Suggestions for Smoother Cycles

Suggestions for Smoother Cycles

Many women with menstrual cycles experience a range of problems with pms, and various discomforts during actual menses. It is so common that many women consider it normal. Furthermore, a significant number of women have cycles that are very short, very long or totally unpredictable.

It is not normal to experience anything but some mild discomfort and the cycle should be somewhere between 26 and 34 days long. All too often I find that women are put on the birth control pill simply to bring some predictability to their cycles. Recently, some physicians are promoting shots that prevent cycling for many months, a technique that I feel will lead to significant problems in the future.

There are many ways to work on lessening menstrual pain and regularizing cycles. In this piece, I simply want to present some very simple ideas that any woman can use to gain additional control over her cycling.



NUTRITION


Foods and fruits that are cold or sour in nature should be avoided, especially one week prior to or during menstruation. Cold and sour foods create more stagnation, and may worsen the pain.

Decrease the consumption of salt, red meats, processed foods, junk foods, and foods with high sodium content. Caffeine should be avoided as it acts as a stimulant to excite the central nervous system and as a diuretic to deplete many important nutrients.

Increase the consumption of whole-grain foods, and broiled chicken, turkey and fish.

Drink a large quantity of good quality water daily before, during, and after the menstruation.

Menstrual cramps due to calcium deficiency should be treated with ingestion of foods rich in calcium, such as green vegetables, legumes, and seaweeds.

Ensure there is an adequate intake of vitamin B complex and vitamin E, which are important for production of sex hormones. Deficiency of zinc may also contribute to irregular menstruation.

(I suggest the use of whole food derived supplements such as the ones Standard Process makes. Many vitamin supplements are too strong and do not include the wide range of cofactors needed to balance the vitamins.)

For cramping with sensitivity to cold, a simple ginger tea made by steeping fresh grated ginger and adding a small amount of brown sugar can be quite helpful.


LIFESTYLE INSTRUCTIONS

Avoid sports that may expose the body to cold environments, such as snow skiing or cold water sports.

Hot baths or hot showers aimed at the abdomen help to relieve menstrual pain and cramps.

Hot compresses on the abdomen increase blood circulation, relax abdominal muscles, and relieve pain.

Stress can sometimes lead to irregular or no menstruation. Avoid stressful situations, or engage in stress-reduction activities whenever possible

A regular and healthy lifestyle with adequate rest and relaxation is the basic requirement for a normal menstrual cycle.

Wear cloth that fully covers the body and do not expose the belly or the abdomen to the cold environment. Avoid wearing tight pants.


This is just a small list of the possible ways to improve the menstrual cycle. These suggestions are suitable for many women. For more difficult cases, treatments and self care suggestions are best tailored to the specific woman. There are many acupuncture and herbal formulas I use at my clinic to help with menstrual problems.

John Chen’s Clinical Manual of Oriental Medicine deserves credit for most of the suggestions in this piece.