Days 20 - Bleed: What’s happening with my hormones?

This is the phase of your cycle when you get to focus on you! Seriously! As women we so often give to others, leaving our own needs to be met last. Believe it or not, this has a hormonal consequence for us. Rushing around, constantly putting others' needs ahead of our own, and stressing our bodies. This destroys one of the most important hormones we have: progesterone. If we don't honour ourselves during this week, we can feel like the world around us is spinning out of control. Nurture your body and watch progesterone shine! 

The cortisol - progesterone steal: There is a precursor steroid hormone called DHEA that you need to make progesterone. The problem is that DHEA is also a precursor to cortisol (the stress hormone). If your cortisol is spiked during this time in your cycle, you won't have enough DHEA to make progesterone. This is really common, and can lead to missed cycles, days of spotting, increased irritability, and trouble sleeping. How many years have we complained about our premenstrual symptoms, when in reality it's simply not giving our body the right scenarios to make progesterone. 

Ideal Emotional State:

This is the moment your body produces progesterone, the hormone that calms you and tells you everything is going to be okay. During this time of you cycle, you will often feel less aggressive, less irritable, and more like you wait to sit on the couch and chill that go out and socialize. 

Ideal Nutrition:

Your best food options during this nurture phase are hormone feasting foods - you can continue eating the foods that support liver and gut health, plus add more starchy foods. Progesterone prefers a slightly higher blood glucose level. This is a great time to add your root vegetables, brown rice, and quinoa.

Find out if The Hormone Reset Method is right for you.