There are four common types of health profiles (or constitutions) based on various combinations of PMS and period symptoms. Read on to find out your type.
In the past, I didn’t really pay much attention to my menstruation.
I was always glad that it came as it was supposed to, but I often dreaded the pain and discomfort that I had to go through.
As I’m learning more about the science and mysteries of menstruation, however, my attitude has made a dramatic shift.
Now I feel truly blessed for my menstruation, because I’ve discovered the gifts it brings – valuable information about the state of our health, and hints on how to take care of ourselves.
4 Common Types of Menstrual Health Profiles
I’ve learned that there are four common types of health profiles (or constitutions) based on various combinations of PMS and period symptoms.
Of course, this is an overly simplified overview. In reality, each one of us is quite unique and our profiles can be much more diverse and complicated.
Nevertheless, I find the four profiles offer a general direction for us to understand our constitutions, so we can explore, experiment, and find out what works for each of us.
The Cold Type
This type is usually associated with a feeling of cold and dull pain/cramping during menstruation, especially around the lower abdominal area. Applying something warm such as a heating pad usually helps relieve the discomfort.
The menstrual blood is usually dark red with clots. Sometimes the period is late, and can lasts over 7 days.
Tips:
It’s important for the cold type to stay warm, especially the lower part of the body. Avoid sitting on the cold floor, walking with bare feet on a cold surface, and eating cold temperature foods/drinks.
Personally I’m a cold type. To keep myself warm during my menses, I like to soak my feet in warm water, drink Yogi Moon Cycle Tea, and keep my belly warm with a heating pad 1-2 days before my period and while I’m menstruating.
The Stressful Type
This type characterizes many familiar premenstrual symptoms – mood swings, depression, irritability, anger outbursts, alternating between craving food and a poor appetite, diarrhea and constipation, breast tenderness, and bloating.
Symptoms often change from month to month, but usually disappear at the onset of menstruation. Irregular periods are also common. Menstruation arrives sometimes early, sometimes late.
Tips:
Regularity is very important for the stressful type. Keep a regular daily rhythm – go to bed and wake up, consistently, at the same time every day.
It’s also helpful to learn to express emotions creatively and constructively. And find ways to de-stress on a daily basis, so it doesn’t build up and become over-powering.
The stressful type often shows signs of estrogen dominance. So, consider doing a liver detox and taking Dim-plus to promote estrogen metabolism.
The Blood Deficiency Type
These women tend to experience fatigue, dizziness, vertigo, dry skin, blurred vision, brittle nails, poor memory and concentration, and lower back pain, especially around menstruation.
The menstrual blood is usually scant, and pink or light red in color. It’s also common to have a delayed period, sometimes up to 40 days.
Tips:
Make sure you get plenty of sleep and rest, and nourish your blood especially after menstruation.
Check out foods that nourish the blood, and take a whole food-based multivitamin and a non-constipating iron supplement.
The Fatigue Type
The symptoms for the fatigue type include poor appetite, shortness of breath (especially on exertion), frequent loose stools, and mental and physical exhaustion.
The fatigue type also tends to accumulate body fluid (edema) in the lower part of the body, such as swollen feet and ankles.
The menstrual blood is usually light red, sometimes heavy and sometimes scanty. The duration of period is usually short.
Tips:
The key for the fatigue type is to strengthen the digestive system. Eat small and frequent meals. Make sure to have a nutritious breakfast. Choose foods that are easy to digest and well balanced. And eat slowly.
For extra energy support, take B Complex and Maca.
So, which type are you?
I hope this article offers some helpful information and inspires you to pay a closer attention to your menstrual cycles, and your PMS/period symptoms and signs.
Our body has a supreme intelligence that guides us toward balance and harmony. All we need to do is to pay attention and honor its needs.
Hi
I am definately the stressful type and it isn’t an easy life at all! Can’t plan things as don’t know where u r in your cycle!
Please help me to do what i can to get back to my regular cycle and normal life!
Thanks
Hi JK, I’m a stress type as well. The key is awareness. When I catch myself feeling stressed, I learn to give myself a break (nap, walk, meditate, etc.). If I don’t do that, stress will build up to a point of no return and it’ll inevitably tip me over. So nowadays I try to do little things to destress while it’s still small and manageable. Of course, I’m not always successful and it’s okay too. 🙂
thanks for sharing
hi thanks for sharing im the Fatigue type i get all the symptoms two weeks before the blood appears like now and my arms just get cold and problem with sleeping
Hi Iana, if you are the Fatigue Type, it’s important to nourish your body before your period. Check out what to eat before, during and after your period, and simple foods to nourish your blood.
I feel like I’m all of those. I loose my appetite, I get dizzy and fatigue, my menstural cycle can be a mess andy periods never comes at the same day they did before. My periods are usually super heavy and long (7-13 days) and I’m feeling cold, I’m in pain and I feel super tired.
So any suggestions for that? Can I really be all those types. Because those really are my “symptoms” during my period.
Hi Mimo, have you had your thyroid checked out? Some of your symptoms are similar to those of an underactive thyroid. Read what a sluggish thyroid can do to your menstrual cycles.
Would you say that it is possible to change between types through your life or say if you used to be on the pill but are getting used to not being on it? I have noticed that I have been really cold this time in the middle of June and everyone else is hot. I’ve not had that before and I don’t feel ill otherwise. Just really wiped out!
Hi Ellie, our body changes depending on our internal health, external environment, and at different phase of our life cycle. So yes, it’s possible to change types. And it helps to pay attention to our body, and adjust our approach to take care of its needs – and to restore balance. If you’ve been feeling cold lately, try keep yourself warm and eat warming foods, and get plenty of rest.
I can definitely relate to this post, it’s a real eye-opener. I am a mix of the fatigue and stressful type. I don’t normally eat breakfast because I’m usually in a rush to get through the day, this reminds me to pay more attention to that. Also I need to start drinking more de-stressing teas. Thank you Jing
I am the stressful type 🙁 omg my PMS week is terrible 🙁 I get so moody, especially with my significant other. . I hate it. I try so hard to control it, but my mind just gets taken over by crazy moodiness. I always end up apologizing to my boyfriend, but he understands what I’m going through.