'Please listen': What your menstrual cycle is trying to tell you
If you menstruate, you’re likely aware approximately when your period starts and ends. But, there are other signs and signals your cycle is giving you about your health.
Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle natural fertility expert Nat Kringoudis has shared a few ways to decode what your menstrual cycle might be trying to tell you.
How your cycle speaks to you
Signs as simple as bloating or gas, or as complex as period pain or migraines, are all part of your body’s way of talking to you, Nat says.
“Whilst your menstrual cycle may feel overwhelming or too difficult to understand, it is a wonderfully clear communicator, providing you with an internal window into your gynaecological and reproductive health," she adds.
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"With a few pointers, you can use it to decode what your body is trying to tell you.”
Nat has shared her top-five pointers to use your cycle to your advantage.
The Ovulation Date
"If you're fortunate enough to be able to pinpoint ovulation, you can use this information in so many ways," Nat says.
"This is what is known as the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) - observing your body’s own signs surrounding your cycle.
"If you consistently ovulate early or late, it may provide a reflection of what your hormones are up to.
"For example, early ovulation points towards low estrogen, whilst delayed ovulation may indicate elevated oestrogen.
"To help you accurately pinpoint ovulation, I suggest investing in a quality hormone-free fertility tracker.
"I recommend Daysy, as it is 99.4% accurate in being able to predict your non-fertile days, increasing your chances of conception."
Bloating towards the end of the cycle
"It’s a good idea to track your bloating, puffiness or swelling," Nat says.
"Bloating may be due to several factors, and we often turn to our digestive system as the cause.
"This isn’t incorrect, however your hormones may also be at play.
"If you experience bloating, swelling or general retention in the later part of the cycle, it may be a result of not enough of a hormone called progesterone."
A missing cycle
"If your period has gone completely missing, it is a huge reflection on your hormones," Nat says.
"Missing periods (amenorrhea) can be due to a range of imbalances, most commonly low hormones, post pill use or, at times, other more complex contributing factors.
"If you skip a period as a one-off, it’s generally nothing to worry about, but if you miss more than three, speak to your health provider."
Period pain means inflammation
"This is simple, yet so many of us are told that pain is part of the package of being a woman and we accept it without looking any further," Nat says.
"Bottom line is, if you experience recurring pain at the same time each cycle, your body is trying to tell you something, and there is likely inflammation or stagnation causing the pain.
"I recommend reducing inflammatory foods for one cycle to see if that helps reduce the pain."
Surprise cause of some heavy periods
"Your uterine lining is influenced by estrogen, so the equation is rather simple: more oestrogen = more lining = more bleeding," Nat says.
"If you experience heavy bleeding, this is likely in response to excess estrogen and again, is your body’s way of showing your estrogen needs some TLC.
"One of the best ways to make sure your oestrogen is being regulated is to make sure you’re pooping regularly.
"Excess hormones (like estrogen) are shipped out via the bowel, however if they aren’t being moved daily, this can be reabsorbed and add to the problem."
Get to know your cycle's clues
"I’d encourage you to really tune in to, not only what signs and symptoms your body is showing you, but also when they occur in the cycle, which can also help you further learn if your hormones are part of the mystery," Nat says.
"Regardless of your symptoms, your body is indeed talking to you.
"Invest in a non-invasive tracker like Daysy, so you can accurately record your cycle and, over time, clearly see your rhythm.
"Please listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, nine times out of 10, it isn’t."
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