Menstrual Self Care

Things you won't find here- Midol, Ice Cream, or Disposable anything............This is about EMBRACING your monthly cycle, naturally aiding your body as it goes through each (ever prevalent) change, and learning to listen and ENJOY what your body is going through each month.

*Please note: I am not affiliated with any products (except my own) or companies, I am not paid for any sponsorship, and the opinions are all my own.

Yup, those are my real,every month, menstrual products

Well, you've made it this far, you might as well keep reading .........

I didn't used to feel this way. I didn't know my options, my choices, or my body! Even though I was brought up in a fairly open household, and knew what a period was before I got it (thanks mom), what to expect and how to deal with it, it was all in the context of typical mainstream health care. It should be noted that we don't live in a very progressive, natural, or over all health conscious area (especially over 15 years ago!) despite the fact that our rural community is surrounded by corn and soybean fields, pastures of various livestock, and just about every resident has a garden. I guess you could say we are stuck in our ways.......Or, at least, some of us are. The fact that healthful eating still isn't the norm should tell you a bit about how we approach menstrual care. From my personal experiences I believe many (not all, but many) rural areas are this way.

Ok, back to my period. Mine started fairly young (I was 12) and it didn't mess around. I've always had strong, heavy, uncomfortable, crampy, periods. As a pre-teen and teenager my doctors solution was to place me on birth control. Ugh, I cringe at this now, and honestly feel sad for my young less knowledgeable self! The birth control did crazy things to my body, hormones, and periods. My weight fluctuated, my periods stopped and started at random, and I always felt so blah. Fast forward to the early years of my marriage and the actual need for birth control. I was on a pill that knocked my periods down to 4 a year, still messed with my hormones and weight, and still made me feel terrible. After coming off of my pills to have babies (and testing out a couple of IUDs in between) I vowed to never go back. Was I weird that I enjoyed getting my period? That I felt like it cleansed my body and mind? That I genuinely missed it while breast feeding?

Thus began my love affair with my period.

Don't worry, I'm not one of those (lucky) women with 3 day, light, non crampy, periods. And I'm not trying to tell you to just ignore it, fight through, and it'll be over in no time. Mine is still crazy, clotty (yup, I said it), heavy, and sometimes crampy and unpredictable! But I love it. I love my body, my vagina, and my hormones. Deal with it.

One thing we always seem to forget- We are blessed to bleed! Its our natural, normal bodily function as females. It says "You are healthy at a deep down tissue level!"

When the going gets tough now (and believe me, it still does, just not as often), I turn to natural, holistic ways to give my body and mind a boost. I focus on being mindful and really listening to my insides! Here's a rundown of what works for me:

First and foremost- NATURAL REUSABLE MENSTRUAL PADS / CUP

These are some of my actual, game-used, pads and my cup. Some of those pads are over 4 years old! Still going strong, still used monthly, and still look great. I don't usually use the cup, but its nice to have in case of a swim or certain clothing. You know the drill. I could write an entire book about reusables but for the sake of space- here's a cute flyer my friend at Yaya Designs made for me.

So besides those benefits- These pads are so comfortable, they save you tons of money, and don't lock in moisture like disposables- which means a happier, healthier vagina. Less likely to result in chaffing, irritation, or infection. The cup is body safe silicone, less chance of TSS, and totally reusable and simple to use (did I mention it can be used for up to 12 hours at a time). And, my favorite benefit- It gets you in touch with your body! You have to actually touch your blood. You have to dump the cup, wash out the pads, you know, actually recognize what your body is doing instead of ignoring it! For most, this is the opposite of a benefit, which makes it even more necessary! No more menstrual shame! Be in touch with your body and the amazing things it can do it. It's not gross, dirty, or strange. You can grow an entire human for goodness sakes. Our bodies are beautifully and wonderfully made.

Ok, so we've taken care of the actual "collection". Lets talk ways to prevent and deal with symptoms-

-Teas- I love these two varieties, but I also blend my own loose leaf teas. Red raspberry leaf is great for feminine health (use caution and ask a doctor if you're pregnant or breastfeeding).

-Heat packs-

For cramps, or just to sooth the area. Mine is rice filled and I apply

essential oils to it after heating. These are awesome to use during period yoga.

Speaking of which-

Essential Oils-

We all know there's an oil for, like, everything. So, of course there's an oil for menstrual issues and hormones. My personal favorites are lavender and cedar, rosemary, bergamot, ylang ylang, thyme, and clary sage. I wear these oils on my essential oil jewelry , diffuse them, and massage them onto my body with homemade massage oils.

Massage and Self Care-

As stated above- massages are great. If you can't go have one done or convince someone to do it for you, a self massage is still amazing, and sometimes an even better option! What better way to show yourself some love? You can focus on your stomach and pelvic region (think uterus) or try some reflexology on the feet. I love to go full body! It's soothing, and when coupled with some nice pranayama (aka deep breathing techniques) its so great for your body and mind! You'll get increased circulation, muscle and body relaxation, nervous system soothed, and a little mood boost. If you use essential oils you can get even more benefit.

More self care ideas- Take it easy!!! Allow yourself some extra down time. Plan less strenuous workouts, or PERIOD YOGA, take a bath or nice long shower, have a relaxing foot bath, just pamper yourself. Your hormones are reaching their lowest levels of the month, this isn't the time to make giant changes and force yourself through something.

Foods and Seed Cycling-

This is probably one of the hardest to address. We get cravings, we get hangry, and we need a little pick me up. BUT, don't fall for your subconscious cravings. Think them out and choose healthier options. Our bodies could use some mineral replenishment , choose foods that are full of zinc and iron (lentils, spinach, pumpkin seeds, kidney and garbonzo beans, dark chocolate) . Also, eat light, don't weight your body down with fried, processed foods. These will only make you feel worse and cause a whole host of side effects. But, if you choose to eat healthful, light foods, with lots of water and teas you may be able to reverse some common side effects you normally experience (acne, tiredness, bloating, etc.).

Seed cycling - So this is something newer to me but I'm really enjoying it. Essentially you eat around 2 TBSP of seeds each day that help boost the hormones and minerals your body needs. This can be done by all women, even after menopause. Day 1-13 (day 1 is the start of your bleed) you consume 2 Tbsp of pumpkin or flax seed, or a mix, to help boost estrogen. Days 14-28 you consume 2 Tbsp of sunflower or sesame seeds, or a mix, to help boost progesterone.

One more thing- Clothing.

I'm all about being shameless about periods, empowering women, and being equal. We can do anything any non bleeding person can do. But do we have to? NO. If you don't want to wear tight clothes, go swimming or jogging, or do your weekly giant grocery shopping trip while on your period, DON'T! Take care of yourself, fill your cup so you can fill others. On the opposite side, I wouldn't recommend siting around and allowing yourself to be miserable, get up and around, move a little, brush your teeth and hair, put on some make up if you want. But don't wear those extra tight skinny jeans, or that circulation restricting bra if you don't to. Actually, never wear that bra......

Love,

Chelsea