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Explanation
At heart, you are a wild animal. You love to pretend to be civilized and to wear a veneer of the tame, but truly and deeply your body belongs to the forest. In the “wild state” of being you wouldn’t have been exposed to artificial light and so very powerful signals were sent to your brain by the changing light of the moon, and this was one of the ways your body kept rhythms, including your hormone rhythms. Women’s typical hormone cycles are 28 days, which happens to be the length of a full lunar cycle as well. This is not a coincidence! You are designed to be at peak fertility, meaning ovulation, at the full moon (coincidentally when nights are brightest and you’re more likely to enjoy the sight of a partner). Fertility is lowest, meaning menstruation, at the new moon when nights are darkest. Men’s fertility follows women’s in this scenario so that we’re all most fertile at the same time in order to reproduce.
Seed cycling is a gentle way to help your body balance your hormones naturally by adding different seeds into your diet at different phases of your menstrual cycle. Simply adding seeds like flax, pumpkin, chia and sesame seeds to your diet at different times in your cycle can promote healthy hormones by encouraging your body to either produce or detoxify certain hormones. It is literally using foods to either promote estrogen detoxification, in the first half of your cycle, or to increase progesterone production in the second.
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Flax and Pumpkin Seeds
The Follicular Phase is the first half of your cycle. It starts on the first day of your period and lasts until one day before ovulation. It is said to take place during days 1-14 of your cycle.
Flax and pumpkin seeds support this phase and your hormones by supplying rich omega 3 fatty acids. Flax seeds contain lignans that block excess estrogen, and pumpkin seeds contain high levels of zinc which supports the rise of progesterone levels in the second half of your cycle.
Incorporate one tablespoon of each seed, fresh ground if posssible, into your daily routine to balance and support your natural hormonal cycle and endocrine system.
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Incorporate Your Seeds
Incorporating your respective seeds is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Just ground them up, mix them into your morning oatmeal, granola, cereal or smoothie, and enjoy!
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Practice Yoga
If you struggle with menstrual pain or are just looking for a relaxed pace and some nurturing movement, specific yoga postures can help relax your muscles and give your body some much needed softness and rest. Postures can be performed slowly and with ease, giving you plenty of time in each pose to connect with your core and get in touch with your body.
The downward-facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) pose lengthens and releases tension from your spine. It strengthens the arms, shoulders, and muscles of the back of the body and lower limbs. It helps relieve the symptoms and discomfort of menstruation. Here is how to perform the pose:
➊ Get on the floor on your hands and knees. The palms of your hands will touch the ground and remain spread. Keep your thighs upright and hands slightly forward.
➋ Start lifting your knees off the ground with a long breath. Do not extend the knees completely at once. Also, keep the heels lifted away from the floor for comfort.
➌ Now exhale and elongate your tailbone away from the back of the pelvis and press it gently towards the pubis. Raise the sitting bones using this resistance. Your legs and thighs will form straight lines. Push your thighs backward to place your heels onto the ground. Roll the upper thighs inward so your hamstrings will be less tensed.
➍ Maintain light pressure on the floor with the bases of your index fingers. Widen your shoulder blades and move them downward (toward the tailbone). Keep your head and neck in line with your arms.
➎ Stay in this pose for one to two minutes while breathing gently. Then get back to the floor to take rest for another few minutes.
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Heating Pad
According to recent studies, heat can be just as effective as over-the-counter painkillers in nipping cramps in the bud. Soak in the tub or place a hot water bottle on your lower abdomen to ease pain.
Or, if you are lucky, you can purchase a heating pad at your local drugstore. You can buy heating pads in one-time use packs that fit under your clothes for when you are on the go, or a single plug-in heating pad that you can fall asleep with. Pro tip: Try laying on the floor on your back with your legs up on a wall perpendicular to your body while you have the heating pad on your belly. This works wonders and you will be back on your feet in no time at all.
Exercise
Exercise and you will feel better. It will give you energy, reduce cramps and brighten your mood. I'm sure going for a run is exactly what you feel like doing right now.
Tampons
This is what a tampon looks like. A tampon is a compressed mass of an absorbent material, usually rayon and/or cotton, with a string for removal at the base. There are two primary methods of insertion and it is also based on the brand/type of the tampon that is used. Tampons are firstly divided into two types, one being an applicator tampon and the other being an non-applicator tampon. An applicator (cardboard/plastic) is usually 2 small tubes which “deposit” the tampon allowing for most, easier insertion. A non-applicator tampon must be inserted by hand.
