Amenorrhea--Does NOT strike me as normal

[onesmartcookie]

I've come across this in other postings, women on raw who say they stop getting their periods, or that it decreases significantly in duration and intensity. While a more manageable period seems optimal, completely STOPPING your period does NOT.

As a precursor, when I was 15/16, I had a pretty bad bout with anorexia (now 23, it's waaaay in the past, though I don't really think the effects on my body are). I was severely restricting food for about 6 months, and completely stopped getting my period during that time. Really scary. From what I know (and by no means claim to be an expert, but have read lots), when your body is not getting proper nutrition, amenorrhea will occur. It's kind of like, your body triages and figures out what's not essential/vital to live. Your period would be the first to go, as something as like your heart beating is going to take energy priorities.

I'm sure many of you already know all this, so my point/question is--what's the deal with not getting your period on raw? I really would NOT want this to happen to me, as it seems to be a FLASHING RED LIGHT that something is wrong. Or perhaps, do you just lose it temporarily while your body is "detoxing" or adjusting, and then it comes back?

Any and all thoughts welcome =)

[faith4u]

I have had the same thoughts about this subject too.

I also struggled with anorexia at one point and it took me over 5 years to re-establish my periods.

I have worried about this since going raw.

Right now I am breastfeeding so I don't have a period but it took so much work and time to get it regulated that I don't want to lose what I have gained.

[daisyduke]

I haven't had a period in over a year. I have read several articles that state that no animals hemorrage in the wild. Therefore, we shouldn't either. I'm not a doctor, and I don't claim to know everything about this, but I'm not concerned. I feel healthier than ever, and I tend to go by how I feel more than anything else. I also tend to view things very differently than most people (I suppose we all do - since we are raw vegans). Here is an excellent article that explains this in further detail. Hope it helps!
http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/menstruation.htm

[divaitalia]

In Raw Knowledge, by Paul Nisson, there are about 2-3 older women in there that have been raw foodists for many years. These women state that we can ovulate but there isn't any need to actually bleed. They state that if your body is clean enough you shouldn't have to go through all of the mess just the actualy process of ovulation.

This book and his other book Raw Knowledge II is a good read. It is just interviews with raw foodists.

Divaitalia ;)

[Elouet]

I personally am struggling with this, I havn't had my period in 2 years, since a little after I became vegetarian. However, this is when I began severely restricting my food, and I've been fighting the uphill battle since then to gain weight and become healthy. We've blamed it on soy for some time, because of the estrogen effects, but after I stop taking the pill or horomone replacement my period stops again. I'm very scared that my period will permenantly stop on raw and I also don't want that. I agree that every doctor or gynocologist will tell you you're unhealthy. If only we could prove that we're ovulating without a bleed! Is there any test you can take to prove healthy ovulation without menstruation?

[jujube]

For anyone who loses their period, it's important to make sure you're still ovulating. I think it's normal for periods to become much lighter and less painful, especially after being raw for several years or more, but having them stop completely does not strike me as healthy.

It's true that some wild animals don't bleed, BUT the primates (chimps, gorillas, baboons, humans, etc) DO menstruate, and I believe canines do as well. They are just in continuous cycles of pregnancy, birth, and breast feeding, which stops menstruation for the time being. This is why there is some false information out there that animals never bleed... they do, just not frequently, because they're always pregnant or breast feeding (no birth control in the wild :)

If you lose your period, it's easy to assume that just because you're eating raw, that lack of menstruation must be healthy (because raw is making your body healthier). However, if your period just stops out of the blue, I think it has more to do with your hormones changing around because of detox... or maybe a sudden/drastic weight loss... or not eating enough food. There might be rare cases where someone stops menstruating and keeps ovulating- this can happen even with SAD eaters- but most of the time, this isn't the case.

My own experience: my period stopped when I first went raw, I think because my body was adjusting and detoxing, but now 3 years later, I have my period again. Still eating raw. It's light, but it's there.

[jujube]

Here are some links with ways to tell if you're ovulating. I think the most common way is taking your temperature every day- it follows a certain pattern if you're ovulating.

http://www.whattoexpect.com/public/before-you-conceive/article1.aspx

http://www.vegsource.com/talk/raw/messages/11109.html

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/preconception/gettingpregnant/484.html

[jjonak]

There are ovulation tests that you can buy over the counter from a drugstore. They look and work just like over the counter pregnancy tests - just dip them in your early morning urine and it'll tell you in 20 seconds when you're ovulating. They're kind of expensive so you might want to download some trial fertility software and get a rough range of when you may be ovulating, so you're not just testing randomly.

