You’ve probably heard it before: “You can get pregnant any time in your cycle.”
It’s one of the most common myths in women’s health and it’s completely false.
Here’s the truth:
You’re only fertile for about 5–6 days per cycle. That’s it.
Understanding which days those are can make all the difference—whether you’re trying to conceive or trying to avoid pregnancy naturally.
Your fertile window isn’t random—it’s based on your body’s hormonal rhythm and subtle signs that often get overlooked.
What determines your fertile window
Your body gives you clues throughout your cycle, including:
🌀 Cervical mucus: This changes in texture and appearance as estrogen rises. Around ovulation, it becomes clear and stretchy—your body’s natural signal that you’re fertile.
🌀 LH surges: The luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation, and testing for this surge helps pinpoint your most fertile days.
🌀 Temperature shifts: After ovulation, your basal body temperature slightly increases. Tracking these changes confirms that ovulation actually happened.
🌀 Hormonal patterns: Beyond apps and averages, understanding your body’s hormone signals gives you the most accurate insight into your fertility window.
Why this matters
Many women rely on period-tracking apps that use generic algorithms, but these often miss the nuances of your personal cycle. If your hormones, thyroid, or gut health are out of balance, your cycle might not follow “textbook” patterns—and that’s when confusion and frustration set in.
Learning how to recognize your own fertile signs puts you back in tune with your body. You’ll start to notice how energy, mood, and even cravings shift throughout the month—all valuable information that can help you support your hormones naturally.
Supporting your body through your cycle
When you understand your fertile window, you can begin making small adjustments that support your body’s rhythm.
- Eat balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep blood sugar steady.
- Prioritize rest and gentle movement around ovulation and your luteal phase.
- Manage stress through breathwork, journaling, or simply spending a few minutes outdoors.
Your cycle isn’t something to control - it’s something to understand.
When you know how to read the signs your body is giving you, you can make more informed choices about your health, fertility, and overall well-being.
These days, life looks a little different. 😅 When a child enters your world, everything shifts—beautifully, wildly, and in ways that can sometimes leave your own health feeling like it’s on the back burner. Late nights, unpredictable schedules, and the constant juggle of responsibilities can make it seem almost impossible to focus on your body’s needs. But here’s the truth: your hormone and gut health still matter in every season of life, and they don’t have to look perfect to make a difference.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that balance doesn’t stay the same forever. What supported my body before baby is not the same as what supports me now. And that’s okay. Our bodies are designed to adapt, and the way we care for them should adapt too. Hormone balance isn’t about following rigid rules—it’s about tuning in to what your body needs today, in this moment. Sometimes that looks like a carefully planned routine, but other times it’s about finding small, practical shifts that make life feel a little lighter.
Perfection isn’t the goal here. In fact, chasing perfection often leads to more stress—which is one of the fastest ways to throw hormones and digestion off track. Instead, focus on practicality. Maybe that means keeping quick, nourishing snacks on hand so your blood sugar stays steady. Maybe it’s stepping outside for ten minutes of fresh air when the day feels overwhelming. Maybe it’s choosing rest over another task on your to-do list, knowing that your body repairs and recharges while you sleep.
Gut health and hormone health are deeply connected to how we show up in daily life. When digestion feels supported and stress feels manageable, energy is steadier, moods are more balanced, and the body can function as it was meant to. The good news? It doesn’t take an elaborate plan to get there. Even small, consistent habits can create a ripple effect. Drinking enough water, moving your body in ways that feel good, eating more whole foods, or simply practicing deep breathing can all support the foundation your hormones and gut need.
Life after kids may look nothing like the life you had before, but that doesn’t mean your well-being has to disappear from the picture. It just means finding a new rhythm. Your health matters in every season—not because it looks perfect, but because it’s what helps you feel present, energized, and capable of enjoying the life you’re building.
For years, my PMS felt like absolute chaos. The week before my period, I’d be hit with anxiety spikes, restless nights, and even spotting that made me wonder if something was “off.” Every month, I brushed it off as normal—even though it never felt normal. And no one ever connected the dots.
That changed when I learned about progesterone. Suddenly, it was like the puzzle finally made sense.
✨ Progesterone is your calming hormone.
It’s the hormone that helps you wind down, sleep deeply, and feel steady instead of anxious. It also balances out estrogen so your body doesn’t swing too far in either direction.
When progesterone levels run low, you can feel it. PMS becomes more than just a little irritability—it can feel unbearable. You might notice:
✔️ Anxiety and mood swings
✔️ Insomnia or restless sleep
✔️ Spotting before your period
✔️ Fertility struggles
The frustrating part? These symptoms are often dismissed as “just PMS.” But low progesterone is not something you simply have to live with.
What You Can Do About It
The good news is, your body is always giving you clues—and you don’t have to keep guessing or Googling symptoms. There are real steps you can take to bring balance back.
