…I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug…
– taken from Hippocratic oath
Haunted by Painful Periods?
It feels bigger than you, quite scary at times and, for some, can leave you trembling on the floor. It is your period and she seems to haunt you month after month no matter what you do to soothe and tame her. Unfortunately for most women we are given tools that are created out of misinformation, lack of education and companies wanting to capitalize on your pain.
From the time we hit puberty, which is happening at shockingly earlier ages, women are told that their menstrual cycles are an inconvenient episode of pain with gross and shameful vaginal bleeding not to be discussed or explored. We are not taught about how the uterus works, why there may be pain and discomfort and that there should not be severe pain and discomfort. The message rarely ever involves the beauty of what the menstrual cycle represents ~ the hopeful creation of ripe beautiful life.
Fear comes from a place of “not knowing”. When you take a closer look and learn about how your period acts, what she likes, what she doesn’t and what she is telling you she begins to look a lot less frightening.
Main Causes of a painful period:
- Malpositioned Uterus
- Underlying polyps, fibroids and endometriosis
- Overexposure to toxins and products that disrupt hormone function.
- Stress and Trauma
- Poor dietary habits and nutritional deficiencies
- Sedentary Lifestyle
A few things you probably don’t know:
How you bleed matters~ (And I don’t mean your political views). A “normal” flow will be bright red with some occasional clots and flow fully for 3-5 days with some spotting on either side of that range. Excessive bleeding (interferes with your life) can indicate a deeper problem and possible polyps. These polyps are not always harmful but can interfere with fertility. If your period is very light and short, as blessed as you may feel, you may not build enough Uterine lining to support implantation making fertility a challenge also. If you are regularly seeing dark blood at the beginning of your period then your Uterus is still trying to clean out what was left from your last cycle. Dark blood at the end of your period shows she is working on trying to clean out some even older stuff. There can be a variety of reasons for how you flow and some simple and natural adjustments that can help.
Don’t stop the flow~ Your period is your body’s way of releasing, shedding and cleaning out your Uterine lining to prepare for a ripe new cycle. Your blood is dropping downward and out and does not like interference in this process. Yet, we have developed the tampon that does just that with the added danger of harmful chemicals such as dioxin- a bi product of bleaching the tampons white. According to Dr. Tierno Jr at NYC University Medical Center, even small traces of dioxin found in tampons can cause such problems as endometriosis and cervical cancer. And recently women who have had historically longer periods have reported shorter, easier periods once they stopped using tampons. Unfortunately with such new interest in learning how our bodies work there is little research around the topic. Even switching to all natural tampons, in my opinion, only solves the toxin issue still leaving your flow a little stuck and your Uterus having to work a little harder than she should. I personally am all for the Diva Cup as it still allows for easy flow but catches it before it drains all the way out. Plus, one Diva Cup is around $30 and will last you up to 10 years (you do the money saving math).
Your man loves your flow but tell him NO– So, you have a man who is in tune with and loves every ounce of you. That is beautiful. However, having intercourse while menstruating can cause some issues. The Uterus is enlarged and wants to drain and shed without obstruction. Intercourse while flowing heavily may cause endometrial fluid to back up into the Uterus causing stagnant blood (the dark stuff). Also, considering there is a little less room in your pelvic bowl while on your period, the added pressure could put strain on your pelvic ligaments and your organs causing organ malpositioning and pain. On the flip side- a good orgasm can relieve pain. So, be creative as there are still so many other ways, parts and pieces for him to love and leave the Uterus alone to do her work.
A LITTLE pain and bloating is an easy price to pay ~ Your Uterus is roughly the size of a small pear weighing around 2-4 oz depending on the woman. During menstruation she swells to almost twice this size. This increase in weight and size of any organ is going to inevitably create some bloating and a little achiness. I believe that this is a rather fair price to pay considering the potential life we are able to create. However, extreme bloating and pain (disrupts normal life) is a sign that something is out of balance. If your back feels like it wants to blow out and your belly is full and constipated then it is time to look at the bigger picture of your health. I strongly caution against using OTC pain relievers as relying on these only masks a possible underlying issue that could be dealt with safely and naturally. I would start with asking yourself- what in your life causes excess inflammation?
Don’t stress the 28 day rule!~ Each woman is different in the length of her cycle and your cycle will vary throughout the course of your life. An average healthy cycle is anywhere from 28-35 days. That’s not to say that if you have a 45 day cycle and that you normally hover around 45 days that it isn’t normal. If your cycle changes one month, don’t panic! Stress and related factors can cause your cycle to change. But, if it continues to be erratic I would begin to investigate underlying issues. Knowing the different elements of your cycle (aka charting) is the BEST way to understand how your body works, when it is acting up and how to begin to really use your body’s cues for proper family planning- or not. Charting can sound daunting at first but is really no more difficult than remembering to take a little pill once you get a routine. To get started I HIGHLY recommend Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Have fun!
