Rethinking Menstrual Cycles, Birth Control & Perimenopause with Stasha Washburn

In this episode of Things I Want My Daughters to Know, I'm joined by Stasha Washburn, period coach, founder of Period Coaching School and passionate advocate for transforming how we understand and relate to our menstrual cycles. Together, we dive into the power of the menstrual cycle as a vital sign of health, the overlooked role of ovulation, and the need to challenge conventional approaches to women's health—particularly the overprescription of hormonal birth control. Stasha invites us to see the menstrual cycle not as a burden, but as an asset that can guide self-care, energy, and resilience through every phase of life, including perimenopause. In this episode we explore: 🌸 Cycle education from the start — why teaching girls to chart their cycles before their first period builds lifelong body awareness. 🌸 Ovulation as a cornerstone of health — the only natural source of progesterone, protecting bone, brain, heart, and mood. 🌸 The pill problem — how hormonal birth control shuts down ovulation, disrupts the gut microbiome, and carries long-term risks rarely discussed. 🌸 Perimenopause as an opportunity — why this is the most critical time to build strength, bone density, and rhythms that carry you into postmenopause. 🌸 The cycle as an ally — using each phase's unique hormonal state to align lifestyle, energy, and self-care. 🌸 Changing the narrative — from stigma and silence to celebration, empowerment, and informed decision-making. Stasha and I also address the ongoing gaps in women's healthcare and research, the contradictions in how synthetic hormones are prescribed, and the importance of giving the next generation of women better tools and knowledge to thrive. This is a conversation you are going to want to listen to with your daughters! 🎙️ If this episode resonated with you, please follow me, subscribe, rate and review the podcast—it helps more women and practitioners find these conversations.   ✨ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: https://www.facebook.com/StashaWashburn/  https://www.tiktok.com/@stashawashburn  bit.ly/TPCchannel https://www.linkedin.com/in/stashawashburn/ https://ThePeriodCoach.com/ETRC   ✨Let's Stay Connected: 📌 Join my Newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1225699/160641692811134066/share 💜Learn more about my Menopause Informed Training Program: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram 🖥️ Website: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/  🛜 LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/ 🔅 Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120   🗨️ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/