In terms of animals having periods, the reason animals don't have them as much as we do is because many of them don't ovulate monthly like humans. Some animals ovulate only once a year; others twice a year. Dogs, for ex, are twice a year, and I can correct any misconception that they don't menstruate, because we have an unspayed female that has her periods like clockwork twice a year. They are LONG and if we don't put diapers on her, she will leave drops of blood all over the house for 1-2 weeks. I seriously doubt this is due to "domestication" as one of the article links above suggests, because many other wild animals menstruate (apes, bats, coyotes, elephants, shrews, hedgehogs, etc.).

Menstruation is just shedding of the uterine lining between ovulations. All female mammals menstruate; some just do so such the uterine lining is reabsorbed after it is shed, so that bleeding is not externally visible. But it doesn't mean that the shedding (menstruation) is not occurring. Maybe what some of the authors are talking about with animals is because their periods can be so light that it's hard to observe. Our dog, when on her period, only leaves drops so that a casual observer that didn't live with her would never notice.

My period has immediately gotten lighter with eating raw. I can't say the symptoms are any different, because I wasn't really symptomatic to begin with. But I'd be really concerned if I lost my periods altogether as well.

[swingbolder]

From what I've read -- I have not known any women to whom this has happened personally -- you can still be ovulating, and can still get pregnant even when you're not menstruating.

Also, I don't think the comparison to an anorexic's body is valid -- on raw food, you are getting all the nutrients you need. Anorexics on the other hand, are not.

[Conscious Midwife]

Women can clearly ovulate without hemorrhaging.

A healthy diet an exceptional amount of exercise will also diminish ones cycle.

Doesn't seem abnormal at all to have a body strong and healthy enough to conceive minus the extreme symptology associated with PMs and "menses".

My 18 yo has an actual period maybe 3-6 times per year. She's a runner and eats cooked foods. Doesn't consume beef or pork ever. She has no PMS symtoms except occassional drowsiness when her "period" actually arrives. She's also caffeine and carbonated drink free.

My periods are lighter and more bearable without meat. Reason enough to stay vegetarian!

[Rawkinlocs]

I agree with Swingbolder and others who share the sentiment of it not being neccessary to hemmorage while ovulating.

I've read things on the subject of amennorrhea and I agree with the stance that, as with even detox or a cold, lose of menstrual bleeding can occur in a healthy body as a sign that things are right and in an unhealthy body to show that things are not right.

For example, a person who eats the SAD and gets "sick" with a cold or something...it's their body's way of saying, "Hey, I'm overtaxed and overburdened with mucous, etc." and the symptoms come.

In the body of someone who is eating a raw diet, if they get cold symptoms, it's NOT due to their body being overtaxed and overburdened with mucous because they are no longer consuming dairy and cooked food, etc.; but it's their body's way of saying, "Ahhh, finally I can start cleaning up in here and healing and getting rid of stuff since I'm not being overtaxed."

I believe that ovulation is necessary and as some before me have stated, there are a lot of women who upon eating healthier, lose the heavy bleeding or the bleeding, period (no pun intended) but still ovulate. I do NOT think it is normal for a woman to bleed for 7 days (as I used to) or bleed so heavily that they need to change feminine products every 15-20 minutes (as I used to). Hemmoraging is not normal. Shedding of the mucous lining is fine, but it shouldn't be the way our society has began to accept as "standard" or "normal".

I realize that if you were to no longer experience periods after being raw for some time that it would cause concern for you, but this is mainly due to your past experiences which were negative. It's kinda like a person who has not had a history of annorexia WANTING to lose weight...but as a former annorexic, you probably would NOT want to lose weight because, again, it may bring back up old stuff from what you dealt with in the past while most other women see weight loss and being thin as a blessing and welcome it! Weightloss is another thing that can occur as a result of either a healthy lifestyle or an unhealthy one (i.e starvation or malnutrition).

[dreamrawalwz]

Comparing an anorexic loss of period without nutrients to a healthy weight raw vegan that gets pleanty of nutrietns. I was anorexic and bulimic (while cooked) and didn't get my period. I went raw and it didn't come back, but I think it was from cleaning me out. I went back to cooked and as I transitioned to raw again it came back that week and hasn't been back since. I'm getting a lot more nutrients and calories I did while at an unhealthy weight. I'm feeling better than ever. There is a website and it makes sense to me (i think it was posted above). Hemmoraging is NOT normal and society has made it the standard now. PMS is now associated to every women, not all have it. To me it's not healthy. It was a form of detox, trying to get rid of dead cells (if i'm correct?). Shedding of the mucos lining makes more sense to me. The only animals that menstrate that I know of are humans and domesticated animals (that eat cooked). That's just how I feel, but everyone is entitled to their own opinon :) I say as long as you feel healthy and you *KNOW* you're getting the proper nutrients, try not to worry about it.

