Unwinding Irregular Cycles

Understanding the ins-and-outs of menstrual cycle irregularities can be frustrating, confusing and difficult. It isn’t just the irregular cycle that may leave you confused, but if your irregular cycle also comes each month with cramps, breast tenderness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, acne or digestive symptoms it may be time to unwind some ways to support your body and get into a rhythm.

So many of our endocrine hormones cycle in a pattern, or rhythm. It is possible to tap into that rhythm with natural and supportive therapies and subtle lifestyle shifts. 

Some reasons why your hormones may be off their rhythm: 

  • Stress

  • Imbalanced microbiome (beneficial gut bacteria)

  • Thyroid imbalances

  • Anemia or lack of essential nutrients 

  • Presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals in your environment

  • Autoimmune conditions 

How to support your body back into it’s beautiful rhythm: 

  • Mindfulness + breathing: set aside time every day to calm your nervous system. The most effective and accessible way I’ve found to do this is with breathing. See my easy 3 part breathing video. 

  • Work toward a pattern of regular sleep & wake times.  

  • No screens 30-60 minutes before falling asleep. 

  • Eat fat, fiber and protein at every meal to help balance blood sugar, cortisol and metabolism. 

  • Make changes to limit and remove harmful chemicals in your home + on your body. Emma Green at Home is my go-to resource for this.

  • Magnesium & vitamin B6 can be helpful to support elimination of excess estrogen from your body. 

  • Cruciferous vegetables can also help your body eliminate excess estrogen. This includes broccoli, kale, bok choy, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli sprouts. Try to eat 1 or more of these daily.

  • Seed cycling: eat 1-2 TBSP ground flax and pumpkin seeds during the first 2 weeks of your cycle & switch to ground sunflower and sesame seeds for the last 2 weeks of your cycle. 

The above items can help immensely at helping your body find some hormone balance. If you try these items and are still struggling to find a rhythm that feels steady, find a trusted naturopathic doctor or functional medicine provider to help. They can assess and address any underlying issues that might be contributing to your ongoing symptoms. Support is available for you!

If you’re looking for a comprehensive and functional approach to your hormones + fertility, you’re in the right place.

Uncovering the root cause of hormone imbalances + optimizing fertility health is the core of my work. If you’re ready for clarity about how best to balance your hormones and prepare for a pregnancy, learn more about my approach + highly successful strategy.

Kelsey Stang