As “Cyclical Living” becomes a it of a buzz word and can quite often feel confusing to women, this article aims to explain exactly what it means to be a cyclical when talking about women’s health, as opposed to a linear being!
For many of us we are acutely aware of our biological and social differences from a fairly young age. However, what is largely ignored in both holistic & conventional medicine is that women have a very different endocrinology (hormones system) to men. This has led to women being treated as small men…even lab rats tend to be male!
We believe this has had a detrimental effect on women’s wellbeing as we try to battle against our innate physiology to live like men.
Understanding your cycle
Women have a whole cycle of physiological hormonal shifts throughout the month, which men simply do not experience.
This becomes problematic when we are not encouraged to work in natural alignment and rhythm with these cycles. In fact, these cycles are ignored and actually are seen as a weakness, holding us back to succeed.
The world as we know it has evolved around the 24 hour rhythm that syncs perfectly with a man’s testosterone cycle – our circadian (physical, mental, and behavioural changes that follow a 24-hour cycle ) rhythms.
However, women also have a second cycle called the infradian rhythm (menstrual cycle) and it plays a vitally important role in your health and wellbeing.
Our culture has ignored the infradian rhythm, how it operates, and what it means for women and all people with female physiology, but thankfully this knowledge is making a comeback as women reclaim the power of their cyclical nature!
Specifically, we move through four distinct phases within the course of 28-days:
- Phase 1: Follicular – (the 7 to 10 days after your period ) your oestrogen is starting to rise to prepare for ovulation mid cycle. This lifts your mood and gives more energy
- Phase 2: Ovulatory – (the to 4 days in the middle of your cycle) oestrogen & testosterone peaks as an egg is released.
- Phase 3: Luteal – (the 10 to 14 days between ovulation and your period) following ovulation a second gland grows on the ovary called the corpus luteum which releases progesterone – our keep clam and carry on hormone – this is one reason women can feel anxious as it declines during our luteal phase and perimenopause.
- Phase 4: Menstrual – (the 3 to 7 days of your period) the womb sheds its lining ready to start the entire cycle off again
Understanding how women are affected by this monthly shift changes everything – it does not matter if you bleed naturally or not. In fact you are still a cyclical being even if you no longer have your womb.
In this instance you would connect with the phases of the moon, with the New Moon being the day of your bleed and the Full Moon corresponding with ovulation.
Once women begin to understand their own unique rhythms through tracking and understanding our cycles, we can embody this knowledge by managing our lives around our innate monthly fluctuations.
And this my friends, is where the magic happens!
DISCLAIMER
As with all health and wellness information, always consult your professional healthcare providers before beginning any new treatment or programme. The information in this article is not intended to serve as medical advice and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem. This website is not a substitute for professional medical care. The information given is provided for educational use. Consult your doctor or Complimentary Medical Practitioner before acting on any of the suggestions or recommendations.
The owners of this website and its affiliates assume no responsibility or liability for any consequence resulting directly or indirectly from any action or inaction you take based on the information found on material linked to this site.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.