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Our next article focuses on menarche, but as girls approach adolescence, they are entering a time when they need to know they can turn to us with vulnerability. If they do not know they can turn to us—whether because of busyness, resentment, or because we have not created intentional safe spaces for conversation—they are more likely to turn to a girl at school who is willing to talk about questions they have about their bodies. And if all they ever hear from us are things lik

Love Pursues: Your Reminder That Your Worth Protecting by Savannah Friday nights were almost “on repeat” at this point: eat dinner with friends, get ready at someone’s house, then go out either downtown or at Dallas Bull, the line dancing stop in town. But this night was different. A new guy came with our friend group. He was incredibly handsome, yes –but there was something more. He had the kindest eyes, and I could tell that he was confident in himself. Now let’s rewind a b

A Three-Part Series on the Importance of Intergenerational Friendships Part 1: Girls Need More Than Friends Their Own Age Peers raised by peers is just about the worst thing this society has given our daughters. Helping your daughters have friends is so good, and we feel so thankful when they do have friends. But maybe—just maybe—those friends are pulling our children further and further away from vulnerability and connection, which seems like the complete opposite of what fr

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Cycle Tracking Changed my Life by Alexandra Follis I got my first period a few months after I turned 10. After a few days of spotting and no cramping, I didn’t have another period for five more months. The next time it came, it was so much more painful and physically draining. For years, every time I got my period, I was in so much pain that I would pass out and throw up. I could never keep pain medication down, and nothing seemed to work. At sixteen, my mom took me to an OB-

Train With Your Cycle, Not Against It: A conversation with Triathlete and Coach Alex Kozlowski For many young women in sports, losing your period is treated like a badge of honor.Less inconvenience. Less interruption. Proof that you are training hard. Triathlete and coach Alex Kozlowski sees it differently. From years in endurance sport and now coaching women across seasons of life, Alex has learned that the menstrual cycle is not a nuisance to override but a signal to unders

by A Well-Wisher Self-Mercy One of the most important aspects of evaluating the content you consume is self-mercy. When we realize that content we choose is damaging to our own dignity and the dignity of others, our immediate reaction as humans can be self-hatred. It is of utmost importance for us to recognize content that is damaging, repent of repeated consumption of such content, and take firm and necessary steps to bar that content at once. The temptation to give in to

Led By My Why by Liv Harrison If I could go back and tell my younger self to buy into the thought that I mattered, I would. I spent so long, years really, thinking I was worthless because I was heavy. My journey with weight isn’t unique, but it is relatable. What makes my story unique is what I decided to do about it and why. The first time I walked into a WeightWatchers meeting I was eight years old. The room was saturated in the color tan. It was the ‘80s. I remember the

by A Well-Wisher We live in a world that is filled with content. Books, movies, music, tv, every social media outlet imaginable – in the world today, content is inescapable. But do we ever stop to ask ourselves what the content we consume is actually saying? Do we pause long enough to think critically about the messages our brains are automatically retaining? Because hear me out when I say this: everything has a message. The makers of the content you consume have a motive.

Question 1: I’m 22 and started breaking out for the first time this year suddenly and severely. I tried natural remedies, but eventually started taking prescription meds. It has mostly cleared, but my fear is that once I stop taking the medications, my acne will all come back. Should I continue using my medication or should I focus on finding the root cause? -Looking for More Answer 1: Dear Looking For More, Both medication and root-cause approaches have value. W

By Mae Grahek, PA-C Often, the “main event” of the menstrual cycle is thought to be menstruation: a monthly, physical reminder that’s hard to miss. In reality, the true main event of the cycle is ovulation. Ovulation often comes and goes with little notice, yet it is the most important phase of the cycle. Menstruation itself is better understood as a report card of overall health rather than the focal point. Ovulation is the point in the cycle when an egg is released from the

After reading about puberty, masturbation, pornography, peer pressure, body literacy, and the relationships that shape a girl’s choices, a parent may feel more intimidated than prepared– I’m sorry! How are you supposed to talk about all of this without saying the wrong thing? What if she shuts down, laughs, becomes embarrassed, or asks a question you do not know how to answer?

If not now, when? Painful periods are common, but they’re not your “normal.” Most cramps come from blood sugar swings, inflammation, low minerals, or not ovulating regularly. These five simple changes support all of that: 1. Eat a protein-rich breakfast. Within 30–60 minutes of waking. It steadies blood sugar, calms cravings, improves mood, and reduces cramps. 2. Add minerals daily. Magnesium, potassium, and sodium relax muscles and ease tension. Try magnesium at night + elec

Cameron's PCOS Story by Cameron Kelly Cameron has been struggling with painful periods ever since she was 16. Now, with the help of NaPro technology and a dedicated dietician, she’s discovered way to manage her insulin-resistant PCOS for a healthier + happier cycle. I started noticing the irregularities with my cycle at 16 years old. I would go several months without really having a period, and then when they did come, the cramps would be painful – enough that one day, I begg