Being an internal form of protection, tampons become a gift for those who want to engage in sports during menstruation. If inserted correctly, they will not even be felt during physical activity. They are great for water sports and can be worn for hours at a time. However, if not removed within the given time range listed on the box, they can be very dangeroud and put you at risk for TSS, Toxic Shock Syndrome.
TSS is a rare, but potentially fatal illness which is caused by bacteria toxins. TSS does not only occur through tampon usage, however, is associated with tampon usage, especially when using higher absorbency than necessary. This is a key point for purchasing tampons to ensure that the tampon absorbency is only what is necessary – unlike pads since you can use any absorbency without fatal-health risks. While tampons can be used overnight, many women tend often use tampons during the day and pads at night. Tampons should only be left in for a maximum of 8 hours to reduce the risk of TSS. Furthermore, tampons should only be used while menstruating, not for discharge and not for “just-in-case” scenarios. Personally, all of tampon-using female friends still keep a variety of tampons AND pads, because both forms of feminine hygiene products have their merits. For women with heavier flows or those who do not have the luxury of being able to change constantly, a tampon and pad can be worn at the same time to lengthen the amount of time required per change (since the saturated tampon will leak onto the pad).
Pads
This is a pad. A pad is an oval shaped piece of absorbent cotton with adhesive tape on one side. They are stuck on the inside of underwear and prevent blood from leaking through. This is the safest and least obtrusive option as no foreign object has to be inserted into the body, however is arguably the messiest and least comfortable.
Menstrual Cup
This is a mestrual cup. A mestrual cup is a small medical-grade silicone cup that is shaped like a funnel but doesn't work like one or else that would defeat the purpose of wearing it in the first place, obviously. Unless you've used one personally, nobody knows how the heck they work so who am I to tell you how to use one. Where does the blood go?? What happens when you lay down?? What do you do with it when your done?? When are you done?? I am afraid to google. The plus side of menstrual cups is that they can be re-used and therefore reduce waste usually accumulated by pads, tampons, and their packaging.
Water
Drink lots of water, tea, and other clear liquids throughout the day to stay hydrated and minimize cramps. Drinking more water will also help eliminate the great lakes Atlantic ocean water resevoir that has somehow accumulated in your stomach within the past 3 days.
Chocolate
Chocolate and lots of it. Purchase in any form: Chocolate bar, chocolate syrup, chocolate ice cream, chocolate milk, chocolate fondue, chocolate lollipops, hot chocolate, chocolate fudge, chocolate cereal, chocolate chips, chocolate-covered chips, chocolate-covered almonds, chocolate-covered raisins, chocolate-covered whatever you can manage. Even dark chocolate. You don't need me to tell you why.
Cancel your plans
Might as well cancel all your plans.
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Explanation
At heart, you are a wild animal. You love to pretend to be civilized and to wear a veneer of the tame, but truly and deeply your body belongs to the forest. In the “wild state” of being you wouldn’t have been exposed to artificial light and so very powerful signals were sent to your brain by the changing light of the moon, and this was one of the ways your body kept rhythms, including your hormone rhythms. Women’s typical hormone cycles are 28 days, which happens to be the length of a full lunar cycle as well. This is not a coincidence! You are designed to be at peak fertility, meaning ovulation, at the full moon (coincidentally when nights are brightest and you’re more likely to enjoy the sight of a partner). Fertility is lowest, meaning menstruation, at the new moon when nights are darkest. Men’s fertility follows women’s in this scenario so that we’re all most fertile at the same time in order to reproduce.
Seed cycling is a gentle way to help your body balance your hormones naturally by adding different seeds into your diet at different phases of your menstrual cycle. Simply adding seeds like flax, pumpkin, chia and sesame seeds to your diet at different times in your cycle can promote healthy hormones by encouraging your body to either produce or detoxify certain hormones. It is literally using foods to either promote estrogen detoxification, in the first half of your cycle, or to increase progesterone production in the second.
-
Flax and Pumpkin Seeds
The Follicular Phase is the first half of your cycle. It starts on the first day of your period and lasts until one day before ovulation. It is said to take place during days 1-14 of your cycle.
