Cycle tracking journey:
The evolving relationship towards my body, menstrual cycle and hormonal health
By Elora Basu, 31 years old, from the UK
I have gained knowledge of the menstrual cycle through my involvement with Period Reality, but it all felt abstract and I hadn’t developed that understanding of how it directly impacted my own life.
A couple of years ago I went through a particularly challenging season – emotionally and as a direct result, physically. My periods had always been slightly irregular, but they became significantly delayed, leading to what felt like an impenetrable layer of stagnation and inflammation in my body – it felt like a particularly bleak time.
At the time, I had an amazing personal trainer who spoke to me about holistic medicine and she recommended a Chinese acupuncturist that she had gone to see in the past.
I started to see her regularly. Her affectionate yet blunt remarks on the internal workings of my body both alarmed me and gave me a sense of recognition – and, overall, a reality check. I didn’t approach this change from a place of urgency. Instead, it was quieter and more mindful. I began to understand the connection between my mind and body, and the importance of nurturing myself as a woman rather than simply pushing through.
In this roundabout way, my cycle tracking journey began. I started noticing patterns in my body at different stages of my cycle, which has helped me better understand myself, my body and what it needs. It’s changed the game for me.
A significant portion of my adult life has been spent in demanding university environments and all the fun it entailed – studying, finding work, working in law, navigating a sense of self and relationships, all of which at times led to intense periods of stress and, at times, feelings of inadequacy. I absorbed the idea that I should be able to keep going: to work and push through and maintain the same level of output regardless of what was happening internally, mainly because I did not have the awareness that there was another way.
Our bodies are complex and learning to recognise those changes has helped me question some of the external pressures I've internalised around productivity and growth while keeping these concepts an integral part of my ongoing mindset.
Through the above observations and pattern recognition, I have realised, for example, that I am deeply somatic and have a sensitive nervous system and am exploring a potential ADHD diagnosis. Fortunately, I think I have slowly and indirectly developed many of the tools that would help me regardless of whether or not I receive a diagnosis
In the past, I simply felt overwhelmed, but now my intuition and data have led me to make modest and better choices. As they say, take care of the little things and the big things will look after themselves. For example, I’ve noticed the irritation and anxiety that I get from regularly having coffee on an empty stomach and that years of doing this negatively impacted my cortisol levels and cycle. I crave both cold and sweet treats during my luteal phase and could easily devour a tub of Nutella ice cream in one sitting. I’m trying to balance such cravings with my acupuncturist’s strong suggestion to avoid cold items before the onset of my period and avoid a telling off.
I have learnt that during the luteal phase my mind is particularly scattered and anxious. That my focus and ability to concentrate is deeply hampered. My body is sore and heavy and all sensations are heightened. I also develop a specific impulse to marathon shop - which is only marginally but noticeably weird given my consumerist tendencies; perhaps it’s the dopamine rush?
During the luteal phase, I need more sleep, but also crave moving my body more. This, ironically, is the last thing I feel like doing at the time due to the low moods I experience. All I feel like doing is climbing under my duvet and watching Netflix.
I have learnt that contrast therapy such as saunas and plunge suits me incredibly well, at all stages of the cycle but especially when I'm feeling stiff and tense. Similarly with massages. Yoga and breathwork, while I'm yet to build the discipline I’d like, have completely changed my life and are an essential part of my recovery, and feel especially good during the luteal and menstrual phase.
I’ve noticed my body image changes significantly. I love fashion and experimenting with new clothes but feel noticeably self-conscious during my luteal phase. Because of this, I lean into outfits that are comfortable and stylish; these need to be pre-planned because of the overwhelm I feel during these parts of the cycle.
Lastly, each month when my period starts, it feels like an incredible release and I've learnt to embrace it. I hope the mainstream media trope of this being a hindrance – a moment of shame and stress - is something we move away from. I think we are lucky to have a body that knows its rhythm can create life and is capable of change. This is something I took for granted before, but I don’t anymore.
