How to "Hack" Your Menstrual Cycle With Diet, Exercise, & Sleep

How much do you know about menstrual cycles? Half of you will be a lot more informed than the other half. The menstrual cycle holds great significance in a woman's life, impacting various aspects of her body with over 90% of all women experiencing premenstrual symptoms. However, misconceptions and limited understanding still surround its effects, leaving many women in the dark about their own bodies.
Today, we’re joined by Hazel Wallace. She’s a medical doctor, nutritionist and author of The Female Factor. Here to give us an education on the menstrual cycle.
Dr Hazel Wallace shares with us how the cycle affects almost every aspect of the body, from heart health and sleep to metabolism and even whether there’s scientific evidence behind ‘cycle syncing’.
Whether you’ve had a menstrual cycle or not, you’ll learn a lot during this episode. If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Quick fire questions
03:49 What is the menstrual cycle?
05:42 What is the luteal phase?
06:54 When does the menstrual cycle begin?
07:43 How regular are menstrual cycles - Do they change over time?
08:29 What is actually happening during the menstrual cycle?
09:41 What role does oestrogen have in hormonal changes?
10:48 How does the menstrual cycle affect performance in athletes
12:05 How does the menstrual cycle affect women?
16:30 Are cravings real? Why do they happen?
18:21 What is PMS and what do people experience?
20:11 Is there much research behind PMS?
21:40 What is PMDD?
23:16 How do you identify PMDD?
26:17 What is cycle syncing?
27:43 What role does nutrition have in reducing symptoms during the cycle
30:22 Can regular exercise improve symptoms?
33:52 How is sleep impacted by the menstrual cycle?
37:41 How does this impact our immune system?
38:56 Why is there such little research into this area?
41:13 How has the exclusion of women in research impacted us?
44:14 Menstrual cycle tracking - what is it and how can you do it?
46:31 How can tracking help?
47:26 What diet can help symptoms?
49:31 How does the menstrual cycle affect the microbiome?
52:07 How can intermittent fasting affect the menstrual cycle?
54:59 Summary
58:00 Goodbyes
58:11 Outro
Mentioned in today’s episode:
The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32661...
Hazel’s book is available to buy here
Follow Hazel: / thefoodmedic
Follow ZOE on Instagram: / zoe

[@inesmilovanovic7857]

Isn‘t it sad that we as women or people with a cycle have only 1 week every month where we feel normal & fantastic.. 😢

[@destinyzroom]

It is. I don't know how I will ever have a balanced, relaxed, or even normal life because of this issue):

[@faygriffiths6175]

Not if you fix your diet. I transformed my gut health and it had a HUGE affect on menstrual cycle, less breakouts, mood swings, cramping, anxiety etc.

[@grazielasantos952]

we don't need to see it that way, society was built based on the way men function but, as the video makes clear, we can use the fact that we work in cycles, to our benefit. Like the menstrual phase that most of us consider to be the worst - is a moment to connect with our intuition and our gut feelings which benefits even the men in our lives, who (if wise enough) can absorb some of the connection with nature and wisdom that pours out of us in this phase. I know a lot of times it doesn't look like that, because we may be crying about a flower that grew on a crack on the sidewalk or something that seems stupid, but if we are healthy, really is precious what we experience in our cycle.

[@AbenaAnima]

I know right. I want more normal weeks.

[@user-hg3zp8pw2p]

I have tested out a lot of this stuff, heavy heavy bleeder, lots of pain always, bed ridden, so I researched best diet during period. No caffeine, lower salt intake, no dairy, heighten potassium foods, heighten magnesium rich foods, add in green tea and fish oil, walnuts and pumpkin seeds, and I will say, MUCH less bleeding way less pain, hardly any blood clots. It does work. Something I did notice, which all women should utilize…..ALL the foods and drinks I am normally sensitive or questionably sensitive to when I’m not bleeding, I have tried to eat or drink them “during my inflamed state of bleeding” and it ENHANCES the pains and helps me understand at a higher rate that I am DEFINATELY reactive to those foods and drinks without question. Low carb no carb during my period as well, makes me bleed a lot more! If I add in oats brown rice or sweet potatoes with my meals, MUCH less bleeding 🩸

[@akanshashukla356]

Excellent thanks for the guide. What are high rich potassium and magnesium foods you would have?

