Diagnosis Party!

Dear period,

Here we are. About 9 years after my first period. It has been a wild ride so far. Over the past years we have dealt with so many irregular periods, horrible cramps, pregnancy scares and so much more. I have always felt that there was something a bit off about you. I never knew what and I was never encouraged to figure it out. Never. I was actually advised against figuring out what was actually wrong. I felt helpless, scared, frustrated and so much more. Until I was done with all of that and decided that I needed to know what was wrong. We have dealt with 3 types of different birth control pills, broken condoms, an implant, coitus interruptus, fertility awareness methods to finally come to the hormonal coil. Because the other methods weren't especially helpful with regulating you and giving me the security I needed to feel safe, I came down to the decision to get a hormonal coil. Not using any other birth control except condoms was not an option because my partner didn't feel safe enough. So I came down to a coil. But not after I went to multiple doctors to insist a examination about PCOS. I had read so much about this hormonal disorder that I was certain that this was it. And it was. Finally after all those years of not knowing what was happening, I finally do. And it brings me so much joy that I don't have to question my period every time it happens.

Love Sophie

Sophie, Netherlands

Hormone Free

Dear Natural Family Planning,

Thank you for teaching me about my body and helping my partner and I avoid pregnancy right now. You helped me avoid taking birth control when I was worried the hormones would hide issues with my cycle. You help me identify potential endometriosis. You showed that I don't have a progesterone issues so that when we have try to have kids, I know I have done what I can to prevent miscarriages after my mom had so many.

I'm sorry, Natural Family Planning, that people call you the rhythm cycle and think you don't work for preventing having kids. Thank you for teaching me about my hormones. Thank you for working. I hope more people learn about you and get to know you better.

Much love,

Anonymous, USA