- Understand Your Hormone Markers
- Lab work or at-home testing can give you insight into your progesterone levels (along with other key hormones). Instead of wondering why your cycle feels so off, you’ll have data to work with.
- Support Your Body Naturally
- Nutrition, lifestyle changes, stress management, and targeted supplements can all play a role in encouraging healthy progesterone production. Simple shifts—like eating enough protein, managing blood sugar, and prioritizing sleep—can make a big difference.
- Get Guidance
- Every woman’s body is different, which means what works for one person may not work for another. Having someone walk alongside you to interpret your results and build a plan that fits your life is what takes the overwhelm away.
A Different Way Forward
If your PMS feels unbearable and you’re tired of trying to piece it all together on your own, you don’t have to. Inside my coaching, I help women uncover what their hormone markers (like progesterone) actually mean—and, most importantly, what to do if they’re out of balance.
Because when you understand what your body is telling you, you can finally move from chaos to clarity—and feel like yourself again.
Your hormones don’t just live in your ovaries. They’re in constant conversation with your nervous system, gut, and brain—working around the clock to keep your body balanced. That’s why stress and sleep are two of the biggest players when it comes to hormone health. When your nervous system is calm and your sleep is restorative, your hormones can finally do their job.
One of the simplest ways to support this connection? Essential oils. 🌿
Oils That Support the Nervous System (and Your Hormones)
- Rosemary → Mental Clarity + Brain Fog
- If you’ve ever felt foggy, distracted, or like your brain just won’t “turn on,” rosemary oil might be your new favorite tool. Inhaling rosemary has been shown in studies to improve memory and cognitive function. Think of it as a gentle nudge to your brain when you need clarity.
- Bergamot → Stress + Mood Balance
- Stress is one of the fastest ways to throw your hormones off track. Elevated cortisol (your stress hormone) can disrupt sleep, digestion, and even your cycle. Bergamot essential oil is known for its mood-balancing properties, and research has found it can lower cortisol markers—helping your body move out of “fight or flight” and into calm.
- German Chamomile + Lavender → Restful Sleep
- Sleep is the foundation of hormone balance. Without enough deep, restorative rest, your body doesn’t have the time it needs to regulate hormones, repair cells, and recharge. German chamomile and lavender are a calming duo that can help quiet the nervous system and promote more restful sleep. Diffuse them at night or roll them on your wrists before bed to signal your body it’s time to wind down.
Hormone health isn’t just about your reproductive system—it’s about how your entire body feels and functions. When stress is managed and sleep is prioritized, your hormones have the environment they need to thrive. Essential oils aren’t a magic fix, but they can be a supportive, natural tool in helping your body find that balance.
Sometimes the smallest shifts—like diffusing oils while you work, inhaling rosemary before a big task, or winding down with lavender at night—can create a ripple effect in your energy, mood, and overall hormone health.
Your hormones are always talking to your body. Oils give you a way to support that conversation, so your system feels calm, clear, and capable of doing its job.
You don’t have to be a charting queen to understand your cycle.
Although I personally love tracking (and I’m still learning new things about the cervical mucus aspect!), I didn’t start out with all the details. My journey began with what I like to call Cycle Syncing Basics.
Some women genuinely enjoy diving deep into every piece of cycle data—tracking temperatures, noting cervical mucus changes, and recording each shift. If that’s you, that’s amazing! Data can be a powerful tool for understanding your body. But if you’re someone who just wants clear, simple guidance without feeling like you’re preparing for a science fair, you’re in the right place.
The truth is, supporting your hormones and syncing your life with your cycle doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. You don’t need cycle perfectionism to feel more connected to your body. You just need to know what to look for and how to work with your body instead of against it.
What Is Cycle Syncing?
Cycle syncing is the practice of aligning your food, workouts, work schedule, and self-care routines with the phases of your menstrual cycle. By honoring your body’s hormonal shifts, you can reduce PMS symptoms, increase energy, and feel more balanced throughout the month.
The Simple Way to Start Cycle Syncing
You can start cycle syncing in a way that feels approachable and sustainable by focusing on:
✔️ No perfectionism required – you don’t need to track every detail to see results.
✔️ Learn what to look for – simple cues that tell you where you are in your cycle.
✔️ Feel confident + connected – even if you’re brand new to cycle syncing.
Whether you’re trying to conceive or simply want to support your hormones for long-term health, these basics can help you feel more in tune with your body.
Why This Works
When you start honoring your cycle—even in small ways—you’re reducing stress on your body, supporting balanced hormones, and making it easier to listen to your body’s needs. That can mean better sleep, improved mood, fewer cravings, and more consistent energy.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re curious about starting to sync your cycle, download my free Cycle Syncing Recipe Book to learn how to begin aligning your workouts, meals, and routines with your cycle in a simple, sustainable way.
