Period 101
The information you likely weren't given in your 5th grade health class
Every newsletter you'll find a quick lesson that will aid you in becoming a genius of your hormones. So let's dive in at the start of your cycle: THE PERIOD.
Though many women think that we just have to put up with whatever comes our way each month during our period, there are metrics that can help you determine whether your period is healthy.
Our period tells us key information about the sufficiency of hormones from the previous cycle that worked together to build, maintain, and shed your uterine lining. Symptoms of your period can communicate if there was too much or too little of a hormone in the previous cycle.
Too much estrogen, for example, will build a thick endometrium and result in a heavy period. Too little estrogen? You may see just a couple days of light bleeding, and if there's not enough estrogen, ovulation may not have occurred. Too little progesterone? Leads to the commonly seen symptom of brown spotting leading up to or at the tail-end of your period.
Looking to understand what your cycle is telling you about your health and hormones? Learn about FEMM Charting in a 15-minute Hormone Coaching Discovery call with me.
PERIOD 101
What is normal?
→ 3-7 days of bleeding
→ 1-2 days of heavy or medium bleeding (3-5 pads/tampons per 24 hours)
→ No more than 1 day of brown spotting
ROSEFEM RECOMMENDATIONS
FIND A DOCTOR
Are you looking for a doctor who will dive deeper into your cycle health with you?
FEMM, FACTS, and NaPro are a great starting place to find doctors who are trained in Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM). By using FAM to chart biomarkers of your cycle and working with a FAM-trained doctor, your doctor will be able to better identify cycle patterns and abnormalities, use cycle-timed lab testing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of hormonal disorders and tap into cycle insights to guide your overall health. Your fertility cycle is the 5th vital sign of health!
PERIOD PRO-TIP
PROBIOTICS
Your hormones and your gut are connected! Hormonal fluctuations leading up to and during your period may affect your digestion and bowels. Drops in progesterone before your period can lead to constipation while the increase in prostaglandins during your period may lead to diarrhea.
Gut discomfort during your period can be exaggerated by dysbiosis, gut bacteria that are not in proper balance.
Focus on 1-3 servings of probiotics per day during menstruation to support gut ease during your period.
Kefir
Sauerkraut
Plain greek yogurt
Low-sugar kombucha
Fermentation at work…. all you need is cabbage and salt for your own sauerkraut : )
About RoseFem
I've been inspired to start RoseFem to help today's women eliminate the noise, guess-work, and time spent trying to find the right medical care. Whether trying to balance hormones, are pregnant, postpartum, peri- or postmenopausal, you deserve personalized health support.
Conventional medical care that addresses single symptoms is not enough to help us thrive as women. As body, mind, and soul beings, at every stage of life, we need support beyond a medical office that fosters continual growth and helps us to thrive physically, mentally, and spiritually. Whether that is working with a fertility awareness educator, a nutritionist, a doula, therapist, or coach, you deserve a great team that honors your unique, whole-person femininity!
My hope is that the RoseFem newsletter and offerings will empower you to embrace your feminine superpowers of menstruation, gestation, and lactation and to thrive in your body at every stage of life so that you can live out your greatest callings. As a Fertility Awareness Instructor and Hormone Coach, I am here to personally support you on your journey!
Cheering for you,
Leanne
LOOKING FOR FURTHER HORMONAL SUPPORT?
Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call
