MENSTRUATION ISN'T JUST ABOUT HAVING BABIES Your menstrual cycle is a vital sign, just like your pulse, temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure. And it provides you with essential information about your health. The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles and Optimize Your Fertility brings together over 1,000 meticulously researched scientific references in a textbook-quality guide to understanding your menstrual cycle. In this book you’ll learn: What a normal cycle looks like; - The best way to chart your cycle and increase your fertility awareness; - How best to manage critical aspects of your health, including better sleep, exercise and a healthier diet; - Natural methods for managing period pain and PMS; - How to successfully avoid pregnancy without the pill; and - How to plan ahead if you do want to get pregnant. The Fifth Vital Sign aims to better connect women with their menstrual cycles, to break the myth that ovulation is only important when you're ready to have a baby. READ THE FIFTH VITAL SIGN TO BETTER UNDERSTAND YOUR HEALTH AND FERTILITY Whether children are a part of your future plans or not, your health matters. Start learning more now, and take control of your health. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lisa Hendrickson-Jack is a certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner. She teaches women to chart their menstrual cycles for natural birth control, conception, and overall health monitoring. In her work, Lisa draws heavily from the current scientific literature and presents an evidence-based approach to fertility awareness and menstrual cycle optimization. " I am so thankful to Lisa for writing The Fifth Vital Sign -- a book that contributes immeasurably to the field of fertility awareness. Using impeccable research standards, she has made her book easily accessible while being scientifically sound -- a goldmine of practical advice for women wanting answers to the myriad of questions that usually arise around fertility and the menstrual cycle ." -- Toni Weschler , MPH, author of Taking Charge of Your Fertility and Cycle Savvy "With The Fifth Vital Sign, Lisa dives deep into the menstrual cycle and fertility and provides valuable new insights gleaned from more than 150 interviews with women's health experts! It's a reference that I will undoubtedly refer to again and again." -- Lara Briden , ND , author of Period Repair Manual "The Fifth Vital Sign is an essential book for every woman's library. Lisa blends science, tradition, and intuition in her writing -- the result is a beautiful and practical guide to all things fertility!" -- Dr. Fiona McCulloch, ND , author of 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS "The Fifth Vital Sign educates and empowers women to take control of their cycles and reach beyond to take charge of their total health. I could not recommend it more highly." -- Amy Medling , founder of PCOS Diva and author of Healing PCOS "At last, a book celebrating the menstrual cycle as the vital sign it is, an indicator of our overall health. Packed with useful information written in a warm, engaging style, The Fifth Vital Sign shows you how to take charge of your hormonal health and contraceptive needs in a way that nourishes and empowers. A must-have for all women in their menstruating years." -- Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer, co-authors of Wild Power and co-directors of Red School Lisa Hendrickson-Jack talks about vaginas a lot ! She's a certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner who teaches women to chart their menstrual cycles for natural birth control, conception, and monitoring overall health. In her new book The Fifth Vital Sign , Lisa debunks the myth that regular ovulation is only important when you want children, by recognizing the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Drawing heavily from the current scientific literature, Lisa presents an evidence-based approach to fertility awareness and menstrual cycle optimization. She hosts the Fertility Friday Podcast, a weekly radio show devoted to helping women connect to their fifth vital sign by uncovering the connection between menstrual cycle health, fertility, and overall health. With well over a million downloads, Fertility Friday isthe #1 source for information about fertility awareness, and menstrual cycle health, connecting women around the world with their cycles and their fertility -- something our education systems have consistently failed to do. When she's not researching, writing, and interviewing health professionals, you'll find her spending time with her husband and her two sons. To learn more, visit fertilityfriday.com and thefifthvitalsignbook.com.