A 28 day period cycle and a 28 day moon cycle may bring up some questions about whether the two can sync and align.
Before modern medicine, doctors, apps and hormonal contraception; the moon was an almost natural reminder of our bodies going through a similar 28 day rhythmic cycle. This can also be the case as many people attribute their feelings to particular times of the moon phases.
In a variety of eastern beliefs, the sun is considered masculine and the moon feminine - more modern research shows that a males hormones follow a 24 hour cycle based on the sun, and a menstruating persons follows a 28 day hormonal pattern - similar to the moon. This 28 lunar cycle can be likened to a 28 day menstrual cycle.
Whilst there have been many studies to indicate that there is no correlation between moon phases and menstrual cycles, the lunar phases can provide a more in depth, natural view of our monthly cycles. The moon lunar cycle has four primary phases - waxing, full, waning, and new. Similarly, a menstrual cycle is also broken into four phases: follicular, ovulation, luteal, and menstruation. Each phase can be associated with the energy of the moon; still, everyone’s cycle is different and might not sync up exactly like the actual moon phases.
Waxing/Follicular
In the Follicular phase, the brain’s pituitary gland releases a hormone stimulating the follicle, which is holding an immature egg. During a waxing moon, the moon is also preparing for its next phase, just like the body during the follicular phase.
Full/Ovulation
Ovulation is the releasing of the mature egg from the surface of your ovary. Oestrogen is at its peak – hello confidence, positivity and social connection!! The full moon offers heightened, alert energy just like your rising oestrogen levels - see the similarities?
Waning/Luteal
In the Luteal phase Oestrogen and testosterone decrease and you start to feel more relaxed until…the dreaded PMS stage. If a fertilised egg attaches itself into the lining of the uterus there is an increase in hCG hormone (that’s the one produced during pregnancy). The body will keep producing raised levels of progesterone, which is needed to maintain the thickened lining of the uterus.
As the moon is pulling away and entering into a phase of darkness, our bodies might start to feel this energy. Especially for those who menstruate on a new moon, the body is preparing for rest. The Good Trade recommends to take this time to practise self care - perfect if you are suffering with PMS.
New Moon/Menstruation
This is the time of your cycle in which you get your period. It is the process of shedding the lining from the inside of your uterus wall. oestrogen and progesterone hormone levels decrease and there is no pregnancy. This is the week of your cycle when your energy levels are the lowest – listen to your bodies ladies. There can be a sleepy, almost dreamy feeling associated with a new moon. If your period falls on a new moon, find peace and honor your body by slowing down.
Your cycle may not particularly line up with the lunar phases, and studies show that is normal. But having a deeper understanding of the lunar phases can broaden our perspectives on how we may feel on a natural level.
Sources used:
thegoodtrade.com/features/moon-menstrual-cycles
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868418/
https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/myth-moon-phases-menstruation