Reasons Why Your Period Might Be Delayed
A typical menstrual cycle is considered to be 21 to 35 days.
The absence of menstruation is called . Girls who havent started their periods by the age of 15 and women who have missed three or more periods in a row have amenorrhea.
There are several possible causes of delayed or missing periods:
- stress
Substances that can help to induce a period are called emmenagogues. Be aware that some emmenagogues are also abortifacients. An abortifacient is a substance that can cause in pregnancy.
Pregnancy warning
If theres any chance your period is late because you are pregnant, using emmenagogues to induce a period may terminate your pregnancy. This can be very dangerous. If theres any chance you are pregnant, do not take these substances.
If you are trying any herbs, buy from a reputable source. The FDA doesnt monitor herbs like they do food and drugs, and there may be concerns with quality or purity, especially if the herbs are produced outside of the United States.
Warm Compress Or Bath
A warm bath can do wonders for relaxing tight muscles and relieving emotional stress. Perhaps this is the reason for anecdotal reports that this can help to bring on your period.
Try adding some relaxing to a bath for added effect. You could also try using a warm compress such as by applying it to the abdomen.
The heat isnt only relaxing. It may also increase blood flow to the area, thus gently accelerating the menstrual cycle.
Hygiene Products For Doing Yoga During Your Period
There are so many different options today for period products. There are tampons, pad, menstrual cups, and discs. The best advice is to use what is most comfortable for you. Some people swear by using a tampon while doing yoga during your period. However, if your flow is heavy on that day, you may need a little extra protection.
Clothing is important as well. The pants that you choose for your yoga session should be comfortable and not put too much pressure on the abdominal area.
One fortunate thing about yoga is that you can practice this form of exercise at just about any age. Studies have shown that it helps to alleviate symptoms related to changes in hormonal levels throughout your life.
Its very important to consult with your health care provider before beginning a yoga workout regimen so that any concerns or health risks can be discussed before you begin so that your practice may proceed safely.
It might be a good idea to start your yoga practice with an instructor who can ensure youre doing it correctly.
Pump The Brakes On Parsley
You may have come across parsley tea recipes to hasten menstruation. While the vitamin C and apiol content found in parsley may help stimulate uterine contractions, certain amounts of apiol are toxic and dangerous for pregnant women.
Parsley apiol in large doses can cause severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
Can I Make My Period Come 6 Ways To Jumpstart Your Menstrual Cycle
Periods are different things to different people, but we can probably all agree that sometimes, periods are inconvenient, inconsistent, and irritatingly irregular. Not only can an irregular period mess up your whole week but even a period that arrives on schedule is usually traveling with its buddies, cramps, moodiness, depression and other PMS side effects that you may just not have time to deal with during a particularly hectic week. For all these reasons, Im sure youve wished you knew how to make your period come a million times. I mean, sure, menstruation is an essential part of a being a woman, and sometimes it can make you feel wonderfully connected to the cycle of your own body and fertility but other times, it can be frustrating to feel like such a big part of our bodies and our lives is totally out of our control.
But there are actually ways to have greater control over when your period, even if youre not on hormonal birth control. Though our cycles are unique to our bodies, they also react to exterior forces, some of which can induce your period to come early. This is a reaction we can all use from time to time whether we want to deal with our PMS before we have a big presentation at work, or if were about to go on vacation, and want to make sure that we dont spend our whole trip in our hotel room, doubled over with cramps.
Only You Know How You Feel
Yoga is always teaching us that the most important thing is to listen to your body. We all have a different experience with our periods, so no blanket rule will make sense to everyone. If doing a vigorous practice with no modifications makes you feel great when you are menstruating, then, by all means, do that.
On the other hand, give yourself permission to take it easy when you have your period if that makes sense in your body. If you want to skip inversions during heavy flow days but do them on light days, that works too.
There is a tendency to want to react against being told you can’t do something because you’re a woman or because you menstruate. To prove a point, we want to do exactly what we were told we can’t do and do it as big and strong as possible.
Try to avoid this gut reaction in favor of asking yourself how you really feel when you’re menstruating. If the answer is “I feel amazing, I feel strong, I’m ready for anything,” then do anything and everything. But if the answer is “I feel tired, I just want to lie down, my lower half feels like a lead balloon and the last thing in the world I want to do is go upside down,” then the best response is to respect this feeling.
