Definition:
There are certain times when the uterus naturally goes through a cleanse. Much like all organs in the body, the uterus has a natural cycle. Part of that cycle is to shed what it no longer needs in order to be able to start its cycle over again and continue to perform its functions. In the case of the uterus, the functions we know about relate to reproduction and endocrine system regulation (hormones) which means that uterine health is a vital part of mental and emotional well-being and overall health.
MONTHLY UTERINE CLEANSE
The most frequent uterine cleanse occurs monthly and is known as menstruation. This can be called the monthly uterine cleanse. During the monthly uterine cleanse the uterus sheds the endometrial lining of its walls by opening up the uterine artery and flushing it out with blood. A healthy monthly uterine cleanse averages four days and occurs every 28-30 days. The sign of a full uterine cleanse is if the menstruation starts and ends on fresh menses. Clots, cramps and brown blood are signs that there is some stagnation and that the uterus isn’t getting its full cleanse (see Uterine Stagnation ).
FUN FACTS
“Period” is a term by male anthropologists who believed that menstruation was a “periodic illness” .
The words menstruation and month both come from the word moon. Sometimes people say that they are “with the moon” or “have their moon” as a way to communicate they are menstruating.
The term “uterine cleanse” is also gaining in popularity as a way to refer to menstruation. Because it’s also educational (most people don’t know that the period is a monthly uterine cleanse) it’s helping to educate as well as change derogatory mindsets.
POSTPARTUM UTERINE CLEANSE
Someone will also experience a uterine cleanse after giving birth or after a pregnancy loss. This can be called the postpartum uterine cleanse. During the postpartum uterine cleanse, the uterus sheds all leftover pregnancy matter and fluids. Because the uterus has a bigger job during this time, a healthy postpartum uterine cleanse may last up until a month long.
There are certain times when the uterus naturally goes through a cleanse. Much like all organs in the body, the uterus has a natural cycle. Part of that cycle is to shed what it no longer needs in order to be able to start its cycle over again and continue to perform its functions. In the case of the uterus, the functions we know about relate to reproduction and endocrine system regulation (hormones) which means that uterine health is a vital part of mental and emotional well-being and overall health.
MONTHLY UTERINE CLEANSE
The most frequent uterine cleanse occurs monthly and is known as menstruation. This can be called the monthly uterine cleanse. During the monthly uterine cleanse the uterus sheds the endometrial lining of its walls by opening up the uterine artery and flushing it out with blood. A healthy monthly uterine cleanse averages four days and occurs every 28-30 days. The sign of a full uterine cleanse is if the menstruation starts and ends on fresh menses. Clots, cramps and brown blood are signs that there is some stagnation and that the uterus isn’t getting its full cleanse (see Uterine Stagnation ).
FUN FACTS
“Period” is a term by male anthropologists who believed that menstruation was a “periodic illness” .
The words menstruation and month both come from the word moon. Sometimes people say that they are “with the moon” or “have their moon” as a way to communicate they are menstruating.
The term “uterine cleanse” is also gaining in popularity as a way to refer to menstruation. Because it’s also educational (most people don’t know that the period is a monthly uterine cleanse) it’s helping to educate as well as change derogatory mindsets.
POSTPARTUM UTERINE CLEANSE
Someone will also experience a uterine cleanse after giving birth or after a pregnancy loss. This can be called the postpartum uterine cleanse. During the postpartum uterine cleanse, the uterus sheds all leftover pregnancy matter and fluids. Because the uterus has a bigger job during this time, a healthy postpartum uterine cleanse may last up until a month long.
Indicators/Body Signs:
Every menstrual cycle is a chance to do a uterus health checkup. Though there is a range of what is normal, not everything someone experiences during the menstruation is healthy even if that is regularly what they experience. A standard healthy cycle (SHC) is a way to tell if the uterus is healthy. An SHC has the following characteristics:
-4 days of menses
-Fresh red color from beginning to end
-28-30 day long menstrual cycle
-No negative side effects (pain, cramps, headaches, acne, nightsweats, uncontrollable emotions)
Deviations from a standard healthy cycle are a sign that the uterus may have an imbalance.
