So true. As women being aware of our cycles I key to our wellbeing. I suffer from severe PMS. I need to be really serious about what I eat and how much workout I'm doing if I want to have smoother PMS. I'm turning 45 next week so I'm waiting for perimenopause. Can't wait 😉
I suffered from severe PMS as well, and couldn't handle too many hormones. Now I have a spiral and that makes a huge difference. Hope your perimenopause comes soon Anne 🧡
It’s so ridiculous how little we know about women’s hormonal changes. It’s just not researched. Oddly, I first started noticing in high school gymnastics that the week of my period I was actually better at balance beam. No idea why, but it was consistent. In my early twenties I also went through a time when 1 week of each month I was inexplicably very sad.
A friend of mine from grad school started a company to alleviate cycle symptoms that is doing well and works! It’s called Elix Healing. She uses traditional Chinese medicine for holistic support through the cycle and they’ve done some clinical trials as well.
And am I wrong or is most medical advice based mainly on men because woman were just not researched until the 90s or something? At least it's getting better, but still a long way to go!
Female body is so fascinating though. I mean that balance beam?
Thank you for the vulnerable and thought-provoking post, Marie. It was precisely what I needed this week. I'm struggling to find the motivation to get back into my writing after a stressful house move.
I've been so hard on myself about my apparent lack of energy, but my body is undergoing many hormonal changes right now. Two months ago, I finally stopped taking a medication I'd been on for five years: treatment to prevent my breast cancer from recurring, but that also robbed me of my hormones and period. I'll confess I'm a little afraid of what the return of my monthly cycle will be like. It's been long enough that I scarcely remember the highs and lows of a cycle. Your words have comforted me and reminded me to give myself grace. Thank you.
That sounds like a very good reason to lack energy, so no reason to be too hard on yourself, but I get it's so frustrating. I have not gone through anything similar but I hope the return of your cycle and the natural flow of your body will help you to get closer to your true self. Highs and lows 🧡 Also, it might be a positive sign you can stop the medication? Wish you all the best Emma and thank you so much for reading!
Thank you, Marie! I have been keeping your post in mind these last few days. And yes, stopping the medication is very much a positive thing! It's something I've wished for for a long time :)
Thank you for writing this, Marie! We need more articles on such topics from a woman’s perspective. 🙌 I also touched on this as it pertains to sleep and productivity in my past article on The 5am Club: ‘The reality is that women need more sleep, but they don’t often get it. Could The 5 AM Club then be another example of how we are pressured to keep up with men without acknowledging our biological differences?’, https://open.substack.com/pub/femmefactale/p/passing-on-5-am-why-im-not-sipping?r=1bdgk7&utm_medium=ios
I’m working on a new article about gender differences and equality, which I’ve been afraid to publish because it’s such a sensitive topic, but I think, like you, I’ll find the courage in the next few weeks.
I turned that one on it’s head by learning my body clock liked working early hours. Not 5am but 2am. So I take a nap and wake up around midnight to 1, read, write, then my heightened focus happens around 2-4am and I am getting S done. What if it is more learn our self and then trust what it tells us?
Yes, certainly. We are all different, which is precisely why concepts like The 5am Club don’t work on a large scale. However, there are gender differences we still have to take into account. And age differences, as teenagers, for example, require more sleep than adults on average. Happy to hear that you found the ideal schedule for you! 😊
Totally agree. It is why I share with colleagues and clients the importance of self-reflection and asking ourselves a whole new set of questions in each phase of our lives and businesses.
Loving this conversation. Thank you for writing your post so we can take a dive into what matters to each of us. I’ve seen the power of people reading other’s experiences and how it expands their own thinking.
This article contains everything I've always wondered naturally about why no one talks or writes about it. Just last week, I was feeling very emotional and fatigued, and even minor things were bothering me. I recognized my period was approaching. I also notice that my brain is cloudy, that I become agitated at times, and that I have awful mood swings, all of which lower my productivity levels. Also, because I have PCOS, dealing with these changes might be difficult at times, but I'm finally figuring out how to deal with it.
Thank you for writing this, as I always thought twice before discussing this topic, but it feels good to know that it is normal. 💕
The fourth week. Everything falls apart. My healthy diet. My writing streak. My ideas to play with my son. My motivation to jump out of bed.
Wait does it fall apart? Or is it my body reminding me, “You are a woman. And you have the natural privilege to rest and rejuvenate every month.
