Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition: Self-Care for Improved Cycles and Fertility... Naturally!

by Marilyn M. Shannon, The Couple to Couple League (Editor)

This new fourth edition explains cycle irregularities and nutritional values to improved and understand our body balance; invaluable to Natural Family Planning couples.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Parenting, Reference, Self Help, Catholic, Nutrition

322 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Liza]

Yeah, I don't think I'll be purchasing new tableware so my husband knows I'm a good wife (oh wait, I'm not married, so this author thinks I'm a sinner, whoops). Some of the information about nutrition and health in this book is interesting and helpful, but be warned: it's not written for anyone who is a friend of mine, since all my friends are lovely sinners with whom I can't wait to have a tea party in hell.

(Just kidding: I don't believe in hell.)

[Monica Zeringue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for those seeking natural remedies to female cycles, fertility (male & female), and reproduction. I read it once prior to getting married, and this is my second time going through it after I visited the doctor for acne that I was struggling to manage; she recommended I read it again.

Since having two children my cycles were becoming more and more painful, and seemingly without reason. Additionally, I developed severe cystic/hormonal adult acne that was becoming increasingly worse. I quickly found that with a few habit changes and simple shifts in my diet, that many of my very painful symptoms, both from the painful periods and the adult acne, have gone almost completely after just one cycle! The best part of all, is every remedy recommended in the book is very low cost, if it costs anything at all.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for more answers to their own fertility, or who are simply curious about the science of health, nutrition, and the human body.

[Siobhain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read too long ago to accurately review, but I am so glad to see this book is still available. I thought it was. up-to-date as well. Unfortunately, it looks to be about 20 years old. However, it is a good start on fertility awareness. If you are having trouble with infertility, please find someone who is trained in Creighton Model Fertility Care where the root causes of infertility are treated as opposed to attempts at forced fertility. This book can steer one in good health basics and an understanding of one's cycle. Doctors trained in the Creighton Model take the investigation of your fertility health to the next level and beyond.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition is the best, all-in-one guide to lifestyle choices and their effects on reproductive systems that I've ever encountered. The first few chapters are the most important, because the information applies to all women and men - eat well, follow these simple guidelines, avoid these pitfalls, and your chance of ever having reproductive problems will be greatly reduced. The rest of the book is dedicated, chapter by chapter, to the most common issues with reproductive health, their causes, and what you can do about it. One of the last chapters is directed towards males and their specific needs, and another towards women who may be approaching or going through "menopause".
I would recommend this book to ANY woman past her early teenage years, as it is an invaluable resource for those of us who actually want to take care of our bodies and see them thrive. It is not only our right, but our responsibility to the next generation to provide them with a healthy womb in which to begin their lives, and a great privilege to have the information necessary to make it a reality.

[Sara]

A useful book for a woman seeking to understand the role nutrition plays in the menstrual cycle and related bodily processes, despite the author's apparent lack of information on and disparaging of a vegetarian or vegan diet (which launched me into a brief but red tirade performed for the person nearest to me at the time).

[Wischerj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this book was very educational and scientific. This book is a great read for those using Organic Birth Control. I didn't give it a 5, because in some cases she recommends taking huge amounts of supplements and she never discusses possible side effects.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good how-to on nutrition and how it affects the body. I'll admit I skipped over the sections that were irrelevant to me, but the relevant sections are really helpful. It's not only about fertility, even if that's the inspiration for the book. It also covers PMS, cycle irregularity, and the many stages of menopause. Though it does stress good nutrition, it pushes vitamins and supplements a lot. I'd have a laundry list of daily pills if I took all of them; I'd rather depend on healthy food. Though there are a couple new vitamins for me to add to the list.

This is a good reference book for the various stages of life, and I dog-eared a few pages to refer to later when shopping for groceries and vitamins.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a valuable resource for those embarking on a fertility journey. I worry that the information is somewhat out of date, as nutrition science has changed over the years. The author does debunk the cholesterol myth, but also pushes 'healthy whole grains', which is controversial advice. If you're starting from zero, nutrition wise, this would be a great start.

[Leslie R · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only nutrition focused book I've read that shows some example charts.

The only nutrition focused book I've read that shows some example charts. Published by a religious organisation so the advice is a bit churchy in some places.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good jumping point on the subject, but too vague in some areas and too opinion based in others.