Every menstrual cycle is a chance to do a uterus health checkup. Though there is a range of what is normal, not everything someone experiences during the menstruation is healthy even if that is regularly what they experience. A standard healthy cycle (SHC) is a way to tell if the uterus is healthy. An SHC has the following characteristics:
-4 days of menses
-Fresh red color from beginning to end
-28-30 day long menstrual cycle
-No negative side effects (pain, cramps, headaches, acne, nightsweats, uncontrollable emotions)
Deviations from a standard healthy cycle are a sign that the uterus may have an imbalance.
Triggers (Aggravating Factors):
The following triggers can work against the uterine cleanse and may be causes of menstrual cycle imbalances:
-Tampons or plug products
-Inadequate rest during the uterine cleanse
-Exercise during the uterine cleanse
-Inadequate nourishment during the uterine cleanse
The following triggers can work against the uterine cleanse and may be causes of menstrual cycle imbalances:
-Tampons or plug products
-Inadequate rest during the uterine cleanse
-Exercise during the uterine cleanse
-Inadequate nourishment during the uterine cleanse
Related Emotions:
Letting Go
Letting Go
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment:
In western medicine menstruation is seen as necessary for reproduction and unimportant outside of that function. There is not a definition of healthy menstruation, rather, just observations of what characteristics menstruation may have. Pain, menstrual side effects and PMS are seen as a normal inescapable part of menstruation.
Medical treatments range from nothing at all to pain killers, period suppression with hormones, D&C procedures or full uterine removal (hysterectomy).
In western medicine menstruation is seen as necessary for reproduction and unimportant outside of that function. There is not a definition of healthy menstruation, rather, just observations of what characteristics menstruation may have. Pain, menstrual side effects and PMS are seen as a normal inescapable part of menstruation.
Medical treatments range from nothing at all to pain killers, period suppression with hormones, D&C procedures or full uterine removal (hysterectomy).
TCM:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine the uterine cleanse correlates to the season of winter – a time to hibernate, keep warm, stay inside and reflect.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine the uterine cleanse correlates to the season of winter – a time to hibernate, keep warm, stay inside and reflect.
Associated Risks:
Not properly caring for oneself during the period may result in Low Immunity, Low Energy, Cramps, Clots, Fibroids, Cysts, Anemia, Headaches, Fatigue, Depression, Spotting, Unpredictable ovulation dates, Difficulty conceiving.
Not properly caring for oneself during the period may result in Low Immunity, Low Energy, Cramps, Clots, Fibroids, Cysts, Anemia, Headaches, Fatigue, Depression, Spotting, Unpredictable ovulation dates, Difficulty conceiving.
Health Topics/Concerns:
Ongoing Bleeding, Long Periods, Heavy Periods / Bleeding
Ongoing Bleeding, Long Periods, Heavy Periods / Bleeding
Treatment Principles:
1) Clean out the contents of the uterus entirely to ensure that no matter is left over to form masses, tumors, fibroids or cysts. (Fresh red color menses at the beginning and end of your cycle is a likely indicator of a full cleanse.)
2) Nourish the blood, kidneys and internal fluids in order to support the body’s additional blood production.
The uterine cleanse is the equivalent to midnight–it’s time to rest. The better you sleep at night, the more energy you have throughout the day. If you only sleep a couple hours, you run out of energy earlier in the day. If you sleep well at night, you have energy throughout the entire day. A woman’s monthly cycle is the equivalent to night. It is a woman’s time to rest and charge her battery so that she has energy and remains healthy throughout the entire month. Doing so is considered one of the secrets to eternal youth.
1) Clean out the contents of the uterus entirely to ensure that no matter is left over to form masses, tumors, fibroids or cysts. (Fresh red color menses at the beginning and end of your cycle is a likely indicator of a full cleanse.)
2) Nourish the blood, kidneys and internal fluids in order to support the body’s additional blood production.
The uterine cleanse is the equivalent to midnight–it’s time to rest. The better you sleep at night, the more energy you have throughout the day. If you only sleep a couple hours, you run out of energy earlier in the day. If you sleep well at night, you have energy throughout the entire day. A woman’s monthly cycle is the equivalent to night. It is a woman’s time to rest and charge her battery so that she has energy and remains healthy throughout the entire month. Doing so is considered one of the secrets to eternal youth.
Steam Advice:
Steaming is contraindicated during fresh menses.
WHY?