I’m glad I had this realization sooner. I switch off everything around that time. I’ll hibernate. And more than 80% of people in my circle, don’t understand. May be it’s because of my profession (doctor). And it has been one of the reason why I choose to work on my own.
Yes, Marie. We need to rewrite the definition of productivity as women. You’ve inspired me for a Substack post.🥰
I match the 75 to my period; I did mainly soft work outs like yoga and walking during the 'low' time and more physical strong workouts during follicular phase!
I can definitely recommend reading The Menopause Brain. It’s a little repetitive at times but full of enlightening information about female hormones and how they affect our brains throughout our lives, not just related to menopause.
The Menopause Brain: The New Science Empowering Women to Navigate Midlife with Knowledge and Confidence https://amzn.eu/d/ebVOfNl
It’s great that your talking about this issue. I personally think society needs to accommodate women more. For instance I know that the week I am on my period I’m not going to feel well enough to go to the gym. Our cycle is a time for rest. We lose prana during our period. It’s a time to go within and nurture our intuition and creativity, not for outward action. This is ancient wisdom that unfortunately has been forgotten in today’s society where women are supposed to be like men. We’re not. And that’s our super power. Men and women are equal in value yet have different strengths and weaknesses. Women would thrive a lot more in society if we were given permission to cater our routines more to our monthly cycle. Every week is different. A gym discount for women would be appropriate in my opinion for those of us who know we’re not going to feel well enough to go 1 out of 4 weeks. Workplaces also should cater for working from home during that time. In Spain they now do this and I believe in some countries in Asia as well. I hope there will be more debate around this so women can be allowed more needed rest time for those of us who feel we need it. I know it’s different for every woman how much she’s impacted by her cycle but all of us feel it.
In my Substack diaries I talked about this very thing: “The beginning of the month Mika has lots of ideas and goals. The end of the month Mika is usually more tired and often feels bad for not completing all the goals set by beginning of the month Mika. I’m trying to figure out the best way to navigate the enthusiastic, optomestic Mika with the Mika who needs a slower pace at the end of the month.”
Thanks for reminding me that it’s all to do with the cycle. 🤦🏻♀️
The optimized woman by Miranda Gray is such a great book for understanding our cycles. If we don’t fight it and lean into each stage we can get the most benefits!
Highly recommend.
I’ve been testing out a new diary/ planner layout and have included a place for me to track what stage I’m in. 😊
It is such a good reminder about how our cycle impacts us - incredible. I am actually is peri-meno, which impacts me a bit more erratically, but I am dealing with it and give myself grace when needed.
Such a wonderfully refreshing perspective!! Thanks for these insights!
As a woman, I wish how our hormonal cycles affect us and how we can live better with them was talked about and researched more. I struggle with severe PMS so I know it affects me tons.
okay, now I'm beginning to overthink. Is it affect or effect in this case? 😂
fav part:
"What happened?
My period.
Yes, I am a woman. (In case you were doubting 😉 )"
Thank you for writing about this. I just recently committed myself to never ever do something like attending a meeting (in that case it was a 1-day work event) again during my moon time. Especially not in the very first time. In the past I would force myself to show up, even when I was in pain I’d go to work. But nope, not gonna do that anymore, so I canceled that work event for me and just didn’t go.
Love that Mel, choosing yourself when you need to. I used to have to take so many painkillers to be able to handle the pain and headaches. It was bonkers if I think about it now. Getting the spiral helped so much, but it's still hormones in my body...
I hear you. I’ve never taken any painkillers and am not taking any hormones whatsoever ever again. I know what it did to my body. No, thank you. I’m trying a more natural and holistic path - because everything is connected - to get to the source of the monthly pain. It’s a process for sure.
Love the conversation around different physical, emotion and mental considerations for women’s health and success, these topics are important - and I appreciate you bringing more light to the discussion.
Curious why after such extraordinary observations, you then subscribe to and advocate for a man’s daily challenge? Especially one from a guy that uses toxic positivity to sell his products and has been pretty clear on his feelings towards women - especially with his recent interview about women in law enforcement.
I figured you might not be familiar with some of the more misaligned aspects of his values and behavior - given your focus to uplift women, which I appreciate. Also felt it was worth noting, since women in the US have their freedom on the line in the 2024 election. Good luck on you challenge 😊
Hi Liz! Thank you for reading and taking the time to leave a thoughtful comment.