[Johanna Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great options for food and supplements. I did find the supplements rather hard to find on the internet though. I recommend this book to everyone trying to conceive.

[Alicia Peterson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is an ad for Optivite vitamins.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. Her 12 rules for improved nutrition go well beyond fertility and hormone balance and are good rules to eat by for anyone.

The parts of the book that were specific to fertility and cycles and how they are affected by nutrition were interesting. She places a high value on limiting certain types of foods (caffeine, aspartame) and using vitamin supplements. For the most part I agree with her, though I prefer my vitamins and nutrients to come through my food instead of supplements whenever possible. But she had some good points and I will definitely be making a couple changes to my diet and vitamin regimen as a result of reading this book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book with lots of great ideas to help your body back to fertility *naturally.* I finished the book in a little over a week, started taking the recommended supplements, and already feel better. The amount of information in the book was phenomenal, the author seemed to really know her stuff and covered every possible cause of infertility. There is even a chapter on male fertility, which I found to be very helpful. I am going to recommend this to all my female friends, fertility problems or not. I'm also going to purchase a copy as I'm sure this is one I will refer back to time and again.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful basic nutritional advice at the start which was good for me - someone who needs the very basics. It looks like an interesting resource beyond that for a variety of particular issues and how nutrition may help. I don’t have those issues - I am not even the right gender - so I can’t comment on the value of the advice. There is a strong emphasis throughout on relatively high doses of vitamin supplements. I know that is a particular strategy or school of thought but - as I said at the start - my knowledge in this area is so limited I can’t comment on that sort of advice beyond observing it is what is provided here.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this has some definite numbers in terms of vitamin needs for the childbearing years. However, most "ills" of the fertility cycle can all be solved by the same recommendations. It's just some more motivation for me. I was kind of surprised that it all basically boils down to the same diet that I am aiming for with a little bit of supplementation. I have been recommended this book by more than one source and I felt that it could have just been summed up in pamphlet rather than this whole book. the book is easy to read and it's fine to just skip around because there is lots of repetition.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't know how to rate this book. It is very informative, but also too religious for me to tolerate or truly recommend, except that it might be the most comprehensive source for this sort of information available to laymen.
I read this because I am almost 30 and feel like I need to get my health in order now. I have no plans to have children soon or even to go off hormonal birth control at the moment. But these are both things I will consider doing in my 30s so figured informing myself about it now would be a good idea.

[Kipahni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A MUST for anyone who uses Natrual fertility awareness. This book has very simple ideas with great research to back it up. the chapters on various disorders that come with adnormal cycles, followed by their respective suppliment that could help was thouroughly helpful. The only thing that I hesitate to giving it 5 stars is actually putting into practice in my own life what is suggested in the book. If this proves to be successful then I shall return to this review and give it a level up.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm hesitant to give this five stars because the author suggests the same solution for nearly every problem, but she does have a master's degree in physiology and has been counseling couples with cycle irregularities and fertility problems for years if not decades. Since the book I read was published in 1996 I am also hesistant to believe everything because there may be newer research. But I absolutely loved the book and I will be using the supplementation suggested so often by the author.

[Leani · Rating 2 out of 5]

It described possible causes of women's health problems well, has a great resources section, and would be a useful starting point for anyone looking to "improve cycles and fertility. However, the dietary advice was very general, and there was too much emphasis on supplements for my preference. In spite of that, I would recommend the book to women looking to fall pregnant or improve their gynaecological problems.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have found that discusses nutrition from a female fertility perspective. I have recommended this book to several women, and those who read it and take it to heart have had great success at either alleviating painful PMS symptoms or achieving a desired pregnancy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found a used copy of the second edition. I flipped through and was intrigued so I bought it. It is a little outdated, but overall had some good information on underlying nutritional issues that may be causing health issues in women.

[RF · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend lent this to me - it has some great alternative and natural approaches to common cycle irregularities and problems.

[Astrila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay. Not much info that isn't in other books.

[Audrey]

packed away for the move.

[Jessica Pavilanis-thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent nutrition resource for all stages of a woman's life.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have to make some radical life changes....constantly being forged.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of great information for those seeking to have healthier cycles by changing and improving their diet.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been the most persuasive (and easy to follow) book about basic nutrition (food, supplements, etc) and how it effects your overall health (including fertility).

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new here. Came off as one big infomercial for Optivite vitamins.