The honest action is to let your body tell you what it wants and not feel bad about it either way. This goes for any day, not just the ones when you are menstruating. Your hormonal cycle take can affect your mood and energy level at any time in the month.
Yoga For Irregular Periods: Proven Asanas To Regulate Menstrual Cycles And Rectify Hormonal Imbalance
The whirlwind schedules of young girls and mature women nowadays, be it school exams, college assignments, deadlines at work or juggling numerous day-to-day chores at home, induces tremendous amounts of stress, leaving both, the body and mind exhausted. Not to mention the added burden of having to adapt every single task as per the new normal lifestyle, to curb the spread of disease and keep infection at bay. Unfortunately, an escalating level of stress is not something to be taken lightly, as it negatively influences physical fitness, mental wellness, as well as hormonal processes. This inevitably affects one key function in the female reproductive system, which is the monthly occurrence of periods.
Also Read: Irregular Periods? Dont Ignore It, Try These Remedies
Also Read: Cervical Cancer: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
But What About Inversions You Cant Do That Type Of Yoga On Your Period Right
There has been a long-held belief in the yoga community that inverting during menstruation is anatomically harmful for the body.
It was previously believed that flipping upside down when Mother Nature was trying to flow things out could lead to retrograde menstruation, which could in turn lead to endometriosis.
However, now that more is known about this once very mysterious disease, we understand that inverting does not actually change the natural flow of our bodily systems.
But, if we look at this from a yogic philosophy perspective, many teachers advise against inverting while practicing yoga on your period because when we menstruate, the flow of energy is downward.
In yogic terms, this is known as apana. Traditional practitioners believe that by physically flipping the body upside down, we disrupt this downward flowing energy.
Inverting does not actually change the natural flow of our bodily systems.
However what can be extremely confusing about this cautionary advice is that it is often contradictory. Many teachers will say: Dont come into Shoulderstand if you have your period. Instead, take Legs Up The Wall.
The hypocrisy here is that both Shoulderstand and Legs Up The Wall are inversions. So, if the worry is about altering the flow of energy, then both postures could potentially change its flow. If the worry is about retrograde menstruation, then neither posture creates that.
Yoga Inversions Cause Retrograde Menstruation And Endometriosis Is It True
The myth that inversions might trigger the onset of endometriosis is common in the yoga community. The thinking goes that during inversions, gravity will pull the menstrual flow away from your vagina and towards the Fallopian tubes. This, in turn, is believed to increase the risk of retrograde menstruation, and therefore, endometriosis. So if you want to keep your menstrual blood flowing downwards and out of your body, you dont want to physically turn your uterus upside down, right?
Endometriosis is a medical condition in which the lining of the uterus called the endometrium grows in other places such as the Fallopian tubes, ovaries, or along the pelvis. When that lining breaks down like the regular lining in the uterus that produces the menstruation, it has nowhere to go. This causes cysts, heavy periods, severe cramps and can even lead to infertility. The cause of endometriosis is unknown so far, but it is generally believed to be caused by immune problems or a genetic disposition.
The thesis that an inverted uterus during the period causes endometriosis is not correct and has been discarded by the medical community on the basis of two reasons:
Similarly, the natural downward flow of menstruation will not reverse directions if you stand in a headstand. In fact, even in the zero gravity of space, where there is no up or down, the direction of menstrual flow for astronauts has remained unchanged.
Method 2 Of 2:medical Treatments
While you might hear about some home remedies to induce a period, most of these dont work very well. If you often have irregular or missed periods, then the best thing to do is visit your doctor. This way, youll know what exactly is causing the problem and can take the right steps to fix it.
Head To Knee Forward Bend
Another forward bend? Yes. And for good reason. The stimulating effect that forward bends have on the abdominal and reproductive muscles are unparalleled. The head to knee forward bend is another pose that can be modified to your experience level. No matter how you modify it, head to knee forward bend supports your reproductive and digestive system, relieves anxiety, fatigue, headaches, menstrual cramps, and can even help soothe mild depression.
Even if you just cant bring yourself to head to a yoga class, doing one, some, or all of these yoga poses at home will help you to manage your period pains. Because lets be realsoothing your cramps and headaches with sugary snacks and Netflix binges is only a temporary fix. Practicing yoga for even a few minutes a day will help you feel better, longer.
