How come women suffer with menstruation?
It is a fact that women have to go through an enormous range of hormonal changes, ups and downs as part of their life, especially with monthly cycles called periods or more technically menstruation. For some women the period passes by almost unnoticed, but for most of us, it can have its share of ups and downs, cramps and blues. Haven't you noticed that just before your period, life gets a little unbearable. Do you ever find you get a little bit more impatient with things you normally have loads of time for? Blame it on the hormones!
What about the mood swings? Does anyone suffer from mood swings? Or the monthly blues?
How come we women have to put up with so much?! Well I guess that is the flip side of providing the beauty and sensuality in the world. The other side of the coin.
Hormones and Menstruation
It is hard to believe that really small substances in our bodies can create so many powerful effects and these small substances are called hormones. Hormones are small but powerful chemicals in the body that are made up of proteins. They have specific jobs to do such as helping to ripen the eggs in the ovaries, helping to prepare the uterus for pregnancy, encouraging milk production in new mothers. Hormones are responsible for our periods, monthly moods and menopause blues! But they are so small! How can something so small be so powerful? And what controls them?What happens During Menstruation?
Well basically, these little chemicals trigger chemical reactions and that is why the word 'hormone' derives from the Greek word 'hormon' literally meaning 'that which sets in motion', as hormones set off chemical processes in the body. Such as the ripening of a female egg in one of the 2 ovaries, the maturation of an egg and its release called ovulation which happens in the middle of the menstrual cycle usually about 2 weeks after the last period. Hormones are also responsible for helping prepare the lining of the uterus in the case that we get pregnant. During our ovulating years, each month our uterus prepares to become pregnant and becomes a little thicker inside, and then, unless we get pregnant, each month, this lining falls away in menstruation as well as the unfertilised egg. Hence the monthly bleed.
Women often have to learn to live with painful periods or being run down for days at a time before one's period and often during it. Pain, cramps, upsets, moods are common symptoms of menstruation. But then some women are unfortunate enough to experience extreme symptoms, being sick, feeling faint, looking very pale and being wiped out by it. A little bit like oh no! Not another one. It is true that sometimes, one's period can be almost an overwhelming physical and emotional experience, at least for a day or 2.
Natural Support for Menstruation
Finding out what is happening to your body means you can start to look at natural ways to improve any symptoms you may experience during these days as well as finding new ways to enhance this time of the month. Interestingly enough, traditional North American Indian women turned for natural support during these days. They knew where to look! Perhaps if they'd have had internet access, Mexican Wild Yam would have been known about long ago! As it happens it only really started to become known about since 1950 when US research discovered that it contained a precursor to the hormone progesterone. The active plant chemical in Mexican Wild Yam is called diosgenin. It is linked to helping women to better survive through the trials and traumas of their monthly hormone shake-up. Natural alternatives have always been there, it's nice to know you can still get them today.
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