Your Menstrual Cycle is Your Superpower | Dinara Mukh | TEDxSFU

Dinara shares her story of how she fell in love with her periods. She helps us understand the female body, how the menstrual cycle works, and how to unleash its superpowers in order to achieve more in both our personal and professional lives. Dinara Mukh is a women’s health coach whose work is centered around helping women tune into their bodies by living in harmony with their menstrual cycles to improve their health, enhance creativity and productivity. She believes that understanding the female body is everyone’s business regardless of gender if we want to create a truly inclusive environment. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@ByJasmineDayton]

Also the fact that she's wearing red pants, legendary queen.

[@pravinp1pravinp181]

Hi

[@leahsmith2078]

My first thought

[@pravinp1pravinp181]

@@leahsmith2078 dmm me on insta

[@apricotm3800]

Red pants but calls women “menstruators” 🙄

[@ByJasmineDayton]

@@apricotm3800 ???

[@Lucinda_96]

I was laying here on my period thinking "why don't I know about my body as a 32 year old woman?" So glad I found this video.

[@adrianaadnan9958]

Idk.. didn't solve anything. Satan's coming next month again anyways

[@AnnieSultan-x2b]

I found this very useful and have decided to make me a Menstruation Bible and plan things around it to reap my superpowers. Here is a summary of the Menstrual phases Menstruation (Inner Winter): Superpower: Restoration. Summary: Menstruation is a time for renewal and shedding old layers. It's essential to rest and let go during this phase. Activities: Engage in gentle activities like walking and stretching. Foods: Consume foods rich in iron and minerals to replenish what is lost through bleeding, such as red meat. Self-Care: Prioritize rest, tuning into your inner self, and quieting external noise. Follicular Phase (Inner Spring): Superpower: Initiation. Summary: This phase follows menstruation and brings a surge of energy and enthusiasm for life. Activities: Use this time for brainstorming, generating ideas, and initiating new projects. Foods: Opt for lighter, fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains. Self-Care: Embrace your creativity and take on new challenges with enthusiasm. Ovulation (Inner Summer): Superpower: Confidence. Summary: Ovulation is your fertility window, and it boosts confidence. It's a time to be noticed and express yourself with confidence. Activities: Feel more confident in your communication and interpersonal skills, pitch ideas, and socialize. Foods: Focus on cooling foods like berries and salads. Self-Care: Use your boosted confidence to achieve your goals and connect with others. Increase in Testosterone, so use for muscle building if that is a goal; Luteal Phase (Inner Fall): Superpower: Focus. Summary: This phase can be challenging but offers heightened focus. It's a time to notice details and complete tasks. Activities: Tackle administrative or detailed work, engage in deep cleaning, and pay attention to your surroundings. Foods: Opt for denser, filling foods like stews and root vegetables to offset cravings. Self-Care: Embrace your focus and use it for productivity and self-care.

[@nicholedeleon2525]

❤

[@abbypitts3857]

Lovely summary, thank you! An added note to the Mentrual phase: author Lisa Lister talks about how this is a phase that cuts away ALL of the B.S. so you can see things clearly. Your inner self is radically honest in this time and won't let you lie to yourself. So big life decisions should be made AFTER having "bled on it". Truths will come to light in this phase so wait on big decisions until after you've bled for the month. :) so amazing and fascinating!

[@esencialnizdravi8608]

Thank you!!

[@natashakheswa7767]

What a lovely summary.... ❤️Thank you

[@tiantongli2654]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@Holistretch]

Menstrual Leave… what a beautiful concept that would truly honor and nourish women. Wow. ❤❤❤

[@marniebruemmer]

It is literally a thing in many European opera houses. Leading ladies are excused from work due to the swelling in their body and long held tradition.

[@AdamWEST-yu2os]

Pms is a myth. LITERALLY NO ONE AS WESTERN WHITE WOMEN HAVE IT.

[@XxxX-wx3er]

Men will never ever allow that.

[@piamjarvinen]

​@@XxxX-wx3erLet's not ask them.

