Protecting a woman’s reproductive system is the single most important focus of her body between the time of puberty and menopause. This time, between puberty and menopause, is also when a woman experiences her monthly menstrual cycle.
Did you know that during this time in a woman’s life she ages most rapidly? This is because the reproductive hormones can be steroid compounds that speed up the aging process.
Historically, menopause was thought to be a positive experience, as it gently and painlessly ended the burden of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Although it often lightened the libido, it also allowed for sex without the concern of accidental pregnancy.
Menopause
Women never used to experience physical problems or symptoms during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. In fact, they almost always felt better. Past medical literature, up through the 1800’s, rarely, if ever, mentioned menopause as a problem where women would exhibit symptoms. Heart palpitations and hot flashes were virtually nonexistent.
This all changed around 1950. Women born from 1900 on were the first to experience “symptoms of menopause”…such as: night sweats, hot flashes, fatigue, panic attacks, anxiety, hair thinning, and joint pain.
In the middle of the 20th century, women ages 40-50 began seeing their doctors in large numbers, complaining of these symptoms. Women were labeled as crazy or lazy, it was all in their head, etc. However, as time went on, these symptoms persisted in women and more symptoms were added to the list…such as: memory issues, trouble concentrating, moodiness, weight gain, and dizziness.
Eventually blame was placed on menopause because the one thing these women had in common was their age. The decision was made to place the blame on women’s hormones, despite the fact that plenty of men were experiencing these symptoms as well.
In reality, menopause is a good thing, it actually slows down the aging process and boosts your immune system.
The “symptoms of menopause” women deal with are actually a result of underlying pathogens and toxic load.
Menstruation & Ovulation
During both menstruation and ovulation, a woman’s immune system shifts from other areas of the body to focus on the reproductive system (this shift happens during pregnancy and childbirth as well). This regular, monthly, lowering of the immune system can create opportunities for pathogens like Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Shingles, and their cofactor bacteria, Streptococcus, to gain strength and take hold. These pathogens are at the root of women’s suffering and chronic illness.
When a woman is menstruating, 80% of her immune system goes to safeguard her reproductive system, leaving a mere 20% of her immune system to protect the rest of her body and fight pathogens. During ovulation, this ratio changes such that 40% of her immune system goes toward the reproductive system and 60% remains protecting the rest of the body. This lowered immune system is just what pathogens need to make their way into the reproductive organs and begin to cause problems.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
PMS symptoms are caused by a wide range of viruses, bacteria, and toxins. Pathogens, such as EBV, shingles, various HHV’s, streptococcus, etc can enter the reproductive organs and cause inflammation not detectable by medical procedures. This inflammation results in chronic reproductive organ conditions, such as PMS.
Irregular Menstruation
The most common cause of irregular menstruation is a low-grade chronic EBV infection in the reproductive system. The presence of the virus can disrupt the normal function of the reproductive system.
Another possible cause is rooted in adrenal dysfunction caused by EBV. Low thyroid hormone (T4) levels from a hypothyroid condition which is viral, and compromised adrenals that are unable to compensate for the thyroid deficiency.
Heavy Menstruation
Pathogens such as EBV, Streptococcus, and Shingles get into the reproductive system. Viral byproducts coming from an overburdened liver can also get in the reproductive system, along with toxic heavy metals, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, dioxins, petrochemicals, etc. The heavier the cycle, the more troublemakers you have in your reproductive system.
The purpose of a cycle is to cleanse. When the uterus sheds its lining, it is trying to eliminate these pathogens and toxins. Therefore, if you have been cleansing and trying to eliminate these pathogens from your body, your cycle will become lighter. You can even reach the point of no bleeding, because the uterus does not have to shed – it does so to remove toxins.
The more toxins we have, the heavier our menstruation becomes and the harder our uterus has to work.
The Role of Nutrition
When we consume a diet high in fat, including foods that feed pathogens, we are asking for trouble. Foods such as eggs, dairy – milk, cheese, butter, wheat/gluten are all pathogen feeding foods which will worsen every chronic condition. In particular, the estrogen in foods like eggs, dairy, and meat…and in other products like plastics, solvents, and medications, feed viruses and bacteria immensely. Knowing what foods to avoid is critical for healing.
Avoid = eggs; dairy – milk, cheese, and butter; canola oil, animal products; and wheat/gluten
A Path To Health
Moving forward and healing reproductive cycle issues is absolutely possible. You have the ability to be pain and symptom free during your cycle. Doing this requires women to learn how to feed their bodies and not their pathogens.
Lowering the fats in your diet and cutting out “no foods” is essential for healing. You will also want to bring in plenty of fruits – the antioxidants and glucose in fruits feed the reproductive system while starving the pathogens. Another key to healing is the Heavy Metal Detox Smoothie. Drinking this smoothie everyday not only helps to strengthen your reproductive organs, it also begins to remove the heavy metals so that the pathogens no longer use them as fuel.
Some helpful supplements include: zinc, b12, L-lysine, licorice root, lemon balm, micro c, cat’s claw, nascent iodine, ashwagandha, monolaurin, barley grass juice powder, spirulina, nettle leaf, raspberry leaf tea, wild yam, and schisandra berry.
Continuing The Reproductive Issue Discussion
The reproductive system is a big topic with many chronic issues to explore. In a future blog I will be discussing what’s at the root of, and how to heal, some of the major reproductive organ problems facing women today, such as:
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Reproductive Cysts (uterine/ovarian/vaginal/cervical)
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) / Bladder Infections/ Yeast Infections, Bacterial Vaginosis
Our bodies are truly amazing, and it is important we always remember that the body wants to heal. It is our job to learn how to help our bodies heal. By understanding the information Anthony gives us, you are on the path to healing. Be gentle and forgiving with yourself throughout your healing process. It is a journey, but the most rewarding journey, as you gain so much more than just health along the way.