[karenisraw]

This is kind of related.

I am 95% raw at this point. I did miss a couple of periods when I became raw and was eating a ton of food and anything my heart desired as long as it was raw. I read an article about it that reasured me that everything is all right with it so I am not worried. I am however up to any new studies and proof that state otherwise, so I will keep this post in mind if I find anything new.

Anyway, I just got my period about 4 days ago (at the end right now). I did not get ANY ANY ANY cramps until about the third day when I ate breakfast a little late. I started to get mild cramps and I immediately thought it may be because I skipped breakfast. I ate my usual scientific experiment of a breakfast (raw wheat germ, lecithin, coconut oil, raw crackers and 1 tablespoon of raw cashew butter) and the cramps disappeared within minutes of beginning to eat.

Neato huh! By the way the bleeding was normal this month. Dratz

k

[rawpriestess]

when I ate meat and dairy and SAD, I had the worst terrible dibilitating cramps and headaches, and PMS and suicidal thoughts, etc.

I went to the emergency room twice with cramps.

the bleeding was much like stated by others, very heavy, changing products every 15 to 20 minutes, I couldn't work or go to school, because the drive to work was 1 hour and I only had breaks every 2 hours, no way to keep the blood from leaking all over, I would wear tampons AND pads, and everything I could think of, always massive leaks.

So, for 1/4 of my working life, I was calling in sick, this didn't go over well with the bosses.

then I quit eating meat, it was so much better, then I quit dairy, again so much better, I could actually work, for 2 hours at a time (mostly)
but when I finally went raw, it was drastic, no PMS no cramps. and instead of 7 days of bleeding, it was down to 1 or 2 days of light discharge.

Now, granted I am 53, so you would say maybe it is menopause,

well, when I started eating cooked again a few months after I went raw, it all came back, and my 5 friends who have gone all raw, said the same thing, no PMS no cramps and only light spotting no real blood to speak of.

Now this makes sense to me that we souldn't be bleeding all over the place because, as has been stated wild creatures don't.

And it just seems weird to me that when I went on then off raw, that those symptoms were consistant with that.

[Conscious Midwife]

My thoughts are that our hormone laiden meats and nutrient difficient foods on sad are the culprit when it comes to heavy bleeding and extreme symptoms.

Even children are paying the price today with obesitiy and diabetes, thanks to our uninformed public, WIC, school lunch and all the government funded programs that push JUNK foods!!!

[Ginger]

Dogs, for ex, are twice a year, and I can correct any misconception that they don't menstruate, because we have an unspayed female that has her periods like clockwork twice a year.
Is your dog on a natural diet or does she eat processed commercial dog food?

[JennaBoBenna]

In terms of animals having periods, the reason animals don't have them as much as we do is because many of them don't ovulate monthly like humans. Some animals ovulate only once a year; others twice a year. Dogs, for ex, are twice a year, and I can correct any misconception that they don't menstruate, because we have an unspayed female that has her periods like clockwork twice a year. They are LONG and if we don't put diapers on her, she will leave drops of blood all over the house for 1-2 weeks. I seriously doubt this is due to "domestication" as one of the article links above suggests, because many other wild animals menstruate (apes, bats, coyotes, elephants, shrews, hedgehogs, etc.).


I have five female rats who have never bled. The mother rat gave birth to ten babies while never having a period!

[veggie]

I have to echo the sentiments of health without menstruation. Before raw I lost my period for 3 years due to disordered eating/overexcerice. Once I gained some weight, my period returned. I've recently lost the hemmoraging, but I am ovulating. So, I feel there isn't reason for alarm if bledding stops. Now if ovulating stops too, that may be reason to get checked out.

[jjonak]

I have five female rats who have never bled. The mother rat gave birth to ten babies while never having a period!

