Periods! Lets talk about it.
Why are we not talking more about our menses? Although todays society is a bit more open about conversations that were once a taboo, there is still some kind of shame in talking about our menstrual cycle. I would like to openly discuss our periods with all of you. After all, us women deal with it for quite a bit of our life and if we can make the process a bit more easy on us why not? Feel free to comment below and share some of your stories about the Period.
The reproductive system of a woman is an amazing thing. It serves three purposes. (1) produces eggs for reproduction, (2) secretes hormones which give us the ability to menstruate & at times conceive, (3) develops and protects a fetus AKA baby in pregnant women . Our first episode is called menarche. It usually begins during the ages of 12-13 years of age but the onset can vary as early as 9 years of age. Physical body changes also begin to occur. These include breast development, axillary hair, & pubic hair. Some even experience irregularity of their menstrual cycle for the first two years which is normal and due to the fact that our body was used to not having a cycle of ovulation. Many of the cycles range 20-40 days with 28 days being average. Our menstrual cycle begins the first day we have our periods and can last 3-7 days for most.
With all that said lets talk about Premenstrual syndrome AKA PMS. What is PMS? Well it is a physical and psychological problem that arise in women right before their periods. It is what makes us feel like we are loosing our shit and going crazy feeling irritable, upset, emotional, anxiety, depression, bloated, feeling like you want to eat a whole chocolate cake with ice cream ( binge eating), and just very uncomfortable to the point where we sometimes may act like a B towards others without even realizing that we are. For some women PMS is inherited by a genetic factors for others it can be hormone imbalance (estrogen + progesterone) or nutritional deficiencies (lack of magnesium) and it is important to communicate and discuss your PMS symptoms with your medical provider so that they can be aware and help guide you in a plan of care that is right for you.
Let’s not forget to discus our major concern which are cramps. Lucky those who have never experienced them or who have but mildly. Unfortunately there are many woman that suffer from period cramps. Dysmenorrhea is the correct terminology for abdominal cramping or discomfort due to menstrual flow and there can be two types. The first type is not associated with any disease but rather an increase of prostaglandin. When prostaglandin enters our blood stream in excess it can cause us to have headaches, vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes all three at the same time. Yikes! The second type of dysmenorrhea is associated with an underlying issue that may be due to a pelvic disease. Regardless of the causes dysmenorrhea is no joke and it is advised to seek medical attention in order to understand the root cause and have appropriate treatment.
Dysmenorrhea may start 12-24 hours before your period and may last about 1-2 days therefore, it is important to have your own plan of care that will help enhance your wellness. Some of the things that may be helpful include but are not limited to using heat, exercise and drug therapy. Applying heat to the lower abdomen or back may help you feel some comfort. Exercise may help reduce the production of prostaglandin which in turn reduces all those horrible symptoms previously discussed. Also the use of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may help. Some women are even placed on birth control because it reduces hyperplasia allowing a reduction of prostaglandin production decreasing pain / discomfort to a controlled and tolerable state.
Women that are seeking holistic alternative methods for support may turn to acupuncture, procedures such as transcutaneous nerve stimulation, and the use of essential oils with or without guided imagery/meditation.
Essential oils.
Here is where I will discuss a few essential oils that can comfort and promote wellness during your monthly menses.
Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) Essential oil (EO) comes from it’s flower buds and leaves. It is extracted via steam distillation method. Clary sage has been used to enhance psychological well being through aromatic diffusion and whole body massage. Indications for using Clary sage include pain, inflammation, tension, dysmenorrhea, low mood, pessimism and depression (Rhind, 2016). The combination of Clary sage and Chamomile are complimentary to each due to the spasmolytic and analgesic components that help severe spasmodic dysmenorrhea and ovarian or pelvic pain (Holmes, 2016). This is great information to know as it can support our well being throughout our menstrual cycle.
Chamomile roman Anthemis nobilis EO comes from it’s flowers and is extracted via steam distillation method. Indications for use include stress, tension and anxiety ( Rhind 2016). When Chamomile is used on the body in an oil it can act as a uterine relaxant against spasmodic dysmenorrhea and ovarian pain (Holmes, 2016). It is also know to be a strong cerebral sedative when working with insomnia, agitation, anxiety, PMS and nightmares (Holmes, 2016).
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia EO comes from it’s flower and is extracted using steam distillation method. Indications for use include pain, inflammation, dysmenorrhea, insomnia, anxiety, and it’s somatic manifestations (Rhind, 2016). In fact the synergy between Lavender, Chamomile, and Clary sage serve as a uterine spasmolytic-analgesic for acute spasmodic dysmenorrhea; ovarian and pelvic pain in general (Holmes, 2016).
Marjoram (sweet) Origanum majorana EO comes from it’s flowers and leaves. It is extracted via steam distillation method. Indications for use include pain, inflammation, tension, spasms, dysmenorrhea, stress, anxiety and insomnia (Rhind, 2016). AROMATICA A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Holmes (2016) discusses Marjoram as being a strong cerebral sedative and hypnotic helping the well being of those with insomnia, anxiety, agitation, PMS, and psychosis. He also mentions that Marjoram serves as a uterine relaxant for dysmenorrhea with severe cramps. Did you know that the properties in Marjoram and Roman chamomile complement each other? According to Holmes (2016), the combination of Marjoram and Roman Chamomile serve as a relaxant and hypnotic analgesic - spasmolytic in many acute hypertonic, spasmodic painful conditions.
Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum EO comes from it’s seeds and is extracted from those seeds via steam distillation method. Indications for use include mental fatigue, stress and anxiety (Rhind, 2016). It also has rubefacient properties which causes a warming effect to the area where applied promoting a comforting feeling.
Frankincense Boswellia carterii EO comes from resins (gum) and is extracted via steam distillation method. Frankincense contains many components suggesting pain relieving properties. These components include but are not limited to α- and β-pinene, d-limonene and β-myrcene. Indications for use in musculoskeletal system and psyche (Rhind, 2016). When diffused or inhaled frankincense can bring calmness to stressful situations.
I hope you found this information useful and that I have empowered you to talk about your menstrual cycle or shall I say period without feeling shameful. I look forward to sharing more information with all of you. My wish for you is that this information will enable you to make positive informed decisions that lead towards a balanced healthy lifestyle. Besitos!
Disclaimer - The information contained in this report is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose treat or prescribe and does not purport to replace the services of a duly trained practitioner. The information presented herein is factual and accurate to the author’s knowledge up to the time of presentation.
References
Holmes, P. (2016), AROMATICA A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics volume 1: Principles And Profiles. London: Singing Dragon.
Rhind, J, P. (2016). Aromatherapeutic BLENDING Essential Oils in Synergy. London: Singing Dragon.