[@shellbellhealing]

I follow an anti inflammatory diet all month not just for that week but agree makes a big difference ♥️

[@pinkroses135]

I've definitely found upping my potassium intake and watching my dairy (no pizza and icecream binges) and sugar/simple carbs post ovulation to be helpful. Potatoes ftw. I have the caffeine sensitive gene so that's another possibility for some.

[@user-hg3zp8pw2p]

High potassium foods, veggies, almost if not all do, I cook instead of eat raw. which most have magnesium as well, sweet potatoes, bananas, avocados, I do eat tomatoes, some people they agree with some they do not, meat, believe it or not is high in potassium, I take magnesium at night, especially as a woman, and during your period it does help with the stress of a period and water retention. I wish I could stick to anti inflammatory diet all month long. 🫤 how do you feel doing that? Amazing?? Goals right there! Real goal for me, is to get to full carnivore actually. So hard to get there, but anti inflammatory diet is a great start to move towards that, any tips would help me?

[@gingercampbell4021]

I cannot stand having a menstrual cycle. It affects every single moment that any help is so appreciated.

[@marym3355]

It’s very dreadful, men are luckier on this prospective

[@Thehungrytravelers]

It’s a very important part of your health. Besides the physical bleeding part, there should not be any negative aspect to your period. Are you in pain during your period? Or are you referring to pms during luteal phase? I’m sorry to hear it’s affecting your every day life. Cycle syncing should help with any pain or negative mood changes.

[@insakolby]

I know what you mean. The mood swings. Some part of the cycle you are so emotional and then another time very confident and resilient. Like 2 different people. It changes your perception of situations and people.

[@euge.sosa.b]

@@Thehungrytravelers It's not that. The human body is completely controlled by hormones. Men have stable hormones every day of the month , whereas women have complete different combinations of testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen every single day. It affects everything from your appetite to your gym routine to your sleep to your focus, confidence, mood, sexual drive, inflammation. That's what she means by "it affects every single moment". It would be nice to strength train or fast or have sexual drive consistently like men can.

[@Thehungrytravelers]

@@euge.sosa.b I hear you. I agree.

[@CristinaEzPT]

Great podcast and so helpful! Like Hazel said, it would be great to have more studies where participants are women to really understand what is happening in a woman's body at different stages of her cycle and her life! It's unfortunate that in this day and age so many have to suffer in silence because the subjects of menstrual cycles and perimenopause and menopause are so taboo 😞

[@erint5373]

Great to see this conversation happening, and I would hazard to guess more in-depth in what all children are taught in schools, irrespective of it affecting half the population! Would love to see a follow up discussing endo and PCOS and microbiom when that research is completed: I have severe endo and have noticed a huge difference since starting a gut friendly diet-not so much for pain or tiredness, but definitely for low immunity around my period. Previously I would catch anything going the week up to my period, but since the diet change I still get endo symptoms, but they have lasted less long, and I am not getting sick on top of the endo, including colds,flus,infections. I also have ovarian cysts so perhaps this has played a role in my immune system being so affected by the endo, but good guy health seems to me to be the key to managing my endo. I wish I had learned about it 15years ago when I was diagnosed!

[@joinZOE]

Thanks for sharing your experience Erin, I'll definitely pass your episode suggestion on to the podcast team ✍

[@Practitionher]

This interview was beautifully done

[@kyracl7318]

Such an informative episode I learnt so much! Thank you Zoe team

[@paulawilkinson6341]

Absolutely loved this podcast , goin take up some of these tips as am a lady who suffers terribly with PMDD issues

[@jecookdale6793]

I found this interesting and refered to some information to teach puberty to a greater depth to my class of 11year olds. Girls and boys - they appreciated it, some slightly reluctantly! 😅

[@awfd7798]

I am so glad that I found your channel and I am grateful to you that you talk about women’s issues. Also they are more researches. Can please talk about endometriosis and PCOS.

