CYCLE SAVVY

by Toni Weschler

Should I be concerned if my cycles are rarely 28 days? Why do I often feel so emotional before my period? And how can I know when my period's really going to start?!

If you're a teenage girl, you've probably asked yourself these questions and many more. Now Cycle Savvy has the answers that will help you understand what is really happening with your body on a day-to-day basis. It's the first book specifically designed to teach young women about the practical benefits of charting their cycles. Explore the fascinating world of ovulation, fertility, and why you even have periods at all! And learn all about the body signals, mood changes, and other signs that accompany your cycle. With charming illustrations, fun brainteasers, confidence builders, sample charts, and first-person tales of experiences that every girl can relate to, Cycle Savvy takes the mystery out of your amazing body.

Genres: Health, Young Adult, Childrens, Teen, Parenting, Education

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Toni Weschler is a nationally respected women's health educator and speaker with a master's degree in Public Health. She founded Fertility Awareness Counseling and Training Seminars (FACTS) in 1986, and has lectured at hospitals, clinics, and universities since 1982. She recently helped develop cycle-tracking software as an adjunct to her book, Taking Charge of Your Fertility. The Ovusoft Fertility Software is available at Ovusoft.com. She is a frequent guest on television, radio, and Internet Web sites, where she continues to advocate the dissemination of Fertility Awareness education as an empowering body of knowledge for all women of reproductive age. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

[Amore Duzenski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like "Taking Care of Your Girls" this is another book that should be in a girl's personal library.

A few of the topics in this book haven't been addressed in my heart-to-hearts with my mom. There really is a lot to go over! Even so, I have to give it to my mom, she tries her best to inform me of such things.

I don't agree with everything in this book; particularly masturbating and waiting until you are in a "long-term, monogamous relationship" to have sex. I firmly believe in saving yourself for marriage as well as keeping yourself sexually pure (physically and mentally) before marriage.

Overall this book was extremely informative and relieving(sp?) to read. I applaud the author for not being "preachy" or boring, but always having her readers in mind.

Also, the contributions from different women were uplifting. They provide "really? me too!" moments that make everyone more comfortable.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read Taking Charge of Your Fertility (TCOYF), I kept thinking that I wished I had learned so much about my body when I was in middle or high school. Evidently I was not alone. Toni Weschler, author of TCOYF, has come out with a great book for teens. The information about women's cycles and charting is comprehensive, yet still accessible to teens. And the tone is one of respect and wonderment at all the female body is designed to do -- an important message for all teens!

My only criticism of this book is that it assumes all teens are heterosexual and talks about the eventuality of girls having sex with boys. I hope that the next edition will talk about sexual orientation and emphasize that the information in this book is as vital for lesbian and bisexual girls as it is for heterosexual girls. A book that is as empowering as this one should not alienate girls who find that they are not attracted (or not only attracted) to boys.

[Stacy Atherton Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fellow homeschool mom said she was reading through this book with her teenage sons, so I found a copy at my local library and read it. I finished the entire book in 3 days, and I plan to read through it with my own children as they reach appropriate ages. This is really full of such great information for young (and old) ladies, but I agree with the importance of sharing the book with boys, like the homeschool Mama who recommended it is doing. "The confidence that comes with understanding your body frees you...." (p. 119)

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good explanation of how the menstrual cycle works and how individuals can understand their own through cervical mucus, body temperature, and other signs. The writing and explanations are clear and understandable, and the sample charts and review quizzes are useful. Directed to teen girls 14 to 18, it does come off a little condescending — at the very least, trying too hard to be witty and accessible. Less easy to forgive are some messages the author slips in in the chapter on sex. I was disturbed by the victim-blaming in Weschler's advice to girls to try to "prevent" their own date rapes. Need I point out that no one ever wants or chooses to be raped, and that the one responsible for rape is the rapist? Furthermore, the take-home message in the chapter on sex is that a girl's "first time" is a crucial and life-changing moment that must be done with the right person or it will cause regrets forever, and the discussion of sexually transmitted infections regurgitates the stereotype that STIs are caused by, and serve as the punishment for, promiscuity (or, as Weschler would put it, women who don't "respect" themselves). It's unfortunate and disappointing that Weschler's book, particularly one for teens, contains such blatantly sexist and shaming messages, especially as Weschler does a great job encouraging women to love their bodies and feel empowered by them. Overall, it's a useful resource for learning about menstrual cycles and cycle-charting, but the other sections are best avoided.

[Cami · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library thinking it would be good for my daughters as they are entering puberty. It is definitely meant for a more mature audience though! It does say in the intro that it's aimed at 14-18 year olds that have had their periods for a few years already. This is information I mostly learned after I was married and wanting to start track my cycle to become pregnant; I was pretty cycle savvy before that as well. Tracking your cervical fluid and basal body temperature can indeed be helpful for knowing when your next period is coming, but it seems like overkill for teens to worry about. The first part about getting to know your external anatomy is important to know, but pretty much all the rest of it can wait until girls are much older and ready for sex (which, in my book, means married). There's a whole chapter on being ready for sex physically and emotionally and gives many anecdotes of women sharing their first sexual experiences as teens--so parents may want to look that over before handing the book to their daughters, depending on your views on sexuality.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent explanations of the hormonal cycle and all that goes with it. Just a word of warning for parents: this book has an entire chapter on being ready for sex, along with a lot of safe sex talk, why to use condoms etc. Very non judgmental and explains lots of good reasons for waiting, along with how to decide if you're ready and all the consequences that could come from that choice. Just be aware that your daughter should be mature enough to handle that kind of detailed discussion and if you want to be the only one imparting knowledge about that, this is not the book for you. It could be a tool for some very open, caring discussion as well. I'd probably just recommend this to older teens, high school age, not preteens. But that's just me.;)