[@kelseyalexander7460]

@@piamjarvinenbest comment in the history of comments

[@ryanfoxx3142]

the red pants o the red circle carpet is a slay

[@salsssaaalll]

and the red ted 😭💀

[@sreetejasakamuri8645]

Best talk ever. Should be shown in every school and college

[@dinara.mukh.health]

thank you I really appreciate it and love that you enjoyed it :)

[@stacysnp]

And job!

[@matriarchalprayerproject]

people could avoid so much abortion and artificial birth control if they were actually taught control over their bodies and their menstruation, ovulation and period cycles. I don’t know why they don’t teach this everywhere.

[@Elle-om4nf]

So many people on here are talking about how beautiful and magical their cycles are. Good for them. If it's not like that for you, here's a reminder that you're absolutely not alone. 💗

[@epistemophilicmetalhead9454]

rest during periods (iron + minerals)(gentle activities)(restore)(take time for yourself) -> spring (follicular)(enthu)(inspirational time)(fresh fruits and vegetables)(endurance activities) -> summer (ovulatory)(fertility window. feel confident and outgoing)(cooling foods)(higher testosterone levels. hit the gym)(put yourself out there) -> fall (luteal)(your body wants to slow down)(binge watch, binge eat)(focus)(deep clean)(more food. cravings. vegetables. heavy food)(activities that progress slowly)

[@EskimoInAlaska]

THANK YOU

[@taraaa4315]

❤

[@theunexpressedable]

Kudos for having the courage to talk about this subject. It shouldn’t be taboo.

[@dinara.mukh.health]

LOUDER for the people in the back! I could not have agreed more! We neeeed to talk about this more.

[@Serenity-fu8xz]

Speak up, speak up, speak up beautiful women speak up❤

[@mariapires7135]

I am on my period and therefore nearly crying while watching this, but thank you for this lovely TED Talk, information like this is so necessary

[@PhoenixAurelius-138]

This was a wonderful speech. Every woman needs to know this about her body! My only complaint is the woke language. Only WOMEN can menstruate, so just replace every time she says "menstruators" with "women", and this speech is perfection. I'm 45 and just started to track my period last year. My cycle has finally become the valuable resource it was meant to be.

[@myho6505]

Thanks for this speech. Menstrual cycle and hormonal changes are issues that I have been interested in for a long time. I even kept a diary that tracked my emotional changes over the years until I realized everything was going according to a certain pattern. I will apply the knowledge from the speech to be more in tune with my body. Thanks, speaker.

[@MagiSanVlog]

OMG, why only 6000 views? This is all I was looking for for so long! Thank you Dinara & Ted!

[@suyasaba5675]

I'm commenting before I even watch this but what made me click is that last year I realized that my period literally has a mind if it's own. And I think it communicates through intuition. That's why it's called women's intuition.

[@myleemartin8083]

The red pants are a lovely touch. Love this talk!!

[@The_diary_of_a_melophile]

Winter reset restore Support with food rich in iron minerals Support with light activities Spring follicular Shift in energy Superpower of initiation of ideas Brainstorming best at this time Fresh fruits and vegetables Focus on insurance activities like running biking Summer Ovulatiry Superpower is confidence Fertility window Food is to eat cooling foods like berries smoothies salads Hit the gym Become much better at expressing and communicators Fall Luteal phase Superpower is focus Paperwork and things that need focus Metabolism speeds up So food is needed Focus on food that is dense Yoga

[@transformwithfontanna]

whats the super power in winter lol

[@bekkyc9780]

@@transformwithfontannawinter is when you rest so you can have super powers for the rest of the month.

[@nenyeo6090]

Thanks!!

[@judsjo]

Thank you

[@visualaddictionx]

@@transformwithfontanna winter is good for planning, preparing, getting ideas and that sort of things. also you know what to let go off, you see clearly what serves you and what doesn’t. big decisions should also be made in winter.

[@gativaa]

-Menstrual cycle - Winter = Menstral 9:06 Spring = Follicular 10:30 Summer = Ovulatory 11:46 Autumn = Luteal 13:26

[@userNOTfound1-3]

I use Taylor Swift albums to map my cycle ✨ Red = Menstruation Speak Now = Follicular Reputation= Ovulation Folklore = Luteal

[@userNOTfound1-3]

@@jaya-squishiehuntr019 😂😂😂Oh shut up

[@nour9067]

This video hasn't been watched by many people and it is sad. Because it's a great video, and I really nice way to see our periods : just season. Currently I'm in the fall. So thank you for inviting me to slow down and enjoy softer activity, while not beating myself with tremendous guilt !