Honestly, I don't follow the man in question and I don't read the news (and if I read the news, it's only the Belgian news 😊). But I had no idea he had such a toxic behaviour towards woman or in general.
I decided to do the challenge for myself and my mental fitness. I'm still respecting my own body in regards to the physical challenges. I will do yoga and walks when my body needs calm and rest, I choose a diet with mainly unprocessed food, but nothing extreme.
So, it's unfortunate to hear how he behaves towards woman, but as mentioned, I had no idea.
I will be sharing how I experience the challenge (as a woman respecting herself) in video content. Would love to hear your insights if you want to follow along!
This really resonated with me! Having been through 8 years of infertility and being on birth control for 20 years straight before that, little is truly known about how women's hormonal changes effect nearly every facet of our lives. When we ended our trying-to-conceive journey I refused to go back on BC. I told my husband I was done treating my body like a science experiment and wanted to “live like men did”. He respected that decision. I just wish I’d learned sooner.
That's so true, but it's good you made that decision now. Better late than never 🧡🧡 I can imagine the past years have been tough and very intense. Thank you for reading!
So true. As women being aware of our cycles I key to our wellbeing. I suffer from severe PMS. I need to be really serious about what I eat and how much workout I'm doing if I want to have smoother PMS. I'm turning 45 next week so I'm waiting for perimenopause. Can't wait 😉
I suffered from severe PMS as well, and couldn't handle too many hormones. Now I have a spiral and that makes a huge difference. Hope your perimenopause comes soon Anne 🧡
As a man, I’m taking Notes 📝
Thank you for that 🙏
Yes - want the monthly thing to be done now. I'm 46. Happy Birthday for next week!
It’s so ridiculous how little we know about women’s hormonal changes. It’s just not researched. Oddly, I first started noticing in high school gymnastics that the week of my period I was actually better at balance beam. No idea why, but it was consistent. In my early twenties I also went through a time when 1 week of each month I was inexplicably very sad.
A friend of mine from grad school started a company to alleviate cycle symptoms that is doing well and works! It’s called Elix Healing. She uses traditional Chinese medicine for holistic support through the cycle and they’ve done some clinical trials as well.
And am I wrong or is most medical advice based mainly on men because woman were just not researched until the 90s or something? At least it's getting better, but still a long way to go!
Female body is so fascinating though. I mean that balance beam?
Thanks for sharing!! Gonna look up Elix Healing!
You’re right about the research. There’s a fantastic book called pain and prejudice about this!
Thank you for the vulnerable and thought-provoking post, Marie. It was precisely what I needed this week. I'm struggling to find the motivation to get back into my writing after a stressful house move.
I've been so hard on myself about my apparent lack of energy, but my body is undergoing many hormonal changes right now. Two months ago, I finally stopped taking a medication I'd been on for five years: treatment to prevent my breast cancer from recurring, but that also robbed me of my hormones and period. I'll confess I'm a little afraid of what the return of my monthly cycle will be like. It's been long enough that I scarcely remember the highs and lows of a cycle. Your words have comforted me and reminded me to give myself grace. Thank you.
That sounds like a very good reason to lack energy, so no reason to be too hard on yourself, but I get it's so frustrating. I have not gone through anything similar but I hope the return of your cycle and the natural flow of your body will help you to get closer to your true self. Highs and lows 🧡 Also, it might be a positive sign you can stop the medication? Wish you all the best Emma and thank you so much for reading!
Thank you, Marie! I have been keeping your post in mind these last few days. And yes, stopping the medication is very much a positive thing! It's something I've wished for for a long time :)
I’m happy for you Emma 🧡
Give yourself plentiful grace Emma...
Thank you for writing this, Marie! We need more articles on such topics from a woman’s perspective. 🙌 I also touched on this as it pertains to sleep and productivity in my past article on The 5am Club: ‘The reality is that women need more sleep, but they don’t often get it. Could The 5 AM Club then be another example of how we are pressured to keep up with men without acknowledging our biological differences?’, https://open.substack.com/pub/femmefactale/p/passing-on-5-am-why-im-not-sipping?r=1bdgk7&utm_medium=ios
I’m working on a new article about gender differences and equality, which I’ve been afraid to publish because it’s such a sensitive topic, but I think, like you, I’ll find the courage in the next few weeks.
