Are you feeling confident in your understanding of women’s health and menstruation? I know that when I started my fertility journey, I certainly wasn't. It was a long, challenging, and often painful road filled with moments of uncertainty and discomfort.
It took me three and a half years to conceive, and during that time, I experienced more ups and downs than I could have ever imagined. My menstrual cycle presented countless challenges, and I even faced the heartbreak of a miscarriage along the way.
But through all the struggles, I discovered something invaluable—my passion for helping others. My journey led me to become an acupuncturist and a natural fertility guide, allowing me to use my personal experiences to support others facing similar challenges.
Understanding Menstrual Health: A Holistic Approach to Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy
When I realised I needed to change the way I approached my fertility, the first thing I did was take a careful, honest look at my body and ask myself: Am I really ready for pregnancy? Because while conceiving is one milestone, carrying a healthy pregnancy to term and delivering a healthy child is an entirely different challenge.
Alongside this reflection, I delved into TCM's wisdom to gain a deeper understanding of menstrual health and how to regulate my cycle. Almost immediately, I started to notice positive changes—I felt better, looked better, experienced more regular cycles, and my PMS symptoms eased. The ultimate reward for these efforts is my three-and-a-half-year-old son, Leon.
Before we look into the specifics of women's health, it’s important to understand that caring for your menstrual cycle is a holistic process—each part of your cycle is interconnected. If you’re focused on conceiving, your thoughts might be centred on ovulation and developing a healthy egg. That’s great! But remember, this journey starts by addressing menstrual irregularities first, caring for your periods, and then preparing your body for ovulation.
About the First Part of Your Cycle
I’m not sure how familiar you are with the language of Chinese medicine or the terminology it uses. So, before I dive into Yin and Yang and all those energetic concepts, let’s quickly recap what happens from a Western medicine perspective, as you might be more familiar with that language.
Today, we’re talking about the first part of your menstrual cycle. The first day of your period is the first day of your cycle. Western medicine calls the follicular phase because that’s when follicles grow, primarily driven by oestrogen. Western research tells us that oestrogen likes low sugar levels and plenty of sleep—something we also know from Chinese medicine.
This understanding will be helpful when discussing Chinese medicine’s advice on nutrition and lifestyle. But I just wanted to point out how ancient wisdom from Chinese medicine overlaps beautifully with what Western research is now discovering about hormones and the menstrual cycle.
I won’t discuss these energies in purely abstract terms; instead, I’ll focus on practical advice. As I mentioned earlier, there’s a significant overlap between Western research and Chinese medicine—often, they are almost ‘like for like.’
What Exactly is Happening During the Period?
Since we’re focusing on the period, let’s quickly look at what’s happening. When you’re on your period, your body is shedding the endometrial lining you grew in your previous cycle.
If this isn’t clear, I strongly encourage you to explore the online courses section. My free online course, An Introduction to Natural Fertility, explains step by step the anatomy, the physiology, and everything you need to know about your natural fertility. I’m very proud of this course—it’s substantial and explains things in a very digestible manner. Understanding how your body works is crucial if you want to conceive naturally, and this course will help fill in any gaps in your knowledge.
So, from a Western perspective, we’re shedding the endometrial lining—this is your period. In Chinese medicine, the menstrual part of your cycle should last up to five days, with crimson red blood, clear of clotting, and free from pain or discomfort. If your period starts with a proper flow rather than spotting, that’s a sign of health. This is what a healthy period should look like.
Chinese medicine explains things with beautiful simplicity. For example, if you’re on your period, you’re losing blood, so you must find a way to strengthen your blood. In TCM, the word often used by acupuncturists is “nourishing.” If you’re losing blood, you want to nourish it. How do you do that? How do you support your body to have a better period? I'm going to tell you now.
Prioritising Menstrual Cycle Awareness and Self-Care for Better Health
First and foremost, for better menstrual cycle awareness, start appreciating your bodies for their incredible work. According to TCM, resting as much as possible during your period is essential for optimal women's health. Life can be overwhelmingly busy—we all have never-ending ‘to-do’ lists.
Believe me, I understand. I have two businesses and a four-year-old, so I know how challenging it can be to find time for yourself. But when you’re on your period, it’s crucial to prioritize rest. Interestingly, this advice from Chinese medicine aligns perfectly with Western medical research on oestrogen.
If you need any women's health, fitness, nutrition, sex, or weight loss tips, don’t hesitate to reach out. I'm here to offer the support and guidance you need.
Put Yourself and Your Needs First
When understanding menstrual health, it's essential to adopt a minimalist approach when dealing with irregular menstruation. This means putting yourself and your needs first—taking care of your comfort should be a top priority.
To help you get started with better menstrual health awareness, here are a few simple yet effective ideas:
Extend your sleep: Add at least two extra hours to your rest. Your body needs this additional downtime to recover and rejuvenate.
Simplify your ‘to-do’ list: Focus only on the essentials. Anything that isn’t absolutely necessary can be crossed off. Permit yourself to let go of tasks that can wait.
Embrace creativity: This could be the perfect time to indulge in creative activities that bring you joy, whether writing, drawing, or playing a musical instrument. These activities can be soothing and help you stay centred.
Immerse yourself in a good book: If you enjoy reading, allow yourself the time to get lost in a book. It’s a gentle way to relax and recharge.
Pause high-intensity workouts: If you’re accustomed to rigorous exercise, consider skipping these sessions during your period. Listen to your body and focus on gentler activities that align with your feelings.
Of course, your physical activity should always be guided by how you feel during your period. However, it's essential to recognise that this isn’t the time to push yourself to the limit. Instead, reserve that intensity for the second part of your cycle when your body is better prepared.
In addition to mindful movement, keeping your feet and pelvic area warm is another essential habit to cultivate during your period. Consider wearing thermal T-shirts, pelvic warming belts, and cozy socks. These minor adjustments help prevent any cold from entering your system, which is crucial for your well-being during this time. Similarly, opting for a warm shower instead of a bath can further support your body’s needs.
Now, I understand if this advice might seem too simple, and you may wonder if it can really make a difference. But I encourage you to give it a try. You'll likely notice how much better you feel and how less tired you are by the end of your period. As you continue through your cycle, you may find yourself more energized during ovulation and experiencing significantly less PMS—even within the same menstrual cycle.
Embracing Women's Health with Self-Discovery and Holistic Wellness
As you navigate the complexities of women’s health, menstrual cycle, and fertility journey, remember that this process is as much about self-discovery as it is about physical health. Every challenge you face offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of your body, needs, and unique wellness path.
Your menstrual cycle isn't just a series of biological events—it's a mirror reflecting your overall well-being. You nurture your reproductive health and cultivate a profound connection with yourself by tuning into its rhythms and responding with care. This journey invites you to listen more closely to your body’s signals, honour its wisdom, and respond compassionately.
For those seeking more in-depth guidance, I encourage you to explore my article, How To Regulate Menstrual Health Cycles with Chinese Medicine. In it, I discuss Traditional Chinese Medicine's (TCM) approach to menstrual health, offering insights that can help you harmonise with your cycle.
The important thing now is for you to take each step with patience and kindness. Celebrate the small victories along the way—whether it’s a more balanced cycle, a day without PMS, or simply finding a moment of peace amid the busyness of life. These milestones will guide you toward your ultimate goal of falling pregnant and having a healthy child.
I hope you find this information helpful. Thanks for taking the time to read it. If you know someone who would benefit from this, please feel free to share the article with them.
Thank you for being here,
Irena x
Related articles:
Read these articles for more insights into optimising your health, understanding fertility challenges, and preparing your body when trying for a baby: