What does that actually mean? Body literacy refers to how well you understand and know your own body. Let’s face it, you and your body have been united since conception so there is a very tight bond. We just need to listen and be aware of what is going on.
Let’s look at heavy menstruation as an example.
Heavy menstrual bleeding is a clear sign that estrogen was high for most of that cycle, even if it looks low on the day you happened to test. The symptom speaks for itself, which is why body literacy can be more important than lab work.
For example, it’s completely normal for estradiol to drop to menopausal levels during the period.
Of course, high estrogen is not the only cause of heavy bleeding. Fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, and other factors can all play a role. But if flow is heavy (for whatever combination of reasons), that means there was a substantial amount of estrogen in the preceding weeks. Otherwise, the uterine lining could not have built up enough to bleed that much.
In a normal period, you should not lose more than about 80 mL of menstrual fluid over all the days of the bleed. That’s equivalent to about five tablespoons spread over all the days of the bleed.
Helping you understand your body and why it does what it does is your local qualified naturopath. Women are all different. They have grown up differently and been exposed to different events throughout their life. It is important to have a health professional who will take the time to listen to you and help translate what you are experiencing and how this aligns with your body trying to do the best it can.
Body literacy should be part of your pre-conception preparation.
Mothers – please also help your daughters (and sons) to develop body literacy. It will make their lives much easier as they grow older.
For information on how to address heavy periods watch this video by Lara Briden.
