In Celebration of Periods
Today on International Women’s Day, I would like to praise periods and to urge women to celebrate this right of passage. Periods are a perfect example of how the rhythms of life manifest; the ebb and flow, the waxing and waning, the yin and yang, and the lunar and seasonal cycles. The menstrual cycle is also an excellent diagnostic tool, as problems with the cycle can indicate that there may be a problem which needs addressing at an early stage in a young woman’s life. Steps can be then be taken at this stage to prevent problems arising later on.
Over the past 20 years I have had countless women come for assistance when they have been trying for a family, but as the months pass and the menstrual cycle waxes and wanes without conception, the stress very quickly begins to build. Many of these women were prescribed the contraceptive pill at puberty, before their periods had been able to establish a natural rhythm. Perhaps this was due to teenage acne, delayed periods or painful periods, but whatever the reason, when I ask the grown up women about her periods very often they haven’t a clue about what their normal periods are like. Could it be that the body was indicating that there is a potential problem here that could quite easily be addressed or highlighted at an early stage? Just this week I have had 3 young women who have been trying for 2 years to conceive, only to find that they have polycystic ovaries. They were all prescribed the contraceptive pill at a young age and had no idea that this was masking an underlying problem that was revealing itself at puberty.
Of course the contraceptive pill for most young women gives them freedom at a time when they become sexually active are not planning for a family, but until they choose this time, I urge the mothers of teenage girls to explore other ways of managing their rite of passage into womanhood. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary measures, relaxation techniques – there are many ways of managing, other than the contraceptive pill which is not without it’s dangers.
As an acupuncturist working in Women’s Health and Fertility I am offering free acupuncture sessions for young women in my area who may be struggling with their transition into womanhood, who would like to try an alternative option, and who wish to delay taking the contraceptive pill until they choose to do so themselves. If your daughters are having difficulty please do get in touch via the Contact Page. I will see as many as I can during the months of April and May but places will be limited to Five to begin with.
Let us celebrate our periods and assist the rhythms of nature instead of blocking the natural flow.
