How to Optimize your Hormone Cycle

So, yeah, this is for the ladies: Part 3 of a series on the female hormone cycle. 

Step 1. Notice changes in your cycle. Here are some suggestions:

1. Use your calendar. I’ve been charting my periods on my home calendar for years. I also chart ovulation, since that is a good indicator of when exactly my period will come (12-14 days later, for almost everyone). Also I feel like ovulation is kind of a special occasion, because it tells me I’m capable of creating life.

http://www.wikihow.com/Know-When-You-Are-Ovulating

2. Chart your cycles. Heard that one before, eh? Might be ‘cause it’s a good idea. But you don’t have to use it just to for fertility, as is commonly seen in the media. You can make a home-made calendar just for charting your moods, dreams, cravings, and other changes through your hormone cycle. Or, you can use an electronic calendar on gmail, phone/tablet, or computer.

3. Create a word processor document for each phase of the cycle: “Menstrual”, “follicular”, “ovulation” and “luteal/pre-menstrual” If you don't like the way these sound, you can use other names. I’ve heard the menstrual phase called “moontime”, “bleeding”, or you could try something more playful: “Aunt Flo’s visit- remember to make brownies!”. Use the word documents to keep track of changes in your mood, dreams, food cravings, or whatever you want in each phase. You can look back on these when you need inspiration, or use it to keep track of emotional and physical symptoms/changes.  

Step 2: Optimize your life based on what you notice. 

Once you start noticing how you’re feeling, what foods and activities you crave, during each phase, the next logical step is to optimize your life so you can do those things. As we know, life runs smoothly when we do the things our body/energy systems naturally ask of us. (The asking, of course, can be anything from a whisper to a furious kick!)

Physically, Dr. Christiane Northrup's Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom  (1998) has some marvelous tips for using diet and exercise to regulate hormones and alleviate cycle discomfort. (I highly recommend dropping the $18 for this book; it has been a resource to me for 12 years, and it clearly explains the mind-body connection for women.) Once you begin to learn what foods and herbs help alleviate cramps, PMS, or other imbalances for you, you can easily do an “elimination diet” type experiment. For example, in the book, Dr. Northrup recommends eliminating red meat and egg yolks for cramps, and supplementing with calcium-rich foods. For fatigue during menstruation, you can see if supplementing with iron-rich foods might help, or if your system just needs rest.

Emotionally, there are as many ways for the hormone system to interact with your neurobiology as there are fertile women in the world. This is why it is crucial for you to familiarize yourself with the language of your unique hormone cycle. When you begin to ask your body what it needs, instead of telling it what it should do for you, you will unlock your body's energy. You may find hidden talents that you never knew you had. Your relationships will almost certainly improve.

You may find this process brings up strong emotions of fear, anger, or sadness that you didn't know were there. As women, our relationship with our bodies may be tainted with cultural beliefs about weakness, "dirtiness", or shame. Lara Owen's (1993) book Her Blood is Gold: Awakening to the Wisdom of Menstruation is a powerful resource for looking at those beliefs, exploring healthier alternatives, and honoring your body's own wisdom. If you find this a difficult process, it is certainly OK to seek professional counseling, support groups, or simply reach out to female friends. The good news is that more and more of us are healing and our wisdom and support is popping up everywhere. Now is the time for women to heal; now is the time for us to blossom. 

I’ll be posting ideas for optimizing each phase of the cycle. As for now, reader, I’ll leave you to your wild and precious imagination.  :)