It's true that some animals shed their uterine lining - menstruate - but that it is reabsorbed in the body without ever leaving it. So they are still menstruating, but you wouldn't see any blood outside of the body, in other words, no period like a human. I had guinea pigs and rabbits and never saw them menstruate either. I suppose the raw foodist theory that you can ovulate and not have a period would be that the menstruation occurs, but that the uterine lining is reabsorbed without leaving the body like certain wild animals. That would explain being able to ovulate but not seeing any period. There is a lot of documentation, however, about our closest genetic relatives, chimpanzees and other apes, having periods just like us, so I don't think there's anything unnatural about people having periods.

For the dogs, our dogs aren't on a raw diet. But I have a friend with dogs on a raw vegetarian diet, and her dogs go through heat with bleeding just like ours does. (It was in fact a big deal because the dog's breeder thought she was nuts and didn't want to give another puppy to her.) I know others that feed their dogs on a raw meat diet - on the principle that the dog eats raw meat and bone marrow just as if it was in the wild. Same periods. If ours was "in the wild," I would never see it, because it's literally just drops on the floor over a period of a week or two. I only know because I wind up cleaning after it on our hardwood floors! You can't actually see it happening. It's definitely not a stream or anything heavy. That's what has made it difficult for scientists to observe what wild animals have periods and which ones don't.

One thing that would be interesting is comparing how heavy female periods are in different cultures that are heavily meat-based versus vegetable/raw-based, such as comparing Inuit populations with plant-based societies. There's probably some anthropological commentary on this out there somewhere.

[Ginger]

Interesting..

[onesmartcookie]

Thanks for everyone's comments on this, it's a very enlightening discussion. I guess I'm guilty of just having certain "norms" so ingrained, that a deviation from that scares me. But, as I'm learning with raw, it really is completely counter-cultural, and I'm trying to make new definitions for myself and my life. (though I have to confess--not sure I'll ever be fanatical about being 100%--I aspire to be "high raw." I'm having MAJOR issues with the social constraints being strict 100% would bring. Topic for another thread though.)

So anyhow, still not sure where I stand on this. I'm going to keep thinking. THANK YOU for all your insights and knowledge, ya'll are wonderful.

[RawMagnolia]

but I have a friend with dogs on a raw vegetarian diet

Are dogs and cats not mainly carniverous? The BARF foods for dogs/cats are not vegetarian... so it's odd to me that a dog would be put on a raw vegetarian diet.

[ShelShel]

Hello. I read this thread last night before bed and was so interested in what I read. I have only been raw (80-90%) for about a month and a half, but the change in my cycle happened really fast. About two weeks after I started mostly raw, I got my period. Instead of being 45 days apart it landed on exactly the 28 day mark. It was more like spotting than a period and it only lasted two days. (My period has been extremely heavy...very long over 7 days...for all of my adult life!) This was thrilling to me. I didn't have cramps, an acne flair up or other pms that usually comes either! How could this be bad for me? I felt for the first time...that is how it was meant to be! I loved this change and hope that it isn't ever more than that for the rest of my raw life! :D It's a wonderful change and if I stop getting my period...I will look at that as a welcome change because I know I eat so much healthier now...that it's good for me. I'm not starving myself...(which I did in college), I'm eating what is good for me...and in large quantities. There is no comparison between the two...I will be interested to see what my period does this month since I just started going 100 % raw. Very exciting stuff! ;)

[misslinda]

I have not bled since October but have had varying "PMS" like symptoms in that "time frame" Grant it, I've had a spotting here and there but no flow of blood. From October to Januaury was many fluctuation in the "symptoms" as I struggled to stay raw but January to now has been raw and I do have to say that I still have not mense and the PMS like symptoms are almost non existent. I'd imagine I still have some more cleansing and repairing to do.

:)

[jenna rose]

Well, whether or not we're "supposed" to bleed, I would love not to! Life would be a whole helluva lot easier. As Shakespeare once said (not necessarily about the monthly) "Out, out damn spot!" :p

[Rawkinlocs]

Well, whether or not we're "supposed" to bleed, I would love not to! Life would be a whole helluva lot easier. As Shakespeare once said (not necessarily about the monthly) "Out, out damn spot!" :p LMBO! Jenna Rose, that post was TOO funny and I share your sentiments (and Shakespeare's)! :D

[ShelShel]

LOL I'm in complete agreement! :D

[heabrook]

Since hemorrhaging of the brain is obviously not normal, why would be hemorrhaging of the womb be normal?

From what I understand, we have menstrual cycles to release toxins. Studies on menstrual blood show high levels of toxins with little else. My interpretation then is, if you are raw -- you have less toxic build up, thus the menstrual cycle is no longer necessary.

It truly has been ingrained in us that the menstrual cycle is NORMAL. But who defines normal? No one truly knows, we just have theories and hypothesis up the whazoo.

