Anatomy, Reproduction, & Fertility for Catholic Teens: HOME USE

Catholic Parents...

your voice as Primary Educator is desperately needed!

In today's world, it's clear that we cannot trust our sexually-saturated culture to form our children in the virtue of chastity, or to develop a healthy appreciation for sex as a good and beautiful form of communication between spouses.

It's hard enough to even trust that the biological facts of anatomy & sexual reproduction will be presented without some other agenda! We know that an alternative is needed, yet trying to figure out what to say and how to say it can sometimes leave us a little tongue-tied.

As parents, we know that ours is the most important voice for our teen... but we also know that ours is the voice they sometimes want to tune out.

That's why I've developed a 6-part video series to help you start these conversations at home, where you and your teen can hear a professional voice explain:

the facts about biology, sex, and reproduction;
in the context of God's plan for marriage and respect for the dignity of our bodies.

I'm Christina Valenzuela:

I've been an NFP instructor for over a decade, and have two formal theological degrees plus almost almost twenty years of pastoral ministry and teaching experience.

But more importantly, I'm a parent.
And I know that our Church bears the responsibility for providing these resources for families.

What are some of the key values in this presentation?

Assisting Parents

My role as a body literacy educator is supplemental to your role as parent. These videos do not explain everything! But they will give you a good foundation for ongoing conversation.

Science + Faith

Our Catholic faith understands that there is a single Truth, reflected in both science and theology. Therefore, understanding biology can and should be used as an aid in our faith life.

Straight Talk

Our children need information that is neither vague nor graphic. Images used give detail but are not explicit. Proper biological terminology and concepts are presented factually alongside Church teaching.

Body Literacy: Sooner

Our young people need a reliable space to learn about this aspect of their bodies, for a better experience of adolescence and more robust self-knowledge.

What's included?

SIX VIDEOS- approx. 45 MINUTES TOTAL

Intro + Male & Female Anatomy

6 minutes

In this video, Christina introduces the concept of "body literacy" and sets the stage for exploring human anatomy and biology as a means to better understand our selves as creatures, which leads to deeper knowledge of the Creator.

Christina provides a brief overview of female and male reproductive anatomy in humans.

The Menstrual Cycle

10 minutes

In order to understand how male and female anatomy work together for fertility, it is first necessary to do a deeper dive in the process of the menstrual cycle.

This video gives an overview of how four key hormones work throughout the cycle, and explains why ovulation is the most important event (not a period bleed!). Examples of healthy variations of cycles are explained, as well as a quick look at anovulatory cycles.

Reproduction & Fertility

9 minutes

Christina explains the process of sexual reproduction in humans, and explains that human couples go through periods of natural fertility and natural infertility during the course of the menstrual cycle.

This video introduces the concept of a "fertile window" relative to ovulation, which is aided by the female production of cervical fluid.

The Language of the Body

8 minutes

Because humans are made in the image and likeness of God, our bodies are an important way that we express the Truth of who we are. JPII reminds us that our bodies speak a special form of language, which we did not author-- and that Truth is communicated in a unique way through sexual intercourse between married persons.

Body Literacy

8 minutes

Christina offers an overview of the daily changes men may observe as a result of testosterone, and an explanation of changes a woman might observe throughout the course of a cycle. Because of these changes, menstrual cycles are also considered a vital sign of girls' health.

Church Teaching on Family Planning

8 minutes

Christina now shows how the Church uses knowledge about anatomy and physiology, in conversation with theological concepts about the dignity of the body and the Sacramentality of marriage, to articulate a moral teaching on family planning.

She introduces the difference between methods of natural family planning which respect the natural rhythms of fertility and infertility in the life of a married couple, and other methods which do not. NFP allows us to speak the Truth with our bodies, and encourages us in the virtue of mutual chastity.

Stages of Body Literacy

THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF STAGE 2

At Pearl & Thistle, we provide education for Catholics about menstrual cycles, periods, and fertility at all ages and stages.

We believe that body literacy takes time, so we've curated everything according to developmental stage.

Our lifelong body literacy education model:

Begins with accurate (age appropriate!) cycle education even before girls get their first period...
Extends to charting for health...
Invites young women to learn and reflect more maturely as they grow...
Adds in fertility for NFP...
And continues in the form of robust parish support to meet all the changing needs of couples through their fertile years.

Anatomy, Reproduction, & Fertility for Catholic Teens: HOME USE

Course
12 Lessons

Purchase now!

FAQs

What age is this best for?

This video series is recommended for sophomore year or older, but freshmen who have already taken a foundational biology course would be able to follow the lessons well.

Is this only for girls?

I have many programs which are specifically for girls, but this is not one of them! Our teenage sons also need to learn about the workings of the female system, and to understand that both men and women can become body literate and can work together in the context of planning a family *naturally* within marriage.

How long do I have to access the videos after I purchase?

Purchasing these videos means that you have lifetime access (as long as Pearl & Thistle is around!) to watch a rewatch your videos as many times as you want.

Can I download these videos?

All videos hosted through this platform are not available for download. In order to play them, you will need access to the internet.

Can I show these videos in a group?

This program is designed for use at home. If you are interested in using these videos to share with a classroom or group, please purchase the CLASSROOM USE license.

Does this presentation talk about different types of birth control?

This presentation mentions "contraceptive or barrier methods" as distinct from Natural Family Planning, but does not go into detail about any of the drugs, devices, or procedures.

Does this presentation explain how to use NFP?

This presentation explains the underlying concepts of NFP: namely, that there is an identifiable window in which a married couple can get pregnant, and that looking for biomarkers for ovulation can help that couple try to conceive or postpone pregnancy. The logistics of how to do this are not explained.