If you’re a woman experiencing reproductive health struggles and feel like your voice isn’t being heard, you’re in the right place. I’m Emily, and I am a registered nurse and certified FEMM educator. As a teen girl, I struggled with painful periods and hormonal acne. When I brought these concerns to my doctor, without much discussion, I was prescribed hormonal birth control. I was told that it would “take my acne away” and that I would “no longer have painful periods”. Hearing those statements from a doctor that I trusted was enough for me to say, “I’m in!” I was told that I would be at an increased risk for anxiety and depression, but I was so desperate to have clearer skin that I didn’t care. I was ready to “have my problems solved, right then and there”. I received no counseling on what hormonal birth control was doing to my body as a developing woman. I wasn’t told that, by taking the pill, a system of my body that is essential to my overall health and development would be entirely suppressed. I wasn’t told that the pill is considered a class I carcinogen and therefore places me at an increased risk for cancer. I wasn’t told that it would interfere with cervical maturation and place me at an increased risk for infection. I wasn’t told that it could affect my metabolic health and bone health. These are just a few negative factors. I could go on. What I wish I was told is that, by taking the pill, I would be suppressing a normal, necessary, functioning system of my body…and that comes with risks. 

You might be a woman reading this thinking, “well, what on earth am I supposed to do? This seems to be my only option?” Unfortunately, in today’s modern medical world, the mainstream methods of treating gynecologic issues or preventing pregnancy is to suppress or destroy the female reproductive system. Even though the pill and other forms of synthetic birth control seem to be the only “effective” option for family planning and negative gynecologic symptom reduction, there is another way. With FEMM, women can identify underlying hormonal abnormalities, go to the root cause of the issue, and seek holistic treatment and healing options from FEMM certified medical providers. As a FEMM educator, I help women become acquainted with their body and its signs of health. I help pinpoint hormonal irregularities and assist women in finding a FEMM provider that is right for them. I help couples learn how to avoid or achieve pregnancy without the use of synthetic hormones and/or devices and help them recognize the gift of human life. By utilizing fertility awareness methods, women have a newfound voice in their health decisions and become empowered through knowledge. Fertility awareness-based methods do require patience, learning, and understanding; they do not necessarily offer a “quick fix”. The question I now pose to you is this: is a little more time and effort worth it to improve your health for the rest of your life—not just for your reproductive years, but for the years thereafter, too? I’ve always been passionate about education when it comes to health. When I was working as a bedside nurse in the hospital setting, my favorite part of the job was teaching patients, students, and new nurses. Now, I get to teach what I’m most passionate about every day. I would love for you to embark on this journey with me. I would love to help you discover a newfound sense of empowerment! You can book an appointment on my website, youarebeautifulmission.org, or schedule a free discovery call to hear more about the services I offer. I’m excited to work together!