Correct Posture (not what you might think) and a Healthy Body

I deal with Endometriosis. For me it is painful periods where going without a painkiller is a big deal and a reason to celebrate. It is also of late a mild cramping feeling most of the month. I've started to change things to combat this, and last cycle I managed a pain killer free period. One thing I made a conscious effort in changing is stress held in the body.

I hold my stress in in my pelvic area. Where do you hold yours? For a whole cycle I had to consciously think of the area and 'release' it. Let my stomach flop out and be free :). I swear it made a big difference. It's like tensing if you're going to get a smack bottom - it hurts more. It's like rally drivers are taught to go loose and floppy when they crash to avoid serious injury. Tightness = pain.

Another reason I have held this area tight is to achieve 'correct posture'. But this has involved (when I actually do it) a pulling in and contracting of the pelvic area: Bum in, back straight, pelvis tucked in. Well that is wrong, and boy I am glad to hear it because the correct way supports softness in the pelvic are. It is going to take some getting used to and I will have to get over my Jay-Lo bum sticking out but it makes sense. It supports bone strength, rather than muscle strength. This is how all those Indian women carry vast quantities of water on their heads!

Here is a great video explaining why posture is so important, and how us westerners get it so wrong.

And here's a 6min 'How to do it properly'. It's pretty easy.

Learning to Work With, Not Against, Your Menstrual Cycle

This resource was one of the most important and, for me, eye opening things I have read in order to understand myself  better as a woman. It is a free e-book, and a relatively quick and an easy read.

It explains how each month we go through different phases in our menstrual cycle, similar to the seasons. We are energetic warm vibrant beings in the summer months and can achieve a lot. We slow a little in the Autumn months and turn inwards and are reflective and too many tasks at once can be overwhelming. If we over do it this is the usual 'PMS' time. Our Winter is when we bleed, and we need to take it slow, make sure we get enough sleep, and look after ourselves. Spring is when things start to warm up again and social energy returns.

We really do need to (excuse the pun) go with the flow. I used to get so frustrated at myself for being a little slower, needing to rest a little more at certain times. Now I embrace these times, because I know I need them, I know they bring their own unique gifts, and because I know that the 'summer' will return again. 

I thoroughly recommend this e-book to each and every woman - and each and every young woman beginning their first bleeds. I think this kind of information for young girls would make an immense difference to their lives. It took me until I was 28 to accept my different energies of my cycle and to embrace them and fully utilize them.  

Get this free book here.

What is PMDD?

Taken from this very informative blog: Moods and Musings, Living with Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder 
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder affects only 3-8% of women. It is a severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS. Almost all women suffer some kind of symptoms when their menstrual period is due. They may become snappy and grumpy, they may deal with cramps, backache or tender breasts, however, PMS sufferers can manage these symptoms effectively and their lives are not disrupted by their menstrual period.

PMDD sufferers experience many if not all possible physical symptoms, but the distinguishing factor of PMDD is the extreme swings in mood and how they feel about themselves and others.

PMDD is a cyclical disorder. It will affect a woman every single month. Most ladies with PMDD will experience physical discomfort and emotional changes that begin around a week before their period, lasting till bleeding commences. However, due to being sensitive to hormone changes, some women experience symptoms during the ovulatory phase of their cycle too.

It is thought that a women with PMDD is more sensitive to the body's naturally changing hormones. It is also thought that these changes can bring about a drop in serotonin in the brain, which can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms. Serotonin is the body's natural feel good hormones, and many PMDD sufferers experience symptoms of low serotonin.

Physical changes and symptoms can include the following:

Abdominal cramps, period pain, backache, hip pain, tender breasts, nausea and sickness, lethargy, fatigue, insomnia, changes in appetite, sensitivity to sound and smell, headaches, memory loss, bloating, loss or boost to libido and weight gain.

Emotional changes and symptoms can include:

Markedly depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, heightened anxiety, increased tension, sudden shifts in mood, tearfulness, overly sensitive, persistent angry or irritable outbursts, increased personal conflicts, frustration, panic attacks, persecutory delusions, racing thoughts, feeling overwhelmed or out of control, indecisiveness, and confusion.

Lifestyle changes:

Loss of interest in usual activities, unable to think clearly to make simple decisions, cancelling outings or events, hiding indoors and avoiding contact with others, damaging relationships via texts, online or verbally, losing friends, being unable to cope with usual tasks or requests, difficulty in keeping employment, difficulty focusing on studies or work.

An important note on Dysphoria.

PMDD is distinguished from PMS by the use of the word dysphoric. PMDD sufferers often describe their symptoms as a feeling of 'going mad' or 'going insane'. They feel out of control of their emotions and find their minds full of racing negative thoughts. Some say it feels like being possessed and many women will describe themselves as Jekyll and Hyde.

The dysphoria element is often overlooked yet is one of the hardest things for a woman to deal with. For a certain amount of days or weeks out of the month right before their period and/or around ovulation, a PMDD sufferer will experience a complete shift and change in being.

Read on...

The Contraceptive Pill

Is it safe?
Well I used it for 5+ years. During that time I developed terrible PMS/PMDD. Half of the month I found it difficult to get along with or even like my partner. In fact the pill can effect the way you feel about your partner. When I met my hubby of course I really liked him, then, I started taking the pill. In the years to follow I struggled with my feelings towards him half the time. It was terrible.
Here's an article on this topic. 

I finally decided the pill was messing with my hormones and I decided to stop taking it. 
At first, it was hard to know if I felt a heap better or not, because I had other underlying health issues going on. However I really noticed something when I re-took it prior to getting married. (I took it to avoid having severe PMS right on my wedding day. It was going to be stressful enough thanks!) During that month and a half back on the pill I really noticed how my moods swung back and forth, and how scatty -brained I felt. It was horrible, it was exhausting, and it wasn't me. Thank goodness. I had this image of myself as an utter cow.


I think if you do suffer from bad PMS adding more hormones to the mix can be a bit lethal in my opinion. It could even be the main cause of your PMS...something to consider anyways. (Having said that I do know some women manage to balance out their hormones and limit PMS by taking the right pill. But that's the thing - no one tests your hormone levels prior to giving you more...you could well be tipping the balance way out very easily, very quickly.) Here's an interesting read up from Mark's Daily Apple:What you need to know about the Contraceptive Pill