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'