vaginal wall constrict, and overall pleasure increases. If you climax (which is not always a given), you’ll experience quick cycles of contractions in your pelvic floor muscles.

‍Resolution: After climax, your muscles relax and your body releases from its aroused state.

When you use a vibrator, you’re skipping a large part of the Plateau stage and moving right into climax. This means you’re also missing out on some of the most hormonally-healthy, natural chemicals your body produces during this Plateau phase! For instance, one of these chemicals, nitric oxide, is what Viagra is manufactured from. The more you can generate it naturally, the more you’ll experience its anti-aging benefits, increased sexual response, as well as adrenal health which you’ll read more about below.

Especially if you’re working on your fertility, trying to get your sex drive back, or managing your periods, having a bigger Orgasmic Plateau phase is the way to help.

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Here are 3 ways vibrators impact you:

1. You miss the benefits of nitric oxide and oxytocin. Using a vibrator forces your body to bypass a large part of the Plateau and Orgasm phases, which cuts down on your exposure to oxytocin and nitric oxide. These natural chemicals provide you with better immunity, improved cervical mucus, and regular ovulation patterns.

‍2. You limit your orgasmic potential. Quick vibrator-induced orgasms lengthen what we call the refractory period between orgasms. This means the sensitive nerve endings get fried by the strong vibrations, so you have to wait longer until you’re ready again for your next orgasm. Essentially, this means you can only have one orgasm at a time, maybe two if you’re lucky. Bummer.

‍3. You deprive your body of the stress-reducing benefits. The bigger and better the orgasm you experience, the more cortisol gets flushed out of your system. Cortisol, if you don’t remember, is one of our body’s main stress hormones that contributes to adrenal burnout, blood sugar whackiness and that extra layer of belly fat that doesn’t seem to go away.

When you skip the orgasmic plateau, you lose out on the stress-relieving, waist-slimming benefits of sex!

“So what do I do without my vibrator, Alisa?” So glad you asked!

First of all, be sure you’re setting aside at least 20 minutes for your self-pleasuring sessions. This might seem like a lot, so make sure you’re getting into bed a little bit earlier or doing what you need to do to make it possible.

Next, be sure to use lubricant - Aloe Cadabra is the only one I use and recommend. When you’re using your hands to get the party started, you’ll need to be lubricated. I think you’ll be amazed at what happens to your orgasmic experience when you go au natural.

So you have PCOS and you want to get pregnant? You may have already googled the saddening statistics about infertility rates amongst women with PCOS. I myself was told that I would probably never conceive naturally, but here I am 5 months pregnant at 37 years old -- and it happened without any kind of fertility treatment, other than my diet and lifestyle! Now even though I got pregnant easily, I’d be lying if I said that the fear-based mentality around infertility didn’t cross my mind from time to time prior to conceiving. With all the common rhetoric that tells you how hard it is to get pregnant with PCOS, it’s hard to completely shake it off, even when you know what you’re doing. But being able to conceive at an age that is challenging for many women - with or without PCOS - is confirmation that living this lifestyle really does make a life-changing, life-giving difference. It was the best outcome I could’ve asked for from a terrible diagnosis. So what does this mean for you? If you’re trying to conceive and are having doubts or difficulties because of your PCOS, there’s actually a lot you can do and it would be my honor to help you get there. The surprising fact you should know is that PCOS gives you the blessing of naturally prolonged fertility. Why? Because you’re not ovulating regularly, you end up having more egg reserves for a longer period of time. What a relief - right? But this doesn’t solve all your problems. You still need to manage and address the underlying causes of your PCOS so that you can use that time wisely! This means you need to :

1. Get off the birth control pill or other hormonal contraceptives
2. Get your weight stable and get your blood sugar balanced
3. Restore regular ovulation
4. Do the right kind of exercise for your body type
5. Help your body efficiently eliminate estrogen and naturally raise progesterone levels

And I share all my best tools for exactly how to do this in my popular audio class, Conquering PCOS: My Secrets to Success! Stop wasting money on things that don’t work and join me in making PCOS a thing of the past :)

Are You Trying to Conceive?

If you want to do everything in your power to improve your chances of becoming a mom—then we want to help you optimize your fertility.Whether you are just starting to think about having a baby, or have already tried naturally or have been trying with IVF, our Fertile FLO Program will help improve your chances of conception.Click here to download my FREE guide, The 5 Health Foods to Avoid to Get and Stay Pregnant.

