My daughter came up to me and talked about how scared her friends were about getting their period. She said one of them was crying saying she heard "It's so bad, it's going to kill me"
As I tried not to laugh through the fear-mongering, I replied ... "your period doesn't hurt"
I just finished my monthly cycle and the truth of the matter is I didn't even know it was there aside from having to change out a pad or tampon and an occasional ache. I should say I didn't always used to be this way, I used to carry Midol and Ibuprofen with me and called out for a few shifts back in the day. But now when my period comes...I don't even know it anymore.
Unfortunately, women's health is underfunded, under-researched, under "cared-about" and overmedicated so she will stop being so "hysterical". Because of this, we aren't taught what is normal for a healthy cycle and instead, we are shown commercials of women doubled over in pain reaching for Midol or put on birth control to alleviate symptoms or an antidepressant to handle our cycles and shifting hormone levels.
I should also chime in with what is normal or happening to a large percentage of the population doesn't make it right. Just because a large percentage of women complain about having period pain doesn't mean that is supposed to be our norm. It's not.
If our hormone levels are within range and our inflammation is in check, then our periods come and go with ease. However, if our hormone levels are elevated and then plummet during menstruation or we have excess inflammation due to harsh chemicals, toxins, blood sugar dysregulation, pesticides, and processed food...then yes our periods are going to be pardon my French...hellacious.
Menstruation is a bit of an inflammatory process by nature so if that is compounded with excessive inflammation then it can lead to the doubled over period pain.
Just some food for thought, but do you think it would be beneficial for our hunter and gatherer ancestors to be walking miles across the plains and women be doubled over in pain? "Sorry, I can't go on this week". Surely that would not have ended well.
So why are women suddenly having more period problems than ever? Why are hysterectomies one of the top 5 surgeries? Why is birth control one of the most prescribed meds? What is the deal in women's health?!
We are living in an evolutionary mismatch, we still have these ancient natural bodies that are trying to respond to all of these modern chemicals, toxins, stressors, etc., and haven't quite learned how to keep up - this ends up with wonky cycles and wild hormones that sometimes results in extreme pain.
The good thing is we can get the body back into balance, calm the inflammation, and alleviate the pain response. We can get our cycles to be regular, consistent, and pain-free.
It's not an immediate fix, a magical pill, or a 30-day plan, but instead, a lifestyle change to live how we were designed to.
If this resonates with you and you want to take this concept deeper...sign up for my hormone workshop on October 24th. I'm tucking all into healthy cycles and healthy hormones and lots of actions steps you can bring to your life to live with less pain and period symptoms.
In the meantime, some of my favorite herbals for period complaints are:
For cramping - cramp bark & motherwort(don't take if hypothyroid or cardiac history..also can increase heavy bleeding)
For pain relief - skullcap, passionflower, ginger, white willow and lavender
Things to tamp down inflammation- ginger & turmeric are my go-to's on my period and cutting out processed food, sugar, alcohol!, gluten, and dairy if these are triggers for you.
Best wishes and pain-free periods for all,
Hannah
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