My fertility awareness journey began like that of many women: a decision to stop taking the birth control pill. But what followed was a complex and emotional chapter of confusion, dismay, and eventual empowerment that transformed my understanding of my body and reproductive health.
The Beginning: Off the pill and into the unknown
I went on hormonal birth control during college at the request of a boyfriend. Two years later, when I decided to stop taking the pill, I expected my cycle to resume naturally. Months passed, but my period never returned. Concerned, I visited my doctor, who assured me that all my lab results were normal. The doctor then recommended I go back on the pill to “regulate my cycle.” Confused and frustrated, I considered following this advice—but going back on the pill didn’t sit right with me. When a nurse practitioner later clarified that the pill wouldn’t actually give me a true period, I felt a bittersweet relief. On the one hand, I finally had clarity. On the other, I was left wondering what the real solution for my amenorrhea could be.
Seeking answers and finding new perspectives
Sharing my feelings with a close friend, I broke down in tears. I felt betrayed by my body and bewildered by the medical system. My friend’s suggestion—to look into the Creighton Mode FertilityCare System—was met with skepticism. I wasn’t sure how tracking my cycles would help, but desperation pushed me to explore this unfamiliar option. I attended an informational session on the Creighton Model and was unexpectedly overwhelmed with emotion. As basic reproductive facts were presented, I realized just how little I knew about my own body. This moment marked the start of a transformative journey.
Charting a new path
I began charting my cycles using the Creighton Model and worked closely with a trained medical professional. For the first time, I felt equipped with knowledge and tools to understand my body’s menstrual cycle and biological markers. Around this time, I started dating the man who would become my husband. During our engagement, he joined me in follow-up sessions, preparing to use the Creighton method for Natural Family Planning (NFP) after the wedding.
Challenges with infertility
After getting married, my husband and I encountered difficulties conceiving. Two years into our marriage, I underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove endometriosis lesions. But endometriosis tissue wasn’t the only thing preventing me from conceiving. My missing periods suggested that I wasn’t ovulating, and without ovulation there can be no conception.
After the endometriosis removal procedure I also received an answer to why I wasn’t menstruating. I was diagnosed with hypothalamic amenorrhea, a condition linked to my history of restrictive eating and over-exercising during adolescence. Years of stress on my hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis had suppressed ovulation, preventing my body from functioning as it should.
Through lifestyle changes, eating more and moving more appropriately, and medical support, my body began to heal. Eight months after my surgery, my husband and I joyfully conceived our first child. Following the birth of our son and two years of breastfeeding, we decided to try for another baby.
Growing our family with NaPro infertility treatment
This time, I continued to receive guidance from doctors trained in NaProTECHNOLOGY, the reproductive science arm of the Creighton Method. Their holistic approach to reproductive health helped me address underlying issues. To our amazement, we conceived twins. Today, those twins are energetic three-year-olds, and we hope to expand our family further. While we deeply desire more children, we approach our family planning with faith and trust in God. My focus is on achieving optimal health and balanced hormone levels first, regardless of whether or not we conceive, knowing that the ultimate outcome is beyond our control.
Becoming an advocate for women’s health
My journey inspired me to give back. I initially assumed the particular doctors I saw had overlooked key information about my condition, but later discovered the gaps were systemic. Medical school curricula often lack comprehensive education on women’s health and fertility awareness, leaving many physicians with limited options to offer patients. Determined to change this narrative, I became a certified instructor in the Creighton Model and worked with couples and adolescents to share my knowledge.
I additionally pursued a master’s degree in community health promotion, which enabled me to design educational programs for various audiences. From hosting classes for adolescent girls and their mothers, to teaching college-level electives on the female cycle as the fifth vital sign, I have made it my mission to empower women and couples.
Fertility awareness changed my life
For me, fertility awareness has been life-changing. Beyond helping me conceive and grow my family, it has deepened my understanding of health and strengthened my relationship with my husband. Together, we have navigated the highs and lows of our fertility journey with a sense of shared purpose. I currently co-host a weekly podcast, The NFP Podcast, with a fellow NFP educator. Through this platform, we continue to educate and inspire others, sharing the lessons we’ve learned and encouraging women to reclaim knowledge about their bodies.
Looking ahead
Today, I live in Lynchburg, Virginia, with my husband and our three active boys. While parenting keeps me busy, I remain committed to my advocacy work. I hope to expand my family and, in the meantime, continue to pray and seek restorative reproductive treatments. My story is a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and community.
By God’s grace, equipping myself with knowledge, and working with compassionate professionals, I overcame immense challenges and found clarity in a sea of confusion. Through my work, I want to ensure that other women won’t have to face the same struggles alone. I’m proof that understanding your body isn’t just empowering—it’s transformative. And for that, I am eternally grateful!
