State of ow
When it comes to that time of the month, lots of us just pop in a tampon, down some Nurofen and wait it out. But what if there were a way to use your period to get info about your body? “Once we tap into our own cycle and learn the clues it gives us, we can actually work with it instead of resenting it,” says Ashley Spivak, a reproductive-health educator. This means acknowledging your cycle as a whole month of uterine activity, and not just a week of bleeding.
Ashley says you’re generally most energetic and outgoing during your follicular phase (day one of your bleed). “In the days leading up to ovulation, which occurs about midway through your cycle, you tend to have more creative energy,” she says. The luteal phase, the last part of your cycle, might be best known for PMS, but according to Ashley, some people find the state before their period to be an ideal time for introspection, evaluation and reflection.
And of course, your flow contains vital information, too. A super light flow may point to a number of things, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A very heavy flow could be a sign of a growth in your uterus. If you notice anything’s up with your bleed, bring that information to your doctor, as soon as possible.
According to nutritionist Alisa Vitti, being aware of each of the
phases – and adjusting your diet and exercise habits around them – can help you achieve peak productivity, and eliminate menstrual symptoms.
While Alisa lays out the full protocol in her book, Woman Code (Hay House; R318), and her app, MyFlo (R29.99 on IOS and R26.99 on Android), here are a few quick tips: she says eating fats (like those found in avocado) and root vegetables can help curb your sugar cravings during your luteal phase. When you’re bleeding, she recommends letting your body rest, and if you’re going to exercise, doing something lighter, like yoga or walking.
Getting curious about your cycle – all four weeks of it – may seem like a new approach, but it’s long overdue. “As women have reclaimed more positions of power in other areas of their lives,” says Alisa, “it’s only natural that we’re saying, ‘Why don’t we reclaim our periods, too?’” This may be the biggest side eect of mindful menstruation: eradicating the stigma around our periods, and making bleeding better for all.
Does your period really have to suck?