In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the transformative journey through perimenopause and menopause while drawing insights from experts like Lara Briden, Alisa Vitti, Dr. Mindy Pelz, and Dr. Jolene Brighton. We'll delve into the profound changes in estrogen and progesterone, the impact of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), the emotional and spiritual dimensions of this transition, and the role of alcohol in managing these hormonal changes.
Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause
Before we dive into strategies for managing this phase, let's understand the basics. Perimenopause marks the transition leading up to menopause, typically beginning in a woman's late 30s or early 40s. It can last from a few years to a decade, during which hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, fluctuate. This leads to symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, and mood swings. Menopause is officially declared after 12 months without a menstrual period, with consistently low hormone levels throughout a woman's life.
The Role of Estrogen and Progesterone Estrogen and progesterone are pivotal in a woman's reproductive health, with distinct roles in perimenopause and menopause:
Estrogen: During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate significantly. Estrogen is crucial for regulating the menstrual cycle, maintaining bone density, and supporting cognitive function. However, excess estrogen can result in heavy periods and mood swings, emphasizing the importance of hormone balance.
Progesterone: In contrast, progesterone tends to decline more consistently as women approach menopause. Low progesterone can lead to irregular periods, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. Briden suggests supporting progesterone production through stress reduction and adrenal health.
Reducing Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are environmental toxins that can disrupt hormonal balance, and it's crucial to minimize exposure:
Limiting Exposure: Opt for natural personal care products, glass or stainless steel containers over plastic, and organic produce to reduce exposure to EDCs like pesticides.
Detoxification: Engaging in practices like sauna sessions and consuming antioxidant-rich foods can help the body eliminate harmful toxins.
The Emotional and Spiritual Dimensions
Perimenopause and menopause are not just physical transitions but emotional and spiritual ones. Ancient wisdom across cultures celebrates this phase:
A Time of Wisdom: Many cultures revere menopause as a time of wisdom. Women who've experienced it are valued for their knowledge and guidance. This transition is viewed as a time of deepening understanding and spiritual growth.
Embracing Strength and Groundedness: In ancient wisdom, menopause signifies a time when societal expectations matter less. Women become stronger, wiser, and more grounded, embracing their true selves and no longer conforming to others' expectations.
Alcohol and Hormonal Changes
The role of alcohol during perimenopause and menopause is significant:
Alcohol and Brain Changes: The hormonal changes during menopause, combined with alcohol consumption, can intensify emotional swings and disrupt sleep patterns. The recalibration of hormones and neurotransmitter fluctuations make women more susceptible to the negative effects of alcohol on mood and sleep.
Cutting Down on Alcohol: Reducing or eliminating alcohol can significantly help during this transition, leading to improved sleep, better emotional stability, and a more balanced hormonal profile.
Menopause: A Historical and Evolutionary Perspective
Menopause has been a mysterious and intriguing phase throughout history:
Historical Context: Ancient civilizations associated menopause with wisdom and a deeper connection to the divine. Menopausal women were respected as oracles and wise sages, serving as leaders and advisors due to their life experience and insight.
Evolutionary Benefits: From an evolutionary standpoint, menopause provides unique advantages:
Enhanced Survival of Offspring: Post-menopausal women can invest more time and energy in their grandchildren, increasing their chances of survival and success.
Reduced Competition for Resources: As women no longer have the demands of pregnancy and childcare, they can contribute to their communities in various other ways, promoting social cohesion.
Wisdom and Leadership: Menopausal women's wisdom and experience are invaluable for making important decisions and solving complex problems.
A Superpower: Needing Fewer Calories
Another fascinating aspect of menopause is the reduced caloric requirements as women age:
Efficiency in Caloric Usage: During menopause, women's metabolism may slow down. Combined with lower caloric needs, this can result in an improved ability to maintain a healthy weight and overall well-being.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Disease: Efficiency in resource utilization during menopause can potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases related to aging, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Weight Gain During Menopause
While menopause brings several benefits, it also comes with challenges like weight gain:
Metabolic Changes: Decreased estrogen levels during menopause can contribute to metabolic changes, including a redistribution of body fat, particularly around the abdomen.
Muscle Mass Loss: Aging and hormonal shifts can lead to the loss of muscle mass, which lowers the metabolic rate and makes weight gain more likely.
Lifestyle Factors: Changes in activity levels and eating habits, such as snacking, often accompany menopause.
How Seed Cycling can help
Seed cycling is a gentle, food-based ritual that supports hormonal balance by rotating specific seeds at different phases of the cycle. While it’s often talked about in the context of menstruation, this practice is just as powerful for women who are no longer bleeding and that’s where the moon comes in.
Why the Moon?
Historically, women’s cycles have been closely linked to the moon. Before artificial light disrupted our rhythms, many women naturally ovulated with the full moon and menstruated with the new moon. Even in post-menopause, our bodies and hormones remain deeply attuned to this lunar rhythm we are cyclical beings, even if we no longer bleed.
