Dori F.

For years, I had a lingering thought—what would my body be like without birth control? I had been on the pill since I was 16, so long (12 years) that I couldn’t even remember what my natural cycles were like. How could I? No one ever taught me. Like many women, my education on reproductive health was minimal—basic anatomy with no real understanding of how our cycles actually work. By the time I was in my twenties, I started experiencing symptoms that felt off. I chalked it up to hormones, but deep down, I knew something wasn’t right. I felt disconnected from my body, emotionally numb, and almost dissociated from myself. When I finally asked my doctor for help in 2021, I was dismissed. My concerns were brushed aside, my request for thorough bloodwork was met with reluctance, and my desire to come off birth control was unsupported. A women’s health professional told me she wouldn’t help me transition off the pill. My jaw hit the floor.

That was the moment I decided: if no one else would help me, I would help myself. I dove into research, trying to answer one simple question: How do you go off the pill without getting pregnant? That search led me down a rabbit hole of fertility awareness methods (FAM). I wasn’t interested in guessing or using outdated calendar-based methods—I wanted real knowledge, real science. I found “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” and devoured it, along with “Beyond the Pill,” “The Fifth Vital Sign,” and “The Period Repair Manual.” These books became my guides as I prepared to transition off birth control. On May 28, 2021, I had my withdrawal bleed and marked it as Cycle Day 1—my first step toward reclaiming my health.

For two years, I meticulously charted my cycles, observing every shift and pattern. Eventually, I decided to become a certified FEMM instructor so I could teach other women what I had spent years learning on my own. But even with all my knowledge, I was blindsided when my body sent me a warning sign I couldn’t ignore—excessive bleeding, excruciating pain, and nausea so intense it forced me to call out of work. I finally found a NaPro-certified OBGYN, someone who actually used cycle tracking as a diagnostic tool. Through a vaginal ultrasound, we found a mass in my uterus. The word “cancer” was tossed around, but after surgery and a biopsy, it turned out to be a fibroid and a polyp—both of which could have affected my fertility. I thought my reproductive health related issues were over, but six months later, another routine exam turned my world upside down.

I had an abnormal pap smear and tested positive for high-risk HPV. A colposcopy and biopsy confirmed CIN3—severe cervical dysplasia, one step away from cancer. The recommended treatment? A LEEP or cold knife cone procedure, both of which could impact my cervical mucus production and increase time to trying to conceive, forms of sub fertility. No one talked about those risks. I had to make a choice: follow the conventional route or trust in the body’s innate ability to heal. I chose the latter. Through an integrative health protocol, I’m actively working to clear the abnormal cells and heal my cervix. This journey has taught me one thing above all else: women deserve better.

We deserve real education about our bodies. We deserve doctors who listen. We deserve to be informed about the risks of every decision. That’s why I do what I do. I want women to have the knowledge, the confidence, and the awareness to advocate for themselves. If something feels off in your body—listen. Do your research, seek second opinions, and never stop fighting for your health. It pays off in the end.

What I Do: I help high-achieving women take control of their health through fertility awareness, integrative health coaching, nutrition, and strength training. Your cycle is a reflection of your overall health, and whether you’re navigating hormonal imbalances, coming off birth control, optimizing your fertility, or simply striving to feel your best, I provide the education and tools you need. My goal is to help you build strength—from the inside out—so you can thrive in every aspect of life with awareness, confidence, and balance. Your health is in your hands, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.