[@ad0rbl]

One/two-day preperiod depression is the worst part of my period. Cramps, stiff breasts, bloating, and diarrhea are not so much of a problem as I work from home and painkillers do a good job for me. My sis and mom have the same depression right before the beginning of the period. Thank God I know what it is and understanding the cause makes it easier to not get too suicidal 💀

[@musicfreakforever12]

But painkillers suck😢 I'm glad it helps you manage but they have many side effects don't they!

[@ad0rbl]

@@musicfreakforever12 as far as I know they are no good for the gut but I try to never take them on an empty stomach. I am 29 and have been doing so for 10 years at least and so far no problems. Better this than living in pain for a couple of days every month 🤷🏼‍♀

[@aquisces9532]

I would love to hear more on PCOS and the gutmicrobiome. Also Dr. Mindy Pelz would be an amazing guest to watch at Zoe. She is so knowledgeable about our cycles and menopause and how to fast and excersice based on what stage of your period your in or during menopause!! Thank you so much for making this video! So much useful information !!! New subbie❤

[@jasminehubbard8656]

Dr.Mindy is awesome! I've been following her for years😊

[@alexandrajones3905]

Fab conversation - thank you

[@amyamnguyen]

I hope that as more women enter science like Hazel, we can use research to inform supportive employeement policies to help women too.

[@earthmamma85]

I was experiencing horrible mood swings, painful cramping, severe bloating… I was just a mess practically all the time. I started to change my diet and now I barely feel anything. I found that the less carbs I ate the better period symptoms got. It’s purely anecdotal but maybe worth a try for other women out there.

[@michaela5107]

I used to have debilitating period pain and migraines that would leave me incapacitated for a day if I was lucky. I got a hormonal iud at 20 and it completely changed my life… until it didn’t. I had no periods and no more migraines, cramps, or ANY period symptoms at all. But it completely severed my connection to my body. 4 years later I got it removed and I now track my entire cycle (ovulation, period, etc.). It has changed my entire understanding of myself for the better and I can’t recommend it enough. In fact, I am currently in bed after calling out of work because I’m about to get my period and have such intense fatigue. But I choose feeling things over not having symptoms, even if sometimes it doesn’t feel so good 😂 I am still able to regulate myself much better and prepare for the harder times in my cycle, and it limits the days I’m out of commission.

[@djcic]

This is amazing. As an undiagnosed PMDD sufferer with IBS, I would bet money that there is a link between PMDD and gut biome. I did Zoe last year and found I have a very low gut diversity. Would be happy to participate in any studies you run!

[@Krisp138]

Magnesium helps tremendously and eating more in luteal phase. Main cause for me was nutrition. I disagree with a few things this woman said though. I'm a survivor,lol.

[@yorkshireseamstress]

Sorry to hear you have PMDD I do too 😢 cutting out caffeine completely during luteal phase has helped me, and sleeping when I need to, and accepting I have a disorder and it’s not my fault has been good for all the negative thoughts etc

[@AlicePriceMusic]

Can you please do a video with any research on the gut microbiome and fertility in women and men. I think this would be of a lot of interest to a lot of people. Especially those trying to conceive 👍

[@MD-fr3zh]

so happy I found this video and learning about pmdd. I am always so depressed and suicidal before my period, and after it I'm so happy and energised, this left me think I'm bipolar, but pmdd makes total sense.

[@CommunityActionForWater]

I enjoyed this podcast. I remember being told by a doctor friend that the fact I often experienced diahorrea during painful periods was just a coincidence, and not actually related to my period. At the time I already knew other women who has similar anecdotes, and it is great to hear the frequent occurance of menstrual gut symptoms confirmed here. Great also to know that there will be more research on this topic. Now I'm enjoying being post-menopause and not having to worry about all that stuff anymore!

