Tips for Healthier Menstruation
In American society, we have normalized painful periods. Normalizing discomfort over HEALTHY MENSTRUATION. It's not normal -- it's common. And we're are working to arrive at healthy. In this week's episode, I share a quick Reddit AITA, discuss some of the below discomforts of menstruation, and what can help.
Recommended Read: The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack
Some Red Flags:
- Longer days of bleeding
- Sleepiness & fatigue
- Mood Swings
- Bloating and constipation
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain: abdomen, lower back, asshole
- Changes in sleep
- Changes in appetite
- Weight gain
- Acne
- Irritability and anxiety
- PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) -- trouble concentrating, feeling overwhelmed, easily irritated, falling into a "just before your period specific" depression - suicidal ideation, reduced interest in interacting with others
Some Kindnesses Just for Us:
- Allow yourself to slow down - GO TO SLEEP
- Warm feet, warm womb
- Give in to your food cravings after you have had a meal
- Bananas the week before menstruation
- Menstrual discs, underwear, cups, organic sanitary products - avoid toxic tampons and pads
- Sexual intercourse and self pleasure
- Increase oral magnesium - consider magnesium cream and epsom salt baths
- Good to the bathroom… consistently after ovulation - increased fiber, watching water, bananas, liquid fiber, castor oil on the abdomen
- Red raspberry leaf tea
- Elix
- Oil of oregano and Black seed oil
- Wild yam cream
- Movement throughout the month - give yourself grace before menstruation… please take it easy
- Get your *Go into yourself* care basket together… food (real meals), snacks, feel good blanket or stuffy, great show to watch, pet or loved one
We got this boo!
xoxoxox,
Ashlee'