If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS and experiencing PCOS symptoms, chances are your doctor has also suggested you take some kind of pill. Metformin and the birth control pill are two of the most common medical treatments for PCOS, but - if you’ve been around us at FLO for awhile - you’ll know that medications like these are not really treatments at all, but rather band-aid solutions for a much deeper problem. We wanted to spend time with each of them today, so that you can make the best informed choices when it comes to treating your PCOS.Let us help you get to the root of the problem and avoid the potential side effects of these

Birth Control Pill

What it does: The hormones in the birth control mask your natural hormonal patterns to prevent ovulation from happening, and therefore prevent pregnancy. The period you experience on the pill is not an acutal period, but rather a “break-through bleed” that occurs from the drop in estrogen. So even though it might be regulating your cycle, once you get off the pill chances are your period will return to the same state is was before.Side effects: We’ve spoken about significant side effects of the pill before, but the one side effect most relevant to PCOS is that it increases testosterone uptake, which can make your androgenic symptoms worse. This means if you’re experiencing hirsutism (hair growth in unwanted places), head-hair loss, or acne, it could potentially get worse with the pill.Alternative solutions: Re-establish your monthly ovulation and menstruation through restoring key micronutrients and helping your body to eliminate excess estrogen or other hormones that could be impeding your natural flow. Addressing adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues is also key here. And the great news is - all of these can be achieved through your diet and lifestyle!

Metformin (Glucophage)

What it does: Metformin helps with blood sugar and insulin management by suppressing glucose production by the liver. It’s commonly used for diabetes and PCOS with insulin resistance.Side effects:In a recent study, metformin was found to cause an impairment mental cognition. It’s more commonly known to cause serious digestive issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and more uncomfortable symptoms.Alternative solutions: Address your blood sugar balance through your diet and key supplements. The WomanCode System has an extensive lesson and instructions on balancing blood sugar through food, and in severe cases you can also supplement with a chromium picolinate supplement, as well as cinnamon.

Conclusion

Very often you’ll be told that the only thing you can do is take a pill, but I hope this article has opened your eyes to other possibilities and helped give you your power back when it comes to making informed decisions about treating your PCOS symptoms.There is no quick fix to treating PCOS. It is a systemic issues that needs to be managed through diet and lifestyle.

Need more Hormone Help?

If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.I’ve designed a 4 day hormone detox and evaluation to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.Click here to get your FREE detox and evaluation!

When I’m talking with women about their fertility, one of the most common questions I get is this:

“I’m not ready to get pregnant now, but how do I know I’ll be able to in the future?”

If you’re in the same boat in your 20s or 30s - not exactly ready to put a bun in the oven but considering it for the future - then it’s time to get real about the signs your body is telling you now. Every woman should be able to get pregnant naturally when she’s ready, but in today’s hormone harming environment, we have more working against our fertility than ever before. If you find yourself, like so many other women, ignoring symptoms that might seem insignificant and even unrelated now, we here at FLO Living want you to be able to evaluate if these symptoms are early warning signs that your future fertility might be problematic. You must understand how they could affect you down the road, and you must not make the common mistake of waiting to address these symptoms/issues until you actually want to get pregnant. From our experience over the past 12 years - this is a recipe for fertility stress.Today I want to share with you 4 specific symptoms you might be experiencing that are indicators of potential compromised fertility. It’s not meant to frighten you, but rather to empower you with the information you need to start evaluating as soon as possible the action steps you need to take immediately to improve your fertility in the future. (And if you’re actively trying and feel you’re out of time, we’ll have more tips for you in the coming weeks!)

