What comes to mind when you hear the title, The Hormone Diva?

Is it a sassy expert filled with knowledge about hormones? If so, you couldn’t be more right! Robyn Srigley is just that. As a PMS coach and holistic nutritionist she is full of facts and humor to make learning about hormones simple and fun!

Robyn SrigleyOver the past year, we have had the honor to work with Robyn on a shared mission – a mission to help educate ladies, leading them on a journey to improved menstrual health and better periods.

Like the diva that she is, you can find her sharing her expertise all throughout BPP – in our PeriodTalk Q &A Forum, our co-hosted webinar (Learn to Ditch Your PMS Cravings with 4 Simple Tricks) as well as the following articles:

– Why Is My Period Irregular? (and infographic)
– Know Your Flow
– Top 5 Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps
– My Period is a Pain in the Boob!

As a regular contributor at Be Prepared. Period., we thought it about time we give Robyn the introduction she deserves.

When asked to share a little about herself and the work she is doing, Robyn says…

I am fiercely committed to guiding women to achieve vibrant health, pain-free periods and balanced moods so they can finally regain control of their hormones, cycles and LIFE. With experience working with amazing clients with similar worries and concerns and guiding them to achieve remarkable success, my mission and commitment is to replace your anxieties with JOY, to open possibility in your life and to have a positive impact on the next generation. READ MORE… »

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What is Endometriosis?

It is a hormonal and immune disease affecting girls as young as eight and women of all ages.  The name comes from the word, endometrium, which is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus and builds up and sheds each month in the menstrual cycle.  In “endo” tissue like the endometrium is found outside the uterus in other areas of the body, most commonly in the abdomen. Endometriosis Awareness

 

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms include pain with periods; pain with intercourse, urination, or with a bowel movement; and infertility.

 

Period Pain is Not Normal!

That’s right!  It is not normal to be in pain during your period.  If pain during a menstrual period cannot be relieved by over-the-counter pain medication and a heating pad, then endometriosis should be suspected.  It is important to be diagnosed as soon as possible, as earlier diagnosis and treatment may reduce the progression and severity of the disease.

READ MORE… »

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By Robyn Srigley, BA, PTS, CNP, NNCP

my period is a pain in the boobBig or small, round or droopy– breasts are a part of our lives every day! Whether we wish they were bigger or smaller or perkier, they are here to stay and we should love them with all we’ve got! It’s pretty common knowledge that most women at some point feel PMS symptoms (up to 90%). One of the major symptoms is breast pain or tenderness.

This is something I’ve ALWAYS suffered with. Some cycles, it would be just a little discomfort or swelling, and sometimes I’ve had cycles where I can hardly move or breathe without pain. For me, it was part of my PCOS, a hormonal imbalance that plagues women with severe PMS, among other things. So how can we kick this pain in the boob to the curb?

 

CAUSES
There could be many causes of breast pain in relation to PMS. I’m going to talk briefly about the top 3 causes. Take a gander and see where YOU fit in! READ MORE… »

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By Robyn Srigley, BA, PTS, CNP, NNCP

natural remedies for menstrual cramps IV

Midol, Tylenol, Advil and Pamprin- which one are you using for menstrual cramp relief? We have all experienced cramps when Aunt Flo comes around. Our cramps can leave us feeling exhausted, nauseous, dizzy and sick. They can have us doubled over in pain and lying on the couch with a heating pad. And sometimes, not heating pad nor pill will help.

Those over-the-counter Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDS) can be a quick fix to grab from the medicine cabinet when the pain becomes too much. BUT- did you know that use of NSAIDs is linked to disease? Make an informed choice and find the best menstrual cramps remedy for you.

NSAIDS and Their Risks
Millions of people are using NSAIDs for pain management. Whether it be over-the-counter or prescription, everyone’s got some in their medicine cabinet. They seem harmless- pop a couple, get relief pretty quickly. But use of these little painkillers is on the rise- and poses some serious health risks. Read on and think twice before grabbing a bottle when you have menstrual cramps.

