Today's episode is a bit different than my recent interview podcasts. Instead of having a guest on the show, this episode is a replay of a presentation that I recently facilitated for Darou Wellness in Toronto. In case you don't know me already a few things you might want to know are that I trained as a Justisse Body Literacy Advocate with Justisse Healthworks for Women several years ago, I have been charting my own menstrual cycles using the Fertility Awareness Method for the past 13 years or so, and I am the founder of this awesome blog as well as the Fertility Friday Podcast! In this episode, I cover the basics of the Fertility Awareness Method including the 3 fertile signs, cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and cervical position. I discuss why having regular menstrual cycles and regular ovulation is not just important for fertility but also for overall health, and I also talk about why many health professionals consider the menstrual cycle to be the 5th vital sign that serves as an indicator of a woman's overall health status. Topics discussed in today's episode What is the Fertility Awareness Method? How is the Fertility Awareness Method different to the Rhythm Method and why is it effective? Why is menstruation important for a woman's overall health and not just her fertility? How can a woman use her menstrual cycle as a diagnostic tool? What role does regular ovulation play in heart health, bone health, and breast health? Does the pill "regulate" a woman's cycles? Does it "mimic pregnancy"? What are the 3 fertile signs and how do they indicate fertility? What does cervical mucus have to do with fertility? How come you can't use basal body temperature measurements to predict when you'll ovulate? Connect with Lisa You can connect with Lisa on the Fertility Friday website, and on Facebook and Twitter! Resources mentioned Fertility Friday Managing your Fertility Naturally with Fertility Awareness | Darou Wellness Justisse Healthworks for Women | Geraldine Matus Taking Charge of Your Fertility | Toni Weschler  Join the community! Find us on the Fertility Friday Facebook Fan Page Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by Sirc of (The Nock)