So here are 4 signs your fertility is compromised:

1. PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome) - Experiencing monthly mood-swings, cramps, headaches, and more before your period are signs of PMS. This indicates that there is something off with the critical balance between estrogen and progesterone in your system, and most often progesterone is too low. Since this is the hormone that allows you to hold on to the embryo once you conceive, it can make conceiving difficult and potentially increase your risk of miscarriage.
2. Lack of cervical fluid around ovulation - If you haven’t been noticing any changes with cervical fluid or vaginal discharge throughout the month, it’s time to start paying attention! One of the biggest indicators of healthy ovulation is having a very wet, uncooked egg-white-like mucus (called cervical fluid) for 3-4 days mid-cycle. This paves the way for sperm to make it to your eggs, and so if it’s not happening it could interfere with the process.
3. Irregular cycles - Whether or not you have a diagnosed condition like PCOS, if you’re noticing your cycles are not regular each month it will become a huge problem when you’re trying to get pregnant. When you address the irregularities now, you will have an easier time making sure you are timing sex correctly for conception and you’re body will be more fertile and ready later on when you want to conceive.
4. Adrenal issues - Experiencing insomnia, anxiety, stress, low energy, and sugar addiction are all signs that your adrenal glands are suffering. This unfortunately not only makes you feel lousy, but it indicates a high cortisol and low DHEA ratio that compromises ovulation regularity and diminishes egg quality, both essential factors in your fertility.

Take a moment to evaluate your own symptoms -

Can you identify with any of the 4 we listed? Are some more extreme than the others?

Think of your fertility factor as a 1 to 10 scale, 1 being fertility compromised and 10 being fertility optimized. Based on your evaluation of the 4 signs listed above, where do you fall on the scale?

Please share in the comment box below. I want to know exactly what you’re dealing with so that we can continue to help you in upcoming blog posts and classes.

It’s time to bump your fertility factor up to a 10 so that you can be as ready as possible when the timing is right!Your body can do what it’s meant to do naturally IF you feed it the right foods in the right sequence. Let us show you how.

Are You Trying to Conceive?

If you want to do everything in your power to improve your chances of becoming a mom—then we want to help you optimize your fertility.Whether you are just starting to think about having a baby, or have already tried naturally or have been trying with IVF, our Fertile FLO Program will help improve your chances of conception.Click here to download my FREE guide, The 5 Health Foods to Avoid to Get and Stay Pregnant.

I wanted to give my deepest thanks to you for being part of the WomanCode paperback release last week! Last night’s webinar was so inspiring and reminds me of why I’m so grateful to be doing the work I’m doing.Since the whole book celebration has left me speechless, I thought it would be wonderful for you to hear from a handful of other women today - women who have unlocked their WomanCode and want to share their stories with you.Click through to hear real life stories from women who:

• got her period back after 5 years
• healed adrenal fatigue
• lost 40 lbs
• increased energy
• normalized blood pressure
• healed long-standing digestive issues
• cleared up ovarian cysts completely
• increased her quality of life
• created a new relationship with her body

In the words of our friend Lindsay, “It’s so simple and so profound at the same time…”Click below to watch!

I hope it inspires you to know what your body is capable of when given the right support.If you haven’t yet joined the WomanCode System, consider starting today, and prepare to unlock your WomanCode!In support of your brilliance,Alisap.s. Next week I’ll be announcing our June webinar on the topic of PCOS, so stay tuned!

There’s a safety saying in the NYC subway system that says: “If you see something, say something.”

Today I want to apply that very same saying to your hormonal health, in particular, your PMS symptoms!Did you know that relatively harmless symptoms today could lead more serious issues down the road?As it was researched in a study published by the NIH, having PMS symptoms in reproductive years can increase the development to the big four major diseases of inflammation (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, alzheimer’s) down the road.Once again, we shouldn’t just accept the fact that PMS is a normal part of being a woman - We need to acknowledge that when you have symptoms, you must take immediate action through dietary changes.Banishing PMS means more than just covering up your current symptoms. If you were part of the master class on PMS last week then you’ll know why. If you missed it, you can still purchase the class below, and in the meantime here are three of the typical “spot-treating” remedies you might be using and what you can do instead.

3 PMS Remedies to Avoid

1. The birth control pill: While the pill is often a go-to fixer-upper for your PMS and cycle issues, it can be problematic when used over long periods of time just to mask your symptoms. Why is that? Well, the pill is putting temporary artificial hormones in your system that quiet down your body’s natural hormonal flow. You might be avoiding PMS, but you’re likely going to experience other side effects of the pill such as depression, lack of libido, and weight gain. Plus, when you get off the pill, your PMS symptoms are likely to return with a vengeance.

2. Caffeine: Coffee, diet soda, and energy drinks might give you a temporary pick-me-up, but in the long run they are only doing more harm. Caffeine jolts your adrenal glands into a stress response which, over time, will further contribute to adrenal fatigue and thyroid conditions. Modern day life is already stressful, so why make it worse?

