Periods, Blood & the Menstrual cycle are 3 of my favourite topics in clinic.
The menstrual cycle can seem like a basic concept, however it is a dynamic positive feedback system that mirrors how well your biological rhythm is functioning from mood to sleep cycles, metabolism, energy, libido and immune. This well-orchestrated dance between hormones from your brain (hypothalamus) to pituitary to ovaries has 4 distinct phases: menstruation, follicular, ovulation and luteal.
The female body reflects the macrocosmic cycles of nature, just like the 4 seasons, the waxing and waning of the moon and the ebbs and flows of the tide. Each month, your body is giving you VITAL clues about your overall health and how you can best support your wellbeing.
When you have a period at the end of each month, it indicates your body has met its BASIC level of health that month. Having your monthly bleed also reflects the health of your period and blood. From the quality of your blood, volume, duration, colour, texture and regularity is your MONTHLY REPORT CARD.
What happens if you don’t have a period? Today, I’m going to share with you the umbrella of Western Medicine Diagnosis so you can equip yourself with a clear picture to what is happening with your cycle.
👉🏼 No Periods = Oral Contraceptive Pill, Amenorrhea, Inadequate nutrition, Over exercising, Delayed Puberty, Pregnancy, Asherman’s (post surgery), History Eating Disorder, Stress
👉🏼 Light Period = Iron deficiency, Estrogen Deficiency, Stress, Anemia, Inadequate nutrition
👉🏼 Heavy Period = Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Fibroids, PCOS, Menopause, endometrial polyp, Cancer
👉🏼Painful Periods = Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disorder, PCOS, Fibroids
👉🏼Spotting before period = Progesterone Deficiency, Thyroid, Iron Deficiency, Endometriosis, Fibroid, Missed Miscarriage.
👉🏼 Spotting at Ovulation = Mittelschmerz, low estrogen
👉🏼Irregular periods= PCOS, Insulin resistance, undernutrition, Benign Pituarity tumour, stress
As inconvenient as a period may seem, it means that your body is functioning well. Each month your body is communicating with you via a biological feedback! How is the health of your period?
Amanda is the founder of Angea and has over 12 years of experience working with women to support their health journey. In addition to being a registered doctor of Chinese medicine, Amanda is a yoga teacher and founder of Mindful Pregnancy Yoga Training. Amanda offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and womb healing treatments at Angea.