Thank you for sharing aurelia! And you should absolutely publish your article. It feels like Substack is a safe space to do so. 🧡
I turned that one on it’s head by learning my body clock liked working early hours. Not 5am but 2am. So I take a nap and wake up around midnight to 1, read, write, then my heightened focus happens around 2-4am and I am getting S done. What if it is more learn our self and then trust what it tells us?
Yes, certainly. We are all different, which is precisely why concepts like The 5am Club don’t work on a large scale. However, there are gender differences we still have to take into account. And age differences, as teenagers, for example, require more sleep than adults on average. Happy to hear that you found the ideal schedule for you! 😊
Totally agree. It is why I share with colleagues and clients the importance of self-reflection and asking ourselves a whole new set of questions in each phase of our lives and businesses.
Loving this conversation. Thank you for writing your post so we can take a dive into what matters to each of us. I’ve seen the power of people reading other’s experiences and how it expands their own thinking.
This article contains everything I've always wondered naturally about why no one talks or writes about it. Just last week, I was feeling very emotional and fatigued, and even minor things were bothering me. I recognized my period was approaching. I also notice that my brain is cloudy, that I become agitated at times, and that I have awful mood swings, all of which lower my productivity levels. Also, because I have PCOS, dealing with these changes might be difficult at times, but I'm finally figuring out how to deal with it.
Thank you for writing this, as I always thought twice before discussing this topic, but it feels good to know that it is normal. 💕
Yes!! It's soooo normal 🧡 and so frustrating at times, definitely if you can't share it with anybody.
The fourth week. Everything falls apart. My healthy diet. My writing streak. My ideas to play with my son. My motivation to jump out of bed.
Wait does it fall apart? Or is it my body reminding me, “You are a woman. And you have the natural privilege to rest and rejuvenate every month.
I’m glad I had this realization sooner. I switch off everything around that time. I’ll hibernate. And more than 80% of people in my circle, don’t understand. May be it’s because of my profession (doctor). And it has been one of the reason why I choose to work on my own.
Yes, Marie. We need to rewrite the definition of productivity as women. You’ve inspired me for a Substack post.🥰
Yay!! Happy to read this 🧡 And such a beautiful reminder!
I love your perspective of “your body reminding you” 🥰
I swear, I've been thinking about writing about PMS and periods the past two days. What the hell 😂 Maybe this is my sign to do it! Excellent share ❤️
Hahah DO IT!! Thanks Maggie 🧡🧡🧡
Might do this week 😊
Yeses, discovering the value of being supported by women during our moon time was something many of us have been cheated from.
Learning our bodies rhythm allows us to live at peach with ourselves.
Curious to ask,how does doing the 75 not put you in resistence with the part of consistency you mentioned at the beginning?
I match the 75 to my period; I did mainly soft work outs like yoga and walking during the 'low' time and more physical strong workouts during follicular phase!
Thank you for reading Michele!
I can definitely recommend reading The Menopause Brain. It’s a little repetitive at times but full of enlightening information about female hormones and how they affect our brains throughout our lives, not just related to menopause.
The Menopause Brain: The New Science Empowering Women to Navigate Midlife with Knowledge and Confidence https://amzn.eu/d/ebVOfNl
Thank you for the recommendation Holly!! I'm gonna check it out!
You’re welcome! She has 2 other books that are on my to-read list too: XX Brain and Brain Food.
Good point and insight and something that is overlooked. I am past the cycle days as I am in menopause as of a year ago
Menopause is a whole other animal. That's something should be considered too for productivity but isn't - anywhere
Also lack of research? So unfortunate it's so overlooked! Thanks for sharing Jane!
So true. Most research is with men so...
It’s great that your talking about this issue. I personally think society needs to accommodate women more. For instance I know that the week I am on my period I’m not going to feel well enough to go to the gym. Our cycle is a time for rest. We lose prana during our period. It’s a time to go within and nurture our intuition and creativity, not for outward action. This is ancient wisdom that unfortunately has been forgotten in today’s society where women are supposed to be like men. We’re not. And that’s our super power. Men and women are equal in value yet have different strengths and weaknesses. Women would thrive a lot more in society if we were given permission to cater our routines more to our monthly cycle. Every week is different. A gym discount for women would be appropriate in my opinion for those of us who know we’re not going to feel well enough to go 1 out of 4 weeks. Workplaces also should cater for working from home during that time. In Spain they now do this and I believe in some countries in Asia as well. I hope there will be more debate around this so women can be allowed more needed rest time for those of us who feel we need it. I know it’s different for every woman how much she’s impacted by her cycle but all of us feel it.
