I am a champion for sexual freedom. My life’s work is devoted to it.

I am also an advocate for conscious health and people taking responsibility for the impact of their lifestyle choices on their bodies.

While GOP members are decrying the use of birth control and liberals are fighting for the right to have it subsidized, let’s examine a fact that is consistently overlooked in these debates:

Hormonal birth control is deemed to be a Group 1 carcinogen by the WHO (since 2005). This puts it in the same class as other cancer-causing substances such as asbestos and radium.

Why is anyone fighting to put that in their bodies?

Young women who have not had children yet—like students—are at an increased risk for hormonally-induced cancer. A Mayo Clinic study (http://www.polycarp.org/statement_mayo_clinic_article.pdf) has shown that women have a 50 percent increased risk of getting breast cancer if taking oral contraceptives four years or more before having children.

Swedish oncologist, Hakan Olsson found that before age 20, women increase their breast cancer risk by 1000 percent.

Breast tissue is particularly susceptible to multiplication before it stabilizes after childbirth.

I’m a sex coach. I’m also a proponent of a healthy, chemical-free lifestyle.

In my late teens, I became a vegetarian and embarked on a lifelong education in an organic, whole foods lifestyle. I began researching alternative healing methods like herbs and homeopathy. I removed pharmaceuticals and synthetic chemical products from my life—from shampoos to body lotions to house cleaners.

My pursuit of natural living and getting more in touch with my body led me to discover natural birth control. I found a book in my local library by Drs. John and Evelyn Billings, called The Billings Method. In it, they describe how every woman can easily chart and make decisions about her own fertility.

All females in the animal kingdom show visible signs of estrus. Human females are no different.

I know some women who can feel the moment they ovulate, like a pinch in their ovaries. Most women experience a surge in libido during this time—that is, unless they are on the birth control pill.

The Billings Method involves observing vaginal secretions which vary throughout the month. They vary for a reason: at times they indicate fertility.

The Billings’ were Catholic. They were searching for a method of contraception that would not go against their religious beliefs.

I’m not Catholic. I was searching for a method that would not go against the integrity of my body and my health.

I have used the method successfully for nearly two decades. It is taught for free all over the world, especially in developing countries where women cannot afford pharmaceutical contraception.

When I was living in Bali, Indonesia, Robin Lim, an internationally-known midwife and health advocate (she was named CNN’s 2011 Hero of the Year—check it out here), was instructing local women in how to use it. The process is quite simple and the method has a rate of success from 95-100 percent, depending on which studies you look at. The most common number I have seen is 98 percent.

The Pill is considered about the same.

For me, it has been immensely empowering to be able to chart my own fertility. To tune into the rhythms of my body and honor them.

In my coaching practice, I have seen The Pill wreak havoc on women’s moods and libido. My personal view on why so many women experience infertility issues is because they have been on The Pill for 10, 15 or 20 years before they decide to become pregnant. They are in hormonal disarray and likely so weighed down by the toxic burden that their bodies will not let them conceive in such a mutated environment.

Women: Take control of your own body.

Men: Support women to take control. You can do it with them. You can research the method and suggest it to current and new partners. Go to a Billings tutorial together.

Natural birth control is free, empowering and it will allow women to keep their body parts.

I’m all for that.

Next week I’ll write more about the method and how it works. In the meantime, if you are interested, check out some of the online resources available:

http://www.billingsmethod.com/

As a life and intimacy coach, Kim Anami has propelled thousands of people into higher stratospheres of connection, sensuality, energy and aliveness. Kim’s musings on love, life and sex have graced the pages of Playboy and national radio and television. Explore her bodacious retreats, salons and 1+1 offerings at: www.kimanami.com

Editor: Brianna Bemel