Being a woman is certainly not easy. Women’s bodies have to go through things men could never even imagine – like giving birth, menstruation and breastfeeding just to name a few. I have not experienced giving birth and thus breastfeeding in my lifetime but I definitely know the struggles of getting, or not getting, a monthly period.
Menstruation is the normal vaginal bleeding from the lining of the uterus that occurs in intervals of about one month. Many women experience uncomfortable symptoms prior to and during menstruation. These symptoms can be referred to as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS is defined as a combination of symptoms that many women get about a week or two before their period.1 In fact, over 90% of women say they experience some combination of these symptoms such as bloating, headaches and moodiness.1 There are physical symptoms like swollen breasts, constipation, bloating, cramping, backache and emotional symptoms like irritability, lethargy, depression, mood swings, appetite changes and food cravings.1 I once heard someone describe their period as feeling like “drinking a two-liter bottle of Mountain Dew and then running a 10K, and then being kicked or stabbed a few times in the lower abdomen”. That is exactly what it feels like for me, but every body is different and many women have different experiences with their period.
On the other end of the spectrum, is not getting your period. I have experienced this during periods of my life when I was exercising intensely and living an extremely active lifestyle. For those women who have never experienced this, it may sound like a gift to not get your period. However, this condition can cause lasting, negative consequences to your body. This problem of amenorrhea (losing your period for more than three months) is a symptom of what used to be referred to as the Female Athlete Triad but has recently been adapted to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S).2 This problem is a result of not eating sufficient calories or burning excess energy from exercise.2 This low-energy condition can have lasting consequences on “metabolism, menstrual function, bone health, immunity, protein synthesis, and cardiovascular and psychological health”.2 The really big consequence for females with this condition is that when menstruation is absent, estrogen levels in the body are very low which leads to osteoporosis. The simple treatment for this condition is exercising less and consuming more calories.
There is also a supplement that can help no matter what end of the spectrum you are on…whether you are experiencing PMS or not having a regular cycle. This supplement is called chaste tree. Studies have proved that chaste tree supplements support “women’s health” and “a healthy monthly cycle”.3 Chaste tree supplements have been proven to relieve symptoms of PMS.4 It is better than taking Midol or a pain reliever because it can help to prevent symptoms when taken regularly. There are also many other potential benefits of chaste tree such as supporting fertility, a healthy hormone balance, and healthy looking skin and hair.
If you interested in learning more about chaste tree supplements and where you can purchase them follow the link!
Sources
1 https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/premenstrual-syndrome
2 https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/51/21/1570
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