If there is one question parents ask us repeatedly, it is this: What can I do to help my daughter recognize her dignity and refuse to give herself to someone who does not honor it? The answer is not simply a stricter set of rules. As parents innately understand, formation begins with relationship; not a relationship in which the parent must become the child’s “best friend,” but one in which the child feels loved, secure, and protected. A girl needs to know that even when she

Morning (6 AM–12 PM) Set the tone for your day Get sunlight within the first 30 minutes of waking up (10–15 minutes is ideal). Eat a protein-packed breakfast within the first 30 minutes of waking to support blood sugar and steady energy. Drink 16–20 oz of water to rehydrate and support metabolism. Write something you are grateful for. Hormone Tip Morning sunlight helps regulate cortisol and supports your circadian rhythm. Protein in the morning can help support blood sugar ba

Prompted by severe acne, Grace Harvey's two-year holistic healing journey, shared with quiet confidence, deepened her faith, inspired radical lifestyle changes, and renewed her understanding of stewarding her body. When Grace Harvey describes her wellness journey, she speaks with a quiet confidence formed in fire. Newly married and two years into holistic healing, Grace shares how a season of severe acne led her toward deeper faith, radical lifestyle shifts, and a renewed und

Why Are So Many High Schoolers Having Sex? …Or are they? Parents have asked us this question in many different ways, so I decided to look into the research, and I was struck by what I found. Teenagers often overestimate how sexually active their peers are. That perception may influence some high schoolers to have sex earlier because jokes, movies, social media, rumors, or that “one couple” at school shape their understanding of romantic relationships. They may begin to feel a

Let's Chat: Long Distance Dating by Monica Hodges Real talk, I have only had one day of experience dating in person. Yes, one day. When I met my now husband, we enjoyed one blissful day of dating in the same place before beginning our three-year season of dating and engagement long-distance. Looking back after one year of marriage, I know that perseverance, commitment, and intentional effort carried us through that time, and our marriage is better because of what we learned i

In a world where the largest library is right at our fingertips, it can be hard to discern what data is well researched and what is incorrectly sourced, interpreted, or generalized too broadly. Here at Right to Know, we have a professional medical board dedicated and passionate about data being correctly understood. We want to make sure you are up to date with the latest research and feel equipped to think critically about next steps for you and your friends when it comes to

The Art of Chewing: A Tribute to my Grandma by Myah Jeanné When I was seven, I got to spend an entire month with my grandma “Macmaw” during the summer, which was everything a little girl could dream of. She lived on a horse farm with acres to explore, hay bales to roll down, craft projects constantly happening around the house, and countless trips to Hobby Lobby. About a week into my visit, we were sitting at my favorite little breakfast nook when she said, “The first step in

The Body That Keeps Time by Myah Jeanné, Functional Nutrition Counselor There is a rhythm running beneath your thoughts, beneath your hormones, beneath your hunger and your fatigue known as your circadian rhythm. In 2017, the Nobel Prize in Physiology orMedicine was awarded for discoveries explaining the molecular mechanisms behind our internal biological clock. Scientists confirmed what ancient systems found centuries ago in the Chinese Body Clock: every organ in the body

As a speaker, I often have the opportunity to stand before rooms full of young people, usually middle school & high school girls, and talk about the awkward topics: sex, birth control, period cramps, pornography, masturbation, and all the other things they desperately want answers about but are afraid to say out loud. Our culture has attempted to overcome the awkwardness surrounding these subjects by turning them into animated videos, casual conversations, and constant jokes.

Endocrine Disruptors: We Can’t Change Our Environment... Or Can We? By Allison B. Jung, PA-C. We’ve all heard the encouragement to “go organic” or to choose “natural.” But do you know why? And does it actually matter? The answer is a resounding “YES!” But some of the recommendations out there are truly unattainable. So let’s discuss what environmental toxins are, why they are harmful to women, and practical tips to avoid them. First, how can our environment be toxic? There a

"I wish my parents had talked to me about sex more intentionally."

If you've ever wondered: "Are my periods supposed to hurt this much?" "Why do I have pelvic pain outside of my period?" "Endometriosis runs in my family, how should I watch for it?" You may have encountered information about endometriosis and wondered whether it could explain your symptoms. First, let's start with something important:You are not crazy. You are not weak. And debilitating pain is not something you should simply accept because you're a woman. Endometriosis is a

If you've recently been diagnosed with PMOS—or what many people still call PCOS—you've probably been flooded with advice. "Take this supplement." "Cut all carbohydrates." "Lose weight." "Track your hormones." "Try this medication." "Try that protocol." The problem is that many women are handed a diagnosis before they are ever taught how their bodies work. Before you spend hundreds of dollars on supplements, lab testing, or complicated protocols, start with the foundations. W

For generations, women have been told that painful periods are simply part of being female. They're told to take ibuprofen, start hormonal birth control, use a heating pad, and push through. Read our research paper on that: But what if period cramps aren't something your body is supposed to endure? While mild uterine cramping can occur as the uterus contracts during menstruation, severe or recurring period pain is often a sign that something deeper deserves attention. Your bo