#followerstory

Since becoming more aware and taking more interest in my cycle, I've noticed how my body changes through each of the stages of my cycle and in turn how I should respond to those changes eg. diet, meditation, journaling etc..

Usually in my ovulatory and luteal phase, socially i tend to be more reserved or withdraw because i'm focusing more inward (Hope that makes sense) so as a result this is the time where i will spend more time journaling about  any ideas or thoughts from the month so far or the current time and meditating to ensure that i'm responding to my needs (moving inward reflection ect.) in those phases. I will also journal or meditate at this time to breakdown my emotions/ feeling to identify their cause and if they're having a positive or negative effect. 

In terms of diet at these times i ensure that i'm adequately hydrated and make sure that i'm eating at regular intervals because i feel like if i'm hungry around this time it can cause an emotional upset ( i'm still playing around and adjusting my diet in response to my cycle so that's really the extent of my diet changes atm).

So for my menstrual phase, I usually make an effort to take things a bit slowly and make sure that i'm understanding if i feel a bit tired or need to rest. So i guess really nurturing and listening to my body and taking care of it by ensuring that i'm eating cleanly and up my iron intake slightly, that i'm well hydrated (if i'm not i tend to get cramps) and plenty of rest. I 

I haven't figured out my follicular phase because at that time i seem to be really outgoing so i just usually go with the flow but i'm learning to pay more attention to myself during this time even though i don't feel like i need it.

by earthrunner31

I’m grateful for the mental and emotional cycle changes. 

I notice when I’m near ovulation, 

I feel unstoppable and radiant. 

I can feel bad during pms, but usually I’m just more calm and reflective. 

The best thing about experiencing these changes is that it teaches non attachment to mental and emotional states. (though it took me a while, I’m almost 40).

There is peace in knowing that if I’m feeling low, I’ll feel high again soon. 

When I’m feeling high on hormones, 

I really go with it. 

I know it’s temporary. 

I worry about menopause though. 

What will I feel like without this roller coaster? 

How boring will that be? 

How will it affect my creativity?

by agingunicorn

Well mind is super irregular, like 6 months I don't have one then the Gates of hell open up for 7-10 days. 

I would say if they are that irregular, go to your doctor if you can. 

Get on birth control if you are able to so it can help even out your flow. 

If you can't, some tricks I learned from particularly harsh and heavy periods: 

1. Don't eat a lot of sugar cuz it makes the cramps worse. 

2. It's okay if you are able to call in sick to work or school cuz cramps can be very dangerous. I've run myself off the road before from bad cramps. 

3. Irregular periods suck, and for younger people they can be scary because of how heavy they usually are. 

4. Just know your body is your body. Try and look for those warning signs like cramping with no blood, an increased appetite or random mood swings as it could be a sign of your period finally showing. 

5. Get comfy clothes, heating pads, and a tenz unit if you can afford one. Low pulse waves to the muscles can help the cramping.

6. Also, don't be ashamed if you are extra bloody down there.

7. Carry the pads, and don't be afraid to ask other girls. Women tend to be pretty supportive. 

8. And also, if you are able to, go get tested for endometriosis. It's a fairly common illness of the period that affects many women. It may be the cause of your irregular hard periods.

9. Oh and a diva cup is your best friend. 

10. Last bit of advice is periods suck and some things don't work for everyone. 

11. Heating pads do nothing for me but pain meds do. 

12. Don't be afraid to talk with your doctor, if it's not working for you.

13. And don't be afraid to let the mood demon out, it can make you feel better too.

by useless-lesbian-thoughts

I have intrauterine hyperplasia, which is just a fancy word for thick uterine lining. 

I got my first period at 12 and it was always pretty bad in terms of cramping. 

As I got older and older I realised it was getting exponentially worse. I would bleed through super+ tampons coupled with pads after only a few hours, forget about salvaging underwear after sleeping. 

I wouldn't be able to move from the pain and had to distract myself with immersive videogames or books to help ignore the pain. 

Standard pain medicine didn't even remotely touch the pain. 

I was eventually bedridden when I got my period and heating pads didn't help. 

One day after happily going to school in the morning, I got my period midday. 

I almost fainted from the pain and had to be taken out from the school in a wheel chair.

I went to the doctor and got several tests and exams, eventually getting an internal ultrasound which discovered my disorder.

Yeah, I'm not shy to share it, I'd rather people be aware of these things and help prevent their own pain and know they aren't alone.

I tried several different pill birth controls initially, eventually finding one that worked and didn't make me depressed. 

That worked for a year and eventually stopped preventing the uterine lining build up.

After trying nearly a dozen more and going through horrible depression from the hormone imbalances, my doctor finally suggested I get an IUD.

It's been about a year and a month since then and not only has the bleeding decreased drastically but it barely effects my mood!

I am also on antidepressants to help combat my major depression disorder so the two together was the winning combination.

by sereniea