...your daughter isn’t going to magically wake up one morning knowing everything she needs to know about periods.
And even if she starts puberty a little bit later, she has friends who will be starting sooner.
If you don’t teach her, someone else will…and it's important for her to receive the strong, confident message you want to give her of her body. I know it can feel awkward, especially if you didn't get that kind of education yourself, but we don't want that fear to bleed down to our daughters.
➡️ When is the right time to start? (Hint: It's probably earlier than you think.)
➡️ How do I even start?
➡️ What should I say? (And what should I definitely NOT say?)
You know it's the first of many of these kinds of talks - and you want to get it right.
A lot of parents like to start the conversation by sitting down and watching together, but if you just want to purchase the program FOR YOURSELF, so you can feel more confident knowing what to say and how to say it - parents, that's fine, too!
Did you feel confident about the approaching changes to your body... or terrified because you had no clue what to expect?
Were you taught about the entirety of the menstrual cycle and the importance of ovulation... or just about periods?
And were you told why periods happen... or just that they were terrible and pain was inevitable?
Our experiences of puberty talks vary greatly, but one thing most parents have in common is that we want the experience for our daughters to be BETTER.
Confident, prepared preteens who actually understand what's going on in their bodies and why
Moms and dads who have the tools they need to support their daughters on this journey
A culture of girls-supporting-girls, not labeling this incredible function of female design as taboo or a "women's curse," but affirming one another in their dignity through thoughtful care
Feeling confident in approaching her first period, knowing exactly what to expect and why
Knowing when things seem off and how to talk to the doctor
Seeing her period (and future fertility) not as a burden or something to just be dealt with, but actually as a beautiful part of God's design for her body
Having a supportive parent who is prepared, informed, and calm about her approaching menarche
One of the questions I get most often is "When should I start talking to my daughter about her period?" - and sometimes people are SHOCKED when I say this course is for girls from 9-11.
Early preparation has been proven to empower girls to know what's happening (and why!) and to actually view puberty as a healthy, normal thing.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, "girls who have been educated about menarche and early menstrual patterns will experience less anxiety when they occur."
But also: this education isn't JUST for your daughter!
Even if your girl doesn't get a period until later, she has friends going through this—and early preparation helps her be a better, more understanding friend.
*If your daughter is older than 11 but hasn't gotten her first period yet, Cycle Prep will still be helpful!
Gone are the days of awkward fourth-grade presentations, in a room full of pre-pubescent girls who only learn about pads, tampons, and pregnancy prevention.
Which is great...but no one ever taught you how to teach your kids about this (let’s be honest, no one really taught you about this for yourself, either).
That's why parents love Cycle Prep - it respects your role as her parent. I teach you both about the dignity of her body and the amazing work that goes on in the menstrual cycle, which then empowers YOU to set the foundation for a positive puberty and future conversations.
Cycle Prep is broken into eight easy-to-digest modules you can watch together.
(No need for you to prep ahead of time - just hit play!)
Here's what you'll know in a little over an hour (but you don't have to take it all at once!)
Finally understand what's actually going on in there as we demystify internal female anatomy and the organs involved in the equation of life (egg + sperm = baby).
There is much more to cycles than just a period bleed! Girls learn all about four key hormones - FSH, estrogen, LH, and progesterone - pivotal to menstruation.
Say goodbye to vague explanations and period anxiety: We break down what it's actually like to have a period, how to use various hygiene products, and what's normal vs. when it's time to call the doctor.
Promote period positivity by learning how cycles affect energy levels and moods, what to put in a "period kit," and how to contribute to a culture of girls-supporting-girls around menstruation.
Hello, fellow parent!
I'm the owner and founder of Pearl & Thistle.
I'm a former campus minister, Lay Dominican, and fertility and cycle educator with more than a decade of experience.
But more importantly, I'm a mom.
And like you, my period prep wasn't very extensive, and I definitely wanted them to have a better experience than I did.
So I created Cycle Prep with them in mind - but also with you. Because I know that you are the most important educator your children will ever have. And if you feel totally overwhelmed at all things periods, Cycle Prep is for you.
It keeps your relationship with your daughter at the center; I'm just there to start the conversation.
Our unique approach to cycle education features bright visuals, memorable explanations, and (age-appropriate!) science so girls and parents walk away feeling confident in their understanding and preparation.
Learning from a video can be challenging. But in CYCLE PREP, we use various visual elements to help girls understand things that can seem abstract! For example: they see an anatomical drawing of a uterus, a felt model and a funnel.
