My goal in writing this article is to help you read your body and listen when it is telling you something is out of balance. The menstrual cycle is one of the best ways the body communicates about your fertility. The details of your menstrual cycle can be used as a window into your fertility. Telling you just what is going on, where an imbalance might lie, how your reproductive circulation is, if there is a hormonal imbalance and so on.

Missing A Period

Missing one period is no cause for alarm. The hormonal balance is very delicate and can be affected easily by stress. It generally will reset itself. Missing one or a couple of periods does not imply infertility necessarily as you can still ovulate even if you are not menstruating. Missing a period for 6 months or more is called amenorrhea and is covered below.

Short Cycles

Short cycles can cause fertility issues due to lack of ovulation, too short of follicular phase or luteal phase, lack of nutrition, deficiencies, anemia or low body weight. Traditionally, one of the best herbs that has been used for luteal phase defect is vitex. In studies vitex helped 83% of women experiencing luteal phase defect.

Longer Periods

A longer period may be an indication of hormonal imbalance and/or a failure to ovulate. Progesterone secreted by the body after ovulation normally helps to stop excess bleeding because of its effect on preserving the uterine lining. If estrogen is high or progesterone low, bleeding may continue longer than usual. Click here to read more about a therapy that has been used for balancing longer periods and excessive bleeding successfully.

Heavy Menstruation

This is known to be caused by prostaglandin imbalance and/or over-stimulation of the uterine lining from estrogens (estrogen dominance). Traditionally, this imbalance can be helped by:

Regulating/balancing the hormones with the use of herbs and diet
Supporting the liver in excreting excess estrogen
Modifying the diet can also help to modify the prostaglandin balance.

Nutritional imbalances have also been linked to prolonged or heavy bleeding. Vitamin A deficiency may be a contributing factor in heavy menstruation. Studies have shown vitamin A intake to significantly decrease the amount of blood and the duration of the menses.

Another important vitamin, vitamin C, has been shown to help reduce heavy bleeding by strengthening the capillaries, helping to reduce their fragility. One study showed an 87% success rate in reducing of heavy bleeding with vitamin C. Click here to read about overcoming heavy menstrual flow.

Light Menstruation With Strong Cramping

Generally, the cramping could be helped by using herbs that have an anti-spasmodic, calming effect on the uterus. If there is light, bright red menstruation, this may also be a sign of a lack of circulation to the uterus (called a ‘cold uterus’ in Traditional Chinese Medicine).

Bright Red Blood

Generally bright red blood indicates a healthy period. Rejoice!

Dark, Brown Or Thick Blood

Thick dark blood that looks old or is brown is old blood left over from the- read more at: http://planbwellness.com/use-menstrual-cycle-determine-fertility-levelhormonal-balance/#sthash.MNZ2gkMv.dpuf

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