Do you know what a healthy menstrual cycle looks and feels like?
My clients are often surprised to find out what a healthy menstrual cycle looks like. As women, we are rarely discussing it with eachother so we are not sure what is normal and what isn't. If mothers don't know, they cannot tell their daughters what to expect.
You need to know what a healthy menstrual cycle is like so that you can begin to work towards bringing it into balance.
Menstrual pain was reported by 84.1% of women, with 43.1% reporting that pain occurred during every period, and 41% reporting that pain occurred during some periods 1
If painful periods and irregular menstrual cycles are left without intervention, then women will seek a solution to the monthly suffering. What is commonly offered to them is the oral contraceptive pill.
14% of pill users - more than 1.5 million women - rely on the method for only noncontraceptive purposes. More than half of pill users, 58%, rely on the method at least in part for purposes other than pregnancy prevention. Thirty-one percent use it for cramps or menstrual pain and 28% for menstrual regulation..." 2
The use of this medication may not get to the underlying cause of hormonal imbalance. It may also come with it's own unwanted side effects. This means it may only be a band aid solution and the hormonal imbalance may worsen or affect future fertility. It can leave a woman feeling very powerless over her body each month.
Our expert homeopaths are passionate about hormonal balance for woman. When you work with us, we will help you so you can enjoy your life every month with as little disruption as possible.
"It's important that every woman who comes through my clinic understands what a healthy menstrual cycle should look like. So many woman are told that their symptoms are normal. This prevents them from seeking the solutions they need."
If you would like to know what a healthy menstrual cycle looks like, then keep reading. These are the parameters I use to guide my clients hormones back into balance. On our fertility program, we aim to get our clients as close as possible to a healthy menstrual cycle.
Find out what the 5 myths are about a healthy menstrual cycle so you know what to aim for on your healing journey.
Myth #1:
It's normal for your menstrual cycle to range from 21 to 40 days.
A normal menstrual cycle should be as close as possible to 28 days. This is important so that during the follicular phase of your menstrual cycle the high estrogen levels help prepare your uterus for pregnancy.
If the estrogen is at the right levels, the pituitary gland will secrete luteinizing hormone (LH). With surges of LH and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), ovulation happens. LH also stimulates testosterone which increases sex drive right at the time best for fertility.
This part of the cycle should be characterised by high energy, mental clarity and is a great time to get things done and be creative.
Ovulation takes place at about Day 12-14. This is optimal. In the Luteal phase, the levels of LH and FSH reduce and progesterone increases. If the ovum is not fertilised, then the production of progesterone decreases and this causes the lining of the uterus to shed bringing on the menstrual flow or period.
If a menstrual cycle is too short or too long, then it can impact fertility or be a sign of other hormonal issues such as polycystic ovaries.
Truth: Your menstrual cycle is a huge indicator of your mental emotional and physical health. You should be a healthy, fertile female. If you have fertility and a healthy menstrual cycle, then you are more likely to be in better health in general.
Myth #2:
Your Menstrual Flow Normally Lasts From 2- 8 days
Day one of your cycle is the first day of bleeding.
In the clinic, I aim to get my clients flow closer to 3-5 days in length. Not too short and not too long.
The flow itself, should be a rich, red color. It should be medium in amount, not too scanty and not too heavy. It should not have an odor nor should it be an intermittent flow where it stops and starts again.
Myth #3:
Clotted Menstrual Flow Is Normal
No, it's not.
A clotted menstrual flow is one of the first things that I see change with a good constitutional prescription.
A healthy menstrual flow has no clots.
Myth#4
Painful Periods Are Normal
Some severe and chronic conditions such as endometriosis will have painful periods. That would be normal for that condition and can be very severe indeed.
In general with a reproductive system with no major abnormalities, I am wanting to work towards a painless menstruation.
The teen segment of menstruating woman tend to have a higher incidence of menstrual pain.
The ideal and healthy menstruation should have no pain before the flow starts. They might have a mild sensation of their flow coming on only. There should be little to no cramping, aching or squeezing pains. There should be no pains in the back and none going down the legs.
If someone has had a very stressful, emotional month but not had time to process it, then their period is liely to be affected. If nurtirition has been lacking, then the period may be affected.
The type of pain and what makes it feel better or worse will show the best remedies for relief. Our clients learn what remedies to dip into for support should period pain strike.
Our clients will find that while working with one of our homeopaths that period pain tends to reduce in intensity and frequency. Often it disappears entirely.
Myth #5:
Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) is normal
With the changes in estrogen and progesterone just before the menstrual flow there can be changes in mood and energy levels. It is normal in this part of the menstrual cycle to feel a little more quieter and perhaps contemplative.
It is not normal to be incredibly tired, joyless, irritable and angry. It is not normal to be dragging yourself around and being teary. It is not normal to be retreating and isolating. It is certainly not normal to feel sad or depressed.
When working with our homeopaths, our clients find that the length and intensity of their PMS symptoms reduce. The best constitutional remedy will help support during this time. Each month should improve until there is no longer any PMS symptoms presenting.
Read the second article in our series about the female menstrual cycle and PMS here
Have you been suffering under the illusion of what is 'normal' in your menstrual cycle?
If you would like some help moving your menstrual cycle towards actual healthy functioning then make sure you contact us below.
Would like to speak to one of our homeopaths further to see how we can help you? If so, contact us using the form below and we will book you in for a free 30 min consultation. We will get an overview of your symptoms and will be able to talk to you about how to best work with us.
Look forward to chatting with you!