[@mariegro09]

There is a direct connection. It's the prostaglandins that cause both the cramping and the diarrhea. This is not new in any way and it's definitely not anecdotal science. I'm sorry you were told otherwise by a doctor who was not updated.

[@Krisp138]

Haha typical doctors they aren't taught anything that won't make them money. Whe. Your period comes everything speeds up and before that slows down. Went away, my 20s just regular cramps it was the best time of my life. When I was a teen I was puking from my painful periods. Come my 30s I'm bloated miserable,bloated,lethargic all the pms symptoms x 10. I think endocrinologists have a better understanding/idea.

[@ursulamonaghan63]

Brilliant, informative and helpful. Would have loved to have known some of this when I was having periods. But passing the info on to my kids !

[@miscuitae]

This is a very comprehensive and helpful podcast. Informative and actionable.

[@thatsovanessa]

great podcast! it's a shame us women cannot catch a break and living in a mans world does not help. We are expected to show up to work everyday and perform the exact same as men even though are hormones are on a rollercoaster affecting us physically and mentally very much. We also need more sleep in general than men which I personally have always observed but have never heard anyone validate this until this year! Also I can't imagine women competing in the Olympics (to touch on what they said earlier) and they being on day 1 of their period!! I wish young girls were actually thoroughly taught that we have so many phases of our cycle, because up until my mid 20s I literally only knew I got a period once a month and THAT'S IT!! I was completely unaware that we had different phases we go through throughout the month (and yes I had health class in HS but remember learning ZERO about women's cycles) Women go through too much!

[@neptuncica]

@thatsovanessa 💯!

[@klauslispector]

Such an interesting and important episode. Thank you, Zoe.

[@francisimanuel8824]

Still waiting for a video on Endometriosis.

[@miscuitae]

For pmdd, working on my mental health and cultivating positivity helped a lot

[@kiki-beautikini]

I've tried different menstrual products, and I finally found the perfect fit with period underwear. 😊It has completely eliminated the worry of leaks for me. Now I can go about my day with confidence and peace of mind. If you're tired of dealing with the risk of leaks, I highly recommend trying period underwear.🥰

[@denisea.9033]

Hi! Do you use these in addition to, or instead of, other feminine hygiene products?

[@kiki-beautikini]

@@denisea.9033 In different situations, when I have heavy flow during the first few days, I like to use period underwear along with other menstrual products to feel more secure. However, as my flow decreases in the following days, I prefer to wear just period underwear. This way, I don't feel restricted, and I can go about my day without worrying about leaks.

[@bubblebakingbunny3258]

Agreed❤Wuka is an amazing brand

[@SLCLT13]

You should invite dr Mindy Pelz! She talks about different fasting lengths you should do in your cycle, her book is great

[@golnooshhataminejad9500]

I get my worst migraines headaches in the spring phase as some with chronic migraine😕 so I’m missing on all the good time. I always feel better before menstruation just because I get much less head pain.

[@polkahontas4324]

Interesting, is there any research on PMDD in combination with endometriosis? It sounds pretty much like my struggles

[@sophiegove7832]

interested to hear about PCOS and gut microbiome

[@ShivaniSuri-fs5tz]

this problem is the important in ur life that can help our period i would prefer you to all that the process and rectify the problem

[@sunie7795]

Watching this in my luteal phase ✌️

[@tiphainer7143]

Great podcast! I was looking for an accessible discussion about cycle syncing. I have just one note: Why on Earth did she correct herself from « All women who menstruate » to « All people who are menstruating »?? English is not my first language but I do know that only women menstruate.

[@catrinacoons390]

I also noticed this, and there is nothing wrong with your English. I believe she was trying to be "politically correct" to account for transgender or non-binary people. Basically still only women.