[@healwithsunaina5730]

It’s nice to hear something positive about periods thank u❤

[@realityisbest8963]

❄️ Menstural Phase: Winter. Restoration. Let go, Rest. Lively, more fun. Eat iron! 🥦🥩🥔 🌸 Follicular Phase: Spring. Initiation. New ideas, a shift in energy. A great time for brainstorming. Endurance activities increased. Eat light, vibrant, fresh fruits and grains! 🍚🥑🥭 ☀️ Ovulation Phase: Confidence. Fertility. Social connections. Testerone increase, muscle growth. Eat berries, salads, smoothies! 🍓🥗🧉 🍂 Luteal Phase: Slow down. Increased Focus. Hyperfocus. Eat more dense food. Slower, resistance. Eat dense, fall foods! 🥘🥕🍠

[@Laura-sg6ss]

Thanks babes❤

[@Samantha-vlly]

I’m thankful that I watched this, that I could also guide my sister entering in this part of her life.

[@AoibheannDoyle-SoulTherapist]

I love my Moon bleed. It's time for me to rest, relax & reflect. ❤ It's a high intuitive time. The key is to embrace all of it. Heal your hormones.Address the pain & negative beliefs.

[@analugoidoyaga465]

Well yes, it is easy for the person to organise herself for dieting, exercise, meeting friends, etc. All in the Personal area, but not so easy in the professional area.. sadly. Nobody understand and we run like our cycle is not monthly and sometimes it hurts..

[@BlackBlood74]

Agreed. My job is scheduled months in advanced for 10+ hour days. It isn't really realistic to just take the day off. A whole event is that day so I can't just bail. It truly is awful. My job definitely doesn't cater to women hence why I'm tired all the time.

[@luisajosenhans3690]

What an amazing talk!! This is SO important! It should be the norm to take a few days off every month during our period to recharge ❤

[@camillapalmer82]

I’m in fall right now and listening to her describe her own symptoms - my goodness it is freeing to understand yourself. This is definitely the hardest part of the cycle for me.

[@Samantha-vlly]

Same(through intuition, because I don’t track my cycle)

[@bronwynbear5931]

Following my cycle more and more for the past few years has changed my life for the better. Now it's time to integrate it in a business setting. Thank you for this clear speech that will help guide me ❤

[@Manyatabedi]

How wonderful to find this while I'm menstruating ❤

[@gringura]

Wishing for this to become mainstream!

[@blackmadonna6024]

Aside from the false idea of reproduction being a woman’s purpose (however huge if a super power that is, we are here for so much more than just that), I agreed with everything in this video and was inspired by this talk so much! I wish information on the magic and purity of our cycles were more emphasized and supported in the societies of our world. This talk needs to be everywhere!

[@Jess38044]

Yeah that sentiment was the only thing that gave me the ick during this talk

[@JackOLanternBob]

It's not the only purpose, but it's a big one that is specific to women and not men

[@blackmadonna6024]

@@JackOLanternBob There's a difference between a purpose and a necessity. It's not a purpose, nor is it specific to either man or woman given that both are required. What it is, is a gift, a blessing and an optional super power, and for the general human race a huge necessity for obvious reasons. But that doesn't mean each individual exists to do it, among other things or not. Many men and women incarnated in this reality would be led far astray from their unique god given purpose by having kids. However, if it was a purpose hypothetically speaking, there has to be a consistency given that both men and women are needed to procreate. Woman may be the creators of life but men provide the blueprint and a very important ingredient that makes that possible. It can't be a woman's purpose without simultaneously being a man's.

[@blackmadonna6024]

@@Jess38044 Yeah it created a fleeting bitter taste in my mouth but it's just her belief. I accept that. Baby and bathwater...

