Menstruation and Cyclicity

Many words can be used to characterize a woman, but undoubtedly an exclusive event for women is menstruating. In the life of a female, menstruation is the central event, as it marks her rites of passage, a symbol of her cyclicality.

Biologically, we highlight three remarkable moments: with menarche, the arrival of the first menstruation, the reproductive phase begins. The girl now realizes the physical changes coming from the hormonal cascade, and we see the arrival of the sensual young woman. For three decades, on average, regular bleeding and preparation for pregnancy mark the reproductive phase. It is a period of great strength and creativity that can be used to generate a life, ideas or dreams. With the end of the reproductive period we have menopause. Wisdom is the power accumulated by lived experiences.

But the patriarchal regime prevails in the world and we can clearly see how the importance of cycles has been lost. The sensual young woman is seen exclusively as a desire object; the adult woman is pressured by her fertility (or lack thereof); the old woman's power is no longer recognized and old age is devalued.

With ignorance of its cyclicality, the flow meets resistance and the resistance acts blocking the vital energy; That is why it is so common for women to feel disconnected, lost and even sick.

It is known and recognized by science that changes that occur during the menstrual cycle directly impact a woman's behavior. Changes in hormonal levels result in changes in mood, body temperature, cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory changes, fluid retention and others.

How to deal with so many changes amid daily obligations? For a considerable number of women it is a challenge to live their cycles in a linear society.

This statement is confirmed by observing the growing number of complaints related to the premenstrual period, the famous PMS (premenstrual tension). In the premenstrual period we are energetically more open and any movement, however small, can become giant. Experiencing something in my body every month that I don't understand very well, takes me away from all the symbolism that menstruation can have. If I do not understand, I do not accept and if I do not accept, I will support myself solely by a biological view that currently sees menstruating with something unnecessary and subject to control by external agents.

This is the case with hormonal contraceptive methods, which deceive the body and mind. If, on the one hand, the advent of the contraceptive pill was important for the second wave of the feminist movement, since it gave women the right to control their bodies, through birth control and sexual freedom, we cannot forget the interests that are from behind. Not thinking about large corporations run mostly by men who see profit above anything, without directly worrying about women's health, is inevitable.

The reflection here is to remember that bleeding is directly linked to the flow of life. This event is much more than an indication to confirm the presence or absence of a pregnancy. When blood flows, a portal opens to a deep inner world. A path of reflection and introspection that can lead us to intrinsic knowledge, memories that reveal more about ourselves. An encounter with the shadows.

I wish we could follow in the footsteps of our ancestors and bring them all together in a red tent, indicating that there we are and with us the goddess is present. I wish we could take care of each other, braiding hair, telling cases, smiling. Celebrating life by caring for the womb of those who generate it, teaching those who will generate it and revering the one who nourishes our souls with their wisdom.