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This is a subject I’ve been learning more about, even though my “visitor” has been around for well over two decades. I think many of us learned everything we know from that one class or video in the 5th grade, and then never really talked about it again, other than the occasional time we complain to our friends about it.
Our Cycle: the monthly visitor. Aunt Harriet. Aunt Flo (why is it always an ‘aunt?’) The curse. Lady problems. Plumbing issues. Catch my drift?
But did you know that our cycle is a month long process, that not only affects our bodies, but how we think, feel, and behave? Did you know that there are specific phases where we have more energy, and when our body is asking certain things of us that we ignore or feel guilty about?
Stasha Washburn is known as The Period Coach. She’s a Certified Holistic Health Coach and Visionary Business Coach. Her Life Vision is to reconnect women to the power in their cycles and end the taboo of menstruation. Stasha is changing the conversation around periods from whispers in the ladies room to empowered public discussions.
Stasha spent 20 years searching for a way to relieve her Endometriosis, and in the process discovered how to help women balance their hormones, through both science and ‘woo’. Knowing this she could no longer keep quiet, becoming a speaker and using her voice ever since to bring relief to women worldwide.
She and I talk about the different phases or our month-long cycles, how we can pay attention to them, and actually use them to our advantage. There’s so much information here, including how we can include and teach both our girls AND our boys on the subject, and maybe even get a little TLC out of the deal.
I took more notes during this interview than any other so far, and gained so much knowledge about how our cycles work and how we can learn to, as Stasha says, get in a lazy river inner tube with a cocktail in hand, and learn to use the current to our advantage.
Stasha started this work as she was trying to navigate through Endometriosis. She struggled through excruciating periods, throwing up, fainting and having extreme pain, for several days at a time every month. She even got to the point of wanting to “end the pain” because it was so bad.
After going back to school to become a health coach, she discovered that all the women she worked with had period problems and she worked with them through their hormonal imbalances.
We’re not supposed to be in pain, have fatigue, mood swings, and all that come with a terrible period. Stasha says these are totally solvable problems!
In order to normalize the conversation around periods with those around us, Stasha encourages us to use the language. Use the body part names. Use terms like, “my bleed,” or, “my blood,” especially when it comes to our kids. Be matter-of-fact about it.
This is one of my favorite parts of the interview:
Being honest with our kids can actually help us! Stasha talks about a woman she knows who tells her sons that “Mommy bleeds every month, can you actually help her?” and her boys give her a foot massage!
When we normalize the conversations, we’re setting our sons up for success with the women in their life!
Our girls also need to know that it’s not a curse. Having a period is a powerful thing.
THE SEASONS OF A CYCLE – THIS IS SO, SO, SO IMPORTANT!!
Our monthly cycle isn’t just the several days when we are bleeding. Every day we have some kind of hormonal balance going.
Think of your menstruating years as a rushing river that’s always moving. You can’t tread water or just hang out. You CAN jump on a tube (with a cocktail) and flow with it, or you can choose to fight against the current. Those are the only two options.
Every month you can choose to go with your cycle or fight it. Learning what’s happening (charting) is you grabbing your inner tube and flowing with the river (don’t forget that cocktail!)
Each phase of your cycle, there’s a different thing going on in your hormones. Writing down what’s happening each day helps you see what’s happening in each “season” of your cycle.
WINTER
Winter is during your period, and starts the beginning of your cycle. It usually lasts about five to seven days.
Day 1 of your cycle is your first full day of bleeding (spotting doesn’t count.) Your hormones are most like a man’s during your period. Your estrogen and you progesterone dip just before you start your period. This is often the time when your sex drive is the highest.
Winter is a time of clarity, if you embrace it. Don’t try to push or ‘man up.’ Women used to gather during their period and come up with insights and ideas about how to manage their community. You are most open to vision and inspiration during your Winter phase.
Use this season to build in time to reflect. Let your body and brain just “be.
Ask yourself what your big vision is during your Winter phase. It can be a very powerful time!
SPRING
This is the follicular phase, which should last about seven days. When you come out of your menstrual, “Winter” phase, you may notice that your energy starts to increase. This is because your estrogen and testosterone start to rise again. You have tiny follicles that are “ripening” eggs during this time, preparing you for ovulation.
During your Spring phase, you may feel more extroverted or make a lot more lists. This is a good time for moms to plan game nights, movie nights, and family or social time together. You can also feel more in balance during this time.
SUMMER
Ovulation lasts about three to four days. It’s when your body wants to make babies. Your ‘ripened’ eggs last only 24-48 hours. This is the same for everyone, no matter how long your cycle is. This is when the cervical fluid starts to release, because up to this point it is trying to protect the eggs by killing the sperm. During ovulation, it lets the sperm in because the eggs are ready.
This phase, contrary to maybe what you were taught, is NOT Day 14 of your cycle. The timing is different for everyone!
I love how Stasha talks about how husbands are tracking their wife’s cycle, because they know this is the phase when they’re most likely to “get some.”
Your Summer phase is when you feel the most extroverted and outgoing. This is also the time we seem to prize the most in our society. We often wish that we felt “summery” all of the time: productive, outgoing, crushing life. Stasha warns that although it’s a great season, we couldn’t have it all of the time because if we had Summer always, everything would eventually dry up.
FALL
This is the luteal phase, which has two different hormonal changes over three to four days. Your estrogen comes down and your progesterone stays high. About halfway through your luteal phase your estrogen rises again, which is what Stasha calls our ‘second wind.’
We go from ovulation (“Summer”) when we feel energetic and productive, ready to take on the world, and then one day we wake up incredibly tired and wonder what’s wrong with us. We’re so hard on ourselves about why we can’t get more done or perform.
Then we get a second wind, and we start nesting. We notice things around the house that we want to re-do. Stasha points out that we can predictably buy out Bed Bath and Beyond!
Our Fall phase is when Stasha recommends to just knock out Mount Laundry!
Tune in to hear what Stasha has to say about “PMS” symptoms.
Understanding these seasons can take the guilt out of so many aspects of our life. Instead of saying ‘I’m useless,’ tell yourself, “I’m shifting my use.”
BALANCING OUR HORMONES
Go to Stasha’s YouTube channel and learn all the things about hormonal imbalance. She talks about estrogen imbalances (very common), and so many common symptoms of general hormone imbalance.
By and large, women are not eating enough fiber, so add more fiber to your diet like buckwheat, chia seeds, etc. Stasha also recommends adding healthy fats like avocado and grass feed ghee.
Watch your sugar intake. It’s tied to your estrogen and hormone balance! Try to get your supplements without sugar in them.
Caffeine is a hard one (we know!) but it’s really tough on our hormones. Try ordering a half-caf from time to time, or even decaf, especially in your luteal phase. You can also try dandelion root instead.
Transition into better habits instead of cold turkey.
Instead of trying to be all things to all people (which no one can do), notice your phases and set boundaries with yourself. Say ‘no’ more. Realize that you don’t “have” to do anything. Give yourself a break!
CONNECT WITH STASHA
ThePeriodCoach.com
Facebook.com/StashaWashburn
Instagram.com/StashaWashburn
