What Your Period Is Telling You About Your Health

As a chiropractor, one of the most empowering things I get to teach women is this:

Your body is always communicating with you—and your menstrual cycle is one of the clearest ways it does that.

Each month, your period reflects how your entire system is functioning. It doesn’t just say something about your reproductive health—it gives clues about your liver, gut, stress response, nutrient levels, and inflammation. When something is off in your body, it often shows up in your cycle first.

But most women were never taught to understand—or even pay attention to—these signs.

We’re told that painful periods, mood swings, heavy bleeding, or bloating are just “part of being a woman.” But common doesn’t mean normal. In truth, those symptoms are messages from your body. And when we learn how to interpret them, we gain the ability to heal from the inside out.

The Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

Let’s break down what your period may be revealing about your health. If you experience any of the following symptoms, your body could be asking for support:

Heavy or Painful Bleeding

Heavier-than-normal flow, passing large clots, or needing to change protection every hour is not something to ignore. These signs may point to:

• Estrogen dominance
  
• Poor liver detoxification
  
• Excess inflammation
  
• Uterine imbalances
  

Painful cramps can also signal that your prostaglandins (inflammatory messengers) are elevated. This could be linked to poor diet, stress, or unresolved inflammation in the body.

Irregular Cycles or Missing Periods

Cycles that are too short (under 27 days), too long (over 32 days), or absent altogether may indicate:

• Hormonal imbalances (estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, insulin)
  
• Stress and cortisol dysregulation
  
• PCOS or other endocrine dysfunction
  
• Nutrient depletion or under-eating
  
• Excessive exercise or nervous system burnout
  

In my work, I often see irregular cycles as the body's way of waving a red flag. It’s not just a “period problem”—it’s usually a deeper issue with the body’s communication systems.

PMS: Mood Swings, Breast Tenderness, Bloating, Headaches

We often normalize PMS, but it’s another way your body is signaling imbalance. These symptoms are commonly linked to:

• Estrogen-progesterone imbalance
  
• Poor gut or liver function (where hormones are metabolized)
  
• Magnesium or B-vitamin deficiencies
  
• Nervous system overload
  

If you’re constantly feeling emotionally drained, irritable, or physically uncomfortable the week before your cycle, your body is asking for relief—not punishment.

Spotting, Color, and Texture Changes

• Brown spotting before or after your period may indicate leftover, oxidized blood—often due to slow uterine shedding or hormone imbalance.
  
• Dark purple blood or clots may point to stagnation or excess estrogen.
  
• Very light pink flow could be a sign of low estrogen or nutrient depletion.
  

The Holistic Perspective: Why Your Cycle Matters So Much

As a chiropractor, I don’t look at symptoms in isolation. I look at patterns, testing, systems, and how your physical, emotional, and environmental health are interacting.

Your cycle is a monthly check-in with your body. It reflects how you’ve been eating, sleeping, thinking, moving, and managing stress. And unlike conventional labs or scans, your period shows up consistently—offering feedback before bigger issues arise.

That’s powerful.

For example:

• If you’ve had a high-stress month and your period comes early, heavier, or with extra tension—that’s information.
  
• If you’ve been nourishing your body, supporting detox, and managing your energy—and your period is lighter, more manageable, or even symptom-free? That’s information too.
  

One of the most exciting things I hear from clients is:

“I didn’t even realize my period was coming this month—because I didn’t have any of the usual symptoms.”

That kind of progress is possible when we support the whole body—especially the systems responsible for hormone balance: the liver, gut, adrenal glands, and nervous system.

How to Check In With Your Cycle

Start with these monthly self-assessments:

1. Was my period early, late, or on time?
   
2. How was the flow—light, moderate, heavy, clotty?
   
3. Did I have PMS symptoms—mood swings, headaches, breast tenderness?
   
4. How did I feel emotionally and energetically this cycle?
   
5. Have I been under more stress or pushing myself too hard?
   

If you notice patterns, don’t ignore them. Your body is asking for something—more nourishment, more rest, more regulation.

What Can You Do if Your Period is Giving You Red Flags?

You don’t need to settle for surviving your cycle. You can feel good in your body, have regular, pain-free periods, and feel like yourself again.

Here’s what I recommend as a starting point:

• Support your liver: Add cruciferous veggies, dandelion tea, and plenty of water. Reduce alcohol and synthetic products.
  
• Balance your blood sugar: Eat meals with protein, fat, and fiber to reduce cortisol spikes.
  
• Calm your nervous system: Prioritize sleep, breathwork, and boundaries. Chronic stress will impact your hormones.
  
• Get comprehensive testing: This helps uncover hidden imbalances in hormones, triggers, inflammation, or nutrient levels.
  
• Don’t guess—get support: You deserve to feel empowered, not overwhelmed. Working with a practitioner who sees the whole picture makes a world of difference.
  

Ready to Reconnect With Your Cycle?

If your period is giving you signs that something’s off—or if you’re just ready for it to feel less like a struggle—we can help.

We offer complimentary 15-minute phone calls to introduce you to our approach, talk through your symptoms and see if a deeper, holistic approach is right for you.

Your cycle isn’t just a “women’s issue.” It’s a vital sign—and it deserves attention, understanding, and support.

Let’s get you back in sync with your body.