I am always so impressed by my many readers over the years who have shared with me ways in which they have been able to diagnose medical issues through charting their cycles. I’ve chosen just one for now, but will share more in the future.
A couple of weeks ago, Kisha wrote me that she had a miscarriage at eight weeks, but had to have a manual vacuum procedure following it. The day after the procedure, she resumed charting her temps which remained high before plummeting to her pre-ovulatory temps. She was relieved, because she thought she was already back on track. Moving forward, she experienced all of the classic signs of an ovulatory cycle, but instead of getting her period when her temps dropped at the end of her cycle, there was nothing. She was obviously confused, but decided to continue charting. Once again, she had a classic ovulatory cycle, but again, when her temps dropped at the end of the cycle, she didn’t bleed.
When she expressed concern that she hadn’t yet gotten her period, her doctor assured her that some women just take more time to resume cycling following a miscarriage. She wasn’t satisfied with that explanation though, because her charts were clearly reflecting that she had resumed ovulating.
Sure enough, after a lot of persuasion, she convinced her doctor to do some testing, upon which she learned that she had developed Asherman’s Syndrome, a condition in which bands of scar tissue develop inside the uterus or cervix, in her case from having had the vacuum procedure. The adhesions prevented her period from being released.
What Kisha’s story confirms is that women who chart have the added benefit of not only following their gut, but providing evidence to support their requests to have diagnostic tests when things seem amiss. In her case, early intervention prevented further scarring. She is now healing, and hopefully, will be able to get pregnant again soon.
I have used Natural Cycles for a couple years and i LOVE it! IT works great.
Toni, thank you for writing this book! It has taught me to be in tune with my body. I’m school we were taught that a cycle only consisted of the time when a woman bleeds. I never knew about ovulation until I read this book at 25 years old. I was able to avoid using your method until I was ready for a baby. I then used it to conceive my now 3 year old daughter, and I’m using it again to go for a second child. Thank you so much!
Dear Ms Weschler, mph
I had a minor diagnosis of pcos in 2014 and my period stopped in March 2015. Earlier this year 2018, I started taking progesterone cream and supplements. Prenatal vitamin, kelp, cod liver oil, evening primrose, vitex, and acidophiles.
It seemed that I ovulated in early July and had pregnancy symptoms, and again in August. Pregnancy tests showed pale positive.
My last session with my boyfriend was Monday and very moist. Now my cervix has risen quite high and dry. I cannot find anywhere in your book, 2002 ed, the position of a pregnant cervix???? I did Google it and it does say a pregnant cervix rises up. Is this true? Should I test in another 2 weeks?
I am considering to check estrogen by blood test at local clinic, since you say pcos has high estrogen.
I would appreciate an answer to the pregnant cervix position if you have time.
Please forgive my ignorance. This information is not common or taught.
Raquel, 48 years
Lisa – a great free app is Kindara! That’s what I use and love it.
Hi! I’m currently reading your book and loving it! Quick question. What do you think about Natural Cycles app or Daysy? Worth buying?Thank you!