[@fairytale7801]

There is something always stuck with me, do you guys think we need start communicating about this hormones fluctuations and their effects on our day-to-day life and work? It is frustrating to see how my performance influences and seems like no one can get it. Even myself, having less empathy. I always wished for support when I seem not being able to give to myself alone!

[@reese2348]

Anyone have podcast notes?

[@Mary-hn7rf]

Check out Dr Mindy Pelz who has two books, Fast Like a Girl and The Menapause Reset, lots of info about syncing your cycle to exercise and nutrition

[@Valholla03]

While I can understand the reluctance to approve something that hasn’t been thoroughly researched, fasting is a place where we can use a little common sense. Our prehistoric ancestors did not have refrigerators. Millions of Muslims practice Ramadan every year. The common sense evidence is all around us so I look forward to the day when science backs it up and professionals are no longer afraid of the obvious. And thank goodness I found Dr. Mindy Pelz before listening to this episode because she is going to be hailed as the woman who revolutionized hacking fasting for women

[@kris_____4622]

loosing your cycle because of intermediatte fasting is def a thing. it happened to me and after some research i found out that im not alone with it. (of course that is not a scientific study, but i just wanted to share my experience with it))

[@katkavojtek8813]

I thought the link between progesterone and sleep is the opposite, that the progesterone helps us sleep better in luteal phase as it is a calming hormone. Is this true?

[@pinkroses135]

My inflammatory markers and prostaglandins can get quite bad. I also wonder how fight or flight/anxiety etc plays into this. Limited or whole grains, oatmeal, starchy veggies and fruits carb wise is my next trial. If this stuff does this to us what is it doing to boys/men? Arthritis? Lol

[@sierramillerxox]

I have a love hate relationship with my cycle 🙏

[@DankaTheQween]

I love her nails 👍🏻

[@frannybanny9683]

I would like to know if there are differences in symptoms between different cultures. I have sicilian roots and suffer only a little bit of stiff breasts and cramps the day before menstruation. My mom never had anything during menstruation. I wonder if the mediterranean diet has any effects on it.

[@anna-friend]

I'm Italian but have bad symptoms 😢

[@tiphainer7143]

That’s an interesting observation! This is anecdotal and I have never thought of it before but I have lived in the South of France for over seven years now and our diet is, largely, a Mediterranean diet. Before that I lived in London for five years and Paris before that. I HAVE noticed that my PMS and other women’s symptoms around me are much milder than the ones of the women in my previous locations. From what was mentioned in the podcast I would conclude that diet does have a significant impact on symptoms and different cultures are often distinguishable by their diets.

[@shellbellhealing]

Women often develop symptoms after being prescribed birth control. Interfering with the natural cycle can be dangerous. Some women even experience symptoms of poisoning and can have life threatening symptoms or early menopause or infertility due to these hormones and this is something that needs to be taken into consideration before prescribing more meds or more birth control. My life turned upside down after the IUD went in affecting me physically mentally emotionally. The symptoms were extreme

[@shellbellhealing]

@AlbertNewton-bf6cr women ovulate one day a month. You can work around it. The issue is people are not educated

[@MeeraRaju1111]

I thought esteogen decreased for a bit after ovulation and progesterone increased. 🤔 Thank you for this vital information ❤.

[@AlbertNewton-bf6cr]

If you are in a relationship,Does your partner takes good care of you? .

[@briannabradyy]

What about; as women, we know that our periods tend to sync up with our fellow sisters when we're around one another. Is this a coincidence? Is this based on the moon cycles?? Im really curious about this. Bc, it's never failed once in my life, being around new females that were on different cycles ended up syncing up. If they talk on this topic later, I'll delete comments as im only in the beginning.

[@lidarutz]

This was disproven. Our cycles don’t sync with others but rather overlap overtime. Since the day we start our period every month shifts slightly, you may eventually start your period around the same time as someone else.

[@Elven.]

