This is an article about one woman’s an experiment to get her menstrual cycle aligned with the moon cycles. Its called lunar-cycle syncing.
See the previous two parts for the foundational info:
Lunar Cycles – Can you guess why I want to delay my period by two weeks?
Progesterone – Three ways to delay your period
On day 21 of my cycle in February, I started taking natural Progesterone 200mg capsules.
The aim was to keep my progesterone levels high and delay the bleeding part of my cycle for about 14 days, until the New Moon. Here’s a detailed account of what happened:
Day 21 onwards
I slept very well, straight through the night. The ‘Valium’ effects of progesterone seemed to be ringing true for me. I noted vivid dreams that had great meaning for me when I analysed them using a dream interpretation book. My energy levels were better than usual for days 21 through to…
..Day 28
headache, sore throat and slow thinking.
Day 29 FULL MOON
Felt ineffective and tired and lots of sugar cravings.
Day 29 FULL MOON
later in the day, my normal bleed appeared. There was no difference in flow or discomfort – which is usually light and occasional cramp I continued taking the progesterone capsules as they ‘should’ still delay ovulation.
NB: Day 29 now becomes day 1
Day 6
Pelvic cramps on both sides and nausea, malaise and fatigue. The mild/moderate cramps made a continued appearance, all the way through until day 3 of the next bleed. I usually only get pain on my left, so it was unusual for me to feel it on the right as well. Vivid dreams are continuing
Day 7
Still a light bleed which is a day longer for me
Day 8
Bleeding stopped
Day 13
Last day of taking progesterone (hoping I will bleed again in two days – the New Moon).
Day 15 NEW MOON
No bleed.
Day 18
Breasts start to get sore. Vaginal discharge is the slippery egg white type, which is usually an indication of ovulation. I start to think that my body’s normal cycle has only been delayed by a few days and not the two weeks I was attempting!
Day 21
Breasts getting sorer and fuller and right boob starts to harden. Pelvic cramps on both sides continue. The pelvic cramps, breast tenderness and fullness are akin to what some women experience in early pregnancy and others during the ‘PMS’ phase, if their hormones are imbalanced. It is not my usual experience.
Day 22
Noting mood swings
Day 24
Feeling very uptight, agitated and irritated, e.g., not relaxed and very hard to relax!
Day 25
I noted sore breasts and ovaries. Very direct in my interactions. Verging on aggression. Throw a few yoga blocks at my ex-partner (they are made of foam). Whilst I sometimes want to throw something at him I don’t usually follow through!
Day 26
I get a ‘crushing’ headache and nausea that stays for a few days. Very tearful in the evening. Almost cannot teach my yoga class due to tearfulness (it’s okay, I asked for a little divine assistance and made it through!).
Day 27
In the late morning I find myself eating a family bag of kumara chips (this is not normal for me). Food cravings ahoy. Makes no difference to the headache. I take the afternoon off work and lay down, meditated.
Day 29
Cleaned my entire house and car. Went to movies and the film ‘affected’ me deeply; both emotionally and in my body.
Day 30 FULL MOON
Didn’t feel like leaving house so did yoga at home. Fell out of a few asanas in tears, meditated. After meditation, discovered I had started to bleed.
DAY 30 now becomes Day 1!
Taking progesterone 200mg capsules did nothing to delay my menstrual bleed or ovulation. What it did do was give me a very valuable taste of a hormonal imbalance, PMS symptoms and the power of Mother Nature’s cycles.
Conclusions:
I have a normally healthy, cyclical system that I respect. I am not sure why I am a full moon bleeder but now have no interest in trying to change it. I now have a greater understanding and empathy for women who suffer PMS symptoms, ovulatory and bleeding cramps, and those that have a condition such as endometriosis who can be in constant pain, on a scale much greater than I experienced. I have had a taste of more extreme emotional swings.
This experiment has only fuelled my personal devotion to supporting other women in balancing their hormones, so that they can have healthful, aware, painless cycles. There are many lessons to be learned from women’s cycles; For instance, I did not know I was about to have a period, yet the day before I intuitively cleaned the house thoroughly…that’s quite common. The appearance of vivid dreams, the fluctuating energy levels, and much more, can all be predicted by awareness on the cycle. In my following articles I will share deeper insights and practical tips to get you fully Cycle Savvy, and feeling deeper connections with your female tribe!
