OBGYNs discuss natural approaches to fertility, cycle tracking

Student Government hosted “Know Your Cycle,” a panel discussion on understanding the menstrual cycle and its impacts on women’s health, on February 13. The event emphasized the effectiveness of natural methods in women’s health and pregnancy planning, featuring discussion from Suzy Younger, Campus Ministry’s Marriage Prep Coordinator, and obstetrician-gynecologists and Notre Dame graduates Dr. Lindsey Connolly and Dr. Katie O’Leary. 

“Know Your Cycle” was organized by Lena Dougherty, Student Government’s Title IX representative for the 2024–2025 academic year. As an advocate for women’s issues on campus, Dougherty told the Rover that natural methods of fertility awareness are “often dismissed due to misconceptions.” She further noted, “Menstrual health is a fundamental aspect of women’s well-being, yet it remains an often overlooked topic in mainstream discussions. … Menstrual cycles should not be a taboo topic—understanding them is essential for overall health and can have life-changing, and even life-saving, implications.” 

The presentation began with an overview of the menstrual cycle, explaining the biology of a woman’s fertility. Having established a fundamental understanding of these facts, the talk then progressed into discussing their application, describing how women can use a holistic knowledge of their bodies to identify optimal fertility windows and monitor their cyclic progression. 

During the presentation, Younger cited her passion for educating young women about a comprehensive approach to fertility care, saying, “I wish somebody had told me this in college, I wish somebody had told me this in high school, I wish somebody had told me this in middle school. Nobody did. … If we knew this stuff, don’t you think the unplanned pregnancy rate would drop? If we knew our bodies … But we haven’t been told.” 

Following Younger’s presentation, Connolly and O’Leary answered questions related to women’s menstrual health and fertility tracking. Connolly said that cycle charting is “96.8 percent effective for avoiding pregnancy,” compared to “92 percent for the pill and 82 percent for the condom.” She noted that cycle charting is one of the most important steps that women can take towards maintaining their health, as it identifies abnormalities that could be related to underlying health issues or cancer. 

Connolly and O’Leary also addressed the relationship between birth control pills and a natural understanding of a woman’s fertility, explaining that cycle charting while on the pill is ineffective. 

Connolly explained that as a synthetic hormone, the pill tricks the woman’s body into thinking she is pregnant, preventing the release of hormones that trigger ovulation. Cycle charting is intended to track hormone fluctuations and ovulation, but without these processes occurring, there is nothing to track. 

O’Leary further elucidated that use of birth control pills often masks underlying health and fertility issues, rather than addressing them. She promoted cycle charting as an alternative option, explaining its importance in identifying causes of infertility: “Instead of overriding a whole runaway system with one pill or IVF, you’re actually repairing the system so that it functions normally. If a heart is broken, we don’t take out the heart. Why do we treat the gynecologic system this way?” 

“Know Your Cycle” was well-received by the campus community, and attracted over 40 student participants, exceeding attendance expectations for the event. 

Sarah Fairbank, a Notre Dame senior, told the Rover, “I’ve seen firsthand how doctor after doctor is unable to provide answers and instead immediately turn to birth control as the only option. … I think it’s important to talk about menstrual health and fertility because it either directly or indirectly concerns every person—all women, all couples trying to conceive, couples trying not to conceive, or even anyone who has any opinion on important societal issues such as abortion or lessening the medical disparity gap.”

Maeve Miller, Student Government’s Vice President, agreed that the event was an invaluable opportunity for Notre Dame women, saying, “It was empowering to see how many women from across campus came to the event to engage with the resources [that] Student Government was able to bring to the student body in partnership with Campus Ministry.” 

Doughtery noted, “The engagement during the discussion further reinforced how relevant and valuable this topic is to our campus community. … Moving forward, I hope that Notre Dame will continue fostering discussions that empower individuals with the knowledge to make informed choices about their bodies and well-being.”  

Students interested in learning more about cycle charting, natural fertility treatment, or menstrual health should contact the St. Joseph Fertility Center, where Younger, Connolly, and O’Leary are staff members. 

Madeline Page is a freshman studying biology. She has a collection of dead or dying plants that she continues to water in the vain hope that they will come back to life. To give her advice on how to be a better plant mom, email mpage4@nd.edu. 

Photo Credit: Notre Dame student government Instagram

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