The average person with periods goes through more than four hundred menstrual cycles in their lifetime–over four hundred cycles of changing hormones that impact mood, energy levels, productivity, appetite, metabolism, sleep, connection, and more. Yet we don't learn enough about periods.The Period Literacy Handbook is a comprehensive guide to menstrual health that weaves together menstrual biology, naturopathic and conventional medicine, the world's socio-political landscape, advocacy tools, and practical strategies for more peaceful periods. From nutrition and lifestyle guidance to self-advocacy tips and resources, this book has something for anyone looking to move the needle forward on their menstrual health.It contains answers to questions like:What actually happens in a menstrual cycle?Is my period "normal"?Do I need to get my hormones tested?Did I cause my period problems?Should I quit high-intensity exercise for my hormone health?Which foods, if any, will make my periods better?Why are hormone-based concerns not talked about more?How do I talk to my doctor about my period problems?Should I sync my life with my menstrual cycle?In a style that can be described as textbook meets conversation with a good friend, this book contains everything you need to know about your menstrual cycles and how you can live in hormonal harmony. Dr. Anne Hussain is a naturopathic doctor, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and author of The Period Literacy Handbook. Her mission to empower others began with her personal journey navigating PCOS and a lack of reproductive health education in Karachi, Pakistan. Anne runs a hybrid practice serving women and menstruators across Ontario, with in person care in Newmarket and Innisfil. She works with people through all phases of their hormonal life, from adolescence and fertility to perimenopause and beyond. In addition to her podcast, Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show, she actively partners with and consults for Canadian period and health equity organizations, translating her clinical expertise of over a decade into tangible social change. She believes that developing agency over your health is not only a personal act but a powerful, political tool for demanding better care and shaping a healthier world.
