In the FLO: Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life Kindle Edition

This book spends a lot of time talking about how little scientific information there is regarding women's physiology and how neglected women are when it comes to understanding how our hormonal fluctuations influence that physiology; nearly all of the health suggestions we are given are based on studies of men's bodies, which don't experience the same cycling of hormones as women. Recognizing this gap in our education and understanding is important - it's even worthy of an entire chapter - but it was both focused on as well as interwoven throughout the book in a really off-putting way. It became less informative and more complain-y. I mean, listen, it's worthy of complaint! But that was not what I was hoping to find in this book.There's also a lot of framing that women's bodies are viewed as a burden in this book, and the general tone was that girls and women are told their bodies are bad/gross/disruptive, which is clearly the experience of the author. It may even be true to my moms generation and I'm sure some of my own generation, but with gratitude I can say that is not my experience, and so I felt like I couldn't relate to the majority of the tone of the book.I was hoping this book would teach me more about my hormones and how they effect my physiology than it did. I was able to make a couple of charts in a Word doc that summed up the entirety of usable information in this book, and obviously that information is less based on science (because there isn't much) than it was on the authors observations on her own physiology with loose connections made to hormone fluctuations.If you need to read something to let you know that you're not alone in your frustration; this is the book for you. If you're looking for a lot of usable information, get this from the library and flip to the charts to see what she observed, and then keep looking for another book while journaling how your own body feels throughout your cycle.

I immediately purchased this book after hearing Alisa on That’s So Retrograde. I was familiar with charting and had read Taking Charge of Your Fertility, so I had at least an understanding of the various phases and their emotional impact. Even though this book is science-based, the way Alisa structures it and adds anecdotes along the way makes the information very approachable and conversational. I adore how she clearly nerds out about this topic.I already had switched to a fairly clean diet (organic, mostly plant-based) and did my best to minimize stress (I mean, c’mon, easier said than done) after having some GI issues. I also have been using a menstrual cup for about 2.5 years and noticed my flow seemed a little lighter. These changes at least got my cycle to be somewhat predictable (I was previously diagnosed with PCOS and my cycles could be up to 50 days; now I’m down to 35 at the most). However, I have ALWAYS struggled with cramps the day before I got my period, the first day, and leading into the second. I would also pass several sizable clots the first couple days. There have been times that I would have to stay home from school or work because I couldn’t function with the pain and heavy flow. It never crossed my mind that this isn’t “normal.” I always thought these things were normal for me and that was just the luck of the draw. I mean, tons of women/trans men suffer from cramping.I was at the tail-end of my luteal phase when I read this book and implemented a few of the supplements suggested and switched to decaf right before my period was supposed to start. I didn’t have any expectations since I was already doing a lot of the things the book suggested (so my transition was really minimal), but then my period came and I had. no. cramps. NONE! The “pain” was sort of like a dull headache just on day one. I was in such bliss and felt absolutely amazing for the first time EVER with my period. Let me tell you, it is a crazy empowering feeling! I am still in shock and could cry at the thought of a painless period. Additionally, the color was just as the book explained. No old blood (which I would typically start and end with).While I’m certainly hopeful that when my period comes next cycle I will have the same experience, I’m so thankful to Alisa and her research to give me at least one good period in 25 years! It IS possible! I feel obligated to share this book with every woman I know! I will update next cycle to note any changes.UPDATE:Happy to report that I had another period with minimal pain. This time I had a little more discomfort just the first day, but it was NOTHING compared to what I experienced in the past. Just a twinge periodically. I wasn’t consistent with the supplements, so this cycle I’ll be sure to be more diligent about taking them. I’ll update this review periodically if I note something additional about my experience that may be beneficial or interesting for others.

The topic at hand is very important for the future of women’s medicine and requires a ton more research..That said, this book was extremely (extremely) repetitive and read like an infomercial. The amount of self promotion and hyperlinks tossed around made me feel like I couldn’t trust anything I was reading.Again, important topic..I would encourage a read for this reason alone. You can skim through half of the book because you will likely not miss anything that hasn’t already been stated multiple times or isn’t a personal anecdote.

This book is REVOLUTIONARY! I've been following Alisa since her WomanCode days and her approach to hormones completely changed the game for me. I struggled with horrific cramps, PMS, and hormonal acne my whole life, and as soon as I learned how to make my hormones work for me by Cycle Syncing, my symptoms completely vanished.I felt overwhelmed by this topic for the longest time because I didn't know where to get started, and Alisa makes it so simple and approachable to follow along. I only WISH I had this book years ago -it's a must-read for anyone in their menstrual years.So thankful for Alisa and the work she's doing.

My girlfriend asked me to order this for her and it changed her life! She is no longer taking pills for her period pains! Her skin is so much better now. And she has more energy. I didn't read this , but what's inside is a must read for all women! I was glad to support her with this.

Very insightful and a different view of how to eat, work out, and plan your schedule based on menstrual cycle. I've been following the tips on this book and I've been feeling great.

Even if you only read the chapter on nutrition and adjusting your diet to fit your cycle, this book is worth its weight in gold!

I was really disappointed about the unclear information found in this book. The book is structured quite superficially and hardy discusses specific hormonal issues such as having low estrogen etc.

Amazing is a treasure of women’s nature knowledge