At the Hopeful Mama Foundation’s first educational workshop, Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle, Dr. Samir Patel, Vice-President of Hopeful Mama, discussed 3 main topics related to menstrual cycles:
- Identify what a healthy menstrual cycle looks like
- Understand which hormones impact your cycle and what role they play
- Recognize 3 menstrual cycle red flags and what you should do about them
To watch the full presentation, navigate to Hopeful Mama’s YouTube Channel HERE. While there, click subscribe, so you never miss when the foundation adds new content.
Menstrual Cycle Nutrition
Syncing what you eat with the phase of your menstrual cycle can provide many benefits and possibly, symptom relief. As of now, the best evidence available, related to nutrition cycle syncing, is expert opinion and perhaps, retrospective.
Furthermore, the articles below promote overall healthy diets, which would be ideal for anyone looking to maintain a balanced diet.
If you are wanting additional resources or a personal plan tailored to you, we recommend reaching out to your primary care provider and/or your OB-GYN. They will be able to offer you a list of local resources that can guide your plan, specific to your body.
“During your menstrual cycle, hormone changes can cause swings in your mood, energy, appetite, creativity and social engagement. Cycle syncing is a way to adapt your lifestyle to these changes to achieve better balance and feel your best. “The idea that you can and should listen to your body is revolutionary,” says psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD. “Cycle syncing gives you permission to take care of yourself in a different way.” – Cleveland Clinic
Find article here: Cycle Syncing Nutrition and Exercise
“As you may have experienced in your own life, what we eat can directly affect and support our menstrual cycle. For women of all ages, you can achieve physical benefits if you tailor your food choices and overall nutrition to support your cycle. For many, it is an unfamiliar concept: eating in accordance with your menstrual cycle. But it is 100% true: being intentional about eating nutrient dense foods to support each specific stage of your cycle can provide nutritional and energetic benefits.” – OnPoint Nutrition
Find article here: Menstrual Cycle Nutrition
“Polycystic ovary syndrome, often referred to as PCOS, is an endocrine disorder that affects one in 10 women of childbearing age. It can affect overall health, appearance, and fertility. If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, or have PCOS symptoms, making healthy changes to your diet is a great place to start in your treatment. Regular exercise, healthy foods, and weight control are the key treatments for PCOS. Treatment not only reduces unpleasant symptoms—it can help prevent long-term health problems from forming.” – Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health
Find article here: Treating PCOS with Nutrition
Handouts from Workshop
Handouts from Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle are FREE and can be downloaded below:
Menstrual Cycle Phases
The Menstrual Cycle
When to See Your Doctor
Presentation Slides
Your menstrual cycle provides important information about your health and fertility.