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Honoring Our Cycles: A Natural Family Planning Workbook
In clear, everyday language, Honoring Our Cycles describes what happens during a menstrual cycle and how a baby is conceived. It explains how to chart the body's fertility signs to know which days are best for becoming pregnant or avoiding becoming pregnant, without the use of hormonal drugs. Includes dietary advice for successful conception and healthy babies and families.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2006
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202 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 10, 2016
The cover art is attractive and the book is well laid out with some useful information for those who want to learn more about female fertility. However, this book has a number of issues, which would keep me from recommending it.
These include-
* That Katie Singer does not directly tell the reader where she obtained her information for this book, nor are there any indicators of why the reader should entrust her for this information. A Google search only brings up that she's a "certified fertility awareness instructor." Certified by whom?
* Lack of accessibility. "Honoring Our Cycles" is not transgender inclusive, which may be problematic for a few people. It also relates female women and their fertility to cows and bitches, which might be off-putting for others. "Honoring Our Cycles" also assumes a husband throughout the book even to the point of inaccuracy with statements such as, "Conception happens when your husband's sperm [...]."
* Singer's definitions are often inaccurate or misleading. For instance, she defines fertility as "able to become pregnant." You do not become pregnant until ovulation; however, fertility prior to ovulation can ensure there are sperm in your body so you may become pregnant during ovulation. A clearer definition of fertility here would thus have been helpful. On page 4, Singer states that, "A new menstrual cycle starts when a woman bleeds." Of course, not all bleeding is menstrual bleeding, which makes this definition totally insufficient.
* Singer makes numerous dubious statements throughout this book, which are just plain nonsensical and absurd. On page 48, she asserts, "The Pill also takes some nutrients that a woman needs to have a healthy, smart baby." Then, on pg. 5, that "pregnancy starts when the new baby nests in the fresh layer of blood in your uterus [...]."
* The biggest affront of all: Singer tells readers that "If your baby stops nursing early, you can make your own formula. Store-bought formula is often made with soy. Soy formula has phyto-estrogens, which are like the hormones in birth control pills. When store-bought formula is made from cows' milk, the cows may have been given antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed grown with pesticides. These chemicals will be in the milk that your children drink. This milk can cause health problems." THIS STATEMENT CAN CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS! Infants under 12 months SHOULD NOT ever be fed with home-made formula. This can result in death. If you choose not to breast-feed, or your child is weaned early, you should consult a doctor or nurse about the best options. Don't attempt to make your own formulas.
* Singer encourages women to "nurse less frequently" to "encourage ovulation" (pg. 45). This, again, is dangerous. You cannot nourish your child less simply because you wish to become pregnant again. If you nurse less frequently, you need to be replacing these nursing sessions with other substance.
I'd strongly suggest keeping away from this one and looking for another book on fertility awareness that is more up-to-date and scientifically correct where the author's opinions do not impede their ability to provide accurate information.
These include-
* That Katie Singer does not directly tell the reader where she obtained her information for this book, nor are there any indicators of why the reader should entrust her for this information. A Google search only brings up that she's a "certified fertility awareness instructor." Certified by whom?
* Lack of accessibility. "Honoring Our Cycles" is not transgender inclusive, which may be problematic for a few people. It also relates female women and their fertility to cows and bitches, which might be off-putting for others. "Honoring Our Cycles" also assumes a husband throughout the book even to the point of inaccuracy with statements such as, "Conception happens when your husband's sperm [...]."
* Singer's definitions are often inaccurate or misleading. For instance, she defines fertility as "able to become pregnant." You do not become pregnant until ovulation; however, fertility prior to ovulation can ensure there are sperm in your body so you may become pregnant during ovulation. A clearer definition of fertility here would thus have been helpful. On page 4, Singer states that, "A new menstrual cycle starts when a woman bleeds." Of course, not all bleeding is menstrual bleeding, which makes this definition totally insufficient.
* Singer makes numerous dubious statements throughout this book, which are just plain nonsensical and absurd. On page 48, she asserts, "The Pill also takes some nutrients that a woman needs to have a healthy, smart baby." Then, on pg. 5, that "pregnancy starts when the new baby nests in the fresh layer of blood in your uterus [...]."
* The biggest affront of all: Singer tells readers that "If your baby stops nursing early, you can make your own formula. Store-bought formula is often made with soy. Soy formula has phyto-estrogens, which are like the hormones in birth control pills. When store-bought formula is made from cows' milk, the cows may have been given antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed grown with pesticides. These chemicals will be in the milk that your children drink. This milk can cause health problems." THIS STATEMENT CAN CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS! Infants under 12 months SHOULD NOT ever be fed with home-made formula. This can result in death. If you choose not to breast-feed, or your child is weaned early, you should consult a doctor or nurse about the best options. Don't attempt to make your own formulas.
* Singer encourages women to "nurse less frequently" to "encourage ovulation" (pg. 45). This, again, is dangerous. You cannot nourish your child less simply because you wish to become pregnant again. If you nurse less frequently, you need to be replacing these nursing sessions with other substance.
I'd strongly suggest keeping away from this one and looking for another book on fertility awareness that is more up-to-date and scientifically correct where the author's opinions do not impede their ability to provide accurate information.