Is It Safe To Practice Inversions While Menstruating
Just as no one alignment cue fits all in a yoga practice similarly, no one advice will fit all women in this situation. Most women feel different when they are menstruating. Many women experience tenderness in their lower-backs and bellies. Some women experience dizziness, nausea and mood swings, and most women generally feel less energetic than normal. If you experience these kinds of mild symptoms, you might want to adapt your practice and skip the inversions and heavy exercises. Remember, you are supposed to feel better after your yoga practice, not worse!
But also remember that menstruation is a normal physiological process, and yoga or other physical activities are even recommended during periods. Regular practice of yoga might help your body feel more comfortable during the monthly cycles. It can ease menstrual cramps, reduce irregular periods, and improve our physical and mental health in several other ways.
So if you are feeling fine and you do not have the aforementioned condition of endometriosis, you can certainly practice yoga during menstruation, including all the inversions.
Take A Warm Bath And Use A Heating Pad
Warming up your body by taking a warm bath for 20-30 minutes, preferably multiple days in a row, or by using a heating pad to start your period by placing it on your lower belly, can be effective.
There’s no scientific evidence for why this works, but it seems to be a pretty universal way to help get things going. Its speculated that the heat relaxes the muscles in the abdomen and pelvic region, allowing the uterus proper blood flow to start the process of menstruation.
Whatever the reason, heat things up to jumpstart that menstrual cycle.
Why It’s Ok To Go Upside Down When You’re On Your Period
You’ve probably been there. The teacher announces that it’s time for an inversion, then casually mentions that you should sit it out if you have your period. Wait, how did she know? And do you want everyone in this class to know? What if you do headstand? Will you suffer some dreadful consequence?
These are all valid responses to a situation in which you feel vulnerable, singled out, and not sure what is the most responsible thing to do. There is a range of opinions within the yoga world about whether you should do inverted poses such as shoulder stand, , and while menstruating.
On one end of the spectrum are people who say you do not need to change your yoga practice at all during menstruation. On the other end are people who say you should not do anything but the most gentle restorative yoga poses while on your period.
In Light on Yoga , B.K.S. Iyengar writes “Avoid asanas during the menstrual period. On no account stand on your head during the menstrual period.” In Ashtanga yoga, there’s even a term for this: ladies’ holiday. But where did this idea come from?
Vitamin C For A Faster Onset Of Menstruation
It has been said that Vitamin C can help the production of estrogen. Estrogen thickens the lining of the uterus causing the uterus to contract, helping to induce periods. It also “deprives the uterus of progesterone, which in turn triggers the lining to shed”.
You can easily do this by taking vitamin supplements or adding more vegetables and fruits that are high in Vitamin C to your diet. Oranges, grapefruit, papaya, broccoli, green bell peppers are just a couple of good sources of Vitamin C .
So How Should You Practice Yoga On Your Period Then
Just as the practice is a completely personal journey, so is yoga for menstruation. As mentioned, many women choose to continue with their rigorous flow practices even when they have their periods. Many others choose to slow things down and give their bodies some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
You have to choose what works best for you personally. And it will likely change every month!
In the end, whether you sweat through a Vinyasa flow for 90 minutes or sit for 10 minutes in silence on your meditation cushion, you will be doing a great service to both your body and your mind. However you choose to practice whether its yoga for menstruation or not is beneficial in countless ways. So, you really cant go wrong however you choose to swing it!
A happy body and a happy mind equals a less painful and less disruptive menstrual cycle.
Also, barring pathology, a happy body and a happy mind equals a less painful and less disruptive menstrual cycle. And yoga can help you to get just that. No woman is going to turn that down, so practicing yoga is an offer you simply cant refuse.
All included information is not intended to treat or diagnose. The views expressed are those of the author and should be attributed solely to the author. For medical questions, please consult your healthcare provider.
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Yoga Postures To Avoid During The Menstrual Period
Even if you are one of those women for whom menstruation is not synonymous with discomfort, pain, mood swings…
It is important to know that certain yoga postures are not recommended!
If you’re a fervent yoga practitioner , you’ve probably experienced it on your own.
What are these postures to be proscribed during menstruation?
