“10 Reasons Why Women Should Boost Their Reproductive Health That Don’t Have Anything to Do with Popping out a Baby” 

Do you remember the first time you learned about a period? It’s a magical gift or a terrible curse.

Some women spend most of their lives ignoring their cycle and dreading that monthly bleed with cramps and mood swings to boot.  Although we menstruate and ovulate once a month for the majority of our lives, we only begin to learn about reproductive health awkwardly in a 6th-grade health class or as we begin to prepare for child-rearing. A quick Google search will leave a woman indoctrinated with tips on how to increase her chances of pregnancy. From what foods to avoid to what exercises to participate in. Although child-rearing is essential, it is not the only reason why we should be cognizant of our reproductive health. Understanding reproductive health, hormones, and the menstrual cycle is one of the most untapped natural resources women can access, and it’s about time we activate our feminine superpowers. Below are 10 reasons why women should boost their reproductive health that don’t have to do with popping out a baby: 

1. Brain Stuff: Recent studies have shown that women’s brains undergo changes depending on the stage of their menstrual cycle. Women have historically been painted as hysterical and unpredictable. What if I told you that the menstrual cycle also benefits our brains and promotes reproductive health, which can make us even more brilliant? According to BBC, “Women have better empathy and theory of mind – the understanding that other humans may have a perspective different to our own. They also have better communication skills. This is thought to be part of the reason that male children are four times more likely to be diagnosed with high-functioning autism; girls are better at disguising their symptoms.”1 When women boost their reproductive health, it can help them tap into critical thinking, memory skills, and overall intellect. Estrogen levels tend to decrease during the luteal phase of our cycle, which can lead to irritability and anger. A tip to help with this hormone imbalance is to drink lots of water, snack on pumpkin seeds to reduce bloat, and eat that dark chocolate you’ve been craving. Boosting your brain power is only one benefit of being aware of reproductive health. 2 2. Healthy Relationships and Social Skills 

Oxytocin, the love hormone, increases in women during their follicular and ovulation cycles. It also helps decrease anxiety and stress. If women track their menstrual cycle and plan important social events around these times of the month, they may have more positive experiences and stronger connections with the ones they love. On the other hand, low levels of oxytocin can lead to depression and have lasting negative impacts. Although oxytocin is essential for childbirth, a life of love, connection, and happiness is necessary for women, too. One way to promote the release of more oxytocin is through exercise and physical contact. A study from Harvard Health explains how “just the simple act of touch seems to boost oxytocin release. Giving someone a massage, cuddling, making love, or hugging someone leads to higher levels of this hormone and a greater sense of well-being.” 3 If you’re ovulating, it would be a great time to try a new group fitness class you’ve had your eye on, go on that romantic stroll along the beach with that special someone, or cuddle up with a best friend binge watching Sex and the City. There are so many different ways we can show love.

3. Be a Queen at Work 

Women make strong leaders, and there is science to support this. According to The American Psychological Association, “Decades of studies show women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, inspire organizational dedication, and improve fairness.” 4 Much of this is related to our reproductive health and hormones. For example, it’s best to plan important meetings when your Oxytocin and Estrogen Levels are higher, and it's probably best to avoid (if possible) important meetings when they dip and Progesterone increases, preparing the body to bleed. If you’re the boss, make the schedule work for you. Your strong leadership will help create a welcoming and productive space that will flow naturally, much like the seasons.

4. Be more Physically Fit 

When women have strong reproductive health, they can become more physically fit. Business Insider states, “After the U.S. Women's National Team dominated at the World Cup, head coach Dawn Scott said the team tracked their menstrual cycles to optimize training…There's little research on how menstruation affects elite athletes, but growing evidence shows that shifting hormone levels can help or hinder workouts.” 5 The Coach explains how women’s physical abilities vary depending on their cycle. On days when women were menstruating, it was essential to incorporate more restorative practices, such as stretching. Estrogen levels increase during the follicular cycle, making it the best time to amp up your workouts. Hormone imbalances in women can lead to weight gain and fatigue, so being aware of reproductive health can help women live a life grounded in movement and wellness. It can also help reduce shame in women. Sometimes your body wants to move, and sometimes your body wants to rest. The more we listen, the stronger we get. 