3. Midol or other pain relievers: Yes, popping a Midol might be helping to ease the pain and discomfort, but it’s not doing anything to solve the issue from the root of the problem. Over-the-counter pain medications make your liver work harder, as they are another substance that must be broken down and eliminated from your system via your liver and digestive tract. During your luteal (pre-menstrual) phase, your liver is already overworked with eliminating excess hormones your body is producing (as well as sugar, if you’re having those carb cravings!). The liver congestion that this causes puts you more at risk for serious issues down the road.

So what’s the real solution?

You must get to the root of your hormonal imbalances and begin healing through one of the most simple and common drugs we have access to: food.

The food you eat has a powerful effect on your estrogen and progesterone levels, as well as on the function of your adrenals, thyroid, and liver - all major players in this hormonal conversation. There are 3 major food-related changes that will have a huge impact on your hormonal balance and PMS symptoms:

• Blood-sugar balance
• Adrenal health
• Liver detoxification

We cover all of this in more in the WomanCode System, but for those of you haven’t yet joined, let me help you.

You can’t afford to ignore PMS any longer.

Are you stuck in a nightmare of frustrating symptoms and mood swings every month and wondering what’s really going on with your hormones?I’ve designed a 4 day hormone detox and evaluation to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.Click here to get your FREE detox and evaluation!

Are you sick and tired of your monthly period problems?

Do you deal with moodswings, headaches, cramps, bloating, weight gain and more?

Has this just become something you deal with, popping a few Midols and pushing through?

If your answer is yes, I’m not surprised but I am concerned.

You see, PMS has become a catchphrase for this unfortunate monthly occurrence that women just expect to have, as if it’s a given part of being a woman.

I want to share a story with you that my husband recently shared with me to illustrate my point:

When it got to be Vic’s turn, he had nothing to say. His friends encouraged him to share, but his response was simply: “My wife doesn’t get PMS.”My husband Vic was at dinner last week with a group of his guy friends. The topic of conversation somehow led to how they deal with their wives’ or girlfriends’ “time of the month.” Each guy went around the table sharing their story about his experience of her PMS.  Each of them felt confused and in the dark: “We get into unnecessary arguments. It’s like she’s a different person at that time of the month!  I feel like no matter what I do, I can’t make her happy.”

Jaws dropped. They couldn’t believe that was possible.

Of course, Vic encouraged his friends to get WomanCode read it and share it with their partners so they could “have what we’re having” so to speak.

That’s my man! ;)

Now, all silliness aside, there is something wrong with this picture! The fact that PMS has become the norm is not something to take lightly.

There is no reason why you should be suffering from monthly bloating, cramping, or moodswings.

There is no reason why you should feel like a different person half the month and have that affect the quality of your relationships.

The fact is that you are a busy woman and you just don’t have time to be held down, slowed down, or inconvenienced each month. Am I right?

‍If you’re ready to banish your PMS symptoms and resolve your period problems so that you can feel your best all month long, click here to learn how in my special audio class, Banish PMS Forever!

‍Part of the problem of the PMS epidemic is that most women just keep quiet and deal with it, aside from a bit of complaining and commiseration with their girlfriends or sisters.

But I know that you’re here because you’re different - You don’t just want to accept the suffering, you want to take a proactive approach to feeling better. You want to be at a dinner party celebrating with your girlfriends rather than complaining or worse yet, staying home because of your symptoms!

And if you’re here, you probably already know a lot about your body and about what you “should” be doing. So rather than start with all the hormone-balancing tips and diet factors that you can focus on, let’s get to the real motivating factor that will help you make the change. Shall we?

This means we’re going to get clear on what this problem is actually doing to your life, outside of just the annoying physical symptoms.

So get started by answering this question in the comment box below:

How is your PMS or other period problems interfering with your life?

Aside from your physical health, what other areas of your life are affected?

I will be reading every response, so go ahead and take a minute to talk to me.

By sharing your story, you’re not only beginning the process of improving your period health and overall happiness, you’re breaking the cultural norm that tells us we should just suck it up and deal with the suffering.

I don’t know about you, but I never liked to follow the norm anyway!

Speak up and let’s take back our time of the month!