At first, I found it to be strange and possibly not normal (to stop your period, that is). But, after research and contemplation, it seems very normal for a raw woman to not have her period any more. She is no longer needing to release as many toxins. The menstrual cycle is simply a cleansing time where toxins are released.

In fact, one could say.. that it is not normal to have your period. :p

[rawpriestess]

Jenna Rose

Now, THAT cracked me up. LOL

I love it, Shakespear and periods!!

Well, I just know what feels right for me, and right now, I'm not having any PMS or bleeding or anything like that, and yet my sex drive is very nice at this time, it used to be terrible, way too much, way too little, (of course Dragggon never thought it was WAY too much) LOL

But there you go, now I feel so much better, raw is the way for me.

[katrina]

My experience has been this. I used to swell and bloat but that has stopped. I used to have terrible PAINFUL periods. Pain attacks that would debilitate me, causing me to take 7 - 8 advil at one time several days in a row! But they were always on time for years - every month to the 28th day. After going raw last spring, I got to the point that my pain pretty much stopped but on the 2nd and 3rd days I would just about bleed out. Then my days started shifting....2 days early, 7 days late, etc. Lately, I'm having extra LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG periods. Joy! Last month was ELEVEN DAYS. Good Grief! I don't know how raw fits into this picture. It sure doesn't seem to be the experience everyone else is having. I am only 36 but I believe my symptoms are peri-menopause. Last year I also became suddenly homicidal around my periods. So I started taking chaste tree extract and B-6 for my moods. That has helped tremendously. I've wondered if raw has effected my situation any, but don't have any real proof that it has.

[Evelynn]

I've had the same experience as almost everyone else--the seven brutal days were cut back to two with hardly anything but spotting. I've never had any cramps, so I can't say yes or no on that issue. It came back when I went cooked for three months, and when I started eating raw again, it was worse than ever--eight full days, and it didn't even start to decline until the last day. I only went raw again a month ago, so I'm waiting to see any changes in this coming week.

Just a thought. Back when we were poking mammoths with sticks, wouldn't leaving bloody trails everywhere we went be sort of...dangerous?

[onesmartcookie]

Just a thought. Back when we were poking mammoths with sticks, wouldn't leaving bloody trails everywhere we went be sort of...dangerous?


Ummm...I'm fairly certain that throughout history, women have taken care of this appropriately so as not to bleed all over the place. I'm no anthropologist or historian, BUT I have read...Clan of the Cave Bear! Ha. I don't know if anyone else has (probably), but this is a series of books that are historically accurate about the time of the cro-magnons (thousands of years ago). Jean Auel is the author. Anyhow, I just remember reading about how the women dealt with periods, their "moon cycles" as they referred to them.

So. Yeah. Fairly certain that female menstruation has a looooong history, which is why I'm very inquisitive about how raw affects this. I mean, prehistoric peoples were certainly NOT eating SAD, but probably did eat their fair share of animal flesh (think paleo diet). I clearly need to keep researching this for myself. I'm thrilled to hear that long-time PMS sufferers/heavy bleeders have their symptoms alleviated with raw. I personally have never had super painful periods--always have been very regular, 4-6 days of medium bleeding, some cramps, bloating, cravings, etc. And unfortunately...it DID all get one thousand times better when I went on the pill (which I'm still on...eek). So, perhaps raw would have the same beneficial effects. However, I just am not convinced that stopping menstruation is ok, even if you are ovulating.

But I really am appreciating everyone's input and knowledge they're bringing forth.

[dreamrawalwz]

Since hemorrhaging of the brain is obviously not normal, why would be hemorrhaging of the womb be normal?

From what I understand, we have menstrual cycles to release toxins. Studies on menstrual blood show high levels of toxins with little else. My interpretation then is, if you are raw -- you have less toxic build up, thus the menstrual cycle is no longer necessary.

It truly has been ingrained in us that the menstrual cycle is NORMAL. But who defines normal? No one truly knows, we just have theories and hypothesis up the whazoo.

At first, I found it to be strange and possibly not normal (to stop your period, that is). But, after research and contemplation, it seems very normal for a raw woman to not have her period any more. She is no longer needing to release as many toxins. The menstrual cycle is simply a cleansing time where toxins are released.

In fact, one could say.. that it is not normal to have your period. :p

Thanks for posting that. That's waht I was trying to say (or at least thinking), but it wouldn't come out right haha.

