Why Fertility Education Matters
At Dakota Hope Clinic, nurse and fertility educator Janis Neumann sees firsthand how little many young women know about their cycles. “I have found that many do not even keep track of their periods,” she says. “When they begin to understand, it empowers them.”
Information that Empowers
To bridge that gap, Janis introduces girls to Shorter, Lighter, Pain Free Periods by Marilyn Shannon, when she conducts sports physicals. The subtitle says it all: Empowering young women to be proactive with their cycles. In a culture quick to prescribe birth control to suppress symptoms, she finds that education in natural fertility and self-care is a lifeline.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive—especially from mothers. “The mothers of the student athletes were very excited about this book,” Janis shares. “They are very adamant about not ever starting their daughters on birth control pills for sports.”
The book’s sections walk through common concerns:
- Understanding your changing body (Part 1)—helping girls see their cycle as a fertility cycle, not just a monthly nuisance.
- Lightening up heavy periods (Part 2)—practical tips like magnesium for cramps.
- Preventing painful periods (Part 3)—showing girls they don’t have to suffer in silence.
- Spotting problems on your radar (Part 4)—teaching that irregularities may signal deeper issues like PCOD.
- Questions and answers (Part 5)—reassuring teens with simple, accurate guidance.
Habits of Health & Holiness
For Janis, the Christian focus of the booklet makes it even more valuable. One young teen even began reading it in the lobby while waiting. “The parents appreciated that these booklets have a Christian focus,” she says.
Author Marilyn Shannon reminds young women that self-care is an act of gratitude. She says, “Girls who know their cycles well can take the best care of themselves. Take time to thank God that ‘You were created woman!’ Never take for granted the gift that you are!”
In a culture quick to medicate cycles, this is a radical message: fertility is not a disease to be suppressed, but a gift to be stewarded. Medical providers, like Janis, and parents have the opportunity to guide the next generation into habits of natural fertility health and holiness. We can teach girls that their cycles are meaningful, and their bodies are good.
CCL’s Mother Daughter: Your Body + Cycle series supports Mothers and Daughters as they begin the amazing journey of fertility awareness together. The series features informative videos, a guide book for each, and content for girls (and their moms!) to better understand fertility, their body and cycles.
Written by Martha Haenni, CCL Content Editor and PeakDay Podcast Host.