In menopause, we use the moon’s phases as a guide to mimic the natural hormonal ebb and flow we once experienced monthly. It’s a beautiful, symbolic and surprisingly effective way to stay connected to your body’s innate rhythm.
How to Seed Cycle with the Moon:
🌑 New Moon to Full Moon (Phase 1 Support)
The Seed Cycle Phase 1 Products (Flaxseed and Pumpkin Seeds daily). These support estrogen metabolism and help your body detoxify excess estrogen, which can be especially helpful during the rollercoaster of perimenopause and the decline of menopause.
🌕 Full Moon to New Moon (Phase 2 Support)
The Seed Cycle Phase 2 Products (Sunflower and Sesame seeds daily). These are rich in zinc and selenium, supporting progesterone and overall hormonal harmony.
Even if your period has stopped, your hormonal system hasn’t and this rhythm of seed cycling, guided by the moon, offers a simple, nourishing way to support your skin, mood, sleep, digestion, and energy through menopause.
Why Didn't We Learn This Sooner?
That’s the question so many women ask once they discover this practice. Seed cycling feels like one of those ancient, common-sense rituals that should have been passed down through generations but somehow got lost in a world of quick fixes and hormone confusion.
The truth? You don’t need to feel out of sync with your body. You don’t need to guess. You just need the right rhythm and seed cycling helps you find it again.
Not Sure When the Moon is Full or New?
No worries, we’ve made it easy.
You can find the moon phases right in your weather app, on any lunar calendar website, or by subscribing to our mailing list. We’ll send you a gentle reminder every fortnight so you always know when to switch your seeds.
What if I’m on HRT? Can I still seed cycle?
Yes, absolutely. Seed cycling is a gentle, food-first practice that complements hormone replacement therapy beautifully. HRT provides hormonal support, but it’s not nutrition. Your body still needs nutrients in fact, it needs them now more than ever to support liver health, digestion, skin, and energy.
What if I don’t have a cycle at all can I still seed cycle?
Yes! If your period has stopped (or never been regular), you can follow the moon cycle as a guide. Start flax and pumpkin seeds on the new moon and switch to sunflower and sesame on the full moon. This rhythm mirrors the natural hormonal ebbs and flows and gives your body nourishing, cycle-aligned support even without a bleed.
What if my cycle is irregular?
If your period is irregular or unpredictable, seed cycling with the moon phases is a powerful and gentle way to support your body.
Start with flax and pumpkin seeds on the new moon, and then switch to sunflower and sesame seeds on the full moon following the natural 28-day lunar rhythm.
The moon has long been linked to women's cycles, and using it as your guide can help re-establish a sense of hormonal balance and consistency even if your period isn’t showing up regularly.
Can seed cycling help with hot flushes or night sweats?
Many women find that seed cycling helps reduce the intensity and frequency of perimenopausal symptoms like hot flushes, mood swings, and disrupted sleep. While every body is different, the nutrients in seeds especially essential fatty acids, lignans, and minerals like zinc and magnesium offer gentle, wholefood support to the systems affected by hormonal change.
Can I seed cycle after a hysterectomy?
Yes, absolutely. Seed cycling can still offer valuable nutritional support after a hysterectomy, especially if your ovaries were removed and you’re no longer cycling naturally. In this case, we recommend following the moon phases to create a rhythm starting with flax and pumpkin seeds on the new moon, and switching to sesame and sunflower on the full moon. This gentle, food-based approach can help support hormone balance, mood, skin, digestion, and overall wellbeing during this transition.
In summary, the journey through perimenopause and menopause is multifaceted, marked by profound hormonal shifts, emotional growth, and a need to manage various factors like alcohol. It's crucial to understand hormone dynamics, reduce exposure to EDCs, embrace the emotional and spiritual aspects, and make lifestyle changes. Additionally, appreciating the historical, evolutionary, and physiological aspects of menopause is essential. As we celebrate this remarkable phase in women's lives, let's also encourage the practice of seed cycling!
References
Briden, L. (2016). Hormone Repair Manual: Every Woman's Guide to Going from Hot Flashes to Happy. Pan Macmillan.
Vitti, A. (2013). WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source. HarperOne.
Pelz, M., & Bland, J. S. (2017). The Menopause Reset: Get Rid of Your Symptoms and Get Your Life Back. BenBella Books.
Brighton, J. (2017). Healing Beyond the Pill: A Revolutionary Program to Reverse the Symptoms of PCOS and Hormone Imbalance. HarperOne.
Northrup, C. (2012). Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing. Bantam.
Lee, J. R., & Hopkins, V. (1996). What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause: The Breakthrough Book on Natural Hormone Balance. Grand Central Publishing.
Chiras, D. D. (2013). Environmental Science. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Dunkel Schetter, C., & Dolbier, C. (2011). Resilience in the Context of Chronic Stress and Health in Adults. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 5(9), 634-652.
Abraham, G. E., & Lubran, M. M. (1981). Serum and red cell magnesium levels in patients with premenstrual tension. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 34(11), 2364-2366.
Northrup, C. (2010). The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health During the Change. Bantam.