Deep twisting postures : they can be beneficial in normal times because they stimulate the internal organs. During menstruation, they will tend to increase bleeding because they put the belly under tension. Looking for the famous “benefits of yoga”? Avoid them when you are indisposed so…
Inverted postures : you may not know it, but inverted postures can stop your periods. Rather an advantage you will say to me… And yet, you will regret it at the time of your next cycle when your periods will be then more abundant and also more painful. Moreover, by preventing blood from flowing normally and letting it stagnate and flow back to the uterus, it can also promote endometriosis…
How To Induce A Period
This article was co-authored by Rebecca Levy-Gantt, MPT, DO. Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist running a private practice based in Napa, California. Dr. Levy-Gantt specializes in menopause, peri-menopause and hormonal management, including bio-Identical and compounded hormone treatments and alternative treatments. She is also a Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner and is on the national listing of physicians who specialize in menopausal management. She received a Masters of Physical Therapy from Boston University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 26 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 6,977,256 times.
Yoga During Your Period: Best Poses
If youre wondering which yoga positions are the most appropriate during your period, there are at least three that studies found may help reduce menstrual cramps by stretching and strengthening the back and pelvic floor muscles. Lets take a look at them.
- Cobra
Lying on your stomach, stretch your legs, put your palms on the floor next to your chest under your shoulders, and your elbows against your body. Inhale, straighten your arms and lift your chest and head slowly off the floor while extending your toes. Breathing calmly, hold this pose for about 15 to 30 seconds, then release and exhale.
- Cat
Come into a tabletop position. Your arms should be perpendicular to the floor directly under your shoulders, and your knees should be hip-width apart. Keep your head in a neutral position, looking at the floor. As you inhale, raise your chin and put your head back, push your navel down, raising your tailbone. Hold the pose for a couple of seconds, breathing deeply. As you exhale, round your spine and drop your chin gently to your chest. As you inhale, resume the tabletop position. Repeat several times.
- Fish
Yoga Exercises And Menstrual Cramps
Many girls and young women have cramps when they have their periods. Cramps usually feel like pain in the abdomen , pelvis , lower back, and upper legs. The pain usually hurts worst on the day before the period begins and on the first day of the period.
If cramps are heavy , it you might not feel like you can go to school. Instead of missing school, you can try stretching and moderate-intensity exercise to help relieve the pain caused by cramps.
You may feel like you have less energy than normal during the first couple of menstrual days, when bleeding and cramping are usually heavier. High-intensity exercises like running may not be appropriate. Instead, yoga and breathing exercises can be a good way to help reduce the pain caused by cramping. Yoga also reduces stress, improves flexibility, and strengthens muscles.
Beneficial Poses For Yoga During Periods
While no one pose is a cure for your menstrual cramps and other symptoms, some postures may feel especially soothing during this time of the month. Consider holding beneficial poses for several breaths:
Supine Twist: Lie on your back and drop bent knees to the right as you rotate your head to the left. Repeat on the opposite side.
Child’s Pose: Get on all fours and, while reaching your arms forward, sit your buttocks back over your heels. Support your forehead on the floor or a block.
Forward Bends: Sit on the floor with extended legs or with the soles of your feet together and knees to the sides like a butterfly and fold forward over your legs.
Standing Half-Moon: Stand with your feet together or hip-distance apart and reach your arms to the ceiling. Connect your hands together and lean to the right to stretch the left side of your body; return to center and lean to the left.
Stability Ball Knee Tuck
This might seem a little tricky but once you get the hang of doing a stability knee tuck, it is great for your stomach and pelvic muscles.
- Place the stability ball on a mat.
- Lie down on the ball with your face towards the floor.
- Carefully, walk forward with the help of your arms.
- The ball should roll back to your legs and your body should be supported by your arms.
- If you master this, you can try lowering your chest to your knees with your hands outstretched in front
Reps: 15-20
This is an inner thigh workout that loosens up your pelvic muscles.
- Lie down on the mat and raise your legs.
- While the legs are straight, lower the left leg slowly until it is just a few inches away from the floor.
- Now, raise your head and shoulders slightly so you could hold the back of your right leg and pull it slightly towards you.
- Do the same thing for the other leg.
Reps: 15
These exercises wont work immediately, but theyll certainly speed things up. You can also get your period to come sooner by de-stressing and applying a heating pad. Yoga and Pilates will also help.
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When To See Your Doctor
If the early period persists and you are in serious pain or discomfort, you must visit your gynecologist. Also, if you have had a history of a miscarriage, consult your doctor for immediate medical help.
We now know the basic facts regarding getting an early period. Let us move on to explore the natural methods of inducing an early period.
