Ask Mother Moon

I’m thrilled in introduce my new Q&A column. It’s called “Ask Mother Moon.” If you or anyone you know has a question about fertility, menopause, periods, pregnancy or general women’s health, simply hit “reply” and ask me a question. You can look forward to my answers in your inbox every month.

And now for our first question...
 
Q: “What is a healthy menstrual cycle?”
 
A: When women describe the symptoms they experience during and around their period they often ask, “Is that normal?” Here are a few quotes from my patients that highlight some of the different things women experience during their periods:
 
“When I have my period I have to change a super tampon at least every hour.  During the first two days of my period I always end up with blood soaked sheets in the morning. Is that normal?”
 
“I’m in so much pain with my period I have to take 6 Ibuprofen just to get through my day. It’s so hard to deal with. But I guess that’s just normal, right?”
 
“I get so crabby and irritable before my period starts, I don’t even want to be around myself.”
 
These accounts are in fact not normal or healthy. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, if a woman is healthy and her cycle is normal this is what we expect to see:

• The menstrual cycle should occur regularly between 26-32 days in length and should be they same number of days each month. (The length of the menstrual cycle is measured by the first day of your period – “cycle day 1” to the last day before the period begins again- “cycle day 28”)

• The blood from your period should be a fresh red color (not black or brown) with no clots. The flow should be smooth from beginning to end with no stops and starts in between. The period should last from 4-7 days. There should be no spotting or bleeding outside of the period. The flow should be moderate, neither too light nor too heavy.

• There should be no pain during your period! No uterine or abdominal cramping and no low back or leg pain and no sensation of heaviness.

• PMS symptoms such and anger, irritability, pain, acne, headaches, fatigue, bloating, nausea, diarrhea etc. are not healthy and should not be accepted as “normal.”

 
The good news is irregular cycles, hormonal imbalance, and PMS can be corrected with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Unlike birth control which forces the period to be regular and can mask underlying problems in the menstrual cycle, TCM helps to correct, balance and genuinely heal the body.
 
Tips of the Month: HOW TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY MENSTRUAL CYCLE

• Keep your body warm during your period. Pay special attention to your feet, and your lower back and abdomen. Wear slippers around the house; don’t let your feet touch the cold floor. If you are outside on a cold day do not sit on cold surfaces. Lay a blanket down for protection or wear a coat that covers the sacral area. Just remember: Cold = Pain.

• Rest. If you feel tired or moody before or during your period take extra time to rest. Listen to your body and honor the messages you hear. Go to bed early, take a nap, say no to things you don’t feel like doing.
  
  
• Be mindful with your movements. If you want to exercise during the period I recommend gentle practices such as yin yoga, intuitive stretching or walking.

  
Want a more comprehensive, personalized approach to getting your period on track? Head to the Contact page to set up your initial consultation and treatment. In this first session, we’ll go over your unique experiences and how we can heal and address your concerns with acupuncture treatments, herbal medicine, food therapy and lifestyle adjustments.
 
Thank you for reading!
 
With Love,
Meghan
 
PS. Do you have a question up your sleeve? Click here to submit your question and watch to see if it gets answered in my next newsletter.