[jjonak]

Are dogs and cats not mainly carniverous? The BARF foods for dogs/cats are not vegetarian... so it's odd to me that a dog would be put on a raw vegetarian diet.

That's the reason why the breeder thought my friend was nuts.

[bell]

Since hemorrhaging of the brain is obviously not normal, why would be hemorrhaging of the womb be normal?

From what I understand, we have menstrual cycles to release toxins. Studies on menstrual blood show high levels of toxins with little else. My interpretation then is, if you are raw -- you have less toxic build up, thus the menstrual cycle is no longer necessary.

It truly has been ingrained in us that the menstrual cycle is NORMAL. But who defines normal? No one truly knows, we just have theories and hypothesis up the whazoo.

At first, I found it to be strange and possibly not normal (to stop your period, that is). But, after research and contemplation, it seems very normal for a raw woman to not have her period any more. She is no longer needing to release as many toxins. The menstrual cycle is simply a cleansing time where toxins are released.

In fact, one could say.. that it is not normal to have your period. :p
I thought our menstruation wash shedding of the uterus lining which thickens during our cycle in preparation for pregancy. no? I had no idea we were releasing toxins.

[Evelynn]

Fairly certain that female menstruation has a looooong history, which is why I'm very inquisitive about how raw affects this. I mean, prehistoric peoples were certainly NOT eating SAD, but probably did eat their fair share of animal flesh (think paleo diet). I clearly need to keep researching this for myself. I'm thrilled to hear that long-time PMS sufferers/heavy bleeders have their symptoms alleviated with raw. I personally have never had super painful periods--always have been very regular, 4-6 days of medium bleeding, some cramps, bloating, cravings, etc. And unfortunately...it DID all get one thousand times better when I went on the pill (which I'm still on...eek). So, perhaps raw would have the same beneficial effects. However, I just am not convinced that stopping menstruation is ok, even if you are ovulating.

I'll have to check those out--they sound good! The fact that they weren't eating SAD would definitely matter. I'm sure they did bleed, but my guess is that they weren't bleeding EVERYWHERE like a lot of women do today. It's good that you're taking the time to research it, though. I've been wondering about that for a while.

[heabrook]

I thought our menstruation wash shedding of the uterus lining which thickens during our cycle in preparation for pregancy. no? I had no idea we were releasing toxins.

Of course we are releasing toxins. Menstruation is a cleansing cycle to release toxic build up. Obviously there are other components of menstrual blood, but studies have shown that it does contain [on a large scale] toxins.

Unfortunately, I cannot locate the article that spoke about that. If I do find it, I will let you know.

However, in the mean time, this article may help you (and others) understand why some raw people do not have their periods and why most other animals do not either.

http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/menstruation.htm

A passage from the article....

------------------
The body always tries to keep the level of estrogen in the blood stable. It can be at a constant low level or at an even high level, but whichever, the body's aim is to keep it steady. When production of estrogen by the ovaries naturally drops around twelve days after ovulation, the blood level of estrogen drops. If it happens to fall too dramatically, the body will try to raise the level by withdrawing estrogen from blood vessel walls throughout the body, leaving them weak and porous. You may have noticed that at this time of month even a scratch bleeds more readily.

When this happens in the womb, the tiny arterioles of the endometrium are left in a very fragile state and are unable to stand up to the minute contractions involved in endometrial regression, let alone to any increased pressure due to toxic congestion and constipation (15:227, 230). They rupture on a large scale, and the endometrial tissues they were nourishing begin to die on an equally large scale. The means by which those tissues could have been reabsorbed is gone, and the lining, blood and mucus are shed in what we've come to call the "menstrual period". As the ovaries again begin to produce more estrogen several days later, the bleeding slows and stops.
----------------

[bell]

Can some one explain to me how certain foods affect our period? thanks

[heabrook]

I thought our menstruation wash shedding of the uterus lining which thickens during our cycle in preparation for pregancy. no? I had no idea we were releasing toxins.

Of course we are releasing toxins. Menstruation is a cleansing cycle to release toxic build up. Obviously there are other components of menstrual blood, but studies have shown that it does contain [on a large scale] toxins.

Unfortunately, I cannot locate the article that spoke about that. If I do find it, I will let you know.

However, in the mean time, this article may help you (and others) understand why some raw people do not have their periods and why most other animals do not either.

http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/menstruation.htm

A passage from the article....

