Period Power

1. Your Cycle is a Vital Sign, Not a Hindrance

The idea that your period can act as a report card of your overall health has been expressed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Beyond Reproduction. The menstrual cycle is more than just a reproductive process; it's a vital sign that reflects your overall health. Changes in your cycle—pain, flow, regularity—can indicate underlying hormonal imbalances or other health issues.

Listen to your body. Instead of viewing your cycle as a burden, learn to see it as a source of information. Tracking your cycle can help you identify patterns, understand your body's rhythms, and recognize when something isn't quite right. This knowledge empowers you to take charge of your health and seek appropriate care.

Challenge the stigma. Society often portrays menstruation as something shameful or inconvenient, but it's a natural and powerful process. By embracing your cycle and understanding its significance, you can challenge these negative stereotypes and reclaim your body's wisdom.

2. The Vulva: More Than Meets the Eye

Densely packed with an astounding 8,000 nerve endings (that’s double the amount of the male equivalent; the glans or head of the penis), your clitoris is all about pleasure.

Beyond the Vagina. The vulva, your external genitalia, is often confused with the vagina, which is an internal tube. The vulva includes the mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris, perineum, and the openings of the vagina and urethra.

Clitoral Power. The clitoris, with its 8,000 nerve endings, is solely designed for pleasure, not reproduction. It's an iceberg, with most of its structure hidden internally, including a bulb and legs that play a crucial role in arousal and orgasm.

Labial Diversity. Labia come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. There is no "normal" vulva, and the diversity of vulvas is something to be celebrated. The inner and outer labia are not symmetrical, and they vary in thickness, length, shape, hairiness, and color.

3. Hormonal Harmony: The Dance of Your Cycle

Hormones rule the lives of all humans – not just women.

Chemical Messengers. Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through your bloodstream, regulating various bodily functions, including your menstrual cycle. They influence your energy, mood, sexual desire, and physical changes.

Key Players. The menstrual cycle is orchestrated by a delicate dance of hormones:

• GnRH: The boss hormone that tells the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH.
• FSH: Stimulates follicles to mature.
• Oestrogen: The "Beyoncé" hormone, associated with confidence, sensuality, and fertility.
• LH: Triggers ovulation and instructs the corpus luteum to produce progesterone.
• Testosterone: Not just a "male" hormone, it boosts libido and muscle mass.
• Progesterone: The "Kristen Stewart" hormone, associated with calm, introspection, and slowing down.

The HPO Axis. The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis controls the uterine and ovarian cycles. The hypothalamus instructs the pituitary to tell the ovaries to make hormones. The HPA axis controls your stress response, and the HPT axis controls your thyroid.

4. Winter: Menstruation as a Time for Rest and Reflection

Every mile is two in Winter.

Inner Focus. Menstruation, your "Winter," is a time of hormonal collapse, where energy turns inward. It's a period for rest, reflection, and letting go.

Superpowers of Winter:

• Setting boundaries: Prioritizing your needs and saying no to what doesn't serve you.
• Nourishment: Engaging in activities that restore and replenish you.
• Rest: Allowing your body to recover and recharge.
• Release: Letting go of pent-up emotions and old patterns.
• Receiving: Accessing insights and creative solutions.

Dangers of Winter:

• Ignoring the call to retreat: Pushing through when your body needs rest.
• Guilt: Feeling bad for prioritizing your needs.
• Rushing out: Jumping back into action too soon.

5. Spring: Rebirth and the Power of Oestrogen

Let’s get this party started (Spring).

Emerging Energy. The pre-ovulation phase, your "Spring," is a time of increasing energy, motivation, and interest in the outer world. Oestrogen levels rise, bringing positivity and a sense of possibility.

Superpowers of Spring:

• Potential: Recognizing opportunities for growth and change.
• Building and expanding: Taking action and making progress.
• Curiosity and exploration: Trying new things and embracing new experiences.
• Play: Enjoying life and having fun.

Dangers of Spring:

• Exposing yourself too soon: Sharing ideas before they're fully developed.
• Succumbing to pressure: Overloading your schedule and burning out.
• Tiredness: Ignoring your body's need for rest.
• Distraction: Getting sidetracked by new opportunities.

6. Summer: Ovulation and the Peak of Your Cycle

Don’t stop me now (Summer).

Peak Performance. Ovulation, your "Summer," is the peak of your cycle, where oestrogen reaches its highest point, triggering a surge of LH and testosterone. You feel confident, productive, and sexually charged.

Superpowers of Summer:

• Invincibility: Feeling capable and unstoppable.
• Productivity: Achieving your goals and making progress.
• Expansion: Taking up space and being visible.
• Connection and communication: Building relationships and sharing your ideas.
• Pleasure: Enjoying life and embracing your sensuality.

