Author: BalanceGenics Longevity Research Team (How100.com)
How many women have ever resented their biological sex because of menstruation?
I’d guess quite a few. Periods are like an unwanted guest—sometimes welcomed, yet often dreaded.
Each month, for about a week, we have to constantly monitor our bodies, change sanitary products every few hours, and endure symptoms like cramps, back pain, fatigue, and mood swings.
Not everyone experiences these symptoms, and their intensity varies. But for some women, the discomfort is enough to disrupt their work and daily life.
Some might even wish they could permanently get rid of their period.
But today, let’s talk about the invaluable role that menstruation plays in women’s health. Yes, it can be frustrating, but in many ways, it is also a guardian of our well-being.
1. Menstruation: A Unique Female Superpower
Let’s start with the basics—what exactly is menstruation?
Menstruation is the regular shedding of the uterine lining, and it’s directly tied to a woman’s ability to conceive.
The Menstrual Cycle: A Brief Overview
- Most girls get their first period between ages 11–16 (average: 13–14), influenced by genetics, nutrition, and environment.
- It marks the body’s transition into reproductive maturity, driven by the pituitary gland’s release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
- These hormones stimulate the ovaries, leading to the production of estrogen and progesterone, which regulate ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
The menstrual cycle consists of four main phases:
- Follicular Phase (Pre-ovulation) – The body prepares an egg for release.
- Ovulation Phase – The egg is released from the ovary.
- Luteal Phase (Post-ovulation) – The body prepares for pregnancy.
-
Menstrual Phase – If no pregnancy occurs, the uterine lining sheds.
If fertilization doesn’t happen, the corpus luteum degenerates, hormone levels drop, and the uterine lining sheds—leading to menstruation.
Menstruation isn’t a burden—it signifies that women possess a powerful biological capability: the ability to create life. The ability to conceive isn’t a curse. What makes it difficult is societal inequality, not the biological process itself.
Regardless of whether or not we choose to have children, we should recognize and respect the power of our own bodies.
2. Menstruation & Women's Health: How Are They Connected?
Menstruation isn’t just about reproduction—it plays a crucial role in overall health, largely due to estrogen. When the ovaries function properly, estrogen regulates multiple body systems. However, after menopause, estrogen levels drop, leading to a higher risk of certain health conditions.
Let’s explore some major health benefits of menstruation.
① Menstruation May Reduce the Risk of Gout
Did you know that men are 3–10 times more likely to develop gout than premenopausal women?
However, after menopause, a woman’s risk of gout increases significantly.
A study tracking 1 million postmenopausal women in Korea for 8.1 years found that:
- Women who had their first period later in life had a higher risk of developing gout.
- Women who reached menopause earlier also had an increased risk of gout.
Why does estrogen protect against gout?
Gout occurs when uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, leading to inflammation. Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood and is excreted through the kidneys. However, when the body produces too much uric acid or the kidneys fail to remove it efficiently, levels rise, leading to gout.
Estrogen helps flush uric acid from the body and reduces inflammation, keeping the risk of gout lower until menopause, when estrogen levels drop.
Before puberty, both boys and girls have low uric acid levels. However, once boys enter puberty, their uric acid levels gradually increase to adult levels. In contrast, women benefit from estrogen's protective effects, keeping uric acid levels low until menopause. Once estrogen declines after menopause, uric acid levels rise to adult levels, increasing the risk of developing gout.
② Menstruation Helps Maintain Bone Health
Postmenopausal women are at higher risk of osteoporosis. Bones constantly break down and rebuild. Osteoclasts break down old bone, while osteoblasts generate new bone. When bone loss outpaces bone formation, osteoporosis develops—leading to fragile, weak bones and a higher risk of fractures.
Estrogen plays a crucial role in bone health by supporting osteoblasts (bone-building cells). However, after menopause, estrogen drops sharply, osteoblast activity declines, and bone loss accelerates—which is why elderly women are more prone to fractures.
How to Maintain Bone Health?
- Consume enough calcium (dairy, tofu, leafy greens).
- Exercise regularly (weight-bearing and resistance training).
- Get enough vitamin D (through sunlight exposure or supplements).
Medical Treatment:
According to The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), calcitonin, and bisphosphonates can help prevent and treat osteoporosis.