26:00 I have an answer, quit dairy and live an insanely better life. 31:45 let me save you the stabbing pain, quit dairy

[@HalosOrbit]

So right I was in so much paid After eating so much queso and chips right before my cycle it was pure hell

[@insakolby]

Does someone have advice on how to get my period back? I didn’t have it for half a year. I already try to reduce stress through meditation, less exercise, more food. But can‘t get it back. I also take Agnus castus. But it doesn’t seem to help. I am concerned about my estrogen levels and bone density :/ But at least I don’t have to deal with the cramps. For 6 months I wouldn’t need to take pain killers. So at least something positive.

[@notthatkindofsam]

Have you been to a doctor? You need to do that ASAP. Also how many calories are you eating a day? The average woman needs at least 1400 a day. When my friends did diets down to 1200 and less- their periods stopped 😮

[@insakolby]

@@notthatkindofsam Yes I‘ve been to a doctor but she wanted to prescribe me the pill. And I think that is not a natural and healthy solution :( I eat more than enough. At least 2000kcal every day.

[@tiphainer7143]

Hi 👋🏼 I regularly see an acupuncture specialist for different health issues. I sent her a friend who has also not had a period in over a year and she helped her recover it in two or three sessions. So there is a protocol in Chinese médecine for this particular issue. I think it’s worth consulting. Hope this helps!

[@gloriatope2207]

My is that any time am having menstruation pain , once I eat apples it stop the pain

[@Soul.in.Spanish]

Red apples!! Reduces my pain but it's like 9/10 without ibuprofen. Then with at least 2 apples a day it's like a 6/10 without ibuprofen. Of course I dont let my pain last very long. It's unbearable.

[@floatingisland544]

What about women who are on birth control, what nutrition would you advice there?

[@ajrwilde14]

Stop taking it, it's toxic.

[@tilosagulp6534]

So, the basic types of people are: man, spring woman, summer woman, autumn woman, winter woman.

[@graceellen7984]

I love this

[@speaktruth9989]

❤

[@Fair-to-Middling]

I hacked my menstrual cycle the natural way...with menopause. 😉

[@denisea.9033]

🤭

[@Lealea883]

😂 you are funny

[@eleanorsmith7755]

9-12? The average age in uk is 12.7. 9-15 is more accurate

[@pollymccowen4321]

Would love to hear Hazel and Mindy Pelz (Fast like a girl) have a chat about intermittent fasting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3q3oIqJjd-cjas

[@pinkroses135]

I just don't want to run to the toilet like 6 times, vomit 4 and feel hot, cold and jittery on the first day ever again. I swear the modern processed diet is killing women.

[@mimislu2895]

Starting your cycle can vary from the ages of 9-17 lol not 9-12. 13 is the average

[@blueorchidmys16]

With all due respect you need to stop suggesting these are world leading scientists or experts. Hazel is nice enough but not even remotely an expert in this field

[@val6189]

Why do you say that?

[@tmd63]

Why has Zoe suggested a menstrual hack to a male?

[@user-kc7mu4jp4p]

I couldn't bear to keep watching this video, in which she keeps asserting and confirming the convenient male myths around mentstruation, with the air of being a scientific and feministic person. If the average woman was so sensitive to the internal workings of her hormones, etc. she wouldn't be able to do the lion's share of work in the social gender grouping while subsisting on the male's leavings in our ancient historical context, while constantly being in a state of pregnancy and childbirth! No, the mood fluctuations, the tearfulness, the anger, the 'hysterics', etc happen because life is parasitic and the female is, at default, always being parasitised by the male of the species, as he is a parasite to everything else in life - animals that he uses for his purposes, plants, stones, etc. So, the females moods and reactions are more intimately related to this parasitism she experiences, rather than the moon's phases in the cosmos or the hormonal phases in her inner cosmos, which just go by, mostly unbeknownst to her. Proof of innate parasitism of male is evident to this day and age in the form of worldwide toxic patriarchy which is the rule rather than the exception among humans.

