Traditionally, in Eastern Medicine, the Menstrual Cycle is acknowledged as an indicator of the ebs and flows of the female energy. Where, the menstruation phase and the phase that immediately precedes it are times of introversion, introspection, self-reflection, intuition, and healing.
The Menstrual Cycle of a Woman has a very important role in day-to-day living. Just like a Canary would serve as a sentinel in a coal mine for possible environmental hazards, a Woman who can connect with her body and pay attention to her Menstrual Cycle can watch for specific signs that indicate an imbalance in the body.
The Menstrual Cycle is extremely sensitive, problems in many different organ systems can affect it, and if you are paying close enough attention, you may be able to better understand its signs, and if you understand the signs you have probably already solved half of a possible health problem.
The problem is that many Women are disconnected from their bodies, they do not pay attention to what is happening, and therefore cannot monitor any changes. Problems with the menstrual cycle have been medicalized to the point where many Women choose to just take a pill or two so they do not have to think about it, or so that it causes the least amount of interruption in their daily activities. As a result, a lot of the important signs are ignored or missed.
For optimal mood, general health, and fertility it is very important for Women to develop this self-connection, and for their partners to be aware of it (regardless of their gender). It is the start of a Journey towards Self-Understanding and Self-Healing, and can lead to a profound understanding of overall health.
This article is in no way a replacement for medical advice or medical care, it is advised that anyone concerned about their Reproductive Health should speak with their Naturopathic Doctor or Primary Care Provider.