5. More Creativity 

Do you ever feel a burst of creativity out of nowhere? We can thank Estrogen for that. Creativity is an essential part of humanity. It allows us to solve problems, healthily express ourselves, and connect with others.  Sexual hormones impact our central nervous system, and brain activity varies with women throughout the menstrual cycle. For example, according to a National Library of Medicine study, women are more likely to be creative while ovulating. 6 Although many studies suggest peak arousal and fertility are linked to peak creativity due to women’s biological desires to acquire a mate, creativity in the modern world has so many more benefits. It improves our mental health, reduces stress, promotes overall well-being, and increases the likelihood of spiritual enlightenment. In Kate Ng’s article “Women do their best work when they’re ovulating, according to a new study,” she sites a study from The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: “Positive link between peak fertility and creative potential could help women learn to use their menstrual cycles to their advantage… Dr Galasinska added that women should know that ‘when oestrogen increases (and before it drops), our physiological processes are our allies and keep us high.’” 7 Although ovulation tends to be associated with the most fertile time in a woman’s cycle, fertility is only one benefit of Ovulating. 

6. Good for the Heart 

Estrogen is good for the heart, literally. Studies have shown that women are less likely to suffer from heart disease during their menstruation years. Women become more vulnerable to heart disease once their estrogen decrease and they enter menopause. Those fabulous female hormones work hard to protect one of our most precious organs: the heart. Estrogen increases the “good” cholesterol and decreases the “bad.” It helps relax the arteries, supports blood flow, and soaks up those free radicals that tend to cause some damage. Having strong heart health directly increases our quality of life. We have more energy, view the world more positively, sleep better, and are more likely to live a longer, more abundant life. 8

7. Improves Mood 

Hormones directly impact our mood in both positive and negative ways. Progesterone, the hormone produced beautifully by the ovaries, can make us feel calmer and peaceful. Progesterone is also responsible for regulating menstrual bleeding and supporting thyroid function. Although Progesterone can help our mood and calm us down, it can also make us feel tired and fatigued. This is one of the main reasons why women need more sleep. Women’s hormones fluctuate throughout the month, so there are times when women may need more rest and recovery time to reach their full brain capacity and potential. A healthy sleep routine can help the body regulate hormones, leading to a calmer mood and overall well-being. Estrogen also increases serotonin and the serotonin receptors in the brain. It can increase endorphins, you know, those feel-good hormones that are released during exercise. Although Estrogen can improve women’s moods, “Some experts believe that some women are more vulnerable to the menstrual cycle's normal changes in estrogen. They suggest it's the roller coaster of hormones during the reproductive years that creates mood disturbances.” 9 Perhaps if women are more knowledgeable about the reproductive organs and hormones, they can learn to manage these hormonal rollercoasters. Knowledge is power, after all.

8. Help Choose the Right Partner 

Did you know that the birth control pill can alter women’s partner preferences? Studies have shown that women are more likely to be attracted to men with similar immune systems to theirs instead of different ones (NIH) when taking the oral contraceptive pill. Biologically speaking, mammals should choose mates with differing immune systems so their offspring can be stronger. The pill alters our hormones, which alters who we are attracted to. This means tapping into our reproductive health can make us more likely to choose a partner who will leave us happy and fulfilled. According to UCLA research, “Their findings suggest that ovulating women have evolved to prefer mates who display sexy traits – such as a masculine body type and facial features, dominant behavior, and certain scents – but not traits typically desired in long-term mates.” 11 This means if a woman goes out on a first date while she is ovulating, her hormones are going to prefer that sexy gym bro who won’t stop talking about intermittent fasting. Still, she may have a completely different perspective if she goes on that same date a few weeks later. During the luteal phase, women appear to be more attracted to partners who are fatherly, attentive, and empathetic. Each woman’s cycle varies, but learning more about your hormones and how they impact who you are attracted to can give you more insight into choosing the right partner. 