Thank you so much for sharing Hege, you are so so right 🧡🧡🧡 especially about society not being accommodated to women. So true.
Thanks Marie! ✨
Love these suggestions/points! 🙏
Thank you Aurelia ✨
In my Substack diaries I talked about this very thing: “The beginning of the month Mika has lots of ideas and goals. The end of the month Mika is usually more tired and often feels bad for not completing all the goals set by beginning of the month Mika. I’m trying to figure out the best way to navigate the enthusiastic, optomestic Mika with the Mika who needs a slower pace at the end of the month.”
Thanks for reminding me that it’s all to do with the cycle. 🤦🏻♀️
The optimized woman by Miranda Gray is such a great book for understanding our cycles. If we don’t fight it and lean into each stage we can get the most benefits!
Highly recommend.
I’ve been testing out a new diary/ planner layout and have included a place for me to track what stage I’m in. 😊
Always look forward to your writing each week. 😊
It is such a good reminder about how our cycle impacts us - incredible. I am actually is peri-meno, which impacts me a bit more erratically, but I am dealing with it and give myself grace when needed.
Also, yes, that sounds like a typical Marie month as well 🤣🙈
Omg, gonna read that book, sounds exactly like what I need! Thank you for recommending!
Such a wonderfully refreshing perspective!! Thanks for these insights!
As a woman, I wish how our hormonal cycles affect us and how we can live better with them was talked about and researched more. I struggle with severe PMS so I know it affects me tons.
okay, now I'm beginning to overthink. Is it affect or effect in this case? 😂
fav part:
"What happened?
My period.
Yes, I am a woman. (In case you were doubting 😉 )"
haha 🤣 that was my favourite part too!! I imagined some 🥁 while writing it.
Thank you for writing about this. I just recently committed myself to never ever do something like attending a meeting (in that case it was a 1-day work event) again during my moon time. Especially not in the very first time. In the past I would force myself to show up, even when I was in pain I’d go to work. But nope, not gonna do that anymore, so I canceled that work event for me and just didn’t go.
Love that Mel, choosing yourself when you need to. I used to have to take so many painkillers to be able to handle the pain and headaches. It was bonkers if I think about it now. Getting the spiral helped so much, but it's still hormones in my body...
I hear you. I’ve never taken any painkillers and am not taking any hormones whatsoever ever again. I know what it did to my body. No, thank you. I’m trying a more natural and holistic path - because everything is connected - to get to the source of the monthly pain. It’s a process for sure.
*not on the very first day, is what I was trying to say.
Love the conversation around different physical, emotion and mental considerations for women’s health and success, these topics are important - and I appreciate you bringing more light to the discussion.
Curious why after such extraordinary observations, you then subscribe to and advocate for a man’s daily challenge? Especially one from a guy that uses toxic positivity to sell his products and has been pretty clear on his feelings towards women - especially with his recent interview about women in law enforcement.
I figured you might not be familiar with some of the more misaligned aspects of his values and behavior - given your focus to uplift women, which I appreciate. Also felt it was worth noting, since women in the US have their freedom on the line in the 2024 election. Good luck on you challenge 😊
Hi Liz! Thank you for reading and taking the time to leave a thoughtful comment.
Honestly, I don't follow the man in question and I don't read the news (and if I read the news, it's only the Belgian news 😊). But I had no idea he had such a toxic behaviour towards woman or in general.
I decided to do the challenge for myself and my mental fitness. I'm still respecting my own body in regards to the physical challenges. I will do yoga and walks when my body needs calm and rest, I choose a diet with mainly unprocessed food, but nothing extreme.
So, it's unfortunate to hear how he behaves towards woman, but as mentioned, I had no idea.
I will be sharing how I experience the challenge (as a woman respecting herself) in video content. Would love to hear your insights if you want to follow along!
This really resonated with me! Having been through 8 years of infertility and being on birth control for 20 years straight before that, little is truly known about how women's hormonal changes effect nearly every facet of our lives. When we ended our trying-to-conceive journey I refused to go back on BC. I told my husband I was done treating my body like a science experiment and wanted to “live like men did”. He respected that decision. I just wish I’d learned sooner.
That's so true, but it's good you made that decision now. Better late than never 🧡🧡 I can imagine the past years have been tough and very intense. Thank you for reading!