The lowdown on periods

Photo by Yuris Alhumaydy on Unsplash

Our sex education has improved over the years and while it explains why and how we have our period it doesn’t explain what our period should be like. There is confusion over what’s normal and what’s common. And just because some things period related are common doesn’t mean that they are normal.

So what is “Normal”?

• Your period should arrive every 28-32 days.

• It should last 3-4 days.

• It should be slightly uncomfortable but not enough to disrupt your day.

• You should lose between 35 -80ml of blood. (The larger menstrual cup is 15ml, 80ml would be 5 full cups.)

• You can feel tired just before and the first couple of days of your period.

• You can feel warmer and therefore have disrupted sleep just before or at the start of your period.

• You can feel a little bit more emotional before or at the start of your period.

All the other symptoms you get associated with your period are common.  As in doctors hear about them a lot and for some reason this has been accepted as normal.  In terms of Traditional Chinese medicine it’s not.

• Pain that stops you in your tracks isn’t normal.

• Flooding, or having to change protection in the middle of the night isn’t normal.

• Exhaustion isn’t normal. Sweating so much you need to change pyjamas and bedding isn’t normal.

• Turning into the weird PMS  bi*ch from hell isn’t normal.

Acupuncture is really amazing at helping women normalise their cycle.  So that it arrives regularly without much fanfare or drama.

If you regularly experience period problems but are unsure about whether acupuncture could help, feel free to try these two tips for a month and notice if you have any improvement.

Start your day with a couple of slices of fresh ginger in hot water.  Fresh ginger has a warming effect on the body and helps everything to flow nicely.

If you are headed outside in colder weather, wear socks that cover your ankles.