What to do when your painful periods are scaring you:
There are many tools for women to help address the many debilitating and scary symptoms that come along with your period. Uterine massage (Maya Abdominal Therapy), castor oil packs, herbal and dietary support and stress reduction are a few that have changed women’s lives. Most important is to learn about and understand your body. Working with a health care practitioner who will help you identify the root causes of your scary cycle is key. I strongly caution against working with a provider whose first recommendation is using HRTs (hormone replacement therapies) to correct your complaints as it is like putting a band-aid on a broken leg (again, just my opinion) and can lead to many other unwelcome side effects.
Do You Need a Fertility Cleanse?
Most all of us have tried some sort of cleanse; decongesting the body and its systems is very important. But, what most of us have never done, or even heard of, is a fertility cleanse for the reproductive organs. Keeping the pathways open for blood, chi, oxygen and lymph flow is vital to a balanced and healthy reproductive system. This is why cleansing and balancing this system should be done at least once per year regardless of what phase of life you are in.
Fertility cleansing is nothing new. For centuries cultures have used various healing techniques, such as abdominal and pelvic massage, herbal remedies and decoctions and foods to address stagnation and dysfunction, increase libido and enhance fertility. These cultures viewed reproductive vitality as the source of power and sign of optimal health and longevity. In fact, fertility cleansing was a life long practice. Even though the body loses its ability to create new life due to age, it never loses the ability, or desire, to “birth” creativity and connection. This is why my dear teacher, Dr. Rosita Arvigo, still does her Maya abdominal care well into her 70’s.
Fast forward and our bodies have not changed in the desire for attention to this vital power source. However, our exposure to toxins, which clog our vital organs, has greatly increased. Medications, cigarette smoke, environmental chemicals, alcohol and poor diet all challenge the liver. For instance, when the liver is stagnant and clogged our hormones cannot move and communicate freely within our bodies causing dysfunction in our reproductive health. With fertility challenges, hormone imbalances, cancers and reproductive system specific surgeries on the rise there is great need for non-invasive healing and nourishment.
Who does a Fertility Cleanse help?
Women Who:
- Have painful menses and PMS
- Have irregular cycles or amenorrhea (absence of menses)
- Have cysts, fibroids, PCOS
- Want to prepare for a healthy pregnancy
- Are preparing for IVF or IUI reproductive assistance
- Want to re-nourish their fertile organs post- partum (post pregnancy)
- Have had an IUD removal or stopped any HRT (hormone replacement/birth control therapy)
- Are going through menopause
- Who want to simply be healthy and abundant in their creative life
Men Who:
- Have low libido
- Have BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy)- read more here…
- Urinary incontinence and/or painful urination
- ED (erectile dysfunction)
How Does a Fertility Cleanse Work?
It all begins with what specifically needs to be addressed. Although the therapies used are much the same, the administration of them will vary from person to person. For instance a woman preparing for a healthy pregnancy will most likely use herbs, foods and massage at very specific times in the month- for up to 3- months to balance the system. Whereas a man who is addressing prostate health and libido may require a slightly shorter duration of fertility cleanse sessions, herbs and foods
How Long is the Cleanse?
I recommend a minimum of 2-3 months. This allows for at least 4 sessions of hands on abdominal therapy to retrain the nervous system. If you are planning on conceiving, 3 months is recommended as it is the time it takes for a new egg to mature. By cleansing and nourishing you are setting the stage for a healthy pregnancy. If you are not conceiving, this is a great time to begin new projects and project desires as our reproductive organs house our creative energy.
Therapies and Healing Techniques Used and Recommended (varies)
- Maya Abdominal Massage (look for an Arvigo Maya Abdominal Practitioner here)
- Self-massage at home
- Herbal remedies designed to nourish and cleanse the liver and reproductive organs
- Dietary and lifestyle recommendations and support
- Castor oil packs
- Vaginal steams or sitz bath
As with any cleanse or detoxification program you always want to ensure that you are providing your body with a way to eliminate the toxins that will be stirred up. Proper digestive function is vital. If digestion is an issue than incorporating ways to assist the bowel elimination process is necessary. In addition, sweating and moving your body will keep your lymphatic system draining and your largest organ of elimination (your skin) clear.
Is Fertility Cleansing for Everyone?
Most everyone can benefit and you don’t necessarily have to wait until your body is out of balance to improve yourself. However, there are certain scenarios where the therapies are not recommended…
- If you are pregnant (although Maya Abdominal Massage is amazing for uterine strength and positioning throughout the entire pregnancy within practical and safe guidelines)
- If you have an IUD (herbal and dietary recommendations can still be used as well as upper abdominal massage only)
- When taking hormone replacement therapy (HRTs) hormone balancing herbs should not be taken
- If you have prostate cancer or any sign of fever with prostate swelling
- Any acute infection or pain in the abdomen or pelvis
- Only for (and recommended) 6 weeks post surgery