Standing with you and your ovaries,

Alisa

If you’re a new mom and dealing with unstable moods or a lacking libido, you’re not alone.Unfortunately, the more I hear from hot mamas around the world, the more I hear the same complaints and concerns. Women tell me:

• “I have no energy, no sex drive, and I can’t lose weight!”
• “I’m trying to fake it, but inside I feel MISERABLE! Not in the mood for much of anything…”
• “My baby is 8 months old and I still have no sex drive. Is it the breastfeeding? What can I do?”

Ladies, I hear you! As a mom of a 2 year-old toddler, I have now experienced the postpartum shift for myself and felt, firsthand, how your hormones evolve and change with this huge transformation. After years of helping other women overcome the sex drive downturn, mood swings, and more that can come after motherhood begins, I got the chance to put my teaching into practice for myself and I can say, it truly works!

If you’re ready to change this reality, keep reading because I have great news: the way to get your sex drive back is through sugar – but not in the way you might think! Right now I know you might be turning to sugar (the white stuff) to boost your energy, stay awake, feel up and peppy, and even just for comfort. But I’m no fan of the white stuff and how it wreaks havoc on your hormones and health.

What I actually mean by “sugar” here is that you can improve your sex drive by 50-75% within 2 months by making sure your blood sugar is stable throughout the day and taking the following recommendations. More is outlined in my book WomanCode on stabilizing blood sugar every day and long-term, but I hope this post gives you the head-start you need.

Motherhood & Food

Before I talk about supercharging your sex drive and balancing your moods, let’s talk about why this is all happening in the first place, why exactly you have these concerns and complaints about how you feel as a new mom.

When you’re pregnant, your body is mostly concerned with supplying essential nutrients to your growing baby. If your diet is not adequate during that time, it’s likely that it won’t keep you fully stocked on all the essential nutrients that you need beyond what your baby needs.

As you breastfeed once baby is born, nutrients continue leaving your body if your diet is not restocking them quickly enough. They’re all going to baby, which isn’t leaving enough for you to feel good.

Therefore I would strongly advise you to work on your diet first and foremost. Not only will it keep your cycle regular, but it will protect your bones, your mood, your sex drive, and keep perimenopause progressing slowly. Basically, focusing on eating the right foods and enough of them is going to fix your symptoms short term and benefit your long term health goals.

Synthetic hormones, like the birth control pill or Depo shot, or any of those other hormonal contraceptives women are often offered postpartum to prevent pregnancy and mask symptoms of hormonal imbalance, will not reset you or heal the underlying cause of your issues here, but science shows that food will!

First and foremost, you’ve got to get your blood sugar stabilized throughout the day. Grazing on snacks here and there just will not do. Prioritizing meals for yourself with the right balance of protein and carbohydrates is essential. That means 3 meals per day plus snacks.

This is what I was eating postpartum. It may sound like a lot, but it revved my metabolism, allowing me to lose all my baby weight (60 lbs. of it) within 6 months. Within just 3 months, I’d already lost 40 lbs. So you don’t need to deprive yourself after baby is born, and in fact, if you do - you’ll only suffer with the physical and mental side effects of your body’s deprivation of nutrients.

‍

Breakfast – Steel cut oats with black sesame seeds, coconut oil, flax, cinnamon, goji berries

Snack – 2 eggs scrambled in coconut oil with turmeric

Lunch – Salmon and quinoa with lentils and fermented sauerkraut

Snack – Avocado on black rice bread

Dinner – Bison/lamb/beef burger with green beans and sweet potato baked ‘fries’

Snack – 2 Dates or dried figs with 3 Squares Dark Chocolate with Mother’s Milk Tea

Snack – Macaroon or gluten-free lactation cookie

Snack – Bone Broth with black rice bread and chicken liver pate

‍

In addition to changing how and what you eat, I would encourage you to do the following:

• After you eat anything, walk around the block once or up and down a flight of stairs for 5 minutes after a meal. This will turn OFF the fat storage program in your body and cause you to start using calories for fuel. Lowering body fat will absolutely help reduce estrogen dominance issues that are contributing to your low libido. We all know babies like a bounce in the stroller so it’s a good excuse to get out of the house too!

You likely won’t get your period for some time after you give birth - especially if you’re breastfeeding. However, if you’re worried about where your period has gone, eating these Flo-centric foods, will bring it back when it’s the right time.