Flax and pumpkin seeds support this phase and your hormones by supplying rich omega 3 fatty acids. Flax seeds contain lignans that block excess estrogen, and pumpkin seeds contain high levels of zinc which supports the rise of progesterone levels in the second half of your cycle.
Incorporate one tablespoon of each seed, fresh ground if posssible, into your daily routine to balance and support your natural hormonal cycle and endocrine system.
-
Incorporate Your Seeds
Incorporating your respective seeds is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Just ground them up, mix them into your morning oatmeal, granola, cereal or smoothie, and enjoy!
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Acne
There are hormonal changes and fluctuations that happen during a women’s cycle that can cause acne. The normal cycle of the average woman usually is four weeks long with the peak estrogen levels being about 14 days after the period is complete. When the estrogen levels decrease the progesterone levels increase for most women. It is the hormone progesterone that causes the increase production in the facial oil glands such as sebum – a thick oily substance – and causes acne. This is caused by the excess oil filling up the facial pores and causing pimples, whiteheads or blackheads.
the two main hormones involved in the production of PMS acne are estrogen and progesterone. In the first 14 days of the menstrual cycle, estrogen is the most prominent hormone.
In the last 14 days of the menstrual cycle, progesterone is the most prominent hormone. This is why acne is prominent in the first 14 days of the cycle or before bleeding begins. In those last two weeks of the cycle before the period bleeding begins the increase in progesterone causes the swelling of the skins and compression of the pores.
At the same time the substance sebum is accumulating under the skin. All the while the higher levels of testosterone cause even more sebum to be produced and in the 63% of women who are inclined to have acne, this sebum acts like oil on the skin and adding to the clogging of the pores resulting in pimples, blackheads and whiteheads – acne. There is also a buildup of bacteria which aids the development of the acne.
It is widely believed that the only method of preventing hormonal acne is birth control. However, that is not true. By consuming respective seeds throughout the 28-day hormone/moon cycle, the proper hormones are supported or controlled, balancing your endocrine system and therefore restoring your skin's balance.
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Tea Tree Oil for Acne
Given the period has just finished, you will likely have a spot or two leftover from the natural increase of progesterone and oil. Tea tree oil is a great natural alternative for getting rid of these pimples. It has unique disinfecting and soothing properties and, unlike other acne treatments, tea tree oil will not strip your skin of its natural oils and cause further damage. Tea tree oil is a very effective tool in your battle against pimples. Here is how to use it:
➊ Apply tea tree oil directly to pimples. To apply, pour a few drops of tea tree oil onto a cotton bud, cotton pad or tissue. Gently dab the tea tree oil onto any pimples or spots. Leave for a few hours, or overnight. The redness and swelling should decrease.
Always apply to clean, dry skin.
Make sure to use 100% pure tea tree oil, not products containing tea tree oil.➋ Use it in a homemade spot treatment. If you find that pure, undiluted tea tree oil is a little too harsh or drying on your skin, try using it in a homemade spot treatment. Simply mix a couple of drops of tea tree oil into a few teaspoons of aloe vera gel and apply directly onto the pimple you wish to get rid of.
As an alternative to aloe vera, try mixing tea tree oil with raw, organic honey. Honey also contains antibacterial properties and promotes skin healing.
Try storing these spot treatments in small lip-gloss containers for easy application.➌ Use it in a face mask. A few drops of tea tree oil can be added to either store-bought or homemade face masks to kill bacteria and dry out pimples. Here are some recipes for homemade face masks using tea tree oil:
Mix 3-4 drops of tea tree oil with two tablespoons of green clay powder, which can be found at most health food stores. Add enough water to turn your clay into a spreadable paste and give it a good stir. Apply the mask evenly, all over your face and neck. Leave the mask on for at least 20 minutes, until the clay dries and the tea tree works its antibacterial magic. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.
Blend three drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of jojoba oil, then stir in half of a very finely chopped tomato. Mash together to make a purée. Apply this refreshing face mask directly to clean skin and leave on for ten minutes, before rinsing off with warm water and patting dry.
Add 5 drops of tea tree oil to 1/4 cup of plain yogurt and apply as a mask. Rinse off with warm water after 15-20 minutes.
