Many of the menstrual disharmonies, such as painful periods, endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding and infertility can be avoided and healed by taking better care of our uterus. Check out the 15 essential uterine care routines.
In China, we call the uterus, “a woman’s inner palace.”
It’s called a palace because it’s the place to create and nurture a future generation – the sons and daughters. It’s a sacred place that needs special care and attention.
Many of the menstrual disharmonies, such as painful periods, endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding and infertility can be avoided and healed by taking better care of this inner palace – our uterus.
15 Tips to Care for Your Uterus
Today I’m going to share with you 15 little tips to help you take better care of your uterus, so you can enjoy a harmonious and healthy menstrual cycle.
1. Avoid products that contain xenoestrogen.
Xenoestrogens are foreign estrogens that mimic the functions of our natural estrogens. They can interrupt our hormone balance, producing symptoms such as PMS, heavy periods, mood swings, PCOS, fibroids, etc.
Moreover, xenoestrogens tend to reduce the elasticity of the uterine wall, making it thinner and more fragile.
Disposable menstrual products are among the top 10 xenoestrogens to avoid, especially those that contain chlorine, fragrance, wax, surfactants, rayon, etc.
Consider using reusable menstrual pads or menstrual cups instead. It’ll save you money over the long run, protect your health, and it’s good for the environment as well.
2. Avoid having too many sexual partners.
Having too many sexual partners may increase the chances of pelvic inflammation and vaginal infections.
3. Eat plenty of cold water fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.
Prostaglandin is a hormone-like substance that can make the uterus contract too hard, causing pain and increasing the chances of a malpositioning of the uterus.
Omega-3 fatty acids in cold water fish such as mackerel and salmon help reduce inflammation and the secretion of prostaglandin.
So, add some fish to your dinner two to three times a week. If you’re a vegetarian, consider taking a flaxseed oil supplement.
4. Exercise your pelvic muscles.
Full-body exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling, dancing, etc. are not only good for our health, but also benefit the uterus by promoting blood circulation in the pelvic area.
Swimming, in particular, is especially good for strengthening the uterus. Swimming 2 hours per week can reduce back pain, relieve period pain and make childbirth easier, per the experts.
If you want an exercise that is specifically designed to strengthen the pelvic muscles, add 20-30 rounds of PC pumps per day. Also known as kegal excise, this ancient Tantra practice helps balance the second chakra, with is the seat of reproduction, energy, sexuality and creativity.
5. Avoid using birth control pills for extended periods of time.
Research has shown that using birth control pills continuously for over 8 years can interrupt the body’s natural hormone balance and increases the chances of developing fibroids.
Check out 10 birth control options without the pills.
6. Have a clean sexual partner.
Many bacteria that can lead to pelvic infection are carried in the folds of the male penis, per the experts.
So it’s not a surprise that a research in England found that the chances of a woman developing a pelvic inflammatory disease are reduced by 70% when her sexual partner cleans his private part before sexual intimacy.
I know. It seems a bit awkward to ask your partner to clean his genitals before having sex with you. A way to get around this is perhaps to take a shower (maybe together?) before foreplay.
7. Don’t hold your urine.
Holding urine can make waste materials accumulate in the bladder, causing bladder infection, which can also lead to vaginal and pelvic infection, due to their close proximity.
Additionally, a habitually enlarged bladder can create undue pressure on the uterus, causing it to move out of position.
8. Quit smoking.
We know that smoking is bad for our health. But do you know that long-term smoking has a particularly harmful effect on the uterus?
Research in England discovered that cancer-causing substances in cigarettes tend to concentrate in the body fluids around the cervix. Could it cause cervical cancer? We don’t know for sure. But it can’t be good.
9. Maintain a healthy body weight.
Being thin seems to be the new happy these days. But lacking adequate body fat to hold the uterus in place can result in a prolapsed (dropped) uterus, which increases the chances of pelvic infections and period pain.
Moreover, it can lead to estrogen deficiency, affecting our physical vitality, mental clarity, and emotional stability, as well as sexuality and fertility.
10. Don’t sit for too long.
Sitting at your desk for too long without adequate exercise inhibits the healthy blood and energy circulation in the pelvic area.
This can cause the thickening of the uterine wall and increase the chances of endometriosis.
So, get up and move around every hour or so.
11. Massage your abdomen with rose essential oil.
Here’s an excellent massage to prevent and relieve period pain – a uterine care routine that’s popular in China and Korea:
- Put 2 drops of rose essential oils into your palm.
- Warm it up by rubbing your palms together.
- Then push your palms from your rib cage area toward your uterus.
- Massage it for a few times until the area gets a little warm.
Check out 2 other effective essential oil recipes for period cramps.
If you have heavy periods, read how to use cypress oil to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.
12. Keep your uterus warm.
Cold accumulated in the uterus is a common cause of painful periods and infertility.
So, avoid consuming raw and cold foods and drinks during your periods. And wear enough clothes to keep your body and your uterus warm.
Personally, I also love cuddling up with a microwavable warmer while I am menstruating to keep my uterus extra warm and cozy.
13. Have a nutritious breakfast with some whole grains.
Research shows that 30% of women who have pelvic diseases have a lower than average intake of folic acid and beta-carotene.
Whole grains are rich in these vital nutrients and the best time for absorption is in the morning when you have breakfast.
If you feel that your diet doesn’t give you all the nutrients your body needs (which applies to most people nowadays), consider taking a high quality multivitamin. Personally, I use Mykind Organic Whole Food Vitamin for Women and I love it.
14. Pay attention to your vaginal discharge.
Excessive, watery, cottage cheese-like, yellow, smelly or other abnormal vaginal discharges are early indications of a possible dysfunction of the uterus. So pay attention.
Read my post What Does Your Vaginal Discharge Tell You.
15. Improve the immunity of your uterus.
Lemon is rich in vitamin C and can help improve the immunity of the uterus from external bacteria. So, why not start your day with a cup of warm lemon water in the morning.
You may also consider taking supplements for extra immune support.
Remember, our uterus is not a house of sin and shame. Rather, it’s a palace to house our innate ability to create new life – and whatever it is that we envision in our lives.
I hope you found these tips helpful, and that this article inspires you to take better care of your uterus. Do you have other helpful tips to care for our uterus? Please leave a comment to share with us.
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