COVID has been making its rounds again and in clinic we have seen a lot of menstrual disturbances.
Here we’ll unpack how COVID-19 can wreak havoc on the intricate hormonal choreography behind the menstrual cycle. We’ll provide an easy-to-understand overview of the phases of a normal, healthy menstrual cycle along with which hormones drive this monthly rhythm.
We’ll then dive into the specific impacts that COVID-related inflammation, stress, and thyroid dysfunction can have on disrupting your period. Read on for lifestyle tips and natural remedies to help re regulate your cycle post-COVID!
Demystifying Your Menstrual Cycle Phases:
To start off here is a quick summary of each of the phases of your cycle.
Follicular Phase (Day 1-14 of a 28-day cycle)
– Length: Approximately 14 days
– Purpose: Maturing an egg for ovulation
– Hormones:
– FSH levels rise, signaling ovaries to start maturing follicles
– Estrogen levels rise steadily to thicken the uterine lining
– LH levels are low
Ovulatory Phase (Day 14)
– Length: 1 day
– Purpose: Release a mature egg
– Hormones
– Estrogen levels peak
– The high estrogen triggers a sudden LH surge
– The LH surge causes the most mature follicle to rupture and release its egg – ovulation
Luteal Phase (Day 15-28)
– Length: Approximately 14 days
– Purpose: Wait for fertilisation; if no fertilisation, prepare for menstruation
– Hormones
– The ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum and secretes progesterone
– Progesterone levels rise to thicken the uterine lining even further
– Estrogen levels also remain elevated
– If no fertilisation, hormone levels drop
Menstrual Phase (Day 28)
– Length: 3-7 days
– Purpose: Shed the uterine lining
– Hormones
– The drop in estrogen and progesterone signals the shedding of the uterine lining
– This shedding is the menstrual flow or period
COVID’s Impact on Hormones and Menstruation
The extreme stress of COVID and post-viral inflammation can wreak havoc by:
Spiking cortisol, disrupting delicate hormonal signals
– Cortisol levels spike in response to physical and emotional stressors
– High cortisol disrupts signals between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries and uterus that regulate the menstrual cycle
Putting the thyroid (cycle regulation central command) into dysfunction
– Thyroid hormones directly impact levels of sex hormones like estrogen
– COVID inflammation can reduce thyroid function, throwing off this regulation
Directly impacting reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone
– Inflammation from COVID can impact cells in ovaries and uterus
– Leading to impaired ovulation, estrogen/progesterone imbalance
This translates into a myriad of period problems:
– Irregular cycle length – cycles may be longer, shorter, or inconsistent
– Heavy or light menstrual flow
– More severe PMS symptoms – cramps, bloating, mood swings
– Worse perimenopause symptoms – hot flashes, night sweats
– Spotting between periods
– Missed cycles altogether
Here is what’s happening inside the body to cause these effects:
– Cortisol disrupts the HPO axis’ ability to regulate sex hormones
– Low thyroid function reduces metabolism of estrogen/progesterone
– Inflammation impairs ovulation and corpus luteum progesterone production
– Estrogen imbalance causes changes to uterine lining, altering menstruation
Lifestyle Tips and Natural Remedies
The good news is you can take control back using evidence-based approaches! Here we offer customised recommendations including dietary plans, gut healing, herbal medicine, nutrient therapies, and holistic counselling depending on unique needs to:
– Follow an anti-inflammatory diet: Focus on colorful fruits/veggies, omega-3s from fish and flax, avoid processed foods. Reduce inflammation triggering period problems.
– Support liver detoxification: The liver metabolises hormones for elimination. St Mary’s thistle, glutathione, NAC supplements.
– Manage stress levels: Yoga, meditation, adequate sleep, adaptogenic herbs like Withania. Lower cortisol.
– Seed rotation: Balancing estrogen/progesterone levels weekly with specific seeds.
– Herbs: Chaste Tree (vitex) to promote ovulation. Red raspberry leaf to tone the uterus. Herbs to support HPA axis
– Essential fatty acids: Omega-3s help regulate prostaglandin inflammation and hormone balance.
– Micronutrients & minerals: Magnesium, B6, calcium can ease PMS and cycle symptoms. Zinc for hormone production.
– Monitor thyroid function: Support with selenium, zinc, adaptogens. Thyroid regulates overall cycle.
Getting your menstrual cycle back on track is an important pillar for overall health and wellbeing. We hope this gave you insight into how COVID may unexpectedly throw off your period, as well as diverse naturopathic tools to regulate your cycle and hormones!
For more period support after COVID, please reach out to schedule a free 10 min consultation to see how we can tailor personal, holistic solutions to your needs.
Look out for the Q and A podcast out this week on the Revital health podcast where we will discuss this in more detail.
