Menstrual Cycle

The most noticeable aspect of the female reproductive system is menstruation, or cyclic vaginal bleeding, which occurs alongside a series of coordinated hormonal shifts. Menstruation, also known as menarche when it first begins, typically starts around puberty Menstrual cycles cease at menopause.

For menstruation to occur, the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis must function properly, the endometrium must be healthy, and the uterine outflow tract must be patent. Numerous conditions can impact the HPO axis, including endocrine, metabolic, inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune, infiltrative, genetic, and neoplastic processes.

When discussing timing within the menstrual cycle, the first day of heavy menstrual flow is considered day 1. According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), normal menstrual cycles should have consistent frequency, regularity, duration, and volume of flow. Normal menstrual frequency is defined as cycles occurring every 24 to 38 days. Infrequent menstruation is defined as cycle lengths longer than 38 days, while frequent menstruation refers to cycle lengths shorter than 24 days. Amenorrhea describes the complete absence of menstrual bleeding. Normal menstrual duration is defined as bleeding lasting 8 days or less, while bleeding beyond 8 days is considered prolonged menses.

The volume of menstrual flow is classified as light, normal, or heavy. No defined objective thresholds separate these classifications, as they are often impractical in clinical settings.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) defines it as excessive menstrual bleeding that interferes with a person's physical, social, emotional, and/or material quality of life.

Menstrual regularity is defined by the variation in cycle lengths from one cycle to the next. Although slight variations in cycle lengths are normal, cycles are considered regular if the difference between the shortest and longest cycle lengths is 7 days or less for individuals aged 26 to 41 and 9 days or less for those aged 18 to 25 or 42 to 45. FIGO notes that for practical purposes, normal variation in cycle length can also be expressed as an average cycle length of ±4 days.

The menstrual cycle is considered irregular when cycle lengths vary by 8 days or more for individuals aged between 26 and 41 or by 10 days or more for those aged between 18 and 25 or between 42 and 45.

The Ovarian and Endometrial Cycles

The menstrual cycle comprises 2 distinct cycles—one within the ovary and another within the endometrium. The phases of the ovarian cycle include the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. The endometrial cycle consists of the proliferative phase, the secretory phase, and the menstrual phase. Generally, the ovarian follicular phase corresponds to the menstrual and proliferative phases of the endometrium, while the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle corresponds to the secretory phase of the endometrial cycle.

Hormones are secreted through both negative and positive feedback mechanisms to regulate the menstrual cycle (see Image. Hormonal Secretion and Feedback Mechanism During the Menstrual Cycle).

The menstrual cycle prepares the female body for ovulation and potential pregnancy. Hormones secreted from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland promote the maturation of ovarian follicles and trigger ovulation. Ovarian hormones prepare the cervix to allow sperm entry into the endometrial cavity and stimulate endometrial growth and maturation for the potential implantation of a fertilized ovum. If pregnancy does not occur, the cycle "resets" the body for the next opportunity for conception

Premenstrual syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder affecting women of reproductive age, with an estimated global prevalence of 47.8%, with severe symptoms occurring in 3-8%, significantly affecting daily functioning. A cross-sectional study from Karnataka India put figures as high as “The mean age of menarche was found to be 13.87 ± 1.44 years. The PMS prevalence was found to be 86%. Around 40.5% of the participants performed some type of physical activity, 59.5% did not do any physical activity. Most common psychological symptoms were depressed mood, irritability, mood swings, poor concentration, etc. Common physical symptoms were general body pain, headache, back pain, fatigue, joint pain, etc. Common behavioral symptoms were short temper, food cravings and oversleeping.” (Manisha Upadhyay et al 2023)

Classically, PMS has been linked to hormonal fluctuations during the monthly cycle, with mood deterioration and increased anxiety primarily associated with decreases in estrogen and progesterone. But now a situation is full of theories but not enough strong to conclusively to define causes.

So are solutions elusive and what is offered is not healthy.

Essential oils for managing menstrual disorders

EO extracted from various medicinal plants have gained significant attention because of their therapeutic efficacy in the management of menstrual disorders. These oils, known for their potent pharmacological properties, include Lavandula angustifolia (lavender oil), Prunus dulcis (almond oil), Rosa centifolia (rose oil), Origanum majorana (marjoram oil), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary oil), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel oil), Salvia sclarea (clary sage oil), Mentha longifolia (wild mint oil), Nigella sativa (black seed oil), and Melissa officinalis (lemon balm oil). EOs have traditionally been used to alleviate various symptoms associated with menstrual disorders, such as dysmenorrhea, menstrual cramps, and hormonal imbalances. Their therapeutic effects are attributed to their antiinflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, and hormone-regulating properties, which contribute to the improvement of menstrual health and reduction of related discomfort. Each oil possesses unique pharmacological properties that contribute to alleviating symptoms associated with menstrual disorders.

The therapeutic actions of these essential oils include anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, antioxidant, and sedative effects, which are particularly beneficial for managing conditions such as dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menstrual irregularities. The integration of these essential oils into therapeutic regimens highlights their potential as complementary treatments for enhancing women's health and managing the multifactorial symptoms of menstrual diseases.

So, what we offer is

• 100 ml massage oil for belly using the knowledge of our essential oils.

• Inhaler and emergency rub on roller of 10 ml Nabhi oil

• 30 ml almond oil based edible oil with oils.

• All in kit form.