What Your Menstrual Cycle Says About Your Health
The menstrual cycle is more than a monthly occurrence - it’s a powerful indicator of overall health, functioning as your body’s ‘report card’. By paying attention to cycle patterns, we can gain meaningful insights into our hormonal balance and overall well-being. This is vital information for women of all ages, including mothers guiding their daughters through early cycle development.
Understanding Cycle Maturity and Variability
Especially in the first several years, menstrual cycles can be irregular. This is often because the cycle is ‘maturing’, stabilising hormones and establishing a natural rhythm. During these times, a cycle that ranges between 21 and 45 days is completely normal. It is also common for such cycle irregularity to occur during perimenopause with fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone. Tracking these variations helps you understand what’s typical for you (or your daughter) and builds awareness of changes that might need attention.
Tracking for Better Health
A regular tracking practice can reveal essential health insights. By logging details like cycle length, physical symptoms, mood changes, and flow type, you’ll better understand what’s normal for you. Patterns like significant changes in cycle length, delayed periods, or increased PMS symptoms could indicate areas worth investigating with a healthcare professional. This practice not only provides peace of mind but also empowers you to address issues proactively.
The Oral Contraceptive Pill: Camouflaging, Not Correcting
While the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) may seem to ‘regulate’ cycles, it only creates the appearance of regularity. It does not address the underlying hormonal imbalances or support the cycle’s natural maturation. In fact, starting the pill at a young age can delay this natural development and when you come off the pill the symptoms you had before often come back with a vengeance. The hormones in the OCP are NOT the same as those that your body makes, they are synthetic (eg, the OCP contains progestin, not progesterone). It’s important to understand that hormonal birth control can be a helpful tool for many, but it won’t ‘fix’ cycle irregularities. Instead, it masks them, which may delay the chance to address potential health issues. Trust me, I found this out the hard way…I was prescribed the OCP to deal with irregular cycles and painful periods after the birth of my son. I was 30 years old. My body must have been trying to tell me something was wrong and I ignored it, which resulted in a diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency (early menopause) at 39. I’d really love to prevent this from happening to anyone else.
If you are taking the OCP for contraception, there are other options such as barrier method and condoms. However, this is a highly individual decision and one that only you can make depending on your personal situation.
Natural Pain Relief and Anti-Inflammatory Solutions
For managing menstrual discomfort, it’s worth considering natural, non-hormonal approaches. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, turmeric, ginger, and omega-3-rich fish can reduce inflammation and soothe pain. Supplements like magnesium, B vitamins, Herbatonin (plant-based melatonin) and zinc have also been shown to alleviate cramps and PMS symptoms. Gentle exercise, adequate hydration and sleep, and stress-reduction practices also play a role in managing menstrual pain without relying on synthetic hormones.
Empowering Yourself and Supporting Your Loved Ones
Learning to view the menstrual cycle as a window into health empowers you and provides a meaningful way to support loved ones (especially any young women in your life) just beginning their journey with menstrual health. By tracking and understanding our cycles, we gain awareness of our bodies, recognise changes, and seek natural and supportive care options when needed.
If you would like support, you can book an appointment with me here.
Lisa x