June 3, 2012
Helpful scientific information, but written with a slant that might put people off from reading it. Sometimes the information is so basic the reader feels talked down to, but there may be some readers that have no knowledge in this area. The nutrition information was nothing new to me, and a bit heavy-handed, but probably helpful for those who may have not thought through some of that. A few of the suggestions in the book seemed slightly superstitious to me.
September 4, 2021
Full of interesting information that I wish I had been taught in sex Ed! I found all the explanations of the cycle to be really helpful and informative. Even though I don’t personally want to rely on this solely for birth control, I think this kind of body literacy for people with uteruses is really valuable. Especially in our culture where we aren’t taught a lot about what is going on in there.
My criticism is that is veryyyy bio essentialist and cis/het normative. Laughed out loud several times at some of the language “my husband understands now that God will tell me when I’m ready for another baby”. Would love to read a book like this that is more queer inclusive and that approaches it with the goal of encouraging body literacy and empowering people to know and care for their bodies, with less focus on marriage and husbands lol.
Overall though: if you have a uterus and vagina and you want to understand some of the things that your body does every month, regardless of whether or not you plan to use this as a birth control method, I recommend it! Just be prepared for some outdated language.
My criticism is that is veryyyy bio essentialist and cis/het normative. Laughed out loud several times at some of the language “my husband understands now that God will tell me when I’m ready for another baby”. Would love to read a book like this that is more queer inclusive and that approaches it with the goal of encouraging body literacy and empowering people to know and care for their bodies, with less focus on marriage and husbands lol.
Overall though: if you have a uterus and vagina and you want to understand some of the things that your body does every month, regardless of whether or not you plan to use this as a birth control method, I recommend it! Just be prepared for some outdated language.
February 11, 2015
This book is a VERY good, very brief summary about the Fertility Awareness Method: both for getting pregnant and to avoid it. It can be a good review for someone who might already be familiar with the principles, or a nice intro to someone that does not have time to read more about it. I do recommend reading Toni Weschler's "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" together with this one for thorough explanations, pictures, examples and troubleshooting/FAQ.
It does, though, have a little bit of a patronizing overtone, assuming that the workbook will be read specifically by married christian women. At some points the references to religion in the testimonies kind of bothered me. Putting that aside, the information is still quite valuable.
It does, though, have a little bit of a patronizing overtone, assuming that the workbook will be read specifically by married christian women. At some points the references to religion in the testimonies kind of bothered me. Putting that aside, the information is still quite valuable.
September 12, 2017
I found it a nice introduction to FAM (Fertility Awareness Method). I found it to be written in a very easy to read style, almost overly simplified for anyone to understand even at a very young age. I wish every young girl would receive this book when they begin their menses. More people need to understand the female body, whether they choose to take hormonal birth control or follow more natural means.
July 25, 2014
This book is a concise and thorough resource whether you want to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy without the use of any physical/chemical birth controls. With the knowledge from this book I was able to chart my cycle and discover signs my body was sending me all along about my reproductive health. This book and its subject matter should be more widely utilized in our society!
July 30, 2014
this is such an accessible easy-to-grok guide to charting your fertility, ladies! i've read several books, attended NFP classes and still was confused and this made it all clear and simple for me! i highly recommend.
January 22, 2008
This is a really helpful book for figuring out fertiliy and ovulation, with charts to use. The only thing I wouldn't follow was the food advice-no soy and bone soup instead.
February 5, 2009
Very informative, very simple to understand. Walks you through the process, and provides blank charts to get you started. Much easier than that big fat textbook, but all the same info.
March 4, 2010
Great, basic information, easy to understand and do. A must read for any woman, especially those that don't want to use hormonal birth control.
June 10, 2024
This was a comprehensive and informative book. I would highly recommend to anyone curious about getting off the pill and switching to NFP.
June 24, 2019
Some of the food and moon-cycle synchronized cycle advice read as not too trustworthy, and it was strange to see a book so committed to a "natural/organic" vibe still promote IVF and condoms (some women are allergic to latex). Also not even sure we should get on with the "medicinal herb" part.
Despite other claims on this site, just because one or two people who practice NFP mention God, the book isn't overtly religious.
In sum, this book is useful to learn charting and about health issues, but it doesn't replace a doctor nor a good nutritionist. I know the chances to find NFP friendly doctors aren't too high but at least in the US there are some.
Despite other claims on this site, just because one or two people who practice NFP mention God, the book isn't overtly religious.
In sum, this book is useful to learn charting and about health issues, but it doesn't replace a doctor nor a good nutritionist. I know the chances to find NFP friendly doctors aren't too high but at least in the US there are some.
January 14, 2022
This was the book that introduced me to cycle charting, and I would still consider it a good introduction (or review, in my case) to the how and why of charting your cycles. I found the book's language overly simplistic at times (though always anatomically correct) and it didn't go as in-depth as I would have liked on the topic. It also definitely holds to a specific view on family structures, modern medicine, and nutrition that is hard to miss. Again, the information is a good intro if you are new to the natural family planning, and it can be a good springboard for further research, but some parts should be read with a grain of salt.
December 27, 2025
There was so much information in this book that I didn't know! I wish I had discovered this earlier in my life, as it would have been extremely helpful as I first navigated my cycle.
Want to read
September 12, 2008All this information can be found at FertilityFriend.com
... however it's your choice to spend $15 on a book or $10 a month for online charting ...
... however it's your choice to spend $15 on a book or $10 a month for online charting ...
May 10, 2010
This is a great book that helps couples learn the most natural form of birth control. It really works!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews