Understanding the Menstrual Cycle Part 2: Cycle Length
How variations in cycle length can indicate underlying imbalances in your system according to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Why Cycle Length Matters
Information surrounding the menstrual cycle is taken into consideration as it’s an important vital sign when establishing a differential diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine. By analyzing information such as menstrual blood color and quality, cycle length, the presence of pain and when pain occurs, the variations in PMS symptoms, how mood fluctuates, changes in cervical mucus, libido, and energy levels, you gain a deeper understanding about what parts of the body are off balance. This information can indicate imbalances in qi, blood, yin and yang, as well which organ systems may be experiencing an excess or deficient condition.
Part 2 of this blog series explores what potential patterns are associated with cycle length variations, as well as some tips to support your cycle.
So what’s considered “normal”?
While many symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle are often brushed off as normal, a truer statement to make would be that most frustrating and unwanted cycle related symptoms are in fact just COMMON (and not normal).
I’d like to preface the conversation about normal with the caveat that everyone is different and one person’s normal may not be the same as another. Traditional Chinese Medicine sources typically say that a normal cycle length is every 28-35 days, while western medical sources would consider normal to be 21-35 days. Individual circumstances are important to consider here — if someone bleeds consistently every 26 days with no other concerning imbalances, that person likely has a pretty balanced cycle.
Furthermore, normal cycles are without extreme pain and extreme mood fluctuations, with minor shifts in energy, appetite and digestive function. Now let’s explore the differences in cycle lengths and what each of those may indicate!
SHORT CYCLES
Blood heat — heavy flow, dark or bright red, accompanied by symptoms like anxiety, thirst, red face
Yin deficiency — light flow, scanty light red blood, accompanied by symptoms like night sweats, anxiety, insomnia
LONG CYCLES
Cold — dark, clotted blood with cramping that feels better with warmth, cold hands and feet
Qi stagnation — dark or purple blood, accompanied by symptoms like tender breasts, mood swings, and bloating
Blood deficiency — light flow, light colored and thin blood, accompanied by symptoms like dizziness, pale complexion, fatigue, headaches
ERRATIC CYCLES (sometimes short, sometimes long)
Liver qi stagnation — emotional stress affecting the cycle; accompanied by PMS symptoms, anxiety, depression, or irritability
Kidney deficiency — with symptoms like weakness, sore back, fatigue, poor memory, low libido
Spleen qi deficiency — with fatigue and digestive issues such as bloating and loose stools
Tips & tricks to help regulate your cycle
Stress Management — incorporate daily habits that allow you to release intense emotions and activate your parasympathetic nervous system
Journaling, breath work, somatic therapy, healthy sleep routines, mindfulness, sunshine, time in nature, acupuncture, meditation
Daily Movement — moving your body keeps the qi flowing
Yoga, pilates, strength training, walking, hiking
Balanced Eating — eat warm and nourishing foods, avoiding raw, cold and fried foods to aid in proper breakdown and circulation of qi and blood
Soups, stews, cooked veggies, lean proteins, dark leafy greens, ginger
Irregular menstrual cycles can affect fertility, hormones, mood, and sleep and can indicate underlying conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid dysfunction, perimenopause, and so on.
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