9. Help with PMS 

Did you know that more than a quarter of women take off work due to PMS symptoms? This causes a physical, emotional, and financial burden for many women. According to Medical News Today, “A 2018 article in Quartz quoted John Guillebaud, a University College London reproductive health professor, as saying that patients described menstrual cramping pain as almost as bad as having a heart attack.” 12 If you’ve watched the trending TikTok videos of men using the cramping simulators, then you too, can relate. Many women are expected to endure this pain as they shop for groceries, go to work, and live their daily lives. Usually, women who experience severe cramping and PMS symptoms have hormonal imbalances. There are different strategies women can use to help reduce cramps. London Clinical of Nutrition kindly reminds women, “To mitigate painful periods, eating foods high in magnesium at this time can help. Magnesium is also thought to support low energy and libido during this phase. Eating healthy fats and proteins will also help maintain muscle and strength as your body prepares to bleed.” 13 Women must be equipped with the tools to help support their reproductive hormones throughout their lives. The more connected we become to our bodies the more likley we are able to thrive and make choices that benefit ourselves and the world around us. 

10. Longevity 

Women generally live longer than men. Many female species on this planet live longer than their male counterparts. This suggests that something special is happening biologically for women. Scientists have connected longevity with female reproductive hormones. Estrogen and Progesterone create longevity genes that protect cells and have antioxidant properties. Estrogen also benefits the brain and the body, helping women form lasting connections. All of these qualities have been proven to increase longevity in humans. Imagine if women tapped into their hormonal superpowers and began utilizing these natural resources to create a healthier, loving, and sustainable life for themselves. Although a lot of research about the menstrual cycle has focused on fertility, there are so many other ways we can learn from female reproductive health. This is just the beginning. 14

If you are interested in learning about feminine empowerment work take some time to check out my workshops and services. Each month we have new opportunites. We also have a writing community known as The Garden Party with a 7-day free trial. Check it out and see if you vibe with it. I’m a middle school teacher, published author, and am dedicated to creating resources that help people reclaim their power and improve their lives.  Sources:

1: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180806-how-the-menstrual-cycle-changes-womens-brains-every-month

2: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/nutrition-and-exercise-throughout-your-menstrual-cycle

3: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/oxytocin-the-love-hormone#:~:text=Just%20the%20simple%20act%20of,the%20four%20feel%2Dgood%20hormones.

4: https://www.apa.org/topics/women-girls/female-leaders-make-work-better

5: ​​https://www.businessinsider.com/world-cup-winning-uswnt-period-tracking-how-to-improve-performance-2019-7#:~:text=After%20the%20U.S.%20Women's%20National,can%20help%20or%20hinder%20workouts.

6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8158362/

7: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/women-ovulation-creativity-fertility-b1939005.html

8: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/estrogen-and-heart-health

9: https://www.webmd.com/women/estrogen-and-womens-emotions

11: https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/what-do-women-want-depends-on-249813#:~:text=Their%20findings%20suggest%20that%20ovulating,desired%20in%20long%2Dterm%20mates.

12: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/are-period-cramps-as-painful-as-a-heart-attack#overview

13: https://londonclinicofnutrition.co.uk/nutrition-articles/foods-to-eat-for-each-stage-of-your-menstrual-cycle/#:~:text=Luteal%20Phase%3A%20Day%2016%20to%2028&text=To%20mitigate%20painful%20periods%2C%20eating,your%20body%20prepares%20to%20bleed.

14:https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sageke.2005.23.pe17#:~:text=We%20have%20traced%20a%20possible,superoxide%20dismutase%20and%20glutathione%20peroxidase.