1. Miscarriage
A study has shown that the use of non-aspirin NSAIDs in early pregnancy more than doubles your risk of miscarriage. And this is with any type or dosage of the popular painkillers. And don’t think you’re out of the water once you’re in the third trimester of pregnancy- use of NSAIDs during this time increases the risk of heart problems for the baby, as well as prolonging labour in the Mum. READ MORE… »

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If you know us at Be Prepared. Period., you know we are always trying to make menstrual education more fun. To go along with the Know Your Flow article we shared last week, we also created this fun infographic as a quick reference.

Period talk and period education is something we continually promote. If you’d like to join us as we encourage ladies, of all ages, to learn more about their menstrual health, we invite you to share this graphic on your site – just copy the code below. READ MORE… »

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By Robyn Srigley, BA, PTS, CNP, NNCP

 

Periods are confusing. One day you are barely flowin’ and the next you’re changing your tampon every few hours. And don’t even get me started on the cramps and cravings! What gives? Well, depending on the colour and level of flow we superwomen are experiencing, there could be any number of things going on. Decode the mystery below.

How heavy is your flow

 

 

(check out the full infographic, here)

 

Light Flow
This could be one of two things. Either you’re near the beginning or the end of your regular period, or you’re not having a true period at all and are just spotting. So how do you tell the difference? READ MORE… »

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By Stacy LyonSomething Smells pHishy

Something Smells pHishy…

We hear it on TV commercials, we see it in ads and we read it on labels: “pH balanced”, but what exactly does that mean?

pH, or potential for hydrogen, is a measurement scale of acidity and alkalinity. Readings from 0–7 are considered acidic, pH from 7.0–14 is considered basic, or alkaline with 7.0 considered neutral.

Now what does that have to do with feminine health you ask? It’s important for every woman to not only understand the pH scale and how it affects their whole entire body but specially the fact that your vagina is considered an acidic environment. This low pH provides protection from invasions from bad bacteria and infections.

READ MORE… »

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By Robyn Srigley, BA, PTS, CNP, NNCP

Screaming Black Woman

Aunt Flo can be such a kill joy. Bleeding for a week every month can be a real nuisance! As strong, independent women, being bogged down by cramps, mood swings, headaches and fatigue can put a real damper on the wonderful things we do in our lives every day. But what happens when we don’t get our periods on a regular basis?

This happens to women through all walks of life, for many different reasons. It’s so important to not only recognize that irregular periods aren’t normal, but that they could be an indication of something more serious. See if you’re on track with Aunt Flo below.

READ MORE… »

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By Leslie Vandever

How to fight the period bluesIf you get the blues, feel moody, and suffer physical discomfort immediately before and during the first few days of your menstrual period, you’re not alone.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), up to three out of four women experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms each month during their fertile years. Researchers believe changes in brain hormone levels, along with social, cultural, biological, and psychological factors might be the culprits, but so far, the exact cause is still a mystery.

Physical symptoms of PMS may include:
• bloating and gas
• abdominal cramps
• backache
• tender breasts
• diarrhea or constipation
• headache
• food cravings
• insomnia or oversleeping

Mental symptoms may include:
• difficulty concentrating
• forgetfulness
• sluggishness
• sadness
• tension and anxiety
• hostility
• mood swings
• changes in libido
• fear and guilt
• poor self-image

READ MORE… »

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By Shawna H.

 

Going through puberty can be a tough time for a young girl. That is even more true when the young lady is autistic.  There seems to be scant literature pertaining to females on the autism spectrum, and even less speaking about, or to young autistic girls about the changes of puberty, and beginning menstruation.

Preparing for Puberty with AutismI can’t speak for all females on the spectrum about getting your period, and the whole puberty process. I can only relay my experience, and maybe some of that might be helpful for other young girls, or her parents in understanding. I have heard many ladies on the spectrum who have had quite different experiences with puberty than I did.

For me, it was a change that I welcomed. I looked forward to getting my period, and becoming an adult. It was exciting to me to become a woman. I learned a lot about it at school during sex ed. There was a lot of information available during that time to learn from. I think that this may have made the biggest difference to me in not only welcoming my period, but accepting my body as one in transformation. Knowing what to expect was paramount to easing my anxiety, and allowing me to be open to change.

Here are some things that I found to be helpful in preparing me for menstruation, and other changes that occur during puberty: READ MORE… »

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