[@Jess38044]

@@blackmadonna6024 very true :)

[@rebeccanascimento8234]

This is specially important for neurodivergent women that have pretty bad PMs due to our natural brain imbalance. Learning my cycle changed how I saw myself. I even like becoming introspective more. Thank you for the talk ❤

[@smurfette6499]

I couldn’t agree more

[@aminafahmy3711]

Me too but I'm quite lost. I'm not sure how different my brains / body react during my period because of this

[@rebeccanascimento8234]

the best thing to do is to keep a chart so when your depression is arriving you can use your coming mechanisms at the right time. For me micro dosing has been helping a LOT@@aminafahmy3711

[@ry.0]

I'm understanding it after a long struggling journey

[@rebeccanascimento8234]

@@ry.0 prepare yourself for it as if youre going to war. Don't listen to what people say you should feel, we are warriors for getting through this every month

[@sarahbitar7929]

I spend 1/3 of each month bleeding. Wish it was 5 days for me. I also find it more of a taboo to talk about periods in the US. Women in Lebanon talk openly about when they’re on their periods. Finally, I like to read Lucille Clifton’s incredible poem “In praise of menstruation” everytime I struggle with my cramps and wish I didn’t have to go through it. It’s my favorite menstruating prayer and makes me deeply grateful for the sacredness of bleeding every month.

[@eetoved1758]

Best wishes. Sometimes I'm on a 6 or 7 day period, but sometimes as short as a 21 day cycle 😂😢

[@PhoenixAurelius-138]

I know many women who struggle with this. My understanding is that estrogen is out of balance with progesterone. There are estrogen dominance issues, And/or the body doesn't produce enough progesterone at the right times in the cycle.

[@frosty9568]

Having endometriosis gives that question a whole other dimension

[@relaxme5919]

Wow, thank you for this. It explains quite a bit and I look forward to observing and honoring myself in this new light.

[@kylalombardi9000]

This is beautiful!! Thank you so much for posting. I need to get me a journal so I can write all of this wonderful (new to me) information down. Growing up the period talk was a HUGE no no for our family. Completely taboo! It’s made me feel like my entire life I am uncomfortable and further from my own body. I’ve been learning about being in tune with my cycle and menstruation as a whole. Also womb healing from past trauma. This video explained it all so well for me! 💛

[@Jeannagrace_]

How does this not have more views??? Such valuable information🤍

[@kats.7268]

It is incredible that I learn this in my 30s. Incredibly sad. That should indeed be taught in school. Thank you.

[@kshamaprakashkamath9677]

This video should be going places!!

[@okayvsk]

the female experience ❤️

[@artmodelfit]

I loved the explanation of how our bodies carry that seasonal wisdom, and how that cycle looks on a daily basis. (morning-night).....

[@Inprogress_of_newbeginings]

Being a woman takes so much energy and focus😢,I'm not coping.

[@OmolemoKhara]

Red pants with a white shirt is classic 😊❤

[@roniqueasia]

Wow this makes an insane amount of sense. This is sad that we don’t know this info. Definitely going to help me in the future

[@granjera6680]

Thank you so much for a new lease on life! I couldn't understand why I've been super motivated then crash. I appreciate your bravery in sharing this valuable information publicly

[@garimasharma5642]

Love the analogies being used as concepts, so powerful and helpful! Thanks, Dinara!

[@birdiebird814]

Amazing how you explain the whole cycle ...its exact how i feel it

[@anabellarivolta]

most beautiful accent i've heard in my whole life. i'm delighted.

[@biagullo3]

This is so important! Thanks for sharing this knowledge and teaching us how to love and use our superpowers ❤

[@angie_myhre]

Why everyone isn’t taught this from a young age is beyond me.

[@sophiafrey1142]

I love this woman! so intelligent and charming. Thank you my love for educating us! How is it possible that I'm finding out about period syncing only now? this is gonna be life changing for me

[@pals6]

Simply phenomenal! Thank you so much Dinara and Ted X, such an important topic that gets overlooked so often.

[@shilopie]

Im on my luteal phase rn and the "we wanna keep going, but our body wanna go slow down" is so true. I really try hard to against my mood swings during this phase but makes it more worst instead. This video is help me a lot to understand how my body's(as a women) work and know how to handle it. Thank you for this.

