Period Problems
the average menstrating person spends
7 years of their life on their period.
how do you want to spend those 7 years?
You don’t have to be trying to conceive in order to work on your period health. Your period is a vital diagnostic tool into the inner workings of your hormones and your overall health. By working to re-establish the natural flow of your hormones, your period should come and go with ease, leaving you to focus on what’s most important: living your life.
If your hormones are imbalanced you may be experiencing symptoms such as:
Dysmenorrhea: painful periods
Amenorrhea: no period
PMS before your period
Migraines
Bowel irregularities around your period
PCOS: polycystic ovarian syndrome
Endometriosis
Fibroids or cysts
Since your period occurs because of the waxing and waning of your hormones, periods that are painful, irregular, clotted, heavy, or light, can be indicative of an underlying hormone imbalance.
As Dr. Floyd likes to say-
“Your period is your hormonal report card.”
Where to start:
STEP ONE:
There are 4 formulas based on menstrual symptoms: Build, Balance, Flow, and Relieve. Choose the formula that best represents your current menstrual period.
A nourishing formula for those with a history of:
scanty periods with a light quantity of blood
periods that only last 1-2 days
thin endometrial lining (diagnosed typically when working through an IVF cycle)
This formula in Chinese medicine is considered to be the “Great Tonifying Formula” that helps gather the power within your body to stimulate the production and transformation of blood. This transformation is helpful for those with lighter periods (in quantity) and those who have been told that they have thin endometrial lining (typically diagnosed when going through the IVF journey.)*
In addition to women’s health, studies show that this potent formula helps mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and is commonly used in conjunction with chemotherapy in China.
BUILD
A nourishing formula for those with a history of:
light, scanty periods: periods that last only a day or two
periods with a light quantity of blood or spotting
A regulating formula for those with a history of:
inconsistent cycles, irregular or no ovulation, irregular period length, skipped periods, PCOS
heavy periods: heavy in quantity and typically more lengthy
This formula is highly respected for its ability to help assist in qi and blood production. What does that mean? It helps provide your body with the energy (qi) to restore proper blood production. The balancing nature of this formula helps regulate menses that are heavy or irregular. Most women who experience heavy periods have been diagnosed with anemia or have symptoms of anemia (low energy, pale complexion, bruises easily); this formula helps build your blood while also regulating your blood to assist in the restoration of a normal period flow.
Balance
A regulating formula for those with a history of:
inconsistent cycles: irregular or no ovulation, irregular period length, skipped periods, PCOS
heavy periods: heavy in quantity and typically more lengthy
A moving formula for those with a history of:
painful periods: pain that accompanies or precedes your cycle, endometriosis
clotted periods
migraines that accompany or precede your period
During your period your body strongly constricts blood flow to the uterus because it is no longer needed to nourish a potential child. This constriction, along with hormone fluctuations, is what causes pain and cramping during your menses. Because your uterus constricts during menses, some pain is a normal part of a period. However, pain that affects your ability to function is more indicative of an underlying imbalance.
The ingredients in Flow have antispasmodic and emmenagogue properties which help alleviate pain by stimulating blood flow through the pelvic area and uterus. This same stimulation also helps assist in reducing menstrual clots. Additionally, Flow features corydalis (yan hu suo) which is the most valued herb for pain in Chinese medicine.
Flow
A moving formula for those with a history of:
painful periods: pain that accompanies or precedes your cycle, endometriosis
clotted periods
migraines that accompany or precede your cycle
An alleviating formula for those who are experiencing:
PMS: irritability preceding or accompanying your cycle
bloating
breast distention and pain
bowel irregularities preceding or accompanying your cycle
RELIEVE’s primary herb, Bupleurum, is known for its ability to soothe irritability and distress. This traditional formula is widely used to help release stuck emotions of sadness and anger that may be stored in the tissues and organs of the body. Additionally, Bupleurum has carminative properties which means it helps relieve intestinal gas, bloating, and pain that accompany your period. The other ingredients in the formula are synergists and help enhance the emotionally and digestively soothing nature of RELIEVE, helping decrease PMS symptoms.
Relieve
An alleviating formula for those with a history of:
PMS: irritability preceding or accompanying your cycle
bloating
bowel irregularities preceding or accompanying your cycle
Deciding between two formulas? A customized, phasic protocol may be best for you! A phasic protocol entails one formula during your follicular phase (first half of your cycle) and one during your luteal phase (second half of your cycle).
If you’re unsure of the formula you need to take and would like to consult with Dr. Floyd, you can contact her here.
STEP TWO:
Take the formula daily, as instructed on the bottle. Chinese herbs are different than western pharmaceuticals in that they work with your body to restore proper function. This process takes time. Daily consistency is key to see results!
STEP THREE:
Pay close attention to how your period symptoms change. For example: does your period even out in quantity? Do you have less pain? Is ovulation more regular or less painful? Do you have changes in the quality of the blood?
Everyone is different, some may see changes their first cycle. Some may need a cycle or two to notice changes. The goal is for your period to come and go with ease. A well balanced body should have a period that is timely, has minimal pain and spotting, and has a steady flow.
