Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle

Your period is talking to you. Are you listening?

From the color and consistency of your blood, to your mood swings and menstrual cramps—your period is the ultimate tool to measure your fertility and overall health.

Think of your period as your monthly report card. 

But there’s more to calculating your final grade than just how you feel during that time of the month.

There are 4 phases of your menstrual cycle:

• Follicular phase

• Ovulatory phase

• Luteal phase

• Menstrual phase

A healthy menstrual cycle is between 28-32 days and should be fairly consistent from month to month. If you’re bleeding (or even just spotting) before or after your period, something’s out of balance. Bloating, irritability, blood clots, and cramps are other signs that it’s time to take a closer look at what’s going on. 

Just because it’s common for these conditions to tag along with Aunt Flo, doesn’t mean they’re normal.

Your period should sneak up on you without any PMS symptoms, but that doesn’t mean it should come and go as it pleases. Start paying close attention to what your body’s telling you. If you have any pesky symptoms  or your menstrual cycle is shorter than 28 days or longer than 32 days, your hormones are begging for some serious support. 

How to heal your period problems with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

If your period is telling you that your menstrual cycle could use a little love, here are some things you can do at home to reverse your symptoms and get your hormones in harmony. These DIY tips make a great first step on the path to pain-free periods and getting pregnant with no problems (when you’re ready!).

If you prefer a little more guidance and a customized one-on-one approach, book a virtual Fertility Consult to fast track your results.

IF YOU HAVE A HEAVY FLOW OR BLOOD CLOTS: 

An ideal, healthy flow will start off strong on day 1 of your period and decrease gradually. Clotting or too heavy of a flow are signs of Spleen Qi Deficiency. 

Western medicine treats this with surgeries like endometrial ablation, but here’s how you can naturally begin to heal yourself at home.

Supplement recommendations: Astragalus and Soulshine Rest Elixir

DIY Tip: Drink Ashwagandha tea at night, eat sweet potatoes, and get more rest.

IF YOU HAVE SPOTTING BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR PERIOD: 

Spotting before your period is an indicator that AMH levels may be low and that your ovarian reserve is diminishing. If you have any breakthrough bleeding, you need to regulate your hormones.

You may notice an improvement by increasing your circulation and blood flow with daily exercise and by keeping your abdomen warm, but ultimately your best treatment if you experience spotting is acupuncture and herbs.

Supplement recommendation: Soulshine Ovary Elixir 

DIY Tip: Take your elixir and find an acupuncturist near you. If you’re near Orange County, California, call 949-612-7247 or book your appointment online with one of our specialists. 

IF YOU HAVE A LIGHT PALE PINK OR ABSENT FLOW: 

A period that’s pale pink or completely absent is a sign of Blood Deficiency. While this can occur with anyone, it’s most common in vegans and vegetarians due to the absence of adequate iron.

If you have Blood Deficiency you may also notice decreased energy, pale skin, low libido, hair loss, and symptoms of anemia. Blood Deficiency is one of the most common causes of infertility, but it can be reversed naturally.  

Supplement recommendations: Four Things by Dragon Herbs and Floradix Iron (found at health food stores).

DIY Tip: Eat more organic red meat. If you're vegetarian, incorporate more spirulina and spinach into your diet. 

IF YOU HAVE A DARK PURPLE FLOW WITH PMS: 

Both dark-colored blood and PMS symptoms are a sign of Liver Qi Stagnation. Liver Qi Stagnation is very common in women with a history of fibroids and endometriosis. 

While Western Medicine treats the symptoms with birth control and invasive surgeries, Traditional Chinese Medicine gets to the root of the problem. Dark-colored blood and PMS is a sign of stagnation in your body that’s caused by built-up stress and unprocessed emotions. This creates a dam effect where the blood doesn’t flow well, but you can open up the clogged pathways naturally.

Supplement recommendation: Artichoke Extract 

DIY Tip: Drink warm lemon water first thing in the morning and throughout the day. Acupuncture is also a great way to get things flowing again. 

IF YOU HAVE CRAMPS:

Cramps are also caused by Liver Qi Stagnation, but there are specific ways to get to the root of your issue and relieve this pesky pain.

Supplement recommendation: BuTiao 

DIY Tip: Cleanse your liver and keep your abdomen warm.

If none of these apply to you and you've got a nice red juicy flow, you go girl! That means your blood is well nourished and everything is circulating well.

If you’re struggling with one of these conditions and your body can’t seem to keep up, just know that it’s not your fault—our world has become a high-stress, chemical-filled place. 

But it is entirely up to you to get it back on track. And you can get started by learning exactly how to support each phase of your menstrual cycle to optimize your overall health and fertility.

If you’re ready to get personalized guidance, book a Fertility Consult to get started right away.