As women, we experience our monthly menstrual-cycle to prepare the uterus for pregnancy.  This is by far one of the most dreadful and most beautiful functions we have as women.  Today, we are covering some of the basics of the Female Menstrual-Cycle; Lets begin!

The uterus grows a new lining and if no pregnancy (fertilized egg) occurs that month, it sheds the old lining and begins a new one. This process is called menstrual bleeding and occurs once per month.

Most women experience monthly menstrual-cycles from the teen years until approximately age 50 when menopause begins. Menopause means the cessation of the menstrual-cycle; however, it does not normally switch off suddenly.  During the peri-menopause (pre-menopause) phase menstrual periods become irregular then ultimately cease.

The average menstrual-cycle is 28 days, but a woman may have cycles which last longer or shorter in time.  Hormones are the key in how the menstrual-cycle affects a woman’s mind and body.

As a woman is experiencing their monthly cycle, hormonal signals are ferried to and from the pituitary and hypothalamus glands to the uterus and ovaries, preparing them for a possible pregnancy.

 

Hormones Affecting the Menstrual Cycle: Estrogen and Progesterone

Estrogen and progesterone are the main hormones which trigger the changes to the uterus during the monthly cycle.  Estrogen strengthens the lining of the uterus while progesterone production increases with the ovulation process (egg release).

Progesterone helps the estrogen hormone strengthen the lining of the uterus and prepare it to receive a fertilized egg. If no fertilization occurs, the lining begins to deteriorate and the monthly period or cleansing of the uterus occurs.

 

 

Changes in The Menstrual Cycle

Any disruptions to hormonal levels may cause cycle or fertility issues. For example, teens, or women experiencing pre-menopause may have short or extended bleeding periods and other symptoms such as severe cramps and pelvic pain.

Changes in the monthly cycle may also be affected by severely low body fat, obesity or birth control pills. Increased or intensive exercise may also have an effect on the duration and intensity of symptoms occurring during the cycle.

The most common reason for a missed monthly cycle is pregnancy.

 

Pre-menstrual Cycle Symptoms That Some Women Experience

Premenstrual symptoms often occur approximately a week before the monthly cycle, manifested by irritability and anger, bloating, weight gain from water retention and tender breasts.

Some women break out in pimples or acne and others experience intense fatigue and cramping pain in the back, stomach or legs. These symptoms usually disappear completely during the beginning of the monthly cycle.

 

Relieving the Pain Associated with Menstrual Cycle

Unfortunately, experiencing period pain is a common theme for women during their monthly cycle. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and stress reduction methods may help to relieve some of the more severe symptoms of a monthly hormone cycle, both pain and mood.

Take note of what foods trigger more pain for you and delete them from your diet when necessary. A little time now keeping a food and effects diary can help prevent decades of recurring discomfort.

Limiting intake of caffeine and alcohol may also lessen the symptoms.

Many women find relief by enjoying a warm bath or using a heating pad or hot water bottle on their tummy, to relieve pain and cramps. There are over-the-counter medications such as naproxen or ibuprofen that are used to help lessen the pain, however, just remember that these types of drugs do have unwanted side effects.

If at all possible, use natural therapies, such as herbal teas and natural supplements, to help cope with any pain experienced.

Some natural herbal remedy options include herbs such as Milk thistle, Chamomile, Chasteberry, Crampbark, Reishi mushrooms, Black Cohosh, Valerian and more.

 

If you are in need of menstrual relief, please don’t schedule a consultation with us.

 

Deika King, TND, MH, CCT, PSc.D

Traditional Naturopathic Doctor Houston

832-422-7271

Follow US on Facebook