Let's be real, the menstrual cycle can be confusing even for adults. That's why we tell "The Story of the Kingdom," Cycle Prep's unique way of inviting girls to discover the "story" of their menstrual cycle and the hormones that accompany it. Girls and moms say it's easy and fun to remember!
I'm giving our girls the education we wish we'd had: correct anatomical names, diagrams, and an actual explanation of what's actually happening during the whole cycle - our girls deserve to know what's going on in their bodies beyond the bleed!
of parents said CYCLE PREP exceeded their expectations
of parents rated their daughter's preparedness a 5/5 after watching CYCLE PREP
of parents said they would "definitely recommend" CYCLE PREP. The remaining 5% said they would "most likely" recommend
"My daughter expressed that she appreciated the analogy of the Kingdom as that made it understandable for her. I watched with a daughter that has already started her period and one that has not. Both said they felt they had gained valuable knowledge and my younger daughter said she felt like she understood my older daughter better."
"This course is so needed! It does a great job of equipping parents with the tools necessary to have important conversations with young daughters to give them confidence, self esteem, and understanding of the dignity of their bodies. It also teaches them empathy and compassion to help others through this challenging stage of development."
Ready for a more positive puberty?
Get started with Cycle Prep, the first period course that prepares her AND you for the beginning of her menstrual cycles and beyond.
Pearl & Thistle is honored to join with MyCatholicDoctor to provide flexible access options for our acclaimed CYCLE PREP program!
Having access to quality menstrual cycle and period education can make a HUGE difference in the lives of girls and families. So if you’re concerned about being able to afford this program, speak with your MyCatholicDoctor physician today.
Want a deep dive???
FAQ section
This course is designed to be viewed at home, so the license covers a single family (which of course means that you can watch with ALL of your daughters!). If you are interested in purchasing a license to show the Cycle Prep videos in a parish, classroom, or other group setting, please visit my Group Hosting information page.
Every effort has been made to ensure the medical and scientific accuracy of this information, including consultation with numerous pediatricians who have viewed and approved this course. It has even been endorsed by My Catholic Doctor, where pediatric patients can receive a special discount.
Nope! We do contextualize the menstrual cycle as a means to eventually carry a pregnancy, and briefly touch on the Equation of Life, which is egg (from the mother) + sperm (from the father) = baby. We do not go into any more details, because we want to focus primarily on cycles and periods. I defer to parents' discernment about how and when to discuss sex, but I also include some suggested resources in the parent download materials.
This course is designed for girls prior to the start of their first menses, so it does not teach how to chart cycles. If you are interested in helping your daughter chart for health (not fertility or NFP), then please check out my 'Cycle Charting for Girls' Handbook!
I am a woman of faith, so the Cycle Prep presentation reflects my fundamental beliefs that the design of our bodies is good and should be respected; however, there is nothing overtly religious in the presentation of any of these materials. If you want to teach your children why body literacy is important for Catholics, then I highly recommend supplementing Cycle Prep with my FREE "Made in His Image: Pint-Sized TOB for Catholic Families" videos.
When you purchase a program, you will prompted to create a user Login for the Podia learning platform. You will receive an email with a direct link and additional instructions. But whenever you return to the Pearl & Thistle website, you can click the "Login" button, and you will be able to access any of the courses you have purchased online.
Videos hosted in this Podia learning platform cannot be downloaded, so please be sure that you have internet access to be able to play them! All PDF handouts and supplemental materials, however, can be accessed and downloaded as many times as needed.
Cycle Prep is course specifically designed to meet the educational needs of growing girls as they approach menarche (the start of their first period). However, if you think that your son would benefit from watching any of the videos about anatomy and the menstrual cycle, you are certainly welcome to show him!
Due to the digital nature of this product, refunds cannot be issued under most circumstances; however, if you are dissatisfied with your product, we invite you to contact us with questions.
Pearl & Thistle is honored to partner with MyCatholicDoctor to offer this program at reduced, sliding scale costs for patient families who qualify. If you are a patient through MyCatholicDoctor, please inquire about our discount options! If that is not an option for you, coupons for various programs are offered on a monthly rotating basis through my newsletter. You're welcome to sign up to receive that email!
I also love to partner with schools or diocese to provide custom coupons for communities. Please inquire with your school, parish, or diocese to have them contact me about providing standard discounts.
Get a jumpstart on the Culture of Care by hosting a Cycle Prep workshop for your church, school, or other group! We offer Cycle Prep group hosting options as well as in-person events. Learn more today!
Round out your family education by purchasing CYCLE PREP with: