Timing is everything. We account for the best time of day to workout when we feel the most energized, when our attention levels are at their highest, and even how many hours of sleep we need to wake up feeling refreshed. But what about the timing of our periods? Every month we await the dreaded moment of when the red wave will strike, but as we know, when it comes to our bodies there is a reason for everything. One of the biggest takeaways to monthly tracking is hormone balance (or imbalance), and wellness advocate and swimsuit designer, Julia Muniz, shares her personal experience with hormone imbalance from certain contraceptives and her secret tool that has made her feel better than ever. 

Let’s talk about hormones for a minute. We hear the word pretty regularly, but these little chemical messengers have a lot to tell you about what is actually happening inside your body and are essential for your overall physical and mental health.

“I took birth control pills for half of my life, initially to help with my skin as I was suffering with acne from a very young age. For me, the pill not only disrupted my cycles, but also messed with my hormone levels. I lost my libido by the age of 19 – which is so taboo to talk about – and it shouldn’t be. I decided to stop taking the pill and worked with a range of professionals – nutritionists, naturopaths, endocrinologists, etc. – to get my hormones working right again. Now, married, my only method of contraception is using an app, Flo, where I log in my cycle and can see exactly when my fertile window is. I’ve learned so much by tracking my cycles and now I am so much more in touch with my body. I know exactly the day I am ovulating just from my discharge, and I encourage women to get in touch with their cycles too as it is our biggest power – only we, women, have it! It should not be taboo.”

Still not convinced that you should be tracking your flow with a period tracker? Well here are a few more reasons:

FIRST THE OBVI…

It’s the big O we don’t think about, ovulation! Knowing your predicted ovulation day, as well as your peak fertile window, can give you that extra peace of mind when you are not ready to go from fur babies to real babies. You can also sync up to one of the various birth control apps as a natural addition to your other contraception methods. 

MINDFULLNESS

The goal is to be in-tune with ourselves, right? We log in times to prioritize “me” time to better align us with what makes us feel good and happy. Your period is a natural indicator of hormone balance, so why not log in with your cycle to feel when your body is at its highest peaks. When hormones associated with menstrual cycles are in balance, you feel good, energetic, you actually sleep soundly, and don’t forget what balance can do for your sex drive. When you take the time to understand your cycle, you can recognize (and track) your best days for sexual desire and enjoyment and leverage those days of increased energy to HIIT those more intense workouts you’ve been putting off. 

MOOD MANAGEMENT

No more PMS? That has a nice ring to it. Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle have been suggested to be the culprit of shifts in mood, such as irritability, anxiety, or on a more positive note, increased feelings of affection and desire. Being aware of when these changes happen can help you better prepare and manage them in the future, and in some cases provide awareness of a potential hormone imbalance. 

TRACK YOUR WAY TO BETTER SEX

Consider this your friendly reminder to notice those days around your cycle that you feel most in the mood. Sex is healthy and natural, so becoming more in sync with your sexual self is a fun way to know when you might feel the most desire (or not). And if you possibly get off on extra organization, get ready to plan that next date night! 

APPS TO TRY

*The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice. If your are looking to find a form of contraception that is right for you, consult your doctor and gynecologist for more information.