------------------
The body always tries to keep the level of estrogen in the blood stable. It can be at a constant low level or at an even high level, but whichever, the body's aim is to keep it steady. When production of estrogen by the ovaries naturally drops around twelve days after ovulation, the blood level of estrogen drops. If it happens to fall too dramatically, the body will try to raise the level by withdrawing estrogen from blood vessel walls throughout the body, leaving them weak and porous. You may have noticed that at this time of month even a scratch bleeds more readily.

When this happens in the womb, the tiny arterioles of the endometrium are left in a very fragile state and are unable to stand up to the minute contractions involved in endometrial regression, let alone to any increased pressure due to toxic congestion and constipation (15:227, 230). They rupture on a large scale, and the endometrial tissues they were nourishing begin to die on an equally large scale. The means by which those tissues could have been reabsorbed is gone, and the lining, blood and mucus are shed in what we've come to call the "menstrual period". As the ovaries again begin to produce more estrogen several days later, the bleeding slows and stops.
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[Rawkinlocs]

Can some one explain to me how certain foods affect our period? thanks I have no "scientific proof/evidence, etc." but all I can say is, when I ate animal products and the SAD, my periods were HEAVY (so much to the point that I had to wear 2 or 3 pads just to keep from leaking and messing my clothes) and LOOOONG-lasting! Not only that, but (and this is very embarrassing to admit), I had the worst fem. odor during "that time" of the month no matter how much I bathed, washed, etc....it was what was coming OUT of me down there that was awful!

Now that I'm raw, my periods are light...you know how the first day is light? That's my period the whole time. They don't last as long, though I would still appreciate a shorter span and the odor has subsided tremendously.

Yes, I've always heard (even before learning of raw foods) that when a woman has her menses, it is a cleansing time and that is why I was hearing of so many women saying that douching was not only harmful, but unnecessary because during her cycle, the body was cleaning.

[bell]

Of course we are releasing toxins. Menstruation is a cleansing cycle to release toxic build up. Obviously there are other components of menstrual blood, but studies have shown that it does contain [on a large scale] toxins.
What are these toxins? I mean what are they called? Where do they come from? our blood circulation?


Unfortunately, I cannot locate the article that spoke about that. If I do find it, I will let you know.
Do you remember the name of it or what journal it was published in?


However, in the mean time, this article may help you (and others) understand why some raw people do not have their periods and why most other animals do not either.

http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/menstruation.htm

A passage from the article....

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The body always tries to keep the level of estrogen in the blood stable. It can be at a constant low level or at an even high level, but whichever, the body's aim is to keep it steady. When production of estrogen by the ovaries naturally drops around twelve days after ovulation, the blood level of estrogen drops. If it happens to fall too dramatically, the body will try to raise the level by withdrawing estrogen from blood vessel walls throughout the body, leaving them weak and porous. You may have noticed that at this time of month even a scratch bleeds more readily.
wow, I had no idea we stored hormones in our blood vessel walls.


When this happens in the womb, the tiny arterioles of the endometrium are left in a very fragile state and are unable to stand up to the minute contractions involved in endometrial regression, let alone to any increased pressure due to toxic congestion and constipation (15:227, 230). They rupture on a large scale, and the endometrial tissues they were nourishing begin to die on an equally large scale. The means by which those tissues could have been reabsorbed is gone, and the lining, blood and mucus are shed in what we've come to call the "menstrual period". As the ovaries again begin to produce more estrogen several days later, the bleeding slows and stops.
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This sounds familiar but it's not supposed to happen this way?

I found this that looks interesting

Menstruation is the periodic (usually monthly) shedding of the lining of the uterus that occurs under the influence of hormones. Hormones control ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary), the development of the endometrium (uterine lining), and menses (monthly flow). Appropriate hormones in adequate amounts and released in the proper sequence are necessary for the monthly pattern to continue. Without normal hormonal functioning ovulation does not take place, disrupting the normal monthly pattern.

During a normal menstrual cycle, hormones from the brain stimulate the ovaries to prepare an egg and to release the hormone estrogen, which builds up the endometrium. Following ovulation, the ovary that released the egg secretes the hormone progesterone, which prepares the endometrium for conception. Progesterone secretion declines if pregnancy does not occur, and the menstrual phase of the cycle begins, with the sloughing off of the endometrium in menstrual blood. Periodic, monthly bleeding can only result following ovulation, since it is this event that promotes progesterone production and decline two weeks later, bringing on menses.

For many women, "the period" simply means vaginal bleeding without regard to the pattern of bleeding. In this sense, it is possible to bleed without ovulating, but the bleeding will be irregular. This is known as dysfunctional uterine bleeding or anovulatory bleeding. Anovulatory bleeding varies in flow, duration, and schedule, and often is mistaken for a menstrual period.

