Easing Hormonal Imbalances With Cycle-Syncing

Listening to our bodies and their natural mechanisms can be an introspective method of healing. (Simona Pilolla 2/Shutterstock)

Cycle-syncing—a practice among women of aligning one’s lifestyle and diet to the natural rhythm of her menstrual cycle—has been gaining popularity not just for managing periods and maximizing health benefits but also for getting the most out of life.

The method aims to help women better manage their hormones. Rebalancing hormones can help maintain health and vitality, according to holistic health practitioner and hormone expert Alisa Vitti, who introduced the term “cycle-syncing” in 2014.

Ms. Vitti has written three books on how women can work with their natural cycle to maximize their health and well-being.

Hormonal fluctuations lead to changes in inflammation, metabolism, and muscle activation, which influence energy levels and performance.

Thus, cycle-syncing tailors workouts and diet to each phase of the menstrual cycle to better balance hormones, which in turn may lead to a range of health benefits, including improved energy levels, fewer PMS symptoms, and better health overall.

Working With Your Cycle

Ms. Vitti advocates that women facing menstruation issues try to plan their monthly activities around the main phases of their menstrual cycles.

The menstrual cycle includes four phases: follicular (pre-ovulation), ovulatory (ovulation), luteal (pre-period), and menstrual (period).

According to her research, certain times within the cycle are optimal for particular tasks and events.

For instance, the follicular phase is perfect for taking on big new projects, as women tend to have a lot more energy during the first half of their cycles. The ovulatory phase is great for meetings and negotiating, and the luteal phase is great for organization.

During menstruation, energy levels slow down, but the right and left sides of a woman’s brain are communicating more than any other time of the month. This makes it an ideal time for making decisions and working on creative projects.

Putting it all into practice may be easier said than done, especially for those with irregular cycles. It may also be a demanding logistical task to plan every aspect of our lives according to our cycles.

Nevertheless, Ms. Vitti says that even small adjustments can go a long way in easing hormonal imbalances and symptoms. Taking on high-energy tasks during the low-energy menstruation phase, for example, may lead to extra stress and exhaustion.

Traditional Rituals

In some ancient cultures, a woman’s menstrual cycle was regarded with respect. Some Native American tribes considered menstruating women spiritually powerful and sought their advice and guidance.

In some parts of Ghana and West Africa, young girls sit under beautiful ceremonial umbrellas when they begin menstruating.

“The family would give her gifts and pay her homage,” Alma Gottlieb, professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois, told NPR. “She is celebrated like a queen.”

In past decades, cultural views of menstruation have shifted, often replacing reverence with stereotypes of crabby women soured by “that time of the month.”

Women these days also aren’t taught to respect their cycles. Many are encouraged to power through them or even control them with the use of prescriptions. Cycle-syncing offers a more rational and traditional way to manage this aspect of women’s lives.