[Noma N ™ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many ways this book was ahead of its time.
In 2006 no one was talking to women about charting their cycles, much less young women.
Toni Weschler doesn't assume anything, she literally starts from the ABCs of the reproductive system making sure we are together every step of the way.
She even has end chapter quizzes that I mostly passed thank you very much!😆
Throughout the book there are women of all ages popping in with advice or quirky stories to make the reader feels less alone.
She dispels a lot of myths, the biggest being all cycles are 28 days with ovulation on day 14.
This alone makes the book worth it. ✨
It exemplifies a pet peeve of mine in science, where women's bodies are only researched to the extent that they can be profitable for everyone else and not necessarily to help them be healthier individuals or to understand their own bodies better.
She lays a fantastic foundation for the young reader to understand fertility in a scientific but relatable way.
We are often told we are beautiful. We are even told we are smart and interesting. We are rarely told we are powerful, complex and biological marvels.
It has been noted that advice on being "sex smart"might be inappropriate for this age group.
However, she doesn't encourage it, rather gives the reader several things to ponder before she engages in any such activity.
She emphasizes respecting yourself , assessing your personal values and goals and making sure the person you are with prioritizes your safety and comfort above all else. ❤️
Frankly advice I could use today as a grown woman!

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would like to give the actual information about the menstrual cycle a higher rating but I couldn’t get over how patronizing this is. I really love TCOYF and how comprehensive yet approachable it is. I was hoping that this would have the same quality but without the intimidation of it looking like a textbook. Unfortunately Weschler skews too far in the non-textbook direction and tries to appeal tothe younger audience with lots of “teenage speak” that just makes her seem tone deaf and out of touch. Weschler also needs to update her charts and graphics. Many are the same from TCOYF and contribute to the outdated feel.

[Karrah Xeros · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for introducing the concepts of fertility awareness to young people! Written in a simple and fun format, this book offers an easy read and an empowering first look into understanding hormonal health and wellness for teens. Once completed, I would recommend moving onto Toni's more complex book 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility', which expands on the topic in much more detail.

[Amberlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing but some things I would change

This book is a great book and has helped me understand, love, and have less anxiety about my body. However, it talks very deeply about pregnancy, and other related items. The book is amazing and I recommend reading it as long as you or your parents are comfortable with u reading such things. But overall bed PUBERTY book ever.

[Damilola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Information on Women's Health. At times, a bit more advanced then I would like for a teenager but as a nurse I can see that the information was presented for all types of teens with varying sexual ethics.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for mature teens or even adult women who are just learning FAM. I wish I had learned this stuff 25 years ago!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish I’d had this book as an older teenager. It could use some updated language.

[Jamie Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of helpful information, however, because the author begins from a worldview vastly different from mine, this is not a book I can recommend.

[Ankhti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you really want to understand the cycle. It's all the things that you didn't get from Biology class.

[Denielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good intro to our bodies and how to chart our cycles for teens.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Toni Weschler's "Taking charge of your fertility" Women were pressuring her to write one for teenage girls and I am glad she did it. Read the description!
I loved the first half of the book. She focuses on celebrating cycles and understanding and reading signs. So many girls guess and are surprised about an early start of their period or emotional PMS. With charting the guess work is eliminated. However I am not sure a 15 year old can successfully chart yet.
The second half was about sex. I skimmed at first, too afraid I would not like it but it gave me great advice for words and ideas to help pressured girls deal with their friends.
I am a silent cycle savvy advocate. Knowledge is power. Pick this book up when your daughter is ready for some information. It was better then any LDS teenage "not through the stork" sex book. IMHO

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I read it over and over, used it to have my 2nd child and even was very active on it's website and boards. So when my daughter started her period I thought she should have the teen version. I ordered and read it and then put it up. My daughter was a very mature 13 year old when I bought it but I haven't given it to her. I'm not sure when I will, 16? There is a lot of information that she just doesn't need yet. So it's in my closet waiting for her to be ready (or me to be ready for her to be ready).

[Katherine]

Toni Weschler is the author of "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" (an absolutely fantastic women's health book that every woman should read). She had so many readers tell her "I wish I had known all this when I was a teenager!" (me included) that she wrote a book for teenage girls. I am so psyched to read it and eventually share it with my girls (and lots of other teens, I hope!)

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I am starting to track my cycle for the first time in my life. Even though I am 25 I found this very interesting and learned a few things I didn't know before. I wish I had received this book when I was going through puberty!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book! I wish it had been around when I was a teen. Both of my girls will definitely be getting a copy when they are in their mid-teens.

[Natalie]

Not needed yet (I've told her probably more than she needs to know at 7) but at some point... I'll flag as 9 and re-evaluate then :-)

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I would have had this when I was young.