During menses the uterine artery is open as blood flows to the uterus in order to flush it out. Steaming at this time could increase the blood flow causing heavy bleeding.
Instead, steam before the period to increase circulation to the uterus so that it may perform its best during the upcoming period. It’s also beneficial to steam after the period is over to clear out any lingering menses that may still be in the vaginal canal.
When steaming it is very important to understand the function of the period as a uterine cleanse and to follow best period care practices in order for the steam sessions to be effective.
Steaming is contraindicated during fresh menses.
WHY?
During menses the uterine artery is open as blood flows to the uterus in order to flush it out. Steaming at this time could increase the blood flow causing heavy bleeding.
Instead, steam before the period to increase circulation to the uterus so that it may perform its best during the upcoming period. It’s also beneficial to steam after the period is over to clear out any lingering menses that may still be in the vaginal canal.
When steaming it is very important to understand the function of the period as a uterine cleanse and to follow best period care practices in order for the steam sessions to be effective.
Helpful Practices:
-Womb Cleanse Care Guidelines (rest, no plugs, warmth, nourishment, no inversions)
-Switch to All Natural Products Only
-Abdominal Wrap
-10pm Bedtime. Between 11pm to 3am the liver works to clean and generate blood. If you are awake at this time, it is more difficult for the liver to perform these functions
-Moon Gazing
-Take a pause from regular routine
-Breast Massage
-Surround yourself with flowers or nature
-Spend time in reflection
-Rest as much as possible
-Nap
-Go to bed early
-Post-Period Evaluation
-Womb Cleanse Care Guidelines (rest, no plugs, warmth, nourishment, no inversions)
-Switch to All Natural Products Only
-Abdominal Wrap
-10pm Bedtime. Between 11pm to 3am the liver works to clean and generate blood. If you are awake at this time, it is more difficult for the liver to perform these functions
-Moon Gazing
-Take a pause from regular routine
-Breast Massage
-Surround yourself with flowers or nature
-Spend time in reflection
-Rest as much as possible
-Nap
-Go to bed early
-Post-Period Evaluation
Food Therapy:
-Womb Cleanse Food Therapy (Warm nourishing foods like soups and hot cereals. Eat/snack often. Do not cut calories. Avoid cold foods/beverages.)
-Blood Deficiency Food Therapy Guidelines (Blood tonic herbal formulas, focus on digestion and absorption, protein/iron/B vitamins/vitamin C. Eat last meal by 6pm or earlier allowing digestion a chance to rest at night, which frees up the liver for cleaning and generating blood.
-Womb Cleanse Food Therapy (Warm nourishing foods like soups and hot cereals. Eat/snack often. Do not cut calories. Avoid cold foods/beverages.)
-Blood Deficiency Food Therapy Guidelines (Blood tonic herbal formulas, focus on digestion and absorption, protein/iron/B vitamins/vitamin C. Eat last meal by 6pm or earlier allowing digestion a chance to rest at night, which frees up the liver for cleaning and generating blood.
Referral Notes:
PERISTEAM FACILITATOR
A steam session by a Peristeam Facilitator at their steam spa or using their mobile service is a great way to conclude the menstruation once it is over to ensure that all the menses comes out and none gets stuck in the vaginal canal or elsewhere. It is also a great wellness practice for preventative care.
PERISTEAM HYDROTHERAPIST
Recommended if menstruation has negative side effects or cycle irregularities. The Peristeam Hydrotherapist can do a cycle reading to determine if any imbalances are present and create a steam plan, herbs and schedule to target them.
ABDOMINAL MASSAGE
An abdominal massage (or even fully body massage) is a great way to conclude the menstruation once it is over.
PERISTEAM FACILITATOR
A steam session by a Peristeam Facilitator at their steam spa or using their mobile service is a great way to conclude the menstruation once it is over to ensure that all the menses comes out and none gets stuck in the vaginal canal or elsewhere. It is also a great wellness practice for preventative care.
PERISTEAM HYDROTHERAPIST
Recommended if menstruation has negative side effects or cycle irregularities. The Peristeam Hydrotherapist can do a cycle reading to determine if any imbalances are present and create a steam plan, herbs and schedule to target them.
ABDOMINAL MASSAGE
An abdominal massage (or even fully body massage) is a great way to conclude the menstruation once it is over.
