Hello ladies of the world! This blog post is dedicated to you, because like me I am sure there are lots of women out there struggling to understand what is happening to their bodies throughout their monthly cycle.
The truth is, we are all more normal than we think, and we are doing a disservice to our body by not being aware of why we feel the way we feel.
In this post, I want to share with you 6 things I wish I’d known about my period years ago – but only learned recently!
Number ONE: Not feeling well? Track your symptoms.
This has been a game-changer for me. I personally use Flo app to track my symptoms, and I have only been doing this religiously for the past 18 months. I am 31, which means that for the past 20 years, my body has experienced lots of different changes I naively never thought could be period related; not only because of the evident lack of Female Health education in the school curriculum, but also because I simply was not tracking them. The possibility didn’t even cross my mind! However, things are changing now.
Every time I feel bloated, or I have a migraine, or I feel my mood change, I record it. Let me tell you, it’s been eye opening. Why? Because now I am starting to see a pattern. Even better, I am finally starting to feel that I am not weird, I am not sick, and I am in fact, more normal than I thought. I AM A WOMAN.
Us women operate in a completely different way from the way this world has been designed. For many years our world has been designed by men, for men. We follow a calendar in which months have either 30 or 31 days, but we are different. Our cycles are an average of 28 days, and sometimes we find ourselves pushing our misunderstood bodies to uncomfortable limits because we are trying to live in that 30-day month, like we are all the same!
How do you think your life would change if you were to pay attention to our own cycle and start living by it?
Number TWO: Did you know your cycle can be divided into different phases?
If you had asked me what a Luteal phase was a year ago, I would have probably told you that it was one of the phases of the moon.
So, if you are on this same boat, you will want to know this:
Phase ONE: Menstruation.
I am pretty sure you are very familiar with this one, so I am going to skip it.
Phase TWO: Follicular Phase.
This phase follows just after menstruation. During this phase, your pituitary gland releases a hormone called Follicle Stimulating Hormone, which helps the follicles in your ovaries to mature. Be aware that these follicles contain your eggs.
During this phase, your estrogen and testosterone levels rise, making you feel better. You feel more energised and even happier. You feel more daring and ready to try new activities, and your libido increases too.
Phase THREE: Ovulation.
This is when your estrogen and testosterone will be at its highest, therefore you’ll feel great, and may even feel like you look better than ever! During this phase, an egg is released.
Did you know that after an egg is released, it will only survive between 12 and 24 hours?
I know… I did not have a clue either!
Your estrogen and testosterone will decrease considerably here, and your body will start producing progesterone.
Progesterone has a calming effect on the body, and you will feel ready to put all those things you planned days ago into action.
You might feel more organised, and you will do things calmly.
Phase FOUR: Luteal Phase.
The Luteal phase can be anywhere between 10 and 14 days, and it is only during the first half of the LP that you will feel this easiness. During this phase, the lining of your uterus gets thicker and prepares for a possible pregnancy.
What happens during the second part of the Luteal Phase? PMS!
This is when all symptoms such as bloating, cravings, tenderness, constipation, headaches, back pain, and others will strike. It is time to REST!
Allow yourself to slow down and relax during this time.
By the end of this phase, if the egg has not been fertilised, you will get your period and begin the cycle again.
Number THREE: Say hi to PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder).
The symptoms of PMDD are way more severe than those of PMS. Unfortunately, those who suffer from PMDD experience intense feelings of helplessness, anxiety, irritability, sadness and depression.
Hence, if you have been feeling like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde for a long time, it would be a good idea to pay attention to your symptoms and go and chat to your doctor.
Please note than PMDD is not a mental health disorder but a hormonal imbalance, and there are things you can do to reduce the symptoms.
Number FOUR: Contraceptives as the solution to all your problems.
Not true!
In my case, I found that contraceptives were the reason my migraines were becoming more intense and frequent. I also was unable to lose weight, and my libido completely disappeared for a long time. I have been off the pill for two years now, and I am feeling better than ever.
If your contraceptives are not making you feel good, it is time to visit your doctor.
Number FIVE: Bloating.
Why do I weigh 1.2 kgs more than yesterday?!
Remember that because of our cycles, our bodies are constantly changing, and a part of those changes is a fluctuation in weight. No, the one tiny burger you ate yesterday has not made you 1.2 kgs heavier, but maybe the fact that you have not drank enough water the past couple of days has!
Being bloated can be a sign of dehydration, so make sure you drink frequently. If water isn’t your thing, get creative and add lemon juice, apple cider vinegar or make hot and cold herbal teas.
Set reminders on your phone if you easily forget to stay hydrated.
Number SIX: Your facial cream could be affecting your fertility.
Yep! You read right. Many chemicals in household products can be really damaging to your fertility as they contain ECDs, which means Endocrine Disruptive Chemicals. Buying green/organic products is the way to go, especially if you are trying to conceive. An easy way to find these products is by reading the labels. Make sure it says ‘Parabens Free’, and that will be a good start!
Just so you know, Bisphenol S is one of those chemicals to avoid. This can be found in plastic bottles.
How are you feeling after reading all of this? Did any of this make you have an ‘ah-ha’ moment?
If you have any more interesting facts to share with us, please contact us!
Author:
Maggie
Maggie Asensio is a Holistic Life Coach and Mind-Body Practitioner, a student of Counselling and a Teacher. Maggie is founder of the School of Vida where she focuses on helping her clients navigate the challenges of being in the middle of a life transition. At School of Vida ambitious individuals can become comfortable with the uncomfortable, by learning to embrace change and thrive in their new reality. Maggie is all about finding the motivation and the discipline necessary to achieve one’s goals. Find her on Instagram or her website.
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