A deep and complete understanding of your hormones and your cycle can help you unleash your feminine super-powers and jumpstart your fertility. - Natalie Pickering

Have you ever wondered what your menstrual flow can tell you about your hormones and your fertility?

As young women we receive very little education and instruction around our periods,in fact, its sadly lacking. We seem to be still stuck in the dark ages of treating these discussions as taboo and unpleasant.

The education we do receive tends to suggest that a period is meant to be suffered through, that its a woman’s cross to bear….

I mean ... wtaf??

The problem that this outdated attitude creates is a disempowerment and lack of awareness and knowledge about an intrinsic part of our feminine wellness. It leaves women feeling stuck with nowhere to look for answers and strategies to improve their experience of their cycle and flow.

It can also leave us struggling through our fertility journeys without the depth of understanding we need to conceive faster and easier.

Without open, frank and honest discussion about menstrual cycles, menstrual flow and menstrual symptoms - women trying for a baby can stay stuck in a pattern of miserable periods, hormone imbalance and reduced chances for conception.

… and this is completely unnecessary.

Let's break open the vault and talk openly about the menstrual flow - your period.

Your menstrual flow can actually provide multiple answers to your hormone balance, your cyclical symptoms like pms and mid-cycle symptoms, your nutrient levels AND your fertility.

A deep and complete understanding of your hormones and your cycle can help you unleash your feminine super-powers and jumpstart your fertility.

Here’s what a healthy period looks like-

Essentially your menstrual flow should start with no more than a half day of spotting, the majority of your flow should be a fresh cranberry red colour with very few clots no larger than a pea, it should flow freely with a viscosity similar to olive oil - not thick and gluggy but also not watery.

The amount of flow you should lose each month is between 60 and 70 ml with an average range of 35 - 50ml. ( note - this flow is not 100% blood, it will also contain mucus and tissues)

Each soaked pad or tampon holds roughly 5ml or 1 teaspoon of flow, this varies a little with different brands. If you’re using a menstrual cup, they hold 25-30ml when full.

For a ‘normal’ flow you would use 6-10 pads or tampons each cycle, or you may empty a ½ - ¾ full cup once daily for 3-4 days.

This is not what a lot of women experience, and unfortunately many of them don’t realize a heavy, or clotty, or super light period, or spotting for days before the true period starts; can all provide clues to why they haven’t fallen pregnant yet.

Want the low down about the causes of these menstrual flow issues?

• Step 1 - carefully observe your next period - note down the frequency you change a full pad or tampon, ( or the amount collected in your menstrual cup)

• Step 2 - head here to see the Instagram post where I shared 2 super easy to understand charts on what a menstrual flow should look like.

• Step 3 - Figure out where you fall on the chart.

• Step 4 - Discover what could be causing these symptoms.

You may have questions about how to find out more and what you can do to optimize your flow. I lead you through exactly what to do next to optimize your flow and your fertility in my fertility program “Well Conceived”, doors are opening again soon, join the waitlist for VIP bonuses and prices here

Troubleshooting your menstrual flow

If your flow is heavier than 60-80 ml each month it could indicate -

• Oestrogen excess

• Low progesterone

• Endometriosis

• PCOS

• Fibroids/polyps

• Adenomyosis

• Iron deficiency

• Thyroid disease

• Clotting disorders

• Anovulatory cycle

• IUD present

If your flow is less than 25ml each month it could indicate -

• Low oestrogen,

• Anovulatory cycle,

• Poor uterine circulation

• PCOS

If you have a clotty flow - (more than 3 clots larger than a pea) it could indicate -

• Low progesterone

• Perimenopause

• Endometriosis

• Fibroids

• Adenomyosis

• Low iron

If you have spotting for more than 12 hours before your period begins it could indicate -

• Low progesterone

• Underactive thyroid

• Endometriosis

• Uterine polyps or fibroids

• Implantation bleed

• Miscarriage

• Rarely - uterine or endometrial cancer

Something not quite ‘normal’?

If your flow is different than the normal colour and amount - you may well be dealing with other issues as well. The most common causes are hormone imbalances or nutrient deficiencies. There may be more complex issues such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or PCOS which often have more complex causes and treatment.

All of these issues can, and often do affect your fertility and your ease of conceiving.

Ready to find out how to overcome the barriers impacting your fertility and your chances of conceiving in your next few cycles?

Join me and other action-taking fertility warriors in Well Conceived, my online fertility program. Together we’ll interpret the signs your body is giving you, learn everything you need to know about a healthy menstrual cycle, potentially order tests to discover more and develop a strategy to help you enjoy a fertile cycle and flow!