③ Menstruation Reflects Overall Health
Estrogen doesn’t just regulate the reproductive system—it supports nearly every organ.
l Heart Health: Estrogen protects against heart disease by maintaining blood vessel function.
l Brain Health: Higher lifetime estrogen exposure is linked to better cognitive function and lower dementia risk.
l Mood Regulation: Estrogen fluctuations affect mood, stress levels, and emotional stability.
A study published in Neurology found that women with higher lifetime estrogen exposure had larger brain volumes and fewer signs of neurological disease.
Estrogen also plays a role in mood regulation, but it’s not as simple as "more estrogen = better mood" and "less estrogen = worse mood."
In reality, estrogen’s effect on emotions is incredibly complex, and science has yet to fully understand it. What we do know is that fluctuations in estrogen levels can make emotions feel like a rollercoaster ride. For example, before menstruation, many women experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS)—which can bring mood swings, depression, irritability, and anxiety.
On the flip side, during the follicular and ovulation phases, estrogen levels peak, leading to feelings of happiness, warmth, and affection—a time when many women feel an increased desire for closeness and intimacy. That phase where you suddenly feel madly in love for no reason? Yep, it’s probably right around ovulation!
3. Should You Try to Stop Your Period?
Given estrogen’s benefits, some women consider hormonal birth control or surgery (e.g., IUDs, implants, hysterectomy) to eliminate their periods.
But while hormonal therapy can regulate periods, it doesn’t work for everyone and may have side effects, including:
- Depression
- Irregular bleeding
- Infections
- Uterine perforation
Surgical removal of the uterus also carries risks—excessive bleeding, infections, urinary issues, and reduced sexual function. While periods can be uncomfortable, their regularity is a sign of hormonal balance, bone strength, and overall health.
Rather than eliminating menstruation, it’s better to find ways to manage symptoms and support overall well-being.
4. How to Make Your Period More Manageable
Of course, women shouldn’t have to simply endure menstrual discomfort or ignore the pain it brings.
What we want to emphasize is this: please don’t hate your body because of menstruation. These challenges can be managed with medical solutions, and you don’t have to suffer in silence.
Managing PMS & Mood Swings
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is mainly caused by the withdrawal of estrogen and progesterone during the luteal phase, though stress and anxiety can also make symptoms worse.
✔ For mild symptoms, treat yourself with self-care:
Eat what you crave, sleep as much as you need, relax, and pamper yourself like a queen.
✔ For severe symptoms, especially if PMS has developed into premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), medical treatment may be needed.
Effective options include:
- Short-term oral contraceptives
- Vitamin B6 supplements
- Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications
Always consult a doctor before taking any medication—never self-medicate.
Dealing With Menstrual Cramps
Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) can range from mild discomfort to unbearable pain.
First, it’s important to determine whether your cramps are caused by an underlying condition:
Secondary Dysmenorrhea (caused by medical conditions)
- If menstrual pain is severe, worsening over time, or significantly disrupting daily life, it could be a sign of:
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Ovarian cysts (chocolate cysts)
In these cases, seek medical evaluation as soon as possible.
Primary Dysmenorrhea (not caused by a medical condition)
- If no underlying disease is found, pain relief methods depend on severity:
- Mild pain: Apply a warm compress to relax muscles.
- Moderate to severe pain: Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or calcium channel blockers for relief.
Taking Care of Your Body Beyond Your Period
Your health before and after menstruation also affects how smoothly your period goes.
✅ Maintain a regular sleep schedule
✅ Stay active with regular exercise
✅ Eat a nutrient-rich diet (protein, dairy, and healthy fats)
The stronger and healthier your body is, the more stable and manageable your menstrual cycle will be.
We hope that instead of trying to "get rid" of menstruation, women can find solutions to the challenges it brings.
Because in reality, your period is not your enemy—it’s a natural expression of your body’s strength and health.
Good morning, and let’s embrace this world with love.
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References:
[1] Yeonghee Eun, In-Young Kim, etc. Association between female reproductive factors and gout: a nationwide population-based cohort study of 1 million postmenopausal women[J]. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2021.
[2] Sundeep Khosla, Lorenz C Hofbauer. Osteoporosis treatment: recent developments and ongoing challenges[J]. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol, 2017.
[3] Yuko Hara, Elizabeth M Waters, etc. Estrogen Effects on Cognitive and Synaptic Health Over the Lifecourse[J]. Physiol Rev, 2015.