Dangers of Summer:

• Feeling too visible: Shying away from the spotlight.
• Saying "yes" to everything: Overcommitting and burning out.
• Getting giddy: Becoming distracted and losing focus.
• Wasting opportunities: Not taking advantage of your peak energy.

7. Autumn: The Premenstruum and the Power of Progesterone

What may look like on the surface to be uncontrolled anger, destruction and rage may actually be truth, justice and love.

Inner Reflection. The premenstruum, your "Autumn," is a time of hormonal shift, where progesterone becomes dominant. You may feel more introspective, critical, and in need of solitude.

Superpowers of Autumn:

• Deep thought and focus: Concentrating on what's important.
• Reviewing: Assessing your progress and making adjustments.
• Deciding: Making choices based on your intuition.
• Editing and organizing: Clearing out what no longer serves you.
• Speaking candidly: Expressing your truth and setting boundaries.

Dangers of Autumn:

• Carrying on without awareness: Ignoring your body's need for rest.
• Ignoring the call to retreat: Pushing through when you need to slow down.
• Guilt: Feeling bad for prioritizing your needs.
• Rushing out: Jumping back into action too soon.

8. Beyond the Binary: Cycles for All

Not everyone who is a woman has a menstrual cycle or womb, and not everyone who has a menstrual cycle and a womb is a woman.

Inclusivity Matters. Menstrual health is not just a "women's issue." People of all gender identities can have menstrual cycles, and it's important to use inclusive language and frameworks.

Trans and Non-Binary Experiences. Transgender and non-binary individuals may experience gender dysphoria related to menstruation. Some may choose to use hormone therapy to stop their periods, while others may find ways to manage their cycles in a way that feels authentic to them.

Respecting Diversity. It's crucial to acknowledge that not everyone who menstruates identifies as female, and that not everyone who identifies as female has a menstrual cycle. Using inclusive language and respecting individual experiences is essential.

9. Nourish Your Body: Diet and Digestion for Hormonal Health

Your period and your cycle are a reflection of your overall health.

Gut-Hormone Connection. The health of your gut is directly linked to your hormonal balance. A healthy gut microbiome supports hormone production, nutrient absorption, and detoxification.

Dietary Essentials:

• Prioritize vegetables: Aim for 8-10 servings daily, focusing on a variety of colors.
• Include healthy fats: Consume sources like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
• Choose complex carbs: Opt for whole grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables.
• Eat protein at every meal: Include sources like eggs, fish, meat, and pulses.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Foods to Limit or Avoid:

• Sugar: Refined sugars and processed foods can disrupt blood sugar and hormones.
• Alcohol: Can increase oestrogen levels and disrupt sleep.
• Processed foods: Often contain unhealthy fats, additives, and preservatives.
• Dairy: Can be inflammatory for some people.
• Gluten: Can cause inflammation and digestive issues.

10. Treat Your Cycle: Self-Care Strategies for Every Phase

Cycle tracking and being aware of your menstrual cycle is the greatest act of self-care you can give yourself.

Cycle-Based Self-Care. Align your self-care practices with the different phases of your cycle. What you need in your Winter will be different from what you need in your Summer.

Winter Self-Care:

• Rest and retreat: Prioritize sleep and quiet time.
• Nourish your body: Eat warm, comforting foods.
• Release emotions: Allow yourself to cry and let go.

Spring Self-Care:

• Move your body: Engage in activities that energize you.
• Explore new ideas: Embrace creativity and curiosity.
• Connect with others: Socialize and build relationships.

Summer Self-Care:

• Be productive: Focus on your goals and make progress.
• Embrace pleasure: Enjoy your sensuality and sexuality.
• Take risks: Step outside your comfort zone.

Autumn Self-Care:

• Slow down: Prioritize rest and reflection.
• Set boundaries: Say no to what doesn't serve you.
• Review and edit: Make changes that support your well-being.

11. When Things Fall Apart: Navigating Common Cycle Issues

You have a right to know and understand your body, and being clued up on all things menstrual will make it a whole lot easier for you to identify when something isn’t quite right.

Common Cycle Issues:

• PMS and PMDD: Manage symptoms with diet, exercise, and stress reduction.
• Period pain: Use heat therapy, NSAIDs, and consider alternative therapies.
• Heavy periods: Address underlying hormonal imbalances and consider iron supplementation.
• Short or long cycles: Track your BBT and seek professional guidance.
• Amenorrhoea: Investigate underlying causes and prioritize self-care.
• Ovarian cysts: Most resolve on their own, but seek medical advice if they cause symptoms.
• Fibroids: Manage symptoms with diet, exercise, and consider surgical options.
• Endometriosis: Seek a skilled excision surgeon and explore alternative therapies.
• Hypothyroidism: Get comprehensive thyroid testing and address any deficiencies.

Seek Professional Help. Don't hesitate to seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider, such as a GP, naturopath, acupuncturist, or women's health physiotherapist. They can help you identify the root cause of your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Last updated: January 23, 2025