Just because painful periods are common does not mean they’re normal. I repeat: Just because painful periods are common does not mean they are normal.
In fact, your monthly cycle is like a report card, and when noticeable period symptoms are experienced, the report card is communicating that your body could use some extra support. Period symptoms tell us that dysfunction is happening in the body.
As we learn to listen to what our bodies are telling us and address the issues at hand, not only can our painful and uncomfortable period symptoms disappear, but so too can a lot of other internal issues in the body so that you can be the healthiest version of yourself.
This is not just another blog post telling you to put a heating pad on it and rest. This is a post that will help you to look at what other systems in the body could be the root cause of your uncomfortable periods.
I am going to give you 3 simple things to look at in your body, and begin addressing. The amazing thing is that you can pretty much do the same things to address each of these different areas in the body. Fixing period symptoms does not have to be complicated.
What Painful Period Symptoms am I talking About?
I am talking about the whole gambit of symptoms surrounding painful periods. Yes, looking at the other areas in your body which need support can fix:
-Menstrual Cramps
-Insomnia
-Hormonal Acne
-Major Hormonal Mood Shifts
-Loose Stools
-Constipation
-Heavy Bleeding
-Fatigue
-Bloating
-Heavy Bleeding
Where to Begin with Minimizing Painful Periods
As I mentioned above, your period is a report card for your body’s health, and understanding some of the things that can cause dysfunction in your body can help shed light on the areas that your body needs support in, in order to change your period experience for the better.
Areas that May Need Support if You Have Painful Periods
Blood Sugar Regulation
Blood sugar levels and insulin resistance are greatly correlated with the menstrual cycle, and can especially hold great implications when considering hormonal conditions such as PCOS.
These changes were correlated with hormonal fluctuations.
When there are extreme hormonal fluctuations, or issues such as estrogen dominance, blood sugar can be thrown out of whack, whether it has to do with extreme dips between high and low blood sugar, or insulin resistance that leads to PCOS.
What your period symptoms can tell you about blood sugar issues has to do with the fact that a surplus of estrogen, or insufficient progesterone can lead to spotting, painful cramps, acne, etc.
Working to manage your blood sugar can hold a large influence in fixing period symptoms.
Simple Ways to Support Blood Sugar to Fix Painful Periods
Eat protein before drinking coffee
Eat breakfast within 1 hour of waking
Eat small, frequent meals
Eat Nutrient Dense Foods
Get daily movement
Reduce Stress
Liver Health
Did you know that missed periods or heavy flows can be a common sign of an overburdened liver? We do not often think about the liver when it comes to reproductive health, but it is extremely important to every single aspect of health.
The liver does hundreds of jobs inside the body, including digesting foods, removing waste, storing energy, and regulating hormones. An overburdened liver can actually impact blood sugar levels, so it is important to note that these are interconnected.
Let’s focus on the liver and hormone production for a second. The liver helps regulated the balce of sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and adrenal hormones.
All of these are pretty important for reproductive health. An overburdened liver simply cannot regulate all of these hormones properly, leading to hormonal imbalances that in turn effect the comfort of period symptoms.
In fact, an overburdern liver can impact reproductive issues like endometriosis, and liver support can help ease the symptoms experienced in endometriosis.
Simple Ways to Support Your Liver to Fix Painful Periods
Castor Oil Packs
Digestive Bitters, Apple Cider Vinegar
Adequate Rest
Gut Health
Believe it or not, improving your microbiome and overall gut health can make a huge impact on your period report card. For one thing, you have the estrobolome community within your gut microbiome which actively manages estrogen metabolism in the body.
Estrogen goes through a cycle where it is produced by the ovaries, and eventually makes its way through the liver (more crossover right there!) where it is filtered and deactivates, and then it is sent to the gut. When the gut is in balance, this estrogen gets excreted through stool, maintaining the balance of estrogen and progesterone inside of the body.
If the gut is in dysbiosis, estrogen can become reactivated and will get circulated back into the body, wreaking havoc on all systems, including the reproductive system and menstrual cycle.
As I’ve mentioned above, too much estrogen in the system is often the culprit for many period symptoms experienced, including bloating, headaches, loose stool, acne, heavy bleeding, cramps, etc.
Thus, ensuring the gut microbiome is properly balanced can aid in preventing estrogen from recirculating in the body.
Simple Ways to Support Your Gut Health to Fix Painful Periods
Eating Nutrient Dense Foods
Castor Oil Packs
Relax while eating
Digestive Bitters, Apple Cider Vinegar
Adequate Rest
Toxin Elimination
Get daily movement
Follow the 8 pillars of wellness
Conclusion of Ways to Fix Painful Periods
I does not have to be complicated in order to address period symptoms. Often, the solutions are the same because imbalance in one area impacts imbalances in the other areas of your body. Everything is interconnected, and therefore it does not take great difficulty to support.
What is does take though is time. It takes patience, time, and commitment. The difference between this approach and advil is that while advil momentarily but quickly fixes, addressing the root cause can take several months but can make these fixes for lifetime longevity.