When ovulation doesn't occur, progesterone is not produced, however estrogen-induced endometrial accumulation continues indefinitely. Progesterone normally balances the effects of estrogen. As a result of this unopposed estrogen, shedding of the thickened endometrium is irregular, happening when it can no longer maintain itself. This pattern is known as estrogen breakthrough bleeding, which results in delayed and unusually heavy periods. A pattern more commonly experienced by peri-menopausal women is estrogen withdrawal bleeding. As estrogen levels decline in the peri-menopause, the endometrium develops inadequately. In this case, irregular shedding results in spotting between periods, or light, frequent, and/or short menstruation.

Many women experience anovulatory bleeding at one time or another during their menstruating lifetime. This condition is more common among girls during the year or two after their first period and among women nearing menopause. Anovulatory bleeding is diagnosed by a women's health care provider or gynecologist after other causes of irregular uterine bleeding have been eliminated through tests and/or diagnostic procedures.

A variety of factors can cause changes in normal hormonal function and menstruation, including:

long-distance travel and changes in circadian rhythms
medications, such as hormone therapy and oral contraceptives
ovarian cysts or other hormone-secreting tumors
strenuous physical activity
significant weight loss or gain
extreme emotional stress
chronic disease, illness, infection
eating disorders
polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
pregnancy
Early diagnosis and treatment of anovulatory bleeding is essential. Possible complications include iron deficiency anemia, infertility, osteoporosis, and endometrial cancer. With appropriate management, normal menstruation can often resume. Treatment generally includes hormonal regulation with birth control pills or progesterone supplementation.

If a woman has been experiencing unusual vaginal bleeding, fever, abdominal pain, dizziness, and/or fainting, it's important to make an appointment to see a women's health care provider or gynecologist for an evaluation.

Lastly, even though women can have bleeding without ovulation, they still need to use birth control if they want to be protected from pregnancy. Timing of ovulation is unpredictable, so it makes sense to be protected.

[bell]

I have no "scientific proof/evidence, etc." but all I can say is, when I ate animal products and the SAD, my periods were HEAVY (so much to the point that I had to wear 2 or 3 pads just to keep from leaking and messing my clothes) and LOOOONG-lasting! Not only that, but (and this is very embarrassing to admit), I had the worst fem. odor during "that time" of the month no matter how much I bathed, washed, etc....it was what was coming OUT of me down there that was awful!

Now that I'm raw, my periods are light...you know how the first day is light? That's my period the whole time. They don't last as long, though I would still appreciate a shorter span and the odor has subsided tremendously.

Yes, I've always heard (even before learning of raw foods) that when a woman has her menses, it is a cleansing time and that is why I was hearing of so many women saying that douching was not only harmful, but unnecessary because during her cycle, the body was cleaning.
Ive also heard that douching was not a good practice. I had heavy periods when I was younger (a teen) but they lightened up over the years. They only last 3 days or so but they began to be painful after a sugery I had (removed a tube and part of an ovary). Before that I never had any cramping. I stopped eating meat/animal products 15-16 years ago but didn't notice a real affect on my period. I always thought it was just getting older eta and that my body settled in with itself. I was really skinny as a teen and would skip periods for months on end but I was a meat eater back then.

[Rawkinlocs]

Ive also heard that douching was not a good practice. I had heavy periods when I was younger (a teen) but they lightened up over the years. They only last 3 days or so but they began to be painful after a sugery I had (removed a tube and part of an ovary). Before that I never had any cramping. I stopped eating meat/animal products 15-16 years ago but didn't notice a real affect on my period. I always thought it was just getting older eta and that my body settled in with itself. I was really skinny as a teen and would skip periods for months on end but I was a meat eater back then.
Well Bell, mah belle...I don't have an answer for you but to reiterate what Jenna Rose said:

"Well, whether or not we're "supposed" to bleed, I would love not to! Life would be a whole helluva lot easier. As Shakespeare once said (not necessarily about the monthly) "Out, out damn spot!"

:D

[bell]

Well Bell, mah belle...I don't have an answer for you but to reiterate what Jenna Rose said:

"Well, whether or not we're "supposed" to bleed, I would love not to! Life would be a whole helluva lot easier. As Shakespeare once said (not necessarily about the monthly) "Out, out damn spot!"

:D
No doubt! And i like mah belle :)

eta: I've always been very curious as to why a surgery would make it more painful, that and food.