kateandlisaCan you get your period even if you are not ovulating?
NO! You can get a bleed that you may think is a period. A true period always follows ovulation. So this is why a birth control bleed is not an actual period. It is a withdrawal bleed. Regular ovulation and a consistent period every 24-35 days is a regular cycle. Tracking ovulation in 
addition to tracking your period gives you more insights about your cycle and hormones.
How many times at a doctor’s office have you been asked what is the first day of your last menstrual period? You then look at your calendar or app and count backwards a few days or weeks. We generally think of our period as the main piece of our cycles. But, it really isn’t!
Ovulation is actually the star of our cycle! Ovulation is not only important for getting pregnant – it’s important for healthy, symptom-free periods.
Progesterone is only produced after ovulation. This hormone balances out estrogen production in the first part of the cycle. Imbalances in estrogen and progesterone can be a very big reason behind pre-period symptoms and mood issues.
Knowing when or if you are ovulating gives you important information into understanding your cycle and symptoms. Your period always comes about 2 weeks after ovulation (unless there is a pregnancy). If you are struggling with irregular cycles or PCOS with irregular/missing periods this actually means there is an issue with ovulation. If its been missing it means missing or delayed periods. Focus on healthy, regular ovulation for regular periods.
If you are experiencing painful, awful or miserable periods, there is most likely a link to an imbalance in estrogen and progesterone. You need to ovulate to produce progesterone. Without ovulation there is no progesterone to balance out estrogen and this can lead to painful period symptoms like cramps, bloating, breast pain and more.
If you want to or are transitioning off birth control, focus on ovulation. Hormonal birth control works as a contraceptive by blocking your brain – ovary communication to stop ovulation from occurring. For a healthy regular period after birth control you want to restore ovulation.
If you are wondering how you support ovulation, let’s chat! Or if you don’t know if you are ovulating or when – let’s chat! Or if you know you have low progesterone – I’ve got answers! Get in touch here.