[@tournetcindy7943]

Are you even a girl? Or do you know girls around you?? Of course we're all different, but denying the existence of behavioral and physical changes due to hormonal changes is nuts, both for men and women. It just happens that we have it cyclicly. Honestly, from a scientific/medical perspective, it's so obvious. Practicly every hormone in the body has very broad spectrum effects, and changes our behaviour, being it a sex hormone or not: insulin, grelin, cortisol, testosterone.... Overlooking these and not studying them is what is really detrimental to us. Not talking about it like it doesn't exist is detrimental to us. Not studying women in science in general and just assuming we have the same biology as men is detrimental, and was the norm for decades. That doesn't mean that we have less value, that doesn't allow men to dismiss what we say refering to that, that doesn’t mean partiarchy isn't a problem. Basically, you're saying "if it was true, then how can we be so productive as women comparing to men". Again, we are not "only" our biology, we cas surpass it, for example human can fast for days even if their body signals them to f**king eat. And my favorite part is "with the air of being a scientific and feministic person" Wow... she IS a scientific, she is a doctor, and a nutritionist, whether you like it or not. Do you realize you sound exactly like the people you seem to hate? 😂 You're depriciating a young lady that has a medical background, that talks about scientific studies, and that spreads knowledge to empower other women (and encourages studies about women health in particular) just because what she says doesn't align with your conception of things. That's the most patriarchal reaction I've ever seen from a so called "feminist".

[@pjcdm]

How can you deny this? Everyone when they have a recurring pain gets triggered & angry easily. There are other examples of that. Have you heard "hanger" (vs "hunger")? It is normal. Emotions are normal. We are humans, not robots.

[@m.backwoods]

I suffered from horrible cyclical mental roller coaster, mostly including depression-like and other psychological symptoms that was indeed looking like PMDD, because I would feel myself shifting completely towards the autumn of my cycle. I had lots of bodily symptoms for sure, but they weren't anywhere near as debilitating. To anyone seeking cure for difficult cyclical symptoms I want to share something from personal experience, to remind of another p o s s i b i l i t y than what was discussed in the conversation here. This is about me and very much in the worse PMDD cathegory, but there might be something for many women in my experience. With my suffering I went looking answers very much outwards, tried understanding female hormones better, buying supplements like maca, also went to doctor who suggested taking SSRIs cyclically, which for me sounded insane tbh. I also seeked therapy, because obviously I had lots of mental suffering even though it surfaced for only less than 2 weeks a month. With that healing process I started to understand myself more as deeply embodied being, where mind and body are not separate. That the problem might not root from a chemical imbalance to be fiddled and fixed with biohacking. Unraveling my traumas I started to unravel very quickly my cyclical suffering. You can find a link with trauma in the research of PMDD too, maybe go check those out. Traumas were very much stored in my body, my nervous system, and my cycle it seems. Let me tell you, talk therapy and my own mental process did wonders, but somatic approach "unlocked" me. I had unfinished and incomplete trauma responses in my body that were messing with me, freezing me to be stuck deeply in the past. I'm in the process and never felt this integrated. No cyclical chaos anymore. Don't get me wrong, I am very much drawn into cycle syncing for example with my training and tuning into the cycle feels quite essential for me now. That's why I was interested in this conversation from the beginning. I much appreciated the mention of keeping the cycle syncing individual and personalized. Your body does know. Learning to listen to mine is an ongoing adventure for me and just wow, how that can make a difference. Just remember that you might have way more power over this than you think. Anyway, great conversation! I love seeing this been talked more and more, thank you so much🌼

[@paulawilkinson6341]

This is me at the moment my mood dips drastically around the time of my cycle. I don’t have a full period I just spot for maybe 2 days . Brain fog an low mood an tiredness are my most deliberating . I eat healthy , plant based , nuts & seeds , avocados and eggs , also a lot of fish . I take vitamins and exercise but am still suffering. Do you have any information that may help me ? I take HRT & antidepressants but these have no effect on my mood x

[@mimiBirkin]

What kind of somatic approach are you talking about ?

[@ajrwilde14]

Eat some red meat@@paulawilkinson6341