Your menstrual cycle is more than just a monthly bleed - it’s a vital sign of your overall health. Just like heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, your cycle reflects what’s happening in your body. A healthy, regular cycle is not only essential for reproductive wellbeing but also for your hormonal balance, bone health, cardiovascular function, mental health, and metabolism.

What a Healthy Menstrual Cycle Looks Like

• Cycle length: Typically between 21–35 days, with most averaging around 28.
• Menstrual flow: Lasting 3–7 days, with manageable bleeding and minimal clotting.
• Symptoms: Some mild discomfort or mood changes can be normal, but extreme pain, heavy bleeding, or severe mood shifts are not.
• Predictability: While every person’s cycle is unique, a healthy cycle tends to follow a relatively consistent rhythm month to month.
  
  
  Why It Matters

1. Hormonal Balance
Your menstrual cycle is regulated by a finely tuned dance of hormones - estrogen, progesterone, luteinising hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones don’t just control ovulation and menstruation; they influence your metabolism, energy levels, immune function, and even brain chemistry. An irregular or absent cycle may signal imbalances in these systems.

2. Fertility & Reproductive Health
Even if you’re not trying to conceive, ovulation and regular cycles are important markers of reproductive health. Irregularities can signal conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, or thyroid disorders. Identifying these early can make treatment and long-term wellbeing easier to manage.

3. Bone & Heart Health
Estrogen, a key hormone in the cycle, protects your bones and cardiovascular system. Low or absent estrogen (for example, due to amenorrhea or very irregular cycles) can increase the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease later in life.

4. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
Hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle directly affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. A healthy cycle helps regulate these rhythms, reducing the risk of severe PMS or PMDD and supporting mental resilience.

5. Metabolism & Energy
The cycle phases influence how your body uses fuel, recovers from exercise, and regulates appetite. For example, insulin sensitivity changes across the cycle, which can impact cravings, blood sugar stability, and weight management. A disrupted cycle can make these processes less efficient.


Signs Your Cycle May Need Attention

• Extremely heavy or prolonged bleeding
• Cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35
• Missing periods for more than 3 months (and not pregnant or breastfeeding)
• Severe pain that disrupts daily life
• Sudden changes in cycle regularity
• Severe mood symptoms (e.g., PMDD)

If you notice these signs, it’s important to check in with a healthcare professional. They may indicate hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying health conditions.

Supporting a Healthy Cycle

• Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in whole foods, micronutrients, and healthy fats helps regulate hormones and support ovulation.
• Movement: Regular exercise improves circulation, reduces stress, and supports insulin sensitivity.
• Stress management: Chronic stress can disrupt ovulation and cause missed or irregular periods. Practices like mindfulness, yoga, or meditation can help.
• Adequate sleep: Rest is essential for hormone regulation and recovery.
• Supplements: Targeted nutrients can fill gaps in your diet and support cycle health. Lunara was designed specifically for this - with magnesium, B vitamins, adaptogens, antioxidants, and other carefully chosen ingredients to provide nourishment through every phase of the cycle.