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Explanation
At heart, you are a wild animal. You love to pretend to be civilized and to wear a veneer of the tame, but truly and deeply your body belongs to the forest. In the “wild state” of being you wouldn’t have been exposed to artificial light and so very powerful signals were sent to your brain by the changing light of the moon, and this was one of the ways your body kept rhythms, including your hormone rhythms. Women’s typical hormone cycles are 28 days, which happens to be the length of a full lunar cycle as well. This is not a coincidence! You are designed to be at peak fertility, meaning ovulation, at the full moon (coincidentally when nights are brightest and you’re more likely to enjoy the sight of a partner). Fertility is lowest, meaning menstruation, at the new moon when nights are darkest. Men’s fertility follows women’s in this scenario so that we’re all most fertile at the same time in order to reproduce.
Seed cycling is a gentle way to help your body balance your hormones naturally by adding different seeds into your diet at different phases of your menstrual cycle. Simply adding seeds like flax, pumpkin, chia and sesame seeds to your diet at different times in your cycle can promote healthy hormones by encouraging your body to either produce or detoxify certain hormones. It is literally using foods to either promote estrogen detoxification, in the first half of your cycle, or to increase progesterone production in the second.
-
Sunflower and Sesame Seeds
The Luteal Phase is the second half of your cycle. It starts on the first day of ovulation and lasts until one day before your period. It is said to take place during days 14-28 of your cycle.
The sunflower and sesame combo used in the luteal phase of the cycle has a much lighter dose of lignans from the sesame seeds, but is rich in zinc and selenium which helps progesterone production. These seeds are also a rich source of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid which can convert to gamma linolenic acid, which also helps the balance between progesterone and estrogen.
Incorporate one tablespoon of each seed, fresh ground if posssible, into your daily routine to balance and support your natural hormonal cycle and endocrine system.
-
Incorporate Your Seeds
Incorporating your respective seeds is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Just ground them up, mix them into your morning oatmeal, granola, cereal or smoothie, and enjoy!
-
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is made from the seeds of the evening primrose, a small wildflower with yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. Evening Primrose Oil is rich in vitamin E, linileic acid (LA), and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and prostiglandins.
In addition to sunflower and sesame seeds, evening primrose oil capsules can be taken during the second half of your phase to boost progesterone and supplement the Omega-6 fatty acids listed above. Evening Primrose Oil in the luteal phase has been shown to reduce symptoms of bloating, acne, water retention, depression, foggy thinking, irritability and headaches associated with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).
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Ovulation and Contraception
Ovulation is the phase of the female menstrual cycle whereby a mature ovarian follicle (part of the ovary) discharges an egg (also known as an ovum, oocyte, or female gamete). It is during this process that the egg travels down the fallopian tube where it may be met by a sperm and become fertilized. The lining of the uterus has thickened to prepare the egg for fertilization. If no fertilization/conception occurs, the uterine lining, as well as blood, will be shed. The shedding of an unfertilized egg and the uterine wall is menstruation, also known as the period.
If you are looking to prevent the egg from becoming fertilized (and thus becoming pregnant), look no further than contraception. There are many ways to prevent pregnancy nowadays. Methods include medications, procedures, devices, and behaviors such as:
➊ Contraceptive Pill/Patch
➋ Contraceptive Implant/Injection
➌ Contraceptive Sponge
➍ Emergency Contraception
➎ Intrauterine Device (IUD)
➏ Vaginal Ring
➐ Sterilization
➑ Male/Female Condom
➒ Diaphragm
➓ Spermicide
➊➊ Natural Family Planning
➊➋ Abstinence
➊➌ Crocs
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Not Having A Child('s) Pose
Congratulations! If you couldn't tell by the crippling discomfort, your period is on its way. Hence, you are in fact, not pregnant! Get in that fetal and hold on for dear life, sister!!!
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Explanation
At heart, you are a wild animal. You love to pretend to be civilized and to wear a veneer of the tame, but truly and deeply your body belongs to the forest. In the “wild state” of being you wouldn’t have been exposed to artificial light and so very powerful signals were sent to your brain by the changing light of the moon, and this was one of the ways your body kept rhythms, including your hormone rhythms. Women’s typical hormone cycles are 28 days, which happens to be the length of a full lunar cycle as well. This is not a coincidence! You are designed to be at peak fertility, meaning ovulation, at the full moon (coincidentally when nights are brightest and you’re more likely to enjoy the sight of a partner). Fertility is lowest, meaning menstruation, at the new moon when nights are darkest. Men’s fertility follows women’s in this scenario so that we’re all most fertile at the same time in order to reproduce.
