What Your Period is Telling You About Your Fertility
Menstrual health is one hot topic right now! Currently, there is a huge movement to empower women to talk more openly about their periods, because, like it or not, it is a very important part of life! In this video I talk about different types of periods and what they may be saying about fertility health. Below are my notes from a live video recording I did. Download the Instagram App to watch our live broadcasts!
Disclaimer: TMI (too much information) 😉
Menstrual Blood
Dark, thick and clotty
Possible causes:
- A possible indicator of high estrogen levels. This would also cause a heavier cycle than normal because higher estrogen levels mean the uterus lining could be thicker than normal.
- Lack of circulation to the uterus – try these and see if there is improvement: yoga, Self Fertility Massage, walking.
- Dehydration – drink more water.
Dark, thick and clotty with pain (cramping):
Consider reducing the amount of animal protein you are eating.
Click here to learn more about blood clots during your period…
Lighter color similar to strawberry jam
Possible causes:
- This may be a sign that estrogen levels are low. In this case, period flow can be patchy and is often late because less estrogen means a thinner uterine lining. It should also be noted that a light flow is also associated with birth control use for some women.
- Possible nutritional deficiencies – eat a nutrient-dense diet with increased amounts of protein and good fats.
- Low vitality and energy may also be a cause of a scant, light period.
Bright red
A bright red period is a sign of a normal and healthy menstrual flow.
Spotting
Click here to learn all the different causes of spotting…
Long periods
Possible causes:
- Hormonal imbalance
- Fertility issues such as endometriosis, PCOS or uterine fibroids
Short periods
Possible causes:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Poor circulation to the reproductive organs
Resources talked about in this video:
Thinx Period Panties
Diva Cup
Sea Sponge
Cloth pads
Learn more about natural menstrual care products here…
- Reference: Wolfe, D. (n.d.). This is What Your Period is Saying About Your Health! Retrieved from: http://www.davidwolfe.com/period-and-health/?c=pwf&vp=merc
Hethir Rodriguez is the Founder and President of Natural Fertility Info.com. She has been a Certified Herbalist for over 19 years, holds a Bachelors degree (BS) in Nutrition Sciences and is a Certified Birth Doula. Since founding Natural Fertility Info.com in 2007, Hethir has written and co-authored over 1200+ articles on Fertility; and her research, articles, and guides have been read by over 40,000,000 people. Hethir has dedicated her life to helping provide a source for high quality, research based information and support for those on their journey to becoming parents.
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thank you for providing such an interesting information related to the menstrual cycle, but better if you make it more detailed like what signs/symptoms are there in each phase of the menstrual cycle.regards!!!
Hello Hanna!
Thank you! Our videos tend to be a bit less detailed than our informational guides for many reasons, namely the time the avg. viewer has to watch. So, please refer to our Natural Guide for Menstrual Health for more information.
I’m just 47, had 7 children, would love another baby! My periods have been fairly regular since stopping breastfeeding nearly 2 yrs ago. BUT in the last 34 days Ive suddenly had x3 periods!! And heavy too. This has coincided with me giving up Sugar & starchy carbs & kinda following the ‘Trim Healthy mama Plan’ (healthy fats, proteins & low carb) to lose weight & get healthy.. Is it a co-incidence or a reality that de-toxing from sugar & starchy carbs can affect my hormones this bad? And although I hate using tampons, I am so heavy I use x2 tampons at the same time with a pad as well!!! Am feeling pretty tired and want my normal cycle back. Help!
Dear Anna,
I’ve learned most anything is possible. I truly can not know if there is a correlation between the diet change and menstruation, or if this is the start of your transition through our natural menstrual changes as we age, or if it’s due to stress or anything else.
Do be sure you are getting enough vitamin D and iron. Consider learning more about the supplement Slow Flow. We also have this guide I think you may find helpful Do You Have Heavy Menstrual Bleeding? What You Can Do About It….
I hope this is helpful and that you find a few tips that help with the heavy flow, so that you can move forward feeling well.
I have only started trying to conceive and use my phone App to predicate ovulation. My frustration is I get a burning sensation in my vagina a week before my period, swollen breasts, then faint pink discharge 2-3 days before my period, then brown tissue, then I start my period. My cycle was every 28 days. It’s currently 29-30 days and previously 26 days. At the end of last year, I was diagnosed with mild overactive thyroid. I do not want surgery or radiotherapy iodine. I attempted the tablets, but it made me very unwell. Therefore I am determined to resolve my thyroid and periods back to it’s current healthy state with diet, exercise and God, during the process I aim to get pregnant prior December.
Dear Margaret,
Solving thyroid problems before conceiving is more important than you think! Learn signs of how poor thyroid health and what you can do naturally about it from our guide Solve Thyroid Problems Before Conceiving a Baby.
You may also appreciate the tips we offer in our guide 12 Weeks to Improving Your Period. Given I am not sure of the exact program you are currently on, I hope there are helpful tips in these guides.
It is great that you have begun changes already! I hope you are feeling the benefits.
Flow is dark like cranberry juice and clotty, but not very thick. The cramps got worse since the PID in 2004. Its the sudden stop on Day 3 then restart on Day 4 that worries me most. Tests for endometriosis and fibroids were negative. I think it could be a hormone imbalance
Dear Paula,
Testing with your healthcare provider can help determine hormone levels and pinpoint any areas of concern.
As you reach out to him/her, consider referring to our Natural Guide For Menstrual Health, as well as learning more about Systemic Enzyme Therapy.
There is scientific evidence that Black Cohosh may be supportive of women who experience pelvic discomfort with menstruation, during non-menstrual part of the cycle, with intercourse and bowel movements, infertility, and any change in the menstrual cycle as a result of the hormonal imbalance. Consider also learning more about Black Cohosh here…
If you are still unsure of where to begin, or how to proceed, please consider working one on one with our fertility herbalist who can lay out an entire natural fertility program for you based on your specific fertility health needs through a Fertility Consultation.
I do love menstrual cups but I have come across some serious issues such as TSS and infections but if used effectively they can be a woman’s best friend.