Motherhood & Moods

Here’s another reason why nutrient-dense food is essential postpartum: You need to give your brain the building blocks for mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters.

• Protein, complex carbohydrates and good fats are essential during this time.
• Calcium and magnesium, B vitamins, and Omega 3’s are safe supplements to take while breastfeeding.

Although clinical postpartum depression can be a real problem for some women that requires treatment by a doctor, there are mood changes across a spectrum that impact yet more women - including mild and subclinical postpartum depression and anxiety.

Focusing on food and getting the necessary micronutrients in your body will help prevent many of the most common mood changes that occur postpartum for the majority of women. Of course, other factors can be compounding - poor sleep, lack of childcare support, work demands etc - but you will be better prepared to face these challenges if you have a strong food foundation.

I highly recommend the book “The First Forty Days”  as an excellent resource on postpartum nourishment to enhance your health, physical and mental, as well as that of your baby. I like to call this approach an “active recovery” – instead of assuming and hoping your body will spring back or assuming and hoping that once you’re physically healed that the work is done, know that you have to be active in your post-birth recovery every single day. Don’t see it as an additional responsibility, see it as something you’re doing to take care of yourself and, as such, excel at taking care of your child.

Motherhood & Sex Drive

Sex drive is complex in women, but it can be broken down into elements that you can improve and boost to get the libido you want! First is the hormonal component: the estrogen/progesterone/testosterone blend. Then there’s the adrenal component. Both of these elements can be improved with food and some strategic supplements.To get you started, take these recommendations:

• Begin taking daily a B-complex vitamin and vitamin C – both help heal the adrenals.
• Try to eat poached eggs a few times a week – the yolk helps boost progesterone levels naturally and this can offset higher levels of estrogen that might make you feel less in the mood.

The other issue of course is the reality of motherhood, the strain on your time, the free space in your mind, and your own relationship with your changed body.

• I would definitely recommend one session per week of self pleasuring (no vibrators!) – give yourself 20 minutes to feel pleasurable touch as it boosts oxytocin and nitric oxide levels both which can help you recover your libido. Try my 5Cs of self-pleasure to get yourself there.

Remember to feed yourself super nutrient dense foods and spend a little time with yourself and you WILL get your sex drive turned back on in no time.

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‍Here’s a little mama blessing for you and for your new baby: ‍

All is Well. Everything is conspiring for your highest good. Only good things are coming to you now. You are safe. You are loved.

‍

‍

Always remember, that once you have the right information about how your body really works, you can start making health choices that finally start to work for you! You can do this – the science of your body is on your side!

To your FLO,

Alisa

Do you wish your “monthly curse” would just go away for good?

Does it cause you pain and interfere with your life?

Are you ready for a solution how to stop your period?

Well I’m glad you’re here. The answer I share might not be the answer you expect, so brace yourself ;)

How I stopped my period

Years ago, when I was in thick of my hormonal health condition PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), my period stopped on it’s own.There’s something about not having a period that makes you feel less like a woman and a little bit alienated from your female friends. Girls in school would complain about their monthly visitors and I would either pretend to have mine or make no comment.

Yes, it was freeing in some ways – not having to worry about having it at the beach or not having to deal with buying pads and tampons – but I would trade all of that just to feel like I was part of the clan.

Fast forward to now, thanks to FLO Living, I’m menstruating regularly and have discovered that having a period gives me much more than I had even hoped for. Not only do I feel like a woman, but I’m more connected to my intuition and my creativity than ever before. I’m dancing and writing again after years of feeling blocked.

Being in line with my own cyclical rhythm and knowing I’m deeply connected to the greater cycles in the world around me makes me much happier and freer.

That’s what I want for you.

If you’re reading this, chances are you either hate your period because of how painful and annoying it is, or you’re similar to how I was and aren’t getting it regularly.

If you want to stop your period, here’s what you need to know:

There actually are medical ways to stop your period. You can take birth control continuously so that you skip the bleeding week, or get the Depo Provera shot, which simulates menopause in your body. Neither option comes without risks.

When you take external hormones like the ones listed above, you may feel temporary relief but may be contributing to longer term issues. Weight gain, depression, and migraines are a few of the regularly occurring side-effects of these drugs.