[@selkieart99]

Watching this after 2 weeks of burnout & 2 major panic attacks which all coincide with my period... definitely switching to scheduling my work / workload according to my cycle, and looking into diet changes for it (I usually ignore my cravings because they're not convenient)

[@Wes-ku9tb]

The most unique artist I ever met did her work with menstrual discharge, then photographed it. Far out creating. I am a man so my empathy for periods is limited but having spent my life in partnership with women, I have plenty of experience. Honestly I like when my romantic partner is on her cycle's discharge phase. Definitely not a fetish but a nice change in intimacy that is natural. Great talk.

[@kyraj145]

Amen! It's not a dis-ability, it's an A-bility!!

[@zaharahmoustafa9594]

I'm 51 years old and on my 2nd period in 21 days. It has become very heavy and has caused anemia, so I'm on iron. Right now im in so much pain, it literally feels like contractions during child birth. I am actually upset that im still going through this period thing. I had to ask to work from home for the next few days...I'm grateful that my job allows me to work from home. Sometimes the pain puts me on the floor in pain.

[@jessicachavez4891]

I'm 46 and right there with you. It's terrible. I'm just over this. I wish I could see the silver lining but at this point I'm done.

[@knowledgeiseverything7621]

Acute Cramps are due to a deficiency in magnesium. Organic unsulphured blackstrap molasses, Pumpkin seeds work and cure the problem... no more pain. Reduce all calcium foods ie.dairy, sesame seeds etc .. calcium (stiffness n structure) is the opposite of magnesium (flexibility).

[@cmorte5]

I switched to a plant-based diet and my cycle is now regular and less painful, light flow instead of heavy. Dr Greger's ' Daily Dozen' app helped me make sure I was getting all the nutrients my body needed when it was a new way of eating for me. Best of luck to you❤

[@Elle-om4nf]

So sorry, that sucks. I have PMDD and at 37 I want nothing more than for my period to end. The depression, anxiety, and migraines at least mask the cramps 😅

[@rainbowconnected]

Sorry you're going through that. The pain can be so awful. Mayan abdominal massage can be darn near miraculous for cramping. I had one session with the therapist where she worked on my abdomen and taught me a simple, 5 minute self massage of my abdomen. I did the self massage every day and the combination lead to absolutely zero cramping during my period. Normally I would be on the floor from the pain. I'd highly recommend it for anyone struggling with painful periods.

[@Sifa85]

Wow! This makes me understand myself a lot more. And why I always find myself deep cleaning the house just right before my period, I always call it my nesting phase (like pregnant women do), not knowing all of these! ❤

[@Meaningful_conversations]

This is sooooo accurate,I love it! I purposely plan my days by this order. It makes my life so much easier. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@miriam2721]

How do you do it?

[@jennyanderson4796]

it puzzling to why indeed the across the board reality is not clearly explained I never had a class in school explaining emotions & the connection .

[@idsotv]

OMG!! I’ve always been so grateful for deep cleaning my house days before my period and wonder how I get so lucky! And it’s literally me just listening to my body wow

[@chanellezzz]

I got to know about this knowledge two months ago and it is already too late for my body. It is really sad that this knowledge is not yet spread wide enough in the world today. I am on my day 1 period today and there is a work deadline that I must deliver tomorrow still. Please teach us a way we can navigate through corporate demands and still tap into our menstrual cycle superpower. As it is still not a well-accepted knowledge at workplace/societal settings, it is still not easy to discuss alternatives for women at workplaces under such circumstances. We really need to promote this more

[@cozybeats8032]

Thank you, Dinara 💕

[@analuisacoelho7133]

I love the speech, but I think it’s a bit dangerous to correlate burnout with the lack of awareness of menstrual cycles. There’s so much more that cooperate to that: women’s having double schedules (work plus house and family), having constantly push yourself more to be seen as worthy of a man’s position, or even having to endure sexist jokes and behaviours from colleagues.

[@zekec6088]

'The bleeding part only lasts five days.' Speak for yourself, ma'am, mine has typically lasted 8-10 days for over 20 years. Only now in my late thirties is it ever sometimes under a week. I know I'm not alone in this either, I've heard plenty of people say there's is also 8+ days.

