Is this a question you’ve found yourself asking frequently? For some of you, it feels like as soon as your period is finished, you’re only a week or two from getting your next one. On top of that, you might find your PMS symptoms are starting a week or more before your period is expected. None of this is much fun at all! Read on to find out:

Where do I even start looking for the “why”?

What on earth is happening in my body?

What’s the Chinese Medicine view on early periods?

(and most importantly) What can I do??

My Period’s Early: How do I find out “Why?”

There are a number of reasons why your menstrual cycle might be shorter than the 28 days, but we’re going to focus on what it means when your luteal phase is short.

A normal menstrual cycle consists of 2 halves: before ovulation and after ovulation. If your period is early, you might have a short follicular phase (before ovulation) or a short luteal phase (after ovulation), or both!

How do we know which part is short and which part is normal?

Great question! The answer is:

BBT Charting!

Now, if you’ve been to see us before, you’ll know we could talk about charting all day! Instead, we’ll leave you with this link on charting and all the great little details on how it’s done. (We love charting!)

What’s Happening in my Body?

After ovulation, the follicle that released the egg becomes something called the corpus luteum (hence luteal phase). This secretes the hormones Oestrogen and Progesterone. The Progesterone is the dominant hormone throughout this phase of your cycle.

If implantation occurs, then the HCG hormone is secreted which causes Progesterone to increase even more. If not, then the Progesterone (and Oestrogen) will start to decrease and menstruation will occur.

Having good levels of Progesterone is vital in a number of ways. If your Progesterone is good, it keeps Oestrogen at a good level. This helps to make sure the uterine lining is a good thickness and quality, reduces fluid and bloating, and helps keep period pain and blood quantity under control!

It’s important to note that it is possible to have a ‘normal’ 14-day luteal phase but still have low Progesterone.

What does this mean in Chinese Medicine?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the luteal phase of your cycle is the Yang Phase. The first half of your cycle, the follicular phase, is the Yin Phase.

Yang is warming in nature and this is one of the reasons your Basal Body Temperature (See it? BBT!) is higher in this part of the cycle.

People who have a Chinese Medicine diagnosis of Yang deficiency may find that their luteal phases are short or their temperature readings are low.

How Can I Increase My Luteal Phase?

We know that ideally, your cycle should be approximately 28 days. The luteal phase portion of this should ideally be between 12 and 16 days. If it’s not, here are some awesome strategies that can help return balance to your Yin and Yang phases.

Reduce Stress

Progesterone and your stress hormone Cortisol are made from the same building blocks. When your body is constantly under stress, more Cortisol is produced instead of Progesterone.

Regular Acupuncture treatments are a great way to help switch off the body’s stress response.

Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbs can help balance hormones and increase your Yang.

In Chinese Medicine, a short luteal phase is considered an imbalance of the whole cycle, not just that phase. Therefore Chinese medicine herbal treatment will be something you take throughout the cycle over a number of cycles and it will be tailored for you. 

See a giant Scientific Review of herbs helping the menstrual cycles of over 4000 women here.

Get enough sleep

Rest is one of the best ways to reduce stress and preserve your Yang energy. So here’s a chance to head back to bed or hit snooze on that alarm - your body demands it!

Eat plenty of Vitamin C-rich foods

Early research is showing supplementation with Vit C may increase Progesterone levels in women with a short luteal phase. Broccoli, yellow peppers, kale, Kiwi and oranges are all high in Vit C.

Check your thyroid levels

Thyroid irregularities can trigger low progesterone and can cause issues all across the menstrual cycle. Getting your thyroid levels in an optimal range can help bring the cycle into a better balance.

If you need some help with Integrative Chinese Medicine love for your cycles, get in touch today.