Interrupting your natural hormonal cycle is confusing to your delicate endocrine system and when the time comes that you must come off of the medication, your body will be left even more confused than it was. (Not to mention, you might be 20 lbs heavier and dealing with a load of new symptoms.)

Rather than jumping into hormonal medications, I’d like to suggest taking a more natural approach that will balance your hormonal patterns and eliminate the annoying period symptoms you’re experiencing.

Start with food.

What you eat changes your biochemistry.

I didn’t realize this until I physically experienced it. When I first came to FLO Living, I thought I was pretty healthy but then started making changes with Alisa’s recommendations and experienced dramatic shifts in my moods and physical symptoms.

I’ve worked with enough clients to know this has universal effectiveness. I’ve watched women eliminate cramps and pain, get pregnant naturally, and learn to actually love their periods. No joke.

The same is possible for you.

Address your mindset.

In addition to food, it’s important to look at your relationship to your womanhood. Yes, this might sound a little “woo-woo” but I can assure you it’s relevant.

If you inherited beliefs from your mother or other ladies that said anything like this:

“It sucks being a woman.”

“Women always get the short end of the stick.”

“It’s not safe to be a woman.”

…then chances are you’ve adopted some unconscious beliefs that make you not want to be a woman, and therefore want to stop your period.

Sometimes the negative woman beliefs are subtle, so if you’re unsure if you have any, I suggest doing some writing on this topic and see what comes up for you.

If you’re constantly pushing to get ahead and exhausting your body in the process, your body will rebel in the form of menstrual cramps. Or painful periods. Or moodswings. Or other annoying symptoms.

It’s totally possible to get out of this mindset, and when you do you’ll see drastic changes with your periods. Start by having conversations about this with your friends, and surround yourself with women who are supportive, like the ones on our online community here.

What you can do now:

At FLO, we are here for you. If you want to stop hating your period and learn to use it as a tool for your happiness and success, join us.

[gravityform id="3" name="Get on the road to hormonal health!"]

Do you feel like you’re in the mood for a few days, then not so much the rest of the month?

Or maybe you rarely get the impulse and just figure, “Oh well! I guess I’ll live without sex”?If this is happening, and you’re also under the age of 45, then you are not experiencing the sex drive nature intended!And to my 45+ ladies – have no fear, it can get better for you, too!This topic is so important to me because I know it affects so much more than the time you spend in bed. Your sex drive affects your vitality, fertility, creative power, and experience of a pleasure-full life. A healthy sex life has amazing hormone-balancing power and health benefits as well. Did you know that orgasms have a whole lot of benefits - from boosting your fertility, to regulating your cycle, to increasing the strength of your immunity?Why would you miss out on all that?Let’s look at why you might be having a less-than-ideal libido? A few underlying causes could be plaguing you:

1. High estrogen. Of course it's natural and biochemically appropriate to have ups and downs with estrogen throughout your cycle. But if your liver and digestive system are not operating ideally, you won’t be clearing out the excess estrogen efficiently which will result in much higher levels of circulating estrogen than is needed. This is a no-no for your libido. This is also called estrogen dominance or estrogen overload.
2. Fried adrenals. Oh the poor little adrenal glands that seem to take the brunt of our stress-heavy modern lifestyle! You’ve probably heard it from us before, but these powerhouse glands are responsible for the output of your stress hormones and most of your testosterone, which is where that desire for sex comes from. Increased output of stress hormones means decreased output of juicy sex hormones. You do the math.
3. Medications and Birth Control Pill. If you’re on the pill, anti-depressants, or other medication, this is something important to consider when it comes to your sex drive and your hormonal balance, as very often a side-effect is the decrease in sexual desire. We encourage you to talk to your doctor and other practitioners to find the right kind of support and possibly wean off what is not necessary. The birth control pill can lower your libido and impact your relationship in many negative ways. The affect of the pill on your sex drive can continue once you come off unless you support your body to make its own hormones again. Anti-depressants are over-prescribed and not always the best treatment for women’s feelings of depression.

What’s the recipe for a “normal” sex drive?

