By Alisa Vitti, MindBodyGreen
When I was in sixth grade, I started something called "The Period Club" (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like!). I was so fascinated with everything that goes on with my body every month, I was eager to have my period finally start. Ever since then, I've been obsessed with the brilliant biochemistry of the female body and helping other women learn to feel their very best.
[post_ads]The fact of the matter is, in our society, menstruation is an overlooked, underutilized vital sign. The American Committee of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) even published a report recommending that teenage girls, their parents, and their clinicians consider the menstrual cycle as the "fifth vital sign" of health. That means that just like your blood pressure or heart rate, your period can tell you a lot about the state of your health.
When your period goes missing, you know that something is amiss, but there are also many other, much more subtle indicators you can observe to glean useful information about your overall well-being. I'm so passionate about this topic, I even made television (and menstrual!) history being the first person ever to demonstrate the variation in period color on The Dr. Oz show in 2015 using juices from fruits and veggies.
[post_ads]The fact of the matter is, in our society, menstruation is an overlooked, underutilized vital sign. The American Committee of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) even published a report recommending that teenage girls, their parents, and their clinicians consider the menstrual cycle as the "fifth vital sign" of health. That means that just like your blood pressure or heart rate, your period can tell you a lot about the state of your health.
When your period goes missing, you know that something is amiss, but there are also many other, much more subtle indicators you can observe to glean useful information about your overall well-being. I'm so passionate about this topic, I even made television (and menstrual!) history being the first person ever to demonstrate the variation in period color on The Dr. Oz show in 2015 using juices from fruits and veggies.
Why you should be looking at your period as a vital sign.
Whether you know it or not, the appearance of your menstrual blood and the duration of your period can reveal a lot about your health, including whether or not you have a hormonal imbalance that could lead to other issues. Sometimes those issues are OK, depending on your body, but I've noticed these patterns resurface again and again in my practice. The good news? It’s totally possible to help all hormonal imbalances and their resulting symptoms by addressing diet and lifestyle. But first, you have to know what you're dealing with.
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This is what your period should look like.
While you may not think there’s a standard to strive for with your monthly flow, there are some clear indications that your hormones are happy. The ideal cycle:
- Lasts three to eight days
- Starts and ends with a bright cranberry color
- Is the consistency of Jell-O mix that hasn’t set yet (medium viscosity, not too thin, not too thick)
- Occurs every 24 to 38 days
There are many dietary and lifestyle reasons why this cycle gets thrown off. Sometimes it's a one- or two-month situation, and sometimes cycle issues can last years.
What the color of your period can tell you.
The best way to start troubleshooting issues like PMS, endometriosis, PCOS, and more is to start paying close attention to your period and using it as a barometer of how well your diet and lifestyle are supporting your hormones. If your cycle isn’t as I described above, then it’s time to immediately make dietary changes to get your cycle back to a healthy flow.
Here's a guide for you to use for interpreting the color of your cycle every month. If you have:
Here's a guide for you to use for interpreting the color of your cycle every month. If you have:
Brown, spotty stains.
The problem: That brown stuff is old oxidized blood that didn’t make it out of your uterus during the last cycle, and is linked to low levels of progesterone. Low progesterone can be a trigger for many period-related problems, and it can also lead to irregular ovulation and infertility.
Dark blue or red heavy bleeding with clots.
The problem: [post_ads]Are you changing your pad or tampon once an hour? Do you have special sheets for that time of the month? Do you have large clots that are dark purple in color? If so, you could have elevated estrogen levels. Estrogen builds the lining of your uterus, and if your diet hinders the breakdown o this hormone, it can build up and wreak havoc on your cycle. In addition to the heavy bleeding and clots, you may also struggle with endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, or in some cases, polyps.
Pale-red, very short periods, light bleeding, or skipped periods.
The problem: A short period (less than three days in length) and/or very light bleeding can indicate low estrogen levels. Your hormones are made from the food you eat, so your low estrogen is likely due to vitamin and nutrient deficiencies from improper or extreme dieting as well as from adrenal burnout. Not having enough estrogen puts your heart and bone health at risk.
There are many other ways observing the performance of your cycle overall can provide you with insight into your health. Missing periods, PMS symptoms, delayed periods, frequent periods, and spotting are all things you should take seriously—asking your health care provider about these symptoms is a good place to start, specifically one who has a holistic approach to women's health.
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Despite the myth that your hormones are mysterious, unpredictable, and afford you no opportunity to do anything to make them better, the truth is that your hormones are extremely responsive to food and micronutrient therapy. In fact, a recent study showed that simply by eating more fish oil and beans women can delay the start of menopause by several years! Just think what the right foods can do for your PMS in one to three cycles! I believe that you can change the quality of your period overall with food and supplements.
Every month, look before you flush. Think of it this way—period blood is essentially free lab results for you to check on how your diet and lifestyle are affecting your hormones. When you see something that isn't what it should be, you can start making changes to your diet and lifestyle accordingly. You can actually see when it's working, and typically you can see changes within two to three cycles.
See more at: MindBodyGreen
There are many other ways observing the performance of your cycle overall can provide you with insight into your health. Missing periods, PMS symptoms, delayed periods, frequent periods, and spotting are all things you should take seriously—asking your health care provider about these symptoms is a good place to start, specifically one who has a holistic approach to women's health.
[post_ads_2]
Despite the myth that your hormones are mysterious, unpredictable, and afford you no opportunity to do anything to make them better, the truth is that your hormones are extremely responsive to food and micronutrient therapy. In fact, a recent study showed that simply by eating more fish oil and beans women can delay the start of menopause by several years! Just think what the right foods can do for your PMS in one to three cycles! I believe that you can change the quality of your period overall with food and supplements.
Every month, look before you flush. Think of it this way—period blood is essentially free lab results for you to check on how your diet and lifestyle are affecting your hormones. When you see something that isn't what it should be, you can start making changes to your diet and lifestyle accordingly. You can actually see when it's working, and typically you can see changes within two to three cycles.
See more at: MindBodyGreen
