Cranky and Cramped No More!

You're working hard, juggling a hectic schedule, trying to fit in a night out, and your period is on it's way. Only for you, instead of a normal, free-flowing, celebrated rite of womanhood, your period means life as you know it becomes even more difficult---the physical pain affects everything you do.

Does this sound like you or someone you know? You are not alone and your cramps aren't 'all in your head'---as some people may like you to believe! In fact, the scientific name for "menstrual cramps" is dysmenorrhea (ironic how similar it sounds to a certain bowel disorder). Today, more than 60% of women in the U.S. suffer from severe cramping.

When you get cramps, your uterus is having a spasm. It's upset! It's frustrated! It's throwing a temper-tantrum! Ahh, why is this happening?!

Two possible causes: One, high levels of a hormone---(for you science nerds, PGF2 alpha)---are hanging out in your menstrual blood. When your body sheds its lining and the hormone is released --BAM!-- uterus spasm. Two, you have a secondary disease in your pelvis, such as endometriosis.

Back in the day (think 1800s and prior), women rarely suffered from cramping. Today, cramping is the most common gynecological complaint! Dr. Christine Northrup, in her book Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, cites that the majority of women in the U.S. suffer from menstrual cramps--- and don't have to!

Cramps are a sign that your body is out of balance. Today's modern, busy woman has somehow gotten out of touch with her body--or asks it to work beyond its limit. So what can you do to get your body back on track? Read the suggestions below!

1. EAT WELL: Eat a high-nutrient diet! (nothing new at Laughing Sage) This includes plenty of good oils (NOT transfats!), such as flaxseed oil and fish oil. See one of our blogs on the subject here.

2. REDUCE STRESS: Cramps are exacerbated through stress. Less stress, less cramps (and other terrible health ailments as well!). Even if you are one of the few who doesn't suffer from cramps, you can reap lifelong benefits from reducing stress in your life. Discover a lighter, happier, more relaxed YOU! Imagine waking up energized and pain-free, moving through your day productive and relaxed, coming home and stretching out on your bed, slipping into a satisfying sleep. Shed years of stress by registering for a stress-reducing breathing or meditation course in your area.

3. TRY ACUPUNCTURE: Many women feel that just a handful of treatments calms their uterus.

4. EXERCISE: Studies have shown that women who exercise regularly can reduce or even PREVENT cramping!

5. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS: Vitamins B3 (niacin), B6, and E may help to reduce cramping when taken daily throughout your cycle.

Click here for more information on dysmenorrhea.

Perfectly Painful Period

So I had my period last week, and what is normally a lovely experience for me - pain free, gorgeous menstruation - was absolutely not the case! I woke up intermittently early Saturday morning to sit on my toilet and literally give birth to blood clots and breathe deeply through the pretty intense cramping accompanying those few hours. I found the whole thing, of course, absolutely fascinating and took the opportunity to really check in and ask my body what it obviously needed to tell me. Agreed, it would have been better to avoid this altogether, but it's never too late to map a helpful course correction for the body, and sometimes a good lesson comes only after we find ourselves off track.

What, you ask, happened that would have caused this aberration for the founder and CEO of a company dedicated to healing periods and vaginas everywhere? Well, ladies, let me tell you! ;) This has been an intense summer of transformation and growth for me. I ended a long, long-term relationship, moved my company into a brand-new, fabulous center, continued managing my fully booked client schedule, began hiring and training new counselors, and found myself having to stretch in leadership of my growing company - whew! On top of that list, I’m traveling, seeing friends, hosting parties, and getting to the beach.

If you were MY LSW counselor, wouldn't you say something like: "Darling Alisa, you must realize that as you process so much change, you need to be extra nurturing to your adrenal glands!"? Yes, yes you would!

So this month, in response to my July menstrual message, I am sleeping more, working less, toning down social activities, and going on vacation even though my mind continues to tell me I should be working. I, of course, am always following the program I teach at LSW, but sometimes our bodies need more rest and downtime to integrate all the myriad of things that are changing.

Girls, this is exactly what is so amazing about having a woman's body and hormonal flow - it is a built-in system for creating change and integrating it. We only notice "symptoms" when we get in the way of that process! I wasn't making time for integration of change, so, of course, I will dedicate all of August to it.

How do you observe yourself getting in your flow's way??

For those of you who suffer with cramps or heavy bleeding, clotting, or anything else off menstrual-wise, first and foremost know that you are not alone! Secondly, take some time to ask what your "menstrual message" is. Finally, be willing to map a course correction as a powerful act of self-love and healing. For those of you who have graduated from our program, you know what this entails. For those of you who have yet to go through this process, perhaps your body really wants and needs you to put some attention on this area of your health.

What would it be worth for you to know how to eliminate a funky, painful period?

Laughing Sage loves you and your vagina - show yourself some love and set up a consultation today!