If you’ve identified why this may be happening, now it’s time take action on the ways you can significantly improve your sex drive and energy.The best way to boost your low sex drive is with a combination of food and supplements. Food as the foundation and supplements as a super-charger. Once you’re libido is back to the level it can be for all women, then you can start to see how your desire for sex changes throughout your cycle and actually Cycle-Sync your sex life for improved intimacy and more orgasms.When it comes to food, you need to focus on increasing testosterone-boosting ingredients in your every meal. Tailoring which of these well-research aphrodisiacs you eat to your cycle phase is going to increase the benefits and speed up the libido boost. There are also simple lifestyle hacks you use to change how and what you eat and drink so you’re avoiding estrogen overload and nourishing those important adrenals.Supplements are there to super-charge your efforts - I recommend maca root powder, plus Rhodiola, Magnesium, EFAs, and Zinc. These target your body’s core needs and will bring you back into hormonal balance.After 3 months of committing to these foods and supplements, I am sure you will feel sexier. Take a look at how you approach and think about sex and your relationship as a whole. Sometimes a low libido can be a sign that something is awry in your relationship. I’ve been Cycle-Syncing my marriage for years and highly recommend it as a way to increase intimacy, passion, communication, and reach those #relationshipgoals.With the MyFLO app I’ve made it super easy for you to do this for yourself. You get tips and advice on the best time in your cycle to talk something out, have a date night, go on an adventure, try something new in the bedroom, or spend some time apart. Plus you can request that your partner is sent automatic updates via email about where you are at in your cycle that are full of tips and advice on how to treat you right and support you - I call it the Partner Sync option.Always remember, that once you have the right information about how your body really works, you can start making health choices that finally start to work for you! You can do this – the science of your body is on your side!To your FLO,Alisa

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You don’t need to keep suffering with annoying symptoms that drain your energy for 1-2 weeks every single month. In fact, you can start having a better period as soon as your next period.MyFLO is the first-ever functional medicine period tracker that ALSO helps you fix your symptoms. MyFLO will help you understand why you have symptoms and what to do to improve them with food. It will also teach you how to Cycle Sync™ the 5 main areas of your life: food, exercise, work, relationships, and sex.Have a Better Period with MyFLOWhen you follow MyFLO’s weekly recommendations, you’ll get rid of frustrating symptoms and learn how to optimize your energy to be more productive and have better relationships.Click here to get MyFLO for iPhoneClick here to get MyFLO for Android

It’s one thing to eat well and stay healthy if you’re home all the time and able to cook and make your own food choices, but it becomes more challenging when your schedule is full of parties and family dinners…which are bound to come up during the holiday season!

Too many rich foods or alcoholic beverages might not seem like a big deal as they’re happening, but over time they will have serious effects on your weight, moods, and hormonal balance.As women, our monthly cycles are extremely sensitive and require the proper nutrition and self-care to stay balanced.I wanted to give you a quick checklist of the things I do before, during and after holiday parties to ensure that I don’t get stuck with what I call the Holiday Hangover. If you’ve ever woken up one winter morning feeling 5-10 lbs overweight and overly tired and foggy-headed, you’ll know what I’m talking about.There are bound to be lots of sweets and festive cocktails floating around at these events, but they don’t have to be your undoing. You can have a fantastic time over the holidays while still taking care of yourself and staying in your FLO, if you follow these guidelines.

The preventative measures:

1. Eat dinner – Eat dinner before the booze or sweets! Foods rich in protein and healthy fats like salmon, chicken, and avocados are best before or along with alcoholic beverages. Eating a meal might also prevent you from reaching directly for the sweet stuff, which is not great to do on an empty stomach!2. Stay hydrated - Drink lots of water before and during the event. Being dehydrated will cause your body to crave salty things which will lead to a craving for more sugar or alcohol. Also, the more you can drink water in between any alcohol that might consumed, the more equipped your body will be to detox afterwards.

During the party:

3. Mingle & Explore – If you’re walking around the event and seeking out the company of new and interesting people, or if you’re exploring the architecture of the space, the artwork, or the hanging mistletoe, you’ll be less likely to overindulge in the comforts of too much alcohol or sweets. Challenge yourself to get out of your shell and try something new!

The post-party support:

4. B-Vitamins – These badboys are essential for replenishment on the day after a party. Pick up a B-complex supplement for the proper balance of all B-vitamins, drink lots of water along with them, and stay nourished!5. Coconut Water – This “natural Gatorade” is loaded with potassium, electrolytes, vitamins, & minerals – drink lots of it to rehydrate and replenish after a night of mulled wine or spiked egg-nog.