If you’re like me, you’ll agree that, as women, we are only as powerful as our bodies allow us to be. When you struggle with frustrating period problems or feel weighed down by fatigue all day long, it’s hard to truly accomplish the things you most desire in your life.
You might battle with your painful periods, spend hours covering up the acne that pops up on your face, feel the deep pain of not being able to get pregnant, or lose all desire for getting in the mood. Many of you might even be taking the birth control pill or other kinds of medication to help deal with all of this.
If you’re suffering in these ways or know a woman who is, listen up. I know that there is a different reality – one in which we can live in harmony with our bodies and learn exactly how to take care of them so that we can become even more powerful and effective in our lives.
I’d like to introduce you to my friend and colleague, Alisa Vitti. For years, she suffered from PCOS, was obese, covered in acne, and was not menstruating. And then, Alisa did what she wasn’t supposed to be able to do: cured herself of “incurable” hormonal imbalances. Through both personal experience and academic research, Alisa has created a revolutionary method for healing hormonal health issues — naturally.
She has been perfecting this protocol over the last decade, and her book WomanCode: Perfect your Cycle, Amplify your Fertility, Supercharge your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source is chock full of her bad ass advice and wisdom!
What I love about WomanCode is that, in it, Alisa offers awesome suggestions on how to sync up with your cycle and hormones. I particularly love her advice on “Syncing with Your Cycle for a Symptom-Free Future.” (How cool is that? Seriously, if you haven’t bought this book yet, I HIGHLY suggest it.)
You see there is a natural rhythm to the female hormonal system that has expenditure and recovery of energy naturally built into it. The more you tune into your natural cycles, the better you develop an appropriate relationship with stress and recovery, which amplifies your ability to accomplish your heart’s desires while taking great care of your hormonal health. Most importantly, you feel good, and have an easier time sourcing your worth from within while being resilient in the face of external adversity.
In Alisa’s book you’ll meet the four phases of your menstrual cycle, but if you want to see a snippet of what she talks about, read on.
Know your cycles. Get shit done.
The four phases of your menstrual cycle are: follicular, ovulatory, luteal and menstrual (aka your period). Each of these segments has different characteristics and hormonally supported ways of being.
The Follicular Phase:
This is the time between your period and ovulation when estrogen starts off low and begins to incline, readying your body for a potential pregnancy. The body ramps up to prepare for the release of an egg. (The hormonal communication system motions preparation for this when the pituitary gland sends follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH to the ovaries.) During this phase, your confidence is heightened as increased estrogen spikes your serotonin, helping you to feel more energetic and powerful. The follicular phase is a great time for extroverted activities that allow you to get things done. Communicate, collaborate, contribute or simply become creatively inspired. This is a time to rock your confidence to your advantage. Get out there and make things happen!
The Ovulatory Phase:
For about 3-4 days after the follicular phase, there is a quick rise in FSH and luteinizing hormone or LH, which supports the release of an egg (aka ovulation). Estrogen continues to incline while testosterone peaks then declines immediately after the egg bursts forth from the follicle that brought it to maturity. This is a continuation of the energy and outgoing tendencies that came with the first segment of the cycle, which make it an excellent time for communication, socializing, difficult conversations, public presentations, risk taking and anything else that fosters one’s ability to create and expand community. Your energy is at its highest during this phase, so high impact exercise does you exceptionally well now, as well as being bold across the board in life. This is a time for action and receiving.
The Luteal Phase:
This phase starts right after the ovulatory phase and lasts until the menstrual phase begins. This segment of the cycle is identified with increasing progesterone levels, the disappearance of FSH and LH, as well as a bit of a roller coaster ride regarding estrogen levels. (Roughly around the 21st day after your last period began, your body will secrete both estrogen and progesterone.) Once the body is certain there isn’t a pregnancy (around day 26), progesterone will stop too, triggering the period. This portion of the cycle takes a much more inward focus as hormones shift and PMS may begin. During this phase, it’s very important to pay attention to your feelings and tend to your comfort. You may feel more called to nesting activities or more routine activities. This is a great time for administrative details, cleaning, long luxurious baths and other introverted activities that connect you to yourself on a deep, nurturing level. Because of hormonal shifts, our brains are wired to become a lot more sensitive to the emotional nuances of our subconscious and intuition during this phase.
Therefore, keeping a dream journal during this time of the month may prove fruitful too. Your emotions during this phase of the cycle are encrypted with messages regarding where you need to speak up or perhaps make changes in your life. Listen deeply for direction and guidance during this period. It’s there for you! Practicing radical acceptance of your emotions serves you well at this time.
The Menstruation Phase:
This final phase of your cycle typically lasts between 3-7 days, shows a total absence of progesterone, and a small spike in estrogen, which then declines completely. The very beginning of your period is a time of total rest and recovery. The body is rejuvenating so it can begin the cycle again. This portion of your cycle is all about self-analysis, recovery and regeneration. Go within and journal, listen to your deepest desires and wants, and connect with your values. Similar to the luteal phase, powerful messages are sent to you at this time. Make sure you listen for them.
It’s particularly important to pay attention to the messages so you can refine your vision and make the appropriate adjustments in your life. After the initial onset of the period, the hormones begin to rev again, inciting a repeat from the month before.
Simply put, once you support the flow of your hormones, you create the flow in your life.
To learn more about this, check out Alisa’s book…. And When you purchase your copy of WomanCode before May 14th you receive three amazing FREE gifts. Click here to learn more about them~!
Remember, success isn’t a race, it’s a rhythm. If you are interested in learning more about how to live in rhythm with your body, check out WomanCode!
All of my love,
Jenn
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