The female infradian rhythm.
You have probably heard of the 24-hour circadian rhythm and its influence on your wellbeing, but how about the female infradian rhythm?
The infradian rhythm is a time-related biological cycle that women experience over about a month. You literally have a second body clock! This beautiful rhythm encompasses cyclical changes in brain activity, immune and endocrine function and includes the fluctuation of star reproductive hormones; oestrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinising hormone (see ‘menstrual cycle hormones’ and ‘what is the menstrual cycle… exactly?’ blogs).
Throughout the 28ish day infradian cycle, these hormones move and flow in a complex sequence, influencing everything from your nervous system and metabolism to your microbiome.
Hormones impact your mood, emotions, mental capacity, motivation, sensuality, productivity, creativity, sensitivity, nutrient needs, cravings, physical energy and sleep.
This ultimately means that you actually change throughout your cycle and so do your needs.
If the infradian rhythm is so significant, why have you never heard about it before? Historically, medical research has not prioritised women's health and women have not been included in many clinical trials. Things are changing thank goodness but it still stands that the masses of heath data that science has accumulated, is mostly based on men. The info that therefore trickles down into GP offices and general knowledge, is biased. Our medical system is biased. Men don’t have infradian cycles.
There is a popular cultural idea that we need to do the same and be the same every day;
Eat consistently, exercise invariably, self-care habitually and feel monotonously.
It’s just not true. When people with female physiology live in ways that support their natural cycles, health and happiness outcomes increase dramatically, always.
This doesn’t mean micro-managing your life, unless that’s your vibe! It means tuning in with your body and being, throughout your cycle and observing what your needs are. You will notice monthly patterns and with courage, discernment and time, be able to support your cyclical needs.
I will continue to post free resources to help you understand your cycle and nourish your hormone health. If you would like 1:1 support, book in a free discovery session and we can discuss possible pathways of working together.
Keisha xx