Seed cycling is a gentle way to help your body balance your hormones naturally by adding different seeds into your diet at different phases of your menstrual cycle. Simply adding seeds like flax, pumpkin, chia and sesame seeds to your diet at different times in your cycle can promote healthy hormones by encouraging your body to either produce or detoxify certain hormones. It is literally using foods to either promote estrogen detoxification, in the first half of your cycle, or to increase progesterone production in the second.
-
Sunflower and Sesame Seeds
The Luteal Phase is the second half of your cycle. It starts on the first day of ovulation and lasts until one day before your period. It is said to take place during days 14-28 of your cycle.
The sunflower and sesame combo used in the luteal phase of the cycle has a much lighter dose of lignans from the sesame seeds, but is rich in zinc and selenium which helps progesterone production. These seeds are also a rich source of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid which can convert to gamma linolenic acid, which also helps the balance between progesterone and estrogen.
Incorporate one tablespoon of each seed, fresh ground if posssible, into your daily routine to balance and support your natural hormonal cycle and endocrine system.
-
Incorporate Your Seeds
Incorporating your respective seeds is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Just ground them up, mix them into your morning oatmeal, granola, cereal or smoothie, and enjoy!
-
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is made from the seeds of the evening primrose, a small wildflower with yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. Evening Primrose Oil is rich in vitamin E, linileic acid (LA), and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and prostiglandins.
In addition to sunflower and sesame seeds, evening primrose oil capsules can be taken during the second half of your phase to boost progesterone and supplement the Omega-6 fatty acids listed above. Evening Primrose Oil in the luteal phase has been shown to reduce symptoms of bloating, acne, water retention, depression, foggy thinking, irritability and headaches associated with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).
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Water
Drink lots of water, tea, and other clear liquids throughout the day to stay hydrated and minimize cramps. Drinking more water will also help eliminate the great lakes Atlantic ocean water resevoir that is currently accumulating in your stomach.
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Lie Down
Literally just lie down.
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Chocolate
Chocolate and lots of it. Purchase in any form: Chocolate bar, chocolate syrup, chocolate ice cream, chocolate milk, chocolate fondue, chocolate lollipops, hot chocolate, chocolate fudge, chocolate cereal, chocolate chips, chocolate-covered chips, chocolate-covered almonds, chocolate-covered raisins, chocolate-covered whatever you can manage. Even dark chocolate. You don't need me to tell you why.
-
Heating Pad
According to recent studies, heat can be just as effective as over-the-counter painkillers in nipping cramps in the bud. Soak in the tub or place a hot water bottle on your lower abdomen to ease pain.
Or, if you are lucky, you can purchase a heating pad at your local drugstore. You can buy heating pads in one-time use packs that fit under your clothes for when you are on the go, or a single plug-in heating pad that you can fall asleep with. Pro tip: Try laying on the floor on your back with your legs up on a wall perpendicular to your body while you have the heating pad on your belly. This works wonders and you will be back on your feet in no time at all.
-
Exercise
Exercise and you will feel better. It will give you energy, reduce cramps and brighten your mood. I'm sure going for a run is exactly what you feel like doing right now.
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Emotional Rescue
PMS is an emotional rollercoaster. Rather than trying to jump off the ride to your death, sometimes the best thing to do is just scream. PMS makes me feel like doing both those things, so this is off to a great start. Why not ride out and enhance the rollercoaster of emotions by watching a romance movie? You're crying anyway. By the time you get off the rollercoaster your tears might be all gone. Here are 10 PMS rollercoaster movies:
➊ The Notebook (duh)
➋ P.S. I Love You
➌ The Fault in Our Stars
➍ Dirty Dancing
➎ Dear John
➏ Titanic (good luck with that)
➐ 10 Things I Hate About You
➑ How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
➒ 500 Days of Summer
➓ La La Land
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Meditate
PMS is likely to elevate stress and anxiety. Who would have thought? Calm yourself down by meditating. Sit comfortably in an upright position, close your eyes, and clear your mind by focusing on your breath. That's right, listen closely: inhale, exhale. What's that? What is the breath saying? The breath is saying you have four finals due in the next two days?? Your back hurts???? Your breaking out??? Yes!!! I do!! It does!! I am!!
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Bed Rest
Wake me up when it's over