[@kavyarajaram12]

Do you know why that happened for you? Hormonal imbalances? I am just curious to know because 8-10 days seems like a bloody long time! :O

[@leiaduring3512]

thank you very much! so beautiful to imagine myself as a tree that has to restore. love it

[@judsjo]

Period flow can go from 3 to 10 days. I go for an average 7 days so some people suffer for longer.

[@zekec6088]

I hope you're not suppering that long! Mine has traditionally been about 8 days, sometimes more, but only about 2 or 3 days are painful.... physically, that is. Premenstrual dysphoria on top of gender dysphoria is so real.

[@ceciliakarani1905]

Thank you

[@ohlottie]

This was a very helpful talk for me. Thank you! I enjoyed the colour of your wardrobe for this important talk. 😘❤️ P.S. It’s my third time listening to this talk and I share some of the content with important people in my life.

[@comfortbrown913]

Thank you so much for this video. I’m nearly 39 years old, and had no clue about these phases. 🙃

[@sophiya17]

I so enjoyed this video, I made notes and I am going to use the recommendations!

[@khbattalas6942]

In my country, we can't even speak in inside family. Girls are suffering a lot of the period. It's impact her studying and others side of life. No one care about her problem even the Doctor when she goes to him.

[@chatgpt4135]

female body was often 'Described' as 'Sinful amd cursed and malicious', by various cultures, which makes people brainwashed to not talk about it in a positive way Men birve in this fake ideologh while women become 'Patrols of men' to make sure everybody follows such things. But it has led to lots of sufferings for women , cos they stop caring of their own body

[@eetoved1758]

💔😢

[@Suite1029]

So sorry to hear this😢

[@mehakmalhotra8541]

Thanks for sharing this wisdom

[@lilacseal]

“only lasts 5 days” whaaat? where are my 11-day friends at? so unfair 😭

[@sadiaislamsaba6586]

Thank you, this was most beautiful ever.

[@lauralubarov8715]

This video is amazing, thank you so much Dinara! I learned a lot and will be using these tips!

[@syedaramshahakhlaq1001]

Thank you Ms. Mukh! What an amazing and life-changing talk!

[@Lilabsolue]

We should learn that at school!

[@Namnu.]

This feels good to hear!

[@Laugh_andsmile]

Amazing talk! I love her take on it and I can't wait to share this with my daughter when she's ready 👩‍👧

[@ShilpaSharma-tf4of]

Female Health Support of planet ayurveda is very helpful in relieving pain during menstrual cycle

[@SofiaNaranjoJuarez]

Beautiful and this is only scratching the surface! ❤

[@tuanachatman8882]

This was an excellent viewpoint of something that is held as so taboo still in society today. Thank you!

[@EmmaLouisePole]

What an incredible video. This makes me feel so happy.

[@agnespitka3703]

Nice talk. Positive. But as a AuDHD person, not helpful because during PMS I can focus the least.

[@chi-cy6yl]

Great talk! Period leave - that would never happen in a place like the States!

[@chatgpt4135]

Why is America so much interested in policing women's reproductive system

[@pragusmom1998]

Wonderful speech! And life changing talk.

[@joycepenarubia6216]

I had PCOS before. But, now im thankful my period is normal..

[@poppyair8507]

Im so glad that I watch this video during my Spring period - initiation. Hope that I make a change with these superpowers🤍

[@chantellcoyour7877]

I definitely go longer than 5 days.

[@marediththaele1076]

Absolutely beautiful and im definitely going to do this and use it to my advantage women were created so special

[@thefunkyJ]

This video deserves more views

[@SlapSister]

The 24 cycle of productivity and expectation harms women.

[@Linda-o2c5t]

WOW AMAZING TALK AND TEACHING!!❤🤩🥰

[@prernaprasad1762]

Excellently executed Ted Talk !!!

[@Namjoonstree]

I’m on my period ughhh. Thanks for this. I hate blood😭😭😭😭

[@annag4395]

We need to make the messy magical ✨

[@everyonesalama4447]

yes! Thank you, I need this info so much xxx

[@missjsunshine1]

Woooooo! YAS!!! Amazing amazing talk!

[@ImIsaGarcia]

thank you for sharing your story and knowledge!

[@AyushiRai04]

Such beautifully explained!

[